Shop 20 at 20 Lounge

A few weeks ago, 20 Lounge Boutique Nail Bar had a huge event on Sept. 22 to unveil their new menu. There was bubbly, free mini manis and pedis, cute clothes and bags for sale, and more.

The new menu follows a lounge (surprise!) theme, meaning you can request your desired service — manicure or pedicure — and then add a $5 single shot (like glitter or a French manicure), $10 double shot (like paraffin or a 10-minute massage), or $15 “on the rocks” (like shellac or a sugar scrub). Read on to hear how my shellac manicure turned out …

Before the event on Sept. 22, 20 Lounge gave me my first shellac manicure ever (I know, it would seem I was behind the times). I got to wait for a few minutes on their super comfy couch while I looked at all the shellac hues that were available. I settled on a wine-colored shade just before I was offered something to drink, plus a warm wrap for my neck and shoulders, and then seated at their nail bar. (By the way, I really appreciate how they space the clients out, so that you don’t feel like you’re sitting on top of the next person.)

First there was some soaking and grooming, followed by special base coats to protect and strengthen my nails. And then went on the shellac. Two coats, if I remember correctly, and after each one, I placed my hands in a special contraption that helps to set the color (and, as I later found out, to make it last forever! OK, almost forever).

I was told the shellac is a 14-day, chip-free kind of thing, and boy, they were not kidding. Yesterday was the 13th day, but my polish looked every bit as perfect as the day they put it on — and that’s through 13 days of typing; and cleaning; and trips to The Dailey Method; and cooking six nights a week! Pretty impressive stuff.

To balance me out, after my manicure, it was time for a pedicure too — probably my favorite part of my visit to 20 Lounge. I could have taken a very nice nap in that oversized chair if given the opportunity. Not to mention, with the warm foot soak and neck and shoulder wrap … I would have been out like a light. But instead I chatted with some of the 20 staff while my feet were scrubbed and my deep plum-colored polish was applied.

I’ll spare you the feet and hands photos, but I will say that got so many compliments on them! I was really happy with the quality of the service and the experience. The place is super-cute, to boot, and they have lots of fun, all-new boutique items.

Check out the new service menu here, and read more about the benefits of joining the lounge’s 20 Club here. (The latter gives you a discount on services, a bottle of Butter London polish for your birthday, 20 percent off retail on the 20th of each month, and other goodies.)

Now I just need to decide what color to get next …

-Marie