Express Yourself with Nail Art at New North Loop Salon
Your nails as a canvas? That’s the philosophy Sorena Beng, owner of Jade Beauty, brings to North Loop’s newest salon.
“We really believe that you can express yourself through your beauty, but specifically nail art. It’s a really fun way to just get your personality across on a really tiny canvas,” Beng explained. “A lot of people, especially in the business world, you don’t get a lot of creativity with what you wear. But then you can do it through your nails.”
The manicure area at Jade Beauty.
Jade Beauty offers manicures and pedicures with primarily gel polish, but Beng is also an artist with acrylic polish too. In industry-speak, her pedicure products are “K-beauty,” which is short for Korean beauty, “so they’re clean, organic, vegan and cruelty free,” said Beng. In fact, all Jade Beauty’s retail products are either, local, sustainable, made by women of color, or all of the above. “I’ve tried very hard to be very intentional with the things we’ve purchased,” Beng said.
The nail polish line is TPO- and HEMA-free (TPO and HEMA are chemicals found in most polishes; both are banned in the EU). “It’s a really big trend right now to be as chemical-free as possible. So we do offer that, and our main line is created by a Cambodian immigrant. His story is similar to mine and my family, so we support him.”
Jade Beauty’s owner, Sorena Beng, purposefully chose clean and cruelty-free polishes for her salon.
Beng was born in the U.S., but her parents immigrated here from Cambodia. Beng has been a nail artist for seven years, with five in Rochester. She still has clients who commute from Rochester to see her.
Along with fellow technician Athiou Makuach, Beng enjoys working with clients to bring unique and edgy designs to life. “We have a really talented team here, we can do all the fun things here.” In addition to nails, Jade Beauty’s manager Analiese Talabis doubles as a cosmetologist who cuts, colors and styles hair.
The pedicure chairs were personally selected by owner Sorena Bang for maximum comfort and relaxation.
“A lot of times you go into a salon to just get something done. I really what you to feel like you’re at home here. We really care about your nails, we really care about you as a person,” said Beng.
Entrepreneurship runs in the family. Beng’s sister just opened a coffee shop in St. Paul; this espresso machine is a gift from her.
Why North Loop?
Beng recently graduated from St. Catherine University with a degree in Accounting. Combined with her artistry skills, she knew she was ready to open her own salon.
“The North Loop is so supportive. I mean, just walking down the street, with people here talking about the salon, they are always so willing to spark conversation and say they’ll follow you or come support you,” said Beng. “The North Loop just has a really really tight community.”
Jade Beauty is located in the Whitney Square Building at 210 N. 2nd Street, on the street level, in Suite #105. They’re open Monday-Friday from 10am to 7pm and 10am to 5pm on Saturday. You can follow them on Instagram here.