We sat down with the owner of The Painted Nail, Hi SocieTEA and reality TV star, Katie Cazorla, to talk nails, celebrities, success, and so much more.
When did you know you wanted to do nails?
I’ve always loved having my nails done but there was no such thing as going to the nail salon when I was younger. I think the first time I ever got my nails done was for my senior prom. It’s different now, we have a 2-year-old that comes with her nanny every two weeks!
Were you ever interested in beauty school or was it always just nails?
Just nails. I mean, I cut my hair with cuticle scissors so I’m not into that whole scene and it’s hard for me to want to get glammed up. Although I do love glitter!
It takes a lot to get me into a dress. I do however have a “no sweatpants” policy. Sweatpants basically mean you’ve given up on life. So, please don’t ever wear sweatpants around me or I’ll send you home.
What were your life goals?
I definitely wanted to open up my own nail salon so I recruited some of the girls and guys from my nail school and found a little location. I actually didn’t even finish nail school because the location was so good, I had to jump on it right away so I am technically a beauty school dropout. Not only am I a college dropout, but I’m a beauty school dropout.
But you’re so successful.
Which proves that just because you went to school doesn’t mean you’ll be more successful than someone who did not.
When did you move to LA?
I moved to Los Angeles in 1999. I moved here when I was 20. I basically drove out in a Toyota Paseo and lived in it for almost 2 months.
Oh my gosh, why did you initially move?
I won a standup comedy convention and basically said, “I’m going to make it.” I packed up my life and drove out here and then lived in my car in the Bally’s Total Fitness parking lot.
Was your first salon named The Painted Nail too? Or did that come later?
I started with a mall cart called The Printed Nail and I had these nail printers there so you could actually print images on your nails.
Can you tell us how that worked?
It had a camera built in so you could take a picture of yourself and it would print on your nails in 10 seconds. We started to get such a high demand for the nail printers, I said, “You know, we should have a salon.” We were watching The Painted Veil one night and Walter (Afanasieff, Katie’s fiancé) said, “You should just call it The Painted Nail” and that’s how it came about.
Any advice for aspiring nail techs?
You only attend school for three months so I would definitely advise that. It’s not just polishing nails. There’s a whole skin and biology factor to it. Plus, there’s the business side of it and I think it’s good to be well-rounded.
Do a lot of people go to school then think they can open a salon?
Yes. I’ve seen them come and go so fast. Maybe because most of the owners don’t understand products and how long something can take and, you know, the science behind nails.
What are some nail salon etiquette tips that people should know about?
I would always say bring cash because as with anything a cash tip is always so nice and don’t be one of those people who’s on your phone the whole time. It’s so obnoxious. Also, phones have more bacteria on them than public toilets. You know how a nail tech has you wash your hands before you sit down? Well if you keep touching your phone it defeats the purpose.
So no phones?
Believe it or not, a phone in a salon can actually catch on fire because of the vapors from acrylic or acetone. It generates a static charge and there’s been stories where they’ve said people’s phones have actually blown up. Try not to be on your phone unless you’re getting a pedicure and you’re not one of those loud, obnoxious talkers.
What are the warning signs people should look for in nail salons?
Warning signs are you walk in and everything is dusty and dirty. If that’s what they show on the outside and if that’s what the public is seeing, there’s probably going to be issues with the way they clean their tools and clean their bowls.
What should someone do if they suspect a salon to be dirty?
Ask. It’s that simple. You have the right to ask when the last time they’ve cleaned their pedicure bowls. You have the right to look at their pedicure log. So you can see when the last time they’ve cleaned their bowls is because that’s one of the number one ways people get fungus or bacterial infections.
I remember there being an onslaught of bacterial infections from nail salons in the early 2000s.
We still see it all the time but there’s nothing we can do about it mainly because people are using the spa chairs. You know the ones where the water shoots through the jets? I say avoid those at all costs. Put it this way, it’s a community foot Jacuzzi. So if you’re willing to put your feet in that then there’s going to be a risk coming with that. A pedicure isn’t spa jets; a pedicure is the nail technician who is performing the service. That’s where the pedicure comes in…
To be continued…..
Part 2 of our interview with Katie will be published very soon.