Getting my nails done in Japan is one of my favorite things to do. More specifically a manicure with nail art. It’s one of my little pieces of joy to see my nails nice and manicured and it makes me feel so put together in most situations.
I first started getting manicures when I was a young girl, but it wasn’t until I came to Japan that I really did “Nail Art”. Even then, I didn’t do it on a consistent basis, but since I started working I find it a nice little splurge every month to get my nails nicely manicured.
My nail salon of choice? A chain called Speed Nail. This was the first place that I found when I came here to Japan and I have been hooked ever since. Now, I know that nail art can be pretty intense here in Japan, but I am on the more conservative side for work purposes, so this salon is good for me and for my needs.They give me the right amount of nail art that I prefer, as well as, I can talk to the staff each time and they give me suggestions.
I go to the flagship store in Umeda, in Osaka Japan but since they are a chain, they are all around Japan. I used to go to one of the two salons in Kyoto when I lived there for 2 years and then started to go to the Umeda location when I moved to Osaka back in November of 2014.
In Japan, it is gel nail polish that they use, more specifically they actually use a pot of gel that they actually paint on to your nails, versus shellac that is more like a traditional nail polish. The pot method actually makes it easier to do nail art and customize it, rather than just plain color.
Also, the stones on nails seem that they would fall off easily, but they do not at all. I was skeptical about it at first, but it really does work. The method of using the pot of gel to paint the nails has the ability completely seal in the stone on the nails and they do not move at all, even for about 5 weeks. I was very impressed with the results!
Another concern would be, how safe is it for your nails to do this every month? The answer is that there are 3 types of gels that they use at this particular salon (and most salons I believe). I use the type that is the most gentle on the nails. With this being said though, each time they take off the gel nails, they do grind your nail down a bit. If you have thin nails, then getting them done every month like me might not be a good option.
Here are some more examples of the Nail Art that I have done while I have been here in Japan:
What do you think about Japanese Nail Art? Let me know in the comments below!
Coordinate 1: Top: 
This First outfit is one of my favorite to wear to work. I love the white color and the flower print of the skirt. The shirt is blue, giving contrast to the white, but bringing out the blue and grey flowers in the skirt. The shirt has a white collar and cuffs, which compliments the white of the skirt against the blue shirt. 
If you look closely, there is pink in the flowers of the skirt too! I have always been a fan of flower print, but this Spring and Summer Flower print is one of the major trends here in Japan. You can see it in dresses, skirts, and tops everywhere in stores recently. 
Coordinate 2: Skirt and Top: Noela 
This Tule skirt is so feminine, but conservative at the same time so that I can wear it to work. I am only 150cm, or 4’11, so this skirt may seem to be a bit on the long side, but it hits me right under the knees and the underskirt is just at my knees, making it the perfect length for this midi-skirt trend. 
Coordinate #3 Cardigan and Dress: Earth Music and Ecology 
This dress is actually one that has been in my closet from last year and was part of the Ray x NEWS x Earth Music and Ecology 3 way collaboration. Even though it is a year old, you can never go wrong with an A-line dress that is a bit longer for work. I think it is classy and a piece that can stay in your closet for years and never go out of style. The dress also came with the belt, and it cinches in the waist very nicely. It was also reasonably priced, at around 7000 Yen. For Japanese Fashion, Earth Music and Ecology makes good quality clothes for a reasonable price, compared to some other brands in department stores. 
The cardigan I also bought last year from Earth Music and Ecology, and it is also something that I reuse time and time again. I love stripes and it goes perfectly with this dress, or any other solid color dress or top in an earth tone (Brown, Blue, Green). All of these coordinates are combined with black flats and black tights, as the night still get chilly. For work, I cannot wear heels, so I am constantly wearing these black Tory Burch Flats. When the temperature gets warmer, I will stop wearing tights and wear lighter shoes combined with these same outfits until around the end of May. All of these outfits are also conservative enough to wear to a work setting here in Japan, but of course check what your office clothing policy first! 
