Sampling the Shine Nail Bar in Beeston

As an employee of St Luke’s Cares Charity shop and community reporter for South Leeds Life, I have been itching to have a manicure at the newly opened Shine Nail Bar at 7 Hillside Buildings in Beeston. The nail bar opened for business on Friday 24 April 2015. As a cyclist, I know the hill the shop is on too well. Pedaling slowly up the steep incline or flying past it the other way. As it was quite warm that day, it was a refreshing break to stop, get off my bike, park it and enter the newly decorated nail bar.

I am greeted by Donna; Nail bar manager and Charlene; Nail technician. The modern yellow and white patterned wallpaper touches the high ceiling; a signature style of Beeston’s large Victorian houses. The added cushions with complimentary colours gives that extra luxurious feel to a cosy waiting area.The nail bar is to the left of me and leading off to the far right are steps up to the spray tanning area, oh yes and the coffee machine!

Not only are my nails in a poor state, my visit is also influenced by other more altruistic intentions. When you visit The Shine Nail Bar the proceeds go back into supporting the community. This business is part of the Shine Project with St Luke’s Cares Charity and is a social enterprise initiative working with and providing opportunities for young people in the south Leeds area. The idea is to help give experience to those who want to go into the beauty industry and learn good quality business skills from knowledgeable staff.

Donna has over ten years experience at Harvey Nichols Champagne Nail Bar and Nails Inc., Debenhams and some freelance work. Donna has also done Connexions work with 16-25 year olds. Charlene qualified as a Nail Technician in July 2013, she has worked for the nail bars at Harvey Nichols, Debenhams and freelance work. Their hands on experience and customer service skills make them a great team here in Beeston.

I am sandwiched in between appointments on an already busy first day. They have been taking bookings and meeting new clients too. I choose from a deep rich brown colour from the presented polishes sitting on the shelves. I sit and down and … relax. Donna has been overseeing all building work over the last two months and the final bits to be installed on the bar are the nicely blowing air vents now gentling vacuuming my dry skin. I sit and look out over the familiar city vista and chat to the friendly staff whilst people watching. The fantastic service continues as Charlene brings me a free cappuccino, which is delicious! I’m having a normal manicure polish but Donna notices my cuticles need extra attention. So I am having the cuticle care, file and polish at £10.

The treatments start from a basic file and polish at £5. Manicures include French polish, nail art, Glitter, gems etc. £10 (£3 for extras). A deluxe manicure: Exfoliation, hand mask, hand & arm massage and file and polish at a competitive £20. Shellac (hard core nail varnish, won’t come off or chip even if you wash-up without gloves) £15 Gelaze is also £15. There also do pedicures ranging from £15-20 and spray tanning at £15.

Check here for more details on prices and opening times TheShineProject. (Please bring cash as there yet to have a card payment installed).

I love my nails, thank you guys. They also withstood my leaflet drop I did straight after in Holbeck before school pick up. I really should have had done that the other way round though, still there’s always next time. I know my editor Jeremy did not share my excitement of having a manicure (but supports the cause), and that it’s not really ‘key’ to survival (as we were delivering May edition of the newspaper yesterday). But Jeremy, having nice nails sure makes surviving better!

The launch of the Shine Nail Bar will be in a couple of months time. In the meantime the shop is open for business from Tuesday to Saturday. So come and support the young people of South Leeds and receive a great service in return.