Questions and answers
Everything clients usually ask before a first visit. Anything else, ask when booking.
Before you book
What is a Russian or Ukrainian manicure?
A dry manicure done with an electric file instead of water, scissors and nippers. The cuticle is lifted and cleaned with fine bits, the nail is shaped, and gel is applied right at the base of the nail. The result stays neat for three to four weeks because there is no gap for the regrowth to show in.
How long does the gel last?
Most clients come back every three to four weeks and the set still looks fine when they do. Toes last longer, often four to six weeks. Gel extensions are filled every three to four weeks rather than removed.
Is the e-file safe for my nails?
Yes, in trained hands. Hanna has worked with an e-file every day for over 15 years. The bits are fine, the speed is low, and the file touches the cuticle and the old gel, not the healthy nail plate. There is no cutting, so there are no nicks and no bleeding.
How are the tools cleaned?
Metal tools and e-file bits are cleaned, disinfected and sterilized after every client. Files and buffers that cannot be sterilized are not reused between clients. The studio is a private room, so nothing is shared with other technicians.
How do I book?
Online, any time, through the booking page linked on every page of this site. Pick the service and a time, and the appointment is confirmed right away. A card on file is needed to hold the booking. Appointments can be cancelled or moved up to 24 hours before the start.
How long is an appointment?
A gel polish manicure takes an hour and a half. A classic manicure without colour is 45 minutes. A full set of gel extensions takes about two and a half hours, a fill about two. A gel polish pedicure is an hour and a half, a mini pedicure an hour. French, chrome and ombre add about 15 minutes.
Do I need to remove my old gel before I come?
No. Removal is done in the studio with a file, which is gentler than soaking in acetone. Gel polish removal is $20 on hands and $15 on toes; hard gel or extensions from another salon are $25 to remove. Book it together with the new service.
What if I break a nail between visits?
Book a nail repair: 15 minutes, $7 to $10 per nail. There is no need to redo the whole set.
Is builder gel the same as extensions?
Builder gel is the material; extensions are what it builds. A thin layer of builder gel over the natural nail adds strength without length. A full set adds length on a form. Both are filled, not removed, at the next visit. Ask when booking which one suits the current length and condition of the nails.
Can I walk in?
The studio works by appointment only. One client at a time, so there is no waiting room and no walk-in slot. Online booking is open around the clock, and same-week times are usually available on weekday evenings.
Where is the studio and where do I park?
301 14 St NW, 4th floor, office 414-7, in Kensington. The building is a few steps from Kensington Road. There is street parking on 14 St NW and the side streets, and the Sunnyside C-Train station is about a ten minute walk.
Can I bring my own design idea?
Yes. Bring a photo or describe it when booking so enough time is reserved. French, chrome, cat eye, ombre and pressed flowers are regular requests.
Ready for hands that stay done?
Online booking is open around the clock. Weekday evenings and Saturdays fill first.