Salon in the Spotlight: Emily Yafai Nail Artist, Doncaster

Emily Yafai opened her salon in 2021, after taking a break from her career to focus on her family.

“It felt like the perfect time to find my feet again doing what I love. I found my base, and didn’t want to miss this opportunity to grow. I have wanted my own space for a very long time, so when this location became available, I didn’t have time think about it. It all happened very quickly.”

“After so many years of experience within the industry, I’m still learning on the go and always find time to support others,” Emily smiles. “I have always had a creative side to me.

“I’m very passionate about nails and my work, I always strive to achieve perfection.”

“I decided to open my own base as I have always worked from home, and I wanted to separate home and work life,” she explains. “I enjoy my own space so at the moment I’m happy working solo.

“Being a solo artist in my new space gives clients a personal, one-to-one experience, which they love.”

“My nail base is unique because it’s a space that is homely, professional and personal.

“Most of my clients don’t come with a design in mind,” Emily shares. “I love that they trust me and I love creating my own ideas.”

“I always take my time creating all my designs, as every set I create is art, and you can’t rush art.”

“I love neutral tones and I wanted my working space to be minimalistic, so I wanted to keep my space looking simple and decluttered.

“I like things organised, so everything has a place,” she reveals. “I knew I wanted to bring in gold as my main colour, as I use Navy Pro Tools, so they had to fit in with my colour theme!”

“I had an amazing local company called The Blonde and The Blooms design me a stunning feature piece,” Emily recalls. “I told them my colour palette and they created a piece of art, bringing my ideas to life.

“I’m so pleased with the outcome of my feature piece and I’m so happy I got to support a local business.”

“Everyone that knows me says I’m such a perfectionist, so my new salon really reflects that. I like to make sure this is shown within my working area and my standard of work.

“My favourite part of my new salon is that I’m able to actually go to work,” she laughs. “I’ve spent many years living and working from my home, which I did love as I’m a homely person, but finding my new salon and making it my own was a dream come true.”

Follow Emily Yafai Nail Artist on Instagram, here.