The Price of Nice Nails

I am not even a regular manicure/pedicure but I think there is a long list of unnecessary luxuries or conveniences we (Generally speaking) are used to that are not exactly "needed," or rather, we can DIY if we put the time and effort in. 

If prices were higher I'd guess many people would use this service less frequently. The woman who helps me clean charges a fair hourly rate, works for herself, and is so busy I can only use her once a a month. It's a luxury for me to have her at all, and I know there are cheaper options, but it's one of those things that's worth it to me. 

I hope the women performing this (or any) service can get fair wages and decent working conditions. 

Sorry I just reread and realize AFA and I said similar things, it's early...

I love pedicures. It's the one thing I would do to get an hour by myself with no one bothering me. But I cannot justify it now clearly knowing the toll it takes on people's lives. It will now revert back to an occasional treat (in a high quality salon) rather than a regular escape. I think that's better and safer. 

I was on the verge of getting my first pedicure of the season when I saw these articles start to come out. Now, I will be looking for a good salon with healthy conditions for its workers. I usually get two or three pedicures per summer season, so I'm willing to splurge.

Does anybody have any recommendations for "good" salons in our area that do treat their workers fairly?

I need to get my first pedicure of the season.  I have always gone to Kim's in West Orange,  I'm wondering if they are also one of these places that takes advantage of its workers?  Any suggestions on where to go?

Local places I've gone to where I think employees are treated fairly:

Indulgence Day Spa on South Orange (SO Ave) - manicures start at $25/pedis at $35

Anthony Garubo - I think I paid $20-25 for a basic manicure

I don't think a housekeeper is a luxury in the same sense as a manicure. You can file your nails neatly, leaving unadorned nails and still be respectable. Everyone should have a clean home. Hiring help to do it is a bit of a luxury, but the clean home is not a luxury.

http://millihelen.jezebel.com/here-s-how-to-give-yourself-an-at-home-guilt-free-mani-1703938548/+katedries

I love Indulgence day spa on south orange avenue

marylago, I guess "your mileage may vary." I appreciate the inability to do your pedicure. I'm getting to that point soon, too.

I would think that the salons in the SH Mall and at the Hilton are not in the category being discussed.

I'm pretty sure I mentioned this upthread, but I'd like to repeat it. What happens to the women at Kim's or Leo's should you decide to stop patronizing those establishments? Do they get "better" jobs?  I'm not for exploiting workers--believe me--but I am concerned that this type of backlash could really hurt workers who are struggling to put food in their children's mouths. How do we take care of them? Do we turn our back on the salon and its workers? Anyone have any ideas how to help? (I don't... )

I think before anyone goes sinking an establishment, they should ensure they're correct in their reasoning first.  Is anyone even sure it's an issue locally?

Raises a difficult point for me. How does one go about finding out what the conditions are in a local establishment you might like to patronize? It's not like you can walk in and ask the owner or manager, because if their conditions suck and they treat the workers like crap, how likely are they to admit it???

Marylago, I hear your concern about the workers. But when I brought it up earlier, I was told I was a conservative.

I wonder, come to think of it, whether unionizing is an option for salon workers. Please don't kill me, it's just a thought. And it could help address conditions and hold the industry to a standard.

PeggyC,

I agree with you about local conditions.  I fear people will stop going, jobs will be lost, and then forgotten about in the future.

Is there a way the town could check out wages, etc.?

marylago said:

I'm pretty sure I mentioned this upthread, but I'd like to repeat it. What happens to the women at Kim's or Leo's should you decide to stop patronizing those establishments? Do they get "better" jobs?  I'm not for exploiting workers--believe me--but I am concerned that this type of backlash could really hurt workers who are struggling to put food in their children's mouths. How do we take care of them? Do we turn our back on the salon and its workers? Anyone have any ideas how to help? (I don't... )

 Exploiting someone who needs a job is not OK.  The owners need to get the message, if they don't, then there will be no reason for them to change the way they treat their employees.  I assume that the owners do not want to lose their establishments, so it would be in their best interest to pay and treat their employees properly.  If I was a local establishment, given the NYT piece,  I would be proving to every customer that I was doing the right thing.  Yes, it may mean that one of two places go out of business since some people can not afford the higher costs but it will be much better in the long run.

Good questions... still not great answers. 

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/12/brooklyn-moms-your-nail-salon-boycott-is-foolish.html?source=DailyBeast&utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Trending+Content&utm_content=5552b0d904d3011630000001&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook&via=FB_Page

And once again, if you know of a great manicurist, who is willing to do house calls, and get paid a decent amount for a mani/pedi ($50+) please let me know. I would not mind making a monthly appointment for such a service, as long as she is the one getting the entire amount. 

I get a regular manicure and pedicure.    I'd like to do it in a responsible way, so I appreciate the info on the two that were cited.   I refuse to be judged because I love the pretty nails.

Would nail salons be regulated by local ordinance or state agencies?  

Does @joan_crystal have any advice?  You are a wonderful resource and always seem to know who to contact.

Call.  Bob.  Roe.

If he doesn't know, he will know who would.