Manicure 2.0 challenges traditional institutes
Lauren Creecy, an American who recently moved to Paris, believes in the 5-star manicure. Three months ago, she opened Free Persephone a vast beauty space with a surprising New England vacation home ambiance, located near Le Bon Marché in Paris (66 Boulevard Raspail, 6th arrondissement). You get your nails painted on a large wooden table, before—why not?—going to eat at the adjoining tea room. At her place, a manicure can cost up to 72 euros, a price that includes a back and shoulder massage. "Customers come back, they appreciate the experience, the natural quality of the polishes," notes the young entrepreneur, who works with Priti NYC lacquers labeled vegan (non-toxic, not tested on animals, etc.). "But we are still far from the American landscape where a nail bar is located on every street corner." However, let's not idealize the market across the Atlantic and its accessibility. In May 2015, the New York Times published an article titled "The Price of Nails," revealing the appalling working conditions of many nail technicians. Setting a price isn't just an aesthetic issue, it's also an ethical one.
