Green Nail Bar Opens in Oakland

Ngyuen Yuen left a high paying job as a chemist to open a Green Nail Bar in Oakland. The new business has lucrative prospects, but Ngyuen's reasons for opening the shop were more personal then anything else. Two of her sister-in-laws, both nail technicians, fell ill from constant exposure to the chemicals involved in doing acrylic nails; one of them lost her 8 1/2 month old unborn baby. That's when Ngyuen took it upon herself to do some research about the products used in nail salons. She found that one of the largest distributors of nail care products uses formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate, chemicals so dangerous that they are banned in Europe. After learning this disturbing info, Nguyen set out to open Isabllea Nail Bar, a tranquil spa where only non-harmful products are used. In addition to providing a service that is safe from harmful chemicals, Ngyuen also takes special measures to ensure that her equipment is always sterile. She even designed her own foot tubs that flush out water—most shops just recirculate it—to lessen the risk of a nasty infection. So far Ngyuen's work as an industry pioneer has paid off, she told the Oakland Tribune that many of her customers who come from Berkeley are asking when she will open a shop in the neighboring city. Nguyen says others have asked if she plans to start her own line of products.

Isabella Nail Bar is located at 1962 Mountain Blvd. in the Montclair District of Oakland, CA. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Call 510-339-0100 or visit their webiste at www.isabellanailbar.com/ for more info.