KUCHING: Picture a world where your nails become a blank space where you can show off your unique style.
They can change their appearance in an instant to match your mood, the clothes you’re wearing, or the current popular trend.
The days of going to salons and waiting for your nails to dry are long gone.
Say hello to the nail fashion revolution: press-on nails.
Located in front of the Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) at Cityone Megamall, Nail Crush has captivated both the young and the young at heart with its wide selection of press-on nails.
Wyin Then, a 35-year-old business owner, reveals that her inspiration for opening Nail Crush stemmed from the growing popularity of press-on nails, which offer convenience and efficiency to customers.
“Nowadays, press-on nails are the current trend.
You can choose the nails you like, stick them on, and it only takes about 15 minutes,” she explained.
In this fast-paced and everchanging world, she noted that many people prefer to avoid spending long hours at a nail salon.
Press-on nails cater to this need.
“I decided to open this booth because I realised that many people don’t want to spend a lot of time at a nail salon.
Press-on nails are convenient and provide the same effect as getting nails done at a salon,” she added.
Press-on nails offer creative freedom, enabling nail artists to express themselves through delicate and handmade designs.
At Nail Crush, many of the nails are meticulously handcrafted by Wyin and her team, drawing inspiration from the latest trends and infusing them with their unique touch.
“We hand-paint most of the nails and find inspiration in popular trends.
We then customise the designs to make them our own,” she said.
Just like clothing, nails also change with the seasons.
“Since it’s summer now, the nails we sell are more colourful and vibrant to match the season.
For example, during spring, we have more flowery designs, and during Christmas, there are more festive designs,” she explained.
Moreover, nails can serve as a medium for cultural expression, and customers can personalise their nails based on their preferences.
“If you want a design that showcases our Sarawak culture, we can do it, but it will take some time,” she said.
Although press-on nails are gaining popularity, Wyin shared that the community in Kuching is still relatively unfamiliar with them, which piques the curiosity of many potential customers.
“Since this is a relatively new concept in the industry, we’re still in the early stages where many people don’t know what it is. So, when people pass by, they become curious, and we gladly share the details with them.
Many are receptive,” she expressed.
The process of applying press-on nails is easy, allowing individuals to do it themselves in the comfort of their own homes and at their own pace.
“When someone purchases our press-on nails, we provide a prepacked kit with all the necessary tools, such as adhesive and jelly glue, a nail file and buffer, alcohol pads, and a cuticle stick.
“Basically, you wash your hands, push back the cuticles, file the surface of your nails, apply the glue, stick on the nails, and you’re done,” she explained.
While press-on nails are easy, efficient, and convenient, their durability is shorter than conventional nail painting.
However, Nail Crush offers a solution by providing an option to use gel adhesive glue, which can last for about two to three weeks. “If you apply the nails yourself, they can last for about a week.
But if you come to our store, we can do it for you for free and offer the option of using our gel adhesive glue, which has a longer lifespan of two to three weeks,” she revealed.
Looking ahead, Wyin believes that conventional nail painting and press-on nails will continue to attract their respective audiences, each with advantages and disadvantages.
“Well, they cater to different customer groups because each has its conveniences and inconveniences.
Classic manicures done in nail salons offer better service, more precision, and a potentially better feel compared to wearing press-on nails.
However, press-on nails have advantages in terms of convenience, efficiency, and beauty,” she shared.
Wyin hopes to provide customers with a wide range of options, allowing them to choose between conventional nail painting and press-on nails.
“I already have a nail salon where customers can come and receive traditional nail treatments.
With this booth, I aim to expand and offer customers more choices,” she added.
Excitingly, Nail Crush will be opening a booth at the upcoming Kuching Festival Food Fair, inviting everyone to experience the convenience and creativity of press-on nails firsthand.
“We will have a booth at the upcoming Kuching Festival Food Fair, where anyone can come and purchase their press-on nails,” she said.
