After months of boredom-induced nail biting and chipped polish from unsuccessful manicures at home, we’ve never been more ready to have our glamorous nails back…
I’m sure many of us tried some DIY beauty solutions during lockdown, coming to the painful conclusion that our eye-catching acrylics and creative nail art designs just can’t be recreated at home.
Thankfully, Manchester’s salons have reopened and are welcoming us with open arms to get glammed up with a new set of nails this spring.
Whether you want a fresh pub garden manicure or desperately need your nails neatening up, look no further than these must-visit nail salons in central Manchester.
Doll Parts
Doll PartsManchester
Doll Parts is a groovy nail salon is based in Affleck’s in the Northern Quarter, meaning you really don’t need to travel far to get a new set of nails.
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The venue is offering a variety of fun and artistic nail art designs to meet your tastes, as well as acrylic and gel extensions.
The creativity of this funky salon knows no limits – meaning you can let your ideas go wild with their designs!
It’s A Nail Thing is a new salon that has just launched at Hatch on Oxford Road, making it the student quarter’s hottest new salon.
It’s an inclusive salon of three independent nail technicians that share a love for unique designs, creating some intricate and artsy pieces in the process.
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Nail art has never been trendier than it is right now, so It’s A Nail Thing is the perfect place to go and get your fill.
This squad of creative nail technicians have grouped together to form Nails By Ya Gal Studio, providing us with the latest and trendiest in nail art designs.
Each member of the team has their own Instagram filled with funky and fresh nail art designs – I think several appointments may be necessary to book in with each of them!
The salon is a 20-minute walk outside of Piccadilly Gardens, but it’s definitely worth the short journey for their insanely intricate designs.
The Nude Nail Company is well-versed in gel manicures and bespoke nail art, creating a selection of adorable designs.
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They’re capable of everything from funky pastel designs to more simple and elegant block colours, so the sky is the limit.
Although they’re based in Didsbury, they operate both home-based and mobile, making it a great option if you don’t feel confident venturing into a salon just yet.
A local indie fashion brand is cleaning tired old trainers while handing out free shoes and ice cream
Danny Jones
A Manchester-based fashion brand is looking to give back to the community with a wholesome new initiative that will see a charitable trainer cleaning service swapped for a brand-new pair of shoes and free ice cream.
Nope, this is not a scam or some kind of prank, just a local indie label doing some lovely for the community and an important a crucial UK non-profit.
In case you’ve not come across the name before, we’re talking about rising sneaker makers KayKrepz, who are behind the increasingly popular model known as the ‘Kezy’, available in a select few colours.
Sneaker heads may have already spotted a select few pairs out on the streets of Manchester, where the designer’s story begins, but we have a very strong feeling you won’t get many other opportunities to get your hands on a pair of these for free.
The ‘Kezy’ in Earth GreenAnd in CreamA very fresh pair of creps, it has to be said – and who could say no to free shoes designed right here in Manchester? (Credit: Supplied)
Speaking to The Manc, creator Kezi told us that building a bit of a community and supporting the local area is just as important as growing the brand itself.
“I really wanted to have a shoe brand that people can afford to buy that are also still comfortable as well as look and feel nice, plus it’s a good way to gather unwanted items to give to Centrepoint.” We couldn’t agree more.
For anyone unfamiliar with Centrepoint, who have a big base here in Greater Manchester, they are a nationwide charity that combats rough sleeping and specialises in youth homelessness, in particular.
It goes without saying that collecting free articles of clothing is an integral part of their work.
So, with that in mind, Kezi and co will be holding ‘The Sweet Swap’, where those who attend can exchange their unwanted, old shoes for a free pair of KayKrepzAND a scoop of premium ice cream.
This is all in return for a free shoe cleaning service which will see those same trainers traded in, given some much-needed TLC, before being donated directly to Centrepoint. Love it.
We’ll back pretty much any small business trying to make it in our region, but it’s fair to say getting behind causes like these is especially easy.
Including the new ‘Butterscotch’ model, the Kezy shoe is usually priced at £69.99, making it arguably one of the most affordable high-end, top-quality trainers on the market at the moment.
Naturally, there will only be a limited number of pairs available and shoes handed in must be of a good enough quality to be passed on via the charity; KayKrepz’s Street Swap scheme will be operating on a strictly first-come, first-served basis.
Taking place on Sunday, 1 June at All Saints Park (M15 6BW). You can reserve your limited free tickets right now from the event page HERE.
Just make sure to leave your name and shoe size when signing up.
Luxury tattoo studio with world-famous clients to open in Manchester for the first time
Daisy Jackson
A tattoo studio with a roster of VIP clients is heading to Manchester, as The London Social prepares to open The Manchester Social.
The world-renowned studio, which counts celebs like David Beckham, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice and Sam Smith as its clients, is opening its first site outside of the capital.
Set to open next week, The Manchester Social tattoo studio will span three floors and 2,200 sq ft on King Street.
They say this new tattoo parlour will be ‘serve Manchester’s elite’ and offer a convenient location for existing regulars, including Luke Shaw and Mason Mount.
The Manchester Social studio will offer the same bespoke tattoo experiences and world-class artistry it’s famous for, but with eight new artists, all from the Manchester city region.
The business is headed up by Miles Langford – named by The Times as one of the world’s most exclusive tattoo artists – and already has tattoo parlours in Fitzrovia, Soho and Angel in London.
It’s famed for fine-line specialty designs and will bring a luxury tattoo space to the historic King Street for the first time.
Miles Langford, founder of The London Social, said: “Opening our first location outside of London is a huge step in our business journey but Manchester seemed like the obvious choice.
Inside The Manchester Social. Credit: Supplied
“A key selling point for me was the building and its location. King Street is known for being the epicentre of luxury in Manchester so it was a no brainer for us to make the decision on where we would fit in best.
“An indescribable amount of hard work has gone into making this store one of our best yet, all whilst maintaining its Manchester foundations and we can’t wait for Manchester to get the experience that our London clients love so well.”
Holly Whitcomb, associate director at DTZ Investors, said: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome such an exclusive brand like The London Social to King Street.
“King Street is known for being the go-to place for luxury retail and leisure and addition of The Manchester Social will be help to diversify the offering on the street, aligning with our ambitions to be a go-to destination in Manchester City Centre.
“From its VIP feel, to star-studded clientele, we’re looking forward to seeing footfall soar on the street.”
The Manchester Social will open on Saturday 5 April at 9 South King Street – find out more HERE.