Nail-art: Prisca De Nails

Happy December! If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know that I got my December nails done yesterday and I couldn't be more pleased! If you're wondering where to get your nails done in JB, read more because not only are they totally pretty, but super affordable too.

I got my nails done at Prisca De Nails at Taman Gaya. They are only about 2 weeks old but the lady boss and nail artelier has been into nail art for years. For now, the signboard is not mounted yet but it soon will be! You can look out for these banners or the signboard Kimmy Beauty Salon (old signboard). Once you enter, you will be greeted with a signboard Perfect Skin Centre, a beauty parlor which shares the same shoplot as Prisca De Nails. Just watch out for a white door on the right side of the room and that is where the nail salon is located.

The interior of the place is simple, clean and homely.

A little history about how Prisca De Nails came about. The lady boss, Joan, has always had an interest in nail-art. She started learning basic manicure with simple designs back in 2006. After getting married and giving birth to her first child, she started losing interest in nail-art. Deep down, she knew she still had the passion so she rented a booth at a beauty salon in October 2011. She started being a part-time manicurist, only to realise that there is a need for her to improve her skills. Hence, she started searching for a suitable manicure course. In 2013, she finally obtained her Odyssey Nails System Certificate. In April 2014, she decided to quit her job as a HR Executive and put her heart and soul into the nail-art industry to become a profesional manicurist. Now, after so many years, she has finally achieved her dream and started her own nail-art salon! 

Awards and certificates won by Joan! These include being the Grand Champion in a competition between Odyssey nail-art students. In 2014, she also won prizes for nail art sculpture, 3D nail art, acrylic French nail sculpture and Top 3 in Division 1.

Equipments used to work her magic.

Not only do they do nail art, Prisca De Nails sells these pedicure and manicure treatment sets too. 

If you were to purchase one O.P.I Avoplex Spa normal manicure and one piece of 120ml Avoplex Hand & Nail Cream for RM126, you will be entitled to join their membership! As a member, you'll get 50% off unlimited mani-pedi services on your birthday month! Other promotions are as stated in the poster above.

For regular manicure, O.P.I polishes are used. However, I was told that for gel nails, depending on the colour or effect, Joan tends to choose the gel polishes that she finds to be best and are not necessarily of the same brand. For my manicure, she used Ejasi polishes.

A portion of the wide array of samples that Joan did of her nail-art. There were sooo many to choose from that I had a hard time deciding which ones I liked best. Check out the festive, World Cup and bridal ones! You can also let Joan know your desired design or provide her with a photo sample for inspiration and she will try to recreate it for you. You're also allowed to mix and match the designs that you see here!

There were so many accessories and blings to choose from too. *.*

After I FINALLY decided on the design that I wanted, we got down to business. My nails were in such bad shape that they had to be prepped before we could apply the gelish polish.

I find that every nail-artelier has to be very patient and detail-oriented. Joan was very gentle and friendly and we had a good time chatting while she did my nails. She can do such intricate designs, even on her own nails!

Multiple layers of the gelish polish had to be applied and dried before she could put on the tiny accessories with a wax stick. 

This iPhone-looking device is a portable LED light that Joan uses to help the accessories dry faster and stay in place. This device is used to avoid the beads and jewels from shifting when you place your hand into the gel-nail drying device. 

After the nail-art is done, Joan gave me a complimentary hand treatment using the O.P.I Avoplex Treatment.

I feel so thoroughly pampered while she massages and scrubs off the dead skin cells on my hands!

Letting my hand soak up the goodness of the lotion. They feel sooo soft and smooth by the end of the treatment!

And.. Tadaa! After 2.5 hours, here's the final result. Because Christmas is approaching, I chose red as my base colour because I wanted something that looks festive yet elegant at the same time. A pity I didn't grow my nails out so the designs don't stand out as much. I have tiny nails to begin with >< 

 I customised this design myself and every nail represents a different meaning. Well, it was also because I couldn't make up my mind :p The thumb is glittery and has a ribbon because to represent Christmas! I'll be going up to KL this weekend to attend a wedding and these middle and index finger signifies elegance while the fourth finger which has seashells and pearls will be for my trip to the beach during Christmas. Haha it's a little complicated but I still love it!

Overall, I'm satisfied with my manicure! I personally find that Ejasi gel polishes are a little too watery and a few layers are needed, but it's only a minor problem considering the color payoff is so nice! Love the intensity of the red with subtle specks of gold glitter. Not too subdued, not too loud. I find that the process took longer than my previous manicure session because 2-minutes were needed for the polish to dry in between layers using the UV light device, whereas 30-seconds is all it would take with an LED device. The process is sped up by using one machine for each hand so while one hand is in the process of drying, the manicurist will work on the other hand to save time. Joan is a very efficient and patient manicurist and she will take the time to listen to you. She is also attentive and will try her best to give you the designs you've always wanted!

If you're looking for a place to get your manicure done for Christmas and New Year, why not drop by Prisca De Nails? For their opening promotion, they are currently having 30% off on weekdays for classic mani & pedi and OPI spa mani & pedi, as well as gel colour! On weekends, it will be 15% off.  All you have to do is "Like and Share" their Facebook page! The promotion lasts until 31st of December 2014 only, so be fast and grab this chance to get your Christmas nails done! 

Prisca De Nails also provides home services for bridal events! Prior booking is needed and you will have to choose the designs beforehand. Take note that there will be additional transportation fees for home services! They are open 7 days a week but on Sundays and public holidays, it is usually by appointment only. A tip is that for festive periods such as Christmas and CNY, try to book at least 2 weeks in advance to avoid being charged extra and to ensure availability of slot!

For more information, find Prisca De Nails on Facebook! You can also find more design samples on their FB page.

Address: 14A, Jalan Gaya 28, Taman Gaya, 81800 Ulu Tiram, Johor

 (few lots from One Two Eat Cafe, watch out for Kimmy Beauty Salon signboard)

Call/ WeChat/ WhatsApp: 016-7720126

Business Hours: Monday - Friday (9am - 6pm)

                             Saturday (12pm - 8pm)

                             Sunday & PH (by appointment only) 

Love,

Carinn ♥

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Disclaimer: Even though the service is sponsored, the review is based on my honest personal thoughts, experiences and preference after trying out the service.