Salon Review: Trophy Wife Nail Art, Melbourne, Australia 

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Review: Kathryn Lewsey 

With nail art still being strong in the talon world, it’s no surprise that Melbourne has its own salon dedicated to the service.

As well as quirky nails, this Richmond-based beauty hub also offers haircuts and colour, along with an array of beauty treatments such as brow sculpting and waxing.

I met the woman behind Trophy Wife, Chelsea Bagan, for a chat about the salon’s success and to experience her talon techniques.

With its chic and modern interior, Trophy Wife’s minimalistic white walls and quirky décor – including a Kim K crying picture – will earn a place on your Insta’ posts. Sitting down with Chelsea, I was quizzed on what kind of nail design I wanted. Clueless in my decision, she handed me her own Instagram (@trophywifenailart) of past work that I browsed while the manicure process started.

Kicking off with the shape of my nails, Chelsea clipped and filed them into a slightly rounded shape, before giving them a quick buff to create a smooth canvas.

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Such a dizzying selection of incredible designs made the decision tough, but I finally settled on a simple floral pattern that had been painted on a previous customer. But if you have got a specific nail art in mind, Chelsea‘s talent means she will happily create your dream design.

Using the shellac brand Presto – a brand Chelsea discovered when working in a nail salon in LA – she applied a base and two coats of a lilac hue, each time setting it under the UV lamp.

Chelsea then demonstrated her impressive steady hand control with my chose nail design. Taking a thin brush, she expertly drew tiny intricate white flowers on the top and bottom of my nails. They were then sealed with a top coat and placed back in the UV lamp for 30 seconds to ensure a long-lasting finish.

For that final touch, my hands were lathered in a gorgeous nourishing cream, helping to keep my skin and cuticles hydrated.

And while I’ve found that some shellac still doesn’t manage to last the promised two weeks, my floral talons were still fully intact after a fortnight.

With a fun and creative approach to nails, Trophy Wife is firmly on the top of my Melbourne recommendations. Chelsea’s friendly persona and impressive skills means you’ll want to return hagain and again.

www.trophywife.com.au

2B Bridge Road, Richmond, Melbourne, 3121