Blaine nail artist has following

By Tara Nelson

Blaine resident Joni Tingley swears by her manicures.

“Lots of places, you go in and ask for a manicure and they don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Tingley, referring to Nikki Nguyen’s style of nail care that takes a little extra time and abhors the application of artificial nails. “Nikki takes a lot of time and does a good job.”

Nguyen opened Nikki’s Hair and Nail salon in the Blaine International Mall on October 5, offering full hair and nail services, pedicures and wax hair removal. She has also hired the help of Aleksander Mandic, a Bellingham resident and cosmetologist, whom she graduated with from Bellingham Beauty School in 2000.

Both Nguyen and Mandic bring several years of experience to Blaine in addition a loyal following, including Bellingham resident Marylou Cahill, who in October drove more than 30 miles to get a manicure service. “This is the third place I’ve followed her and I just keep following her,” she said. “There are so many salons out there, but she just does an excellent job.”

When asked what her secret to good business is, Nguyen said she takes pride in her work and wants to make people feel good. “People come to my salon and when they get out, they remember who I am and they come back,” she said. “I want presentation on my work. I want to leave a good name for myself.”

Mandic agreed, adding that more than half of a beautician’s ability is having good listening skills. “Some are shear happy or they just don’t care,” he said. “You can get away with that in a corporate salon but if you want to make a name for yourself, you have to spend some time listening.”

Nikki’s Hair and Nail salon is located at 1733 H Street in suite 430. They can be reached by calling 332-4838.