Salon in the Spotlight: Pretty Miss Nails & Beauty, Abertillery, South Wales
By Callie Iley | 06 July 2023 | Feature, Salon & Spas
Inspired by her love for the hue, Laura Ann Francis’ cosy salon has a pink palette running throughout, using her decor to create a ‘home away from home’ for clients to enjoy.
“Pink has always been my favourite colour,” Laura explains. “It was a no-brainer that the salon was going to be pink, which has created a girly and calming theme for the space.”
Leaving sixth form in early 2010, Laura went to college to study Beauty Therapy Levels 2 and 3, noting she’d always had a passion for beauty. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do after I finished sixth form, so I decided to give beauty therapy a try,” she remembers. “I took the last space on the course at my local college.
“After qualifying in 2012, I’ve enrolled on many different private training courses since my initial Beauty Therapy qualification, and I continue to expand my skills as often as possible.”
Opening her salon from a spare room at home, Laura went on to rent a space in a local salon in 2017, packing up her desk and moving into a busy salon environment. “It was amazing and I loved being in that environment, but when lockdown hit in 2020, we had to close.
“I had to seek alternative work, so I was lucky enough to get a job with the Welsh Ambulance Service as a 999 call handler,” Laura shares. “I made the decision during lockdown that I wouldn’t be returning to the salon, as I wanted to come back home and work slightly less hours. I set up in my larger spare room and made it into the perfect little salon it is today.
“Since returning to my home salon, I’ve never been busier. It was definitely the right decision!”
Working alone at Pretty Miss Nails & Beauty as a beautician, SPMU artist, make-up artist and nail technician, Laura offers a range of nail services including gel polish, builder gel in a bottle, L&P acrylic and acrygel, as well as a strength and structure gel manicure service. “This is perfect for clients who need a little extra strength, and is one of my most popular treatments in the salon.
“I’ve converted so many clients from enhancements to natural nails,” she beams. “They can’t believe how strong and healthy their natural nails have become!”
“I only use Magpie Beauty in the salon. I first started using their glitters around 2015, and since then they’ve brought out a range of other products so I’ve completely converted. I love that the products are manufactured in the UK, vegan, and cruelty free. The results my clients get from the brand are amazing, and the names of the products are fabulous.
“I would definitely love to expand into a training academy in future. I don’t know when, but it’s in my 10 year goals so I’ll keep pushing and working to get there!
“My typical client is normally super indecisive,” she laughs, “The majority of clients never know what colour or design they want, so they give me free reign over their nails and I love that. I love the clients who trust me to go for it!
“I think my salon is unique purely because of how cosy it is. It’s like a home from home. There’s a beautiful view out the window of the mountains which is so calming to look at, and I’ve got flowers everywhere.”
“The main decor in the salon is pink – I’m a very pink gal!” Laura beams. “There’s a grey accent wall which my main flower feature is on with the salon sign. Opposite, there’s curtain lights with flowers wrapped all around. Everything to do with Pretty Miss has something pink in it.
“I think because the vibe of the salon is quite calming. My clients don’t even feel like they’re at the salon during treatments, so I think it all ties in together to create the perfect client experience. The flower wall is definitely my personal favourite feature in the salon!”
Follow Laura on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.