Step inside Reina Santos' nail suite ReireishNailArt in Sunsui, CA.
Courtesy of Reina Santos
Reina Santos welcomes Nailpro to her nail suite ReireishNailArt in Suisun, CA. Read on to learn more about what inspired Santos to transition to being an independent nail tech, how she designed her salon suite, what services she offers her clients, what her go-to products are for services and more!
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Reina Santos welcomes Nailpro to her nail suite ReireishNailArt in Suisun, CA. Read on to learn more about what inspired Santos to transition to being an independent nail tech, how she designed her salon suite, what services she offers her clients, what her go-to products are for services and more!
The Backstory
In December of 2022, I sold my first salon after having it for 4.5 years. One of the primary reasons behind my decision was my desire to prioritize more time for myself and my family, particularly my aging mother who increasingly needed my support. I felt that I needed to step up and be there to care for her. When I owned my salon, I was working 6-7 days a week and almost 12 hours a day. It was a lot of work, and I put my heart and soul into it.
In January 2023, I made the choice to transition to being an independent nail tech. Initially, I rented a station at my friend's studio, and later in the year, I moved into a salon suite. I feel that this shift to independence aligns best with my current lifestyle. I now solely focus on myself and my clients, without the added responsibility of managing an entire salon, which has significantly improved my mental well-being.
My motivation to embark on this journey as an independent nail tech stemmed from a desire to have my own space and more time to create content and pursue being an educator, while still being able to have freedom to take care of my mother. So far, I’m loving the independent nail tech life!
The Look
I feel that the aesthetic of my salon perfectly reflects my personality. Being a girly girl, pink has always been my favorite color. I adore accents of gold, so I made sure to incorporate them. When I designed my suite, I envisioned it resembling a girly bedroom, which led me to include a dresser for storage, adding a cute touch. Additionally, my love for crystals, sage, candles, palo santo and Keroppi meant these items had to be carefully placed throughout my suite.
Signature Services
I specialize in gel nail services, offering Structured Gel Manicures, Kokoist Gelip Extensions, Soft Gel/Gel-X Extensions and Nail Art. Each service includes a dry manicure, which I believe is essential for ensuring longevity and enhancing the overall appearance of my work.
Among these services, my favorite is the Structured Gel Manicure. I prioritize natural nail health, and through Structured Gel Manicures, I help my clients reach their desired nail length goals naturally. It's incredibly fulfilling to witness my clients' joy when they see their nails flourishing and able to grow long on their own.
The Goods
The two nail brands I reach for everyday are Kokoist and Daily Charme. I’ve loved and worked with these two brands for many years. Since becoming a Kokoist Educator, all my Structured Gel Manicures are done using Kokoist or Nail Thoughts products, encompassing everything from base coat to top coat. I also enjoy incorporating Daily Charme's gel collection and frequently use their nail art product line, including charms, embellishments, chromes and glitters. I also love DymeNails versatile art inks and essential gels. Recently, I've been exploring Korean gel brands, which I’ve been loving, and I am excited to add more of those to my collection.
Social Butterfly
I am engaged on social media. You can find me on Instagram @reireishnailart. It’s crazy that this year marks 11 years since I established my IG account with the same name. On Instagram, I regularly share photos showcasing my work. I also create tutorials and “watch me work” reels. I have so many ideas for Reels, but it just takes so much time to edit them. One of my ongoing goals is to produce more Reels. I’m hoping in the future to finally launch a YouTube channel, so I can upload longer and more detailed tutorials and product reviews.
What's Next?
I have several Kokoist and Nail Thoughts Certification classes scheduled for the remainder of this year. I’m planning to focus on offering more personalized 1:1 classes tailored to the specific needs of my students. I am looking forward to attending a few more nail shows this year with the Kokoist Team. Maybe even the Tokyo Nail Expo?!
My first job in the nail industry was joining the Nailing Hollywood Team and working the Louis Vuitton Cruise Show in 2016 in Palm Springs. I was still in beauty school, and I remember driving all the way from Vallejo to LA in 5 hours to get there on time for the shuttle bus. It was so exciting and a dream come true for me to work the LV Fashion Show with a team of nail artists that I admired.
What inspires you?
I draw inspiration from vibrant colors, abstract art and patterns in fashion, which fuel much of my creativity. Nature, particularly the serene beauty of water and the gorgeous hues of sunsets, also inspires my work. I find a lot of my inspiration from talented nail artists whose work I admire. The changing seasons also play a significant role in inspiring my designs.
What was the most challenging thing that happened while opening your salon?
When I was opening up my suite, I think the most challenging thing for me was finding someone to help me install my wallpaper. I have one side of my suite where the wall is textured and no one seemed confident to work on that. Thankfully, I found someone on Thumbtack. Other than that, I didn’t have that many challenges opening up my suite.
What piece of advice would you give to a new salon owner?
I would advise them that social media is crucial! While location used to be everything, nowadays, if your work shines on social media, clients will come regardless of your physical location. Keeping your salon or space clean and sanitized is also paramount. A pristine aesthetic not only pleases clients but also encourages repeat visits. Additionally, kindness towards all clients, customers and staff is essential. Making everyone feel valued and appreciated consistently fosters a positive environment and customer loyalty.
“I can’t discuss my salon without mentioning…”
How happy my space makes me feel. I enjoy that my suite serves both as my workplace and office. I feel grateful to be here at this moment. One of my favorite aspects is the organization of all my products now, knowing where everything is makes me happy because at my old salon a lot of things were in boxes and bins all over the place.
What nail looks do you think will be trending this summer?
3D nail art is definitely trending for summer. Isolated chrome designs, swirly chrome blobs, textures, 3D waves or swirls, fruit nails, satin cat eye gels with iridescent chrome on top, mix and match sets and aura nails are here to stay, as well as bold and bright colors and 90s & Y2K inspired designs. Did I say chrome yet? Haha! Chrome is definitely here to stay. I’m really loving all things 3D and chrome right now, and if I could put 3D swirls on every set, I would!
Reina Santos
