Nail artist in the LA Arts District
My studio is in the Arts District, downtown Los Angeles, and I work by appointment.
I came to the Arts District from Little Saigon. I grew up in Garden Grove, where my uncle had his own nail salon and many of my relatives worked in nail salons, so it was a familiar thing to me. My first studio was my grandmother’s old bedroom. I kept her bàn thờ, her altar, right where it had always stood, and every set I made in that room I made in front of her. When I moved the work downtown I brought all of that with me: the patience, the pride in the trade, and the discipline.
What I make here
I do custom nail art. Gel-x extensions and builder gel over your natural nails, and then the art on top: hand painting, fine-line work, airbrush, chrome, sculpted 3D, characters, script. If you bring me a photo, a moodboard, or a color, I will design around it and show you the design before I cure it. If you just want a French tip, we can do that too.
Before I start I ask about your style, your colors, and your references. Most sessions run 2.5 to 3.5 hours, and a Complex Freestyle can take longer than that. If you feel like talking, we can talk. I have been there for breakups, engagements, graduations, and promotions. If you’re tired, say the word and it’s a silent appointment: I’ll put on a podcast and you can close your eyes.
More sets, every one of them bookable, in the gallery.
Three ways to book
Three bands and four bookable sets, all in the same Arts District studio.
Somethin’ Simple runs $85–100 with a $20 deposit. Lil’ Artsy runs $115–130 with a $30 deposit. Chelle’s Freestyle is a full freestyle I design around your inspo, $135–150 with a $40 deposit, and Complex Freestyle is the sculpted 3D work, the characters, the detailed chrome and the hand painting, $165–185+ with the same $40 deposit. Final pricing on a Complex set depends on the detail and the sculpting.
Your deposit holds the slot and comes off the price of your set. I take Zelle, cash, and Apple Pay at the appointment. Every price is on the services page.
Coming to the studio
The studio is in the Arts District and it is a working space, so you may bring one guest. I send the address and the arrival instructions once your appointment is confirmed. If the only time that works for you is before 10am or after 7pm, book a squeeze-in: it opens those hours and collects your regular deposit plus a $40 squeeze-in fee.
If you are wearing a set that needs to come off first, add a $20 soak-off when you book. It adds about an hour and costs the same whether the set is mine or another artist’s.
And if a nail chips, lifts, or breaks within 7 days through normal wear, I fix it for free. Bring it in the way it happened and please don’t glue it at home. The full policies are on the policies page.
Questions I get asked
Everyday care questions live on care and questions. These are the ones I hear before a first visit.
How do deposits work?
Your deposit confirms the appointment and comes off the price of your set: $20 for Somethin’ Simple, $30 for Lil’ Artsy, and $40 for either freestyle tier. The rest is due at the appointment. Zelle, cash, and Apple Pay all work.
How long does a session take?
Plan on 2.5 to 3.5 hours for most sets. Complex Freestyle can take longer, and a soak-off adds about another hour on top.
Can you take off the set I’m wearing now?
Yes. A soak-off is $20 and costs the same whether the set is mine or another artist’s. Ask for it when you book so the calendar gives us the time.
Do you have anything outside normal hours?
Yes. Anything before 10am or after 7pm is a squeeze-in. Check the squeeze-in option when you book to reveal those times; it collects your regular deposit plus the $40 squeeze-in fee.
Can we just not talk?
Yes. Silent appointments are a real option. Say the word, I put on a podcast, and you can close your eyes while I work.
What should I bring?
References, colors, a moodboard, or a few likes and dislikes. If you don’t know what you want, that’s what a freestyle is for. I’ll show you the design before I cure it. If you have any allergies, sensitivities, skin conditions, or past reactions to nail products, tell me when you book, before we ever start.
Can I bring someone with me?
One guest. The studio is a working space, so please don’t bring more than that. The address and arrival instructions go out once your appointment is confirmed.
Everything on this page happens by appointment in the Arts District. If you already know what you want, book the set. If you don’t, book a freestyle and we will figure it out together.
