Professionals Tamborine Mountain 
When living in an area as scenic and stunning as Tamborine, it makes perfect sense that the people here want to also express themselves through inner and outer beauty. But a lot of those finer details can be hard to manage, especially when living the hardworking rural lifestyle that so many residents do. But Chloe Brennan doesn’t think that means anybody should be deprived of fabulous nails, and her salon Nail Envy GC is out to make that dream reality for Tamborine locals.
by Kyle Hitchmough
How long have you been operating?
I opened the salon at the end of September last year after qualifying at the end of July. It’s been a very quick turnaround.
What was your inspiration to open Nail Envy GC?
I have a little girl of my own at home. I was working full-time, doing administration for local businesses, I just wasn’t home. I wanted to find something that I could do for myself that would fit in with the family life. This is what I’ve loved to do from when I was 15 years old, so I just said “I’m going to start my own thing!”
You specialise in gel over acrylics, correct? Why? What are the benefits?
I only work in gel, not acrylics. I’m trained in both mediums, but I wanted to have a more healthy salon without the chemicals involved in acrylics. It’s comfortable in here, I’ve got candles burning and it’s just a nice aroma instead of that overwhelming acrylic smell. Acrylic can also be quite damaging to people’s nails, gel is just so much nicer for your nails. A lot of my ladies work with horses, they’re building fences, gardening, all of that. They can’t do that with acrylics. Everybody is loving it!
What kinds of services do you offer?
I do gel manicures and I do BIAB. It is a builder gel, so it’s a layer that we put on and then build a structure on top. That is the most popular service that I do here. I also do gel extensions, if you want extreme length added to the end of the nail. We can cater for everybody’s needs here. You can have your basic gel manicure, you can have something a bit more durable if you want to come back and get infills every month, if you’re getting married or doing a one-off formal occasion that you want beautiful long nails for, we can also do that. We can do everything in here!
Do you use any particular products or brands here?
I exclusively love to use Sassy Nails and Supplies. She is a local tech, she lives in Nerang, and she has formulated her own gel product. She’s a small business, a mum, and her products are amazing. She has formulated the best gel polish that doesn’t chip or peel. My other product is Planet Nails, they’re a product up on the Sunshine Coast, and I’ve found out of five different brands of the BIAB theirs is the best for longevity and hard wear. I don’t want people coming back after a week telling me their nails have popped off. It does not happen here.
What goes into the average day here for you?
I basically start at about 9:30 at the morning and finish by about 7:30 to 8pm. They’re big long days, but that’s to make sure that everybody gets service! I’m a lot different to your average shopping center nail salon. A lot of ladies say “I want nails, but I don’t know where to start!” so I’ll go through the nail health, I’ll explain to them what the risks and the benefits are, in that way what’s better for them, is it a one time thing? Do you want to grow your natural nails? There are a few things involved, but we’ll always have a really good chat to see what they want to do, as compared to one of those salons where they won’t even say hello! I care about your nail health.
Have you noticed any particular trends in your clientele?
I would say I get the 30s, 40s, 50s age bracket a lot, who just want nice nails, but want to go out and do other things as well, get stuck into whatever they do. I’ve got a variety of people! You can’t put everyone into one box.
Are you a local? What’s your opinion on the Tamborine Mountain area and community?
I’ve been here 14 years! I love it here. It’s my favourite place in the world. The community is amazing, the people are amazing. Everybody is just friendly! Everybody’s happy, it’s a chill lifestyle that we live. A lot of my clients have become my friends, and we have banded together as this kind of women’s group. We’re all here for each other, and I love that community.
What’s your favourite thing to do in the area?
I love to go to Bailey’s, it’s my favourite place! I love going up the mountain, going and sitting at the hang glider’s lookout with a glass of wine and taking it in. We’re so very blessed to live where we are. Cedar Creek Falls for the kids. We all love it here!
What do you think Nail Envy GC really provides to the area?
I think it’s a local hub for women because a lot of women can feel quite isolated out here. They look forward to coming in once a month to have a chat, to socialise, to get out of their house and their property.
What do you enjoy most about doing this?
My clients! I love the chat, the banter, we have so many laughs and giggles. It’s a safe space here. We talk about everything. It’s a really good rapport that I’ve built with these women. It’s amazing! I love what I do.
What’s been your most memorable moment in your time here?
My biggest accomplishment is being able to have this salon! I’m going to get a lash tech and another nail tech. I want to provide some more services in here, it’s forever growing. I can’t stop myself! And supporting local businesses, as well. I’ve got candles and cuticle oils, local handmade products by small businesses in the area. If anybody in the beauty industry wants to reach out to me, I’d love to hear from them.
Is there anything else you want to go on the record?
I’m ‘nailenvygc’ on Instagram and Facebook, and our website is https://nail-envy-gc.square.site/. I am an appointment-only salon, so please call or text on 0423 057 659 or do an online enquiry.
Nail Envy GC
TAMBORINE QLD 4270
We are always looking for new topics for our blog. If there’s something you like to see more of, send your suggestions to: social@professionalsserendipity.com.au, or email the writer at kyle.hitchmough@hotmail.com.
