Unpacking the manicure technique Perth didn’t know it was missing, writes Rachel Medlock.
We’ve all seen it – a manicure that looks flawless on day one, only to be let down by regrowth or chipping within the week. In Mount Lawley, Perth’s Hallédays is rewriting the manicure script with a technique that has already made its mark on Europe’s beauty scene. The result is cleaner, more refined, and can last up to four weeks. And for salon owners, it’s a technique well worth paying attention to.
At the helm is founder Emma Hall, who first discovered her now signature technique whilst living in Sydney. “It completely transformed my natural nails and my confidence. The level of detail, care, and results blew me away, and I knew I had to bring that standard back home to Perth.”
In parts of Eastern Europe, this type of manicure isn’t considered a specialty service; it’s simply the standard. Emma describes it as all about precision. Unlike traditional soak-and-trim manicures, the Russian method is dry. “We meticulously clean and sculpt the cuticle area using an e-file, which allows us to get closer and achieve a cleaner, longer-lasting finish. The polish sits deeper under the cuticle, so you don’t get that grown out look after a week.”
The technique pairs seamlessly with structured overlays like BIAB (Builder In A Bottle), delivering minimalist nails that match the ‘clean girl’ and ‘quiet luxury’ aesthetics dominating client requests right now. Think Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner, known for their understated yet perfect manicures. It’s no coincidence they’re reportedly regulars at Russian manicure specialists.
Product choice matters just as much as technique. After travelling through Russia and Eastern Europe to research, Emma handpicked the products used in all Hallédays’ services, chosen for their compatibility with the Russian prep work. “They’re more flexible, more durable, and designed for structured manicures,” she explains. “We only use what we trust on our own nails.”
Emma’s approach to education and consistency is deliberate. “We don’t cut corners. Our standards are high because that’s exactly what our clients deserve,” she says. All training is conducted in-house, with a team that brings a global influence, featuring technicians from Wales, Ukraine, Romania, South Korea, and Scotland.
For salon owners, this shift happening across multiple corners of the beauty industry is worth considering. While express services still hold their own, there’s a growing appetite for treatments prioritising longevity and detail—services that take more time upfront but ultimately save clients time between appointments. It’s not about choosing between convenience and aesthetics anymore. Increasingly, clients are looking for both.
“People want strong, durable, natural nails,” Emma says. “This technique offers that, and once clients experience it, they don’t look back.”
The Russian manicure may feel new to some corners of Australia, but it’s a technique built on decades of refinement, and as Hallédays is proving, clients are ready for it.
This article originally appeared in the Issue 02 2025 print issue of Professional Beauty magazine. Read it here.
Photography: Supplied/@halledaysbeauty
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