Nestled between like-minded company, INCO and Miller Road Fragrances, Valet has opened its doors, offering a sophisticated spin on the conventional nail salon experience.

From the moment you enter, it’s clear that Valet breaks away from the typical nail bar. Eschewing the usual cluttered interior, the space features a timeless neutral palette—the perfect backdrop for the perpetually shifting and seasonal nature of nail trends. Punctuating the calm neutrality while conveying a sense of luxury are refined design accents such as a striking marble bench, brass fixtures, and soft curves. Though aesthetically reminiscent of a high-end boutique, Valet retains all the practicality and efficiency expected from a nail salon.

ProCollective caught up with Jess Wade, one of the three co-founders of Valet, to discover what sets the salon apart and the journey behind bringing the trio’s unique vision to life.

PC: Congratulations on the launch! Can you introduce us to the team behind Valet?

Jess: Thank you! We are so excited to finally be open! Valet is run by myself, Jess, alongside Jasmine and Kirk. Jasmine and I bonded as flight attendants over the boredom of our nail appointments, while Kirk, an entrepreneur and mutual friend, came on board to bring the vision to life.

What inspired the concept of Valet?

Valet was born out of a shared frustration with the usual nail salon experience in New Zealand. As flight attendants, Jasmine and I needed regular manicures, and we were constantly underwhelmed by the inconsistency and lack of inspiration. After hearing about more elevated salon experiences overseas, we realised there was a gap in the market in New Zealand for a chic, welcoming, and FUN nail bar where clients could get high quality manicures without the high price tag. Valet is our take on the stylish, refreshing nail salon we felt was missing here.

If you had to describe the salon’s vibe in three words, what would they be?

As much as it makes me cringe, I’d say chic, minimalist, and aesthetically pleasing. I know that’s four but close enough!

What’s the reception been like so far?

So far, so good! We’ve had a steady flow of clients, even with a few hiccups in our marketing and getting everything live. But we were fully booked the last two weekends so the word is spreading!

How did you decide on the salon’s aesthetic? What was your vision for the look and feel?

It took a bit of persuasion to get Kirk on board with the minimalist look, but eventually, he saw the vision—and loved it! He’s still holding out for a splash of colour, though…

Talk us through the behind-the-scenes preparations in the lead up to the opening. Were there any unexpected challenges that came your way?

We were so lucky with our builder Pete—he’s been an absolute gem. Everything at Valet is custom-made, and since this was our first time building and designing a salon, we expected a few curveballs. Pete would mock up booths and foot spas, and we’d all sit around, measuring and testing things out until everything felt just right. We also were on a very tight timeline as we knew we needed to open before the summer rush so that certainly brought on some challenges but safe to say we got there just in time for summer.

In what ways does Valet differ from the traditional nail salon experience?

Like every salon, hygiene and health are non-negotiables for us, but we wanted to push the boundaries further. Our fit-out is a big differentiator—combined with good tunes, and iPads for some reality TV entertainment. We currently offer a small range of drinks thanks to our friends at Allpress and Almighty but a more expansive drinks menu is to come…

Currently, how many team members do you have?

Right now, we have an incredible team of five full-time nail artists. We’re honestly so lucky to have them!

What are Valet’s hero services?

It has got to be our Premium Pedicure. There’s just something about a paraffin wax and foot massage that everyone loves—it’s dreamy.

How did you go about selecting what salon brands to align with?

This was trickier than we expected! We wanted a refined selection of top-notch products, and of course, we had to include OPI for its iconic colours. Most of our products are from OPI, and we also use The GelBottle BIAB, which has been a hit. We’re happy with the feedback we’ve received, especially for BIAB and polygel—which is a bit less common but works wonders.

We know you’ve only just opened, but have you noticed any overarching trends coming through in customer requests?

Absolutely! Almond is the go-to shape so far, and we’re seeing a lot of requests for tortoiseshell designs, which are definitely having a moment.

Awareness of BIAB (Builder In A Bottle) is taking off overseas, with many making the switch from acrylics and dipping powder. Are you seeing a similar rise in popularity in New Zealand?

We actually made the call not to offer acrylics at all after hearing about the damage they can do, not just to nails but also for our nail techs. Despite acrylics being popular, we’re hoping to convince clients to make the switch to BIAB, and if they do, we’ll even remove their acrylics for free.

As a new business opening ahead of the busiest time of year for salons, what preparations are you making for the upcoming rush?

Christmas is around the corner, and we’re making sure everything is ready to roll! We’re gearing up our digital marketing to spread the word on gift cards (who wouldn’t want a luxe nail experience as a present?) and making sure our team is prepped and available. Plus, we’ve got a few festive nail art designs ready for anyone feeling a bit extra. It’s all about being organised so that we can keep the vibe calm and fun, no matter how busy it gets!

What are some of the highlights from your first opening week?

Without a doubt it’s been seeing the look on customers’ faces when they walk in and see the fit-out. That reaction has made all the sleepless nights all worth it! 

What trends do you predict will be big for summer 2025?

Chrome and metallics are definitely going to be huge. With how things have been going I think we’ll see a lot of animal print nails over summer too!

Valet is open now at 182 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby. Valetnails.co.nz