Valley Spa: Interview with Owner Julia Werman

Forever and a day I’ve wanted to visit Valley Spa, located in SoHo. Manicures and well done nail art are a very big deal to me and I had a feeling stepping into Valley compared to all the Brooklyn salons I normally visit would feel like a homecoming. And it did.  For downtownistas who have gone form salon to salon like a nomad in search of nail technicians whose aesthetic and product sensibilities are in line with theirs, Valley will hit the spot. Not only are their colors and processes in step with fashion, they hold the same oath as doctors, ”do no harm.” So no acrylic nails or any other product that damages the nails or the nail bed. I tried out a glitter gold, gradiated Cal-Gel process and nine days later I swear to you it is still as perfect as the day I got it. Can you imagine, a manicure lasting so long that you actually grow tired of it?? I can’t (and btw, I’m still not tired of it).

Before, during and after getting my nails done, co-owner Julia Werman (her sister, Nina, is her partner) and I chatted about how business is going, plus hot nails trends and whether or not matte nails are on they’re way in or at. Flip to the next page to read more and see more images, too.

Valley Spa, name after the famous California San Fernando neighborhood Julia and her sister were raised in, is located on 198 Elizabeth Street in NoLiTa. It’s most famous for its manicures, but it also has a great reputation for its Brazilian waxes and holistic facials and body treatments. Appointments are very necessary. Call 212-274-8985 for more info.

HS: How did you get into the busines?
Julia: [My sister and I] knew we wanted to do nails. We grew up in San Fernanco Valley and our nails were always decked out. My sister ran into some Japanese girls involved with nail art at a trade show and got inspired.

HS: You opened Valley in 2007. How has the business changed?
Julia: When we started the store was on Orchard Street and we were such a novelty. And now it’s incredibly busy. The interest has exploded.

HS: Allure magazine recently said matte nails are out. What’s your take on the trend?
Julia: They’re just really starting to catch on. We do a matte nails with a clear, French manicure top.

HS: We’ve had readers complain that with matte polishes, the look buffs out after a day or two.
Julia: We haven’t had complaints. And we carry a matte top coat that can address that. It’s by KnockOut, a matte polish company who started the matte craze about a year ago.

HS: What nail art trends are popular these days?
Julia: Animal prints are always popular, but lately, 3-D built out bows, and then mixing mediums, like Val-Gel with glitter or a glitter French, and a lot more stone work. People are much more creative.

HS: Which celebrities have the tightest nail game?
Julia: M.I.A., Gwen Stefani, Beyonce, Rihanna, too.

HS: What’s in the future for Valley?
Julia: Just growing more. The challenge is to find people dedicated and who are passionate and good artists. I treat [the technicians] as artists. You have to allow for artistic expression and the clients are a part of that process.