Last week, I was invited by Manucurist to the iconic Hotel Chelsea for a private manicure experience in their suite. I was genuinely excited because it brought together two of my favorite things: the Hotel Chelsea — which, if you’ve read my blog, you know is the very reason I moved to New York City — and manicures, something I’ve always been passionate about. I truly believe that having well-groomed, polished nails is an essential form of self-care.
Before this event, I wasn’t very familiar with the Manucurist brand, which surprised me since I often do my own nails at home. I typically avoid harsh gel formulas and steer clear of acrylics or gel extensions because of the long-term damage they can cause.
When I arrived, I was warmly greeted by Levi, whose kind and welcoming energy immediately set the tone. Shortly after, I was seated with my manicurist — I believe her name was Nicole — who was absolutely lovely. She kept complimenting my natural nails, which I take great care of since I avoid damaging treatments.
While getting my manicure, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Gaëlle, the founder of Manucurist. She shared the story behind the brand and her background in the beauty industry. Her family owned a nail salon, which was her first introduction to nail care. Later, she worked for LVMH in Paris — how chic is that? Eventually, she founded Manucurist with the mission to create a safer alternative to traditional gels. In collaboration with a scientist, she developed a plant-based, LED-cured gel polish that removes easily and doesn’t harm the nails.
I left the event completely obsessed with the product. Gaëlle generously gifted me an at-home kit along with six beautiful shades of their Active Glow polish. I can’t wait to continue using them and share my experience with you all!
