SCRATCH PADS

An alternative flair & graffiti feature wall make an impact for clients of Brighton-based salon, Coco Beautico. CHLOE RANDALL explores the space…

A cool, edgy space with pops of colour greets visitors of Coco Beautico in Portslade, Brighton, which opened its doors last November courtesy of beauty fanatic & founder, Bryony King. The creative entrepreneur wanted to open a salon that reflected her personal style and suited the alternative vibe of the bustling city.

Bryony King

Following years of experience in the hair and beauty sectors, Bryony turned her attention solely to beauty, offering treatments from a setup in her home before making the move to the high street. While the salon is in its infancy, Bryony has big goals for Coco Beautico: determined to make it a destination for traditional and alternative hair and beauty treatments. She currently works solo as owner & head nail technician, and smiles when noting that she is also the business’ cleaner, accountant and social media manager.

Coco Beautico is a spacious venue, and Bryony hopes to expand her team and employ professionals with diverse skillsets, including a tattoo artist, beautician and another nail technician.

“I am excited about sharing my business with others, after working on my own for a long time,” she shares. “The décor of the salon attracts an artistic clientele, so the addition of a tattoo artist and lash technician or beauty pro will be an asset. Coco Beautico offers traditional beauty services, but is open to alternative treatments, such as tooth gems and tattoos.”

“I was keen for an urban influence but needed to be careful in the decision-making process, so that the salon still looked like a nail space. I had some fun with the design plans, and chose a graffiti wall with the phrase ‘relax your hand’.”

“Every nail technician puts a piece of their personality into their creations, and it feels great that clients book an appointment with me because they like my style.”

Décor & design

A dark grey colour scheme is maintained throughout the space, with a bold graffiti wall grabbing attention. Two black nail desks with gold furnishings are positioned in front of a neon pink sign showcasing the salon’s name, and artwork hanging in frames adds further pops of colour.

Exposed white brickwork in two treatment rooms add to the calming ambience and urban style that the salon emits. The back room continues this feeling with a fireplace creating a homely, relaxing atmosphere. Bryony plans to use this area for pedicure services.

The nail tech wanted to express her personality through the salon design, but found this to be quite challenging. “I was keen for an urban influence but needed to be careful in the decision-making process, so that the salon still looked like a nail space,” she reveals. “I had some fun with the design plans, and chose a graffiti wall with the phrase ‘relax your hand’.”

Bryony sourced her interior decorations from local businesses and through Instagram, and asked a client’s partner to create the graffiti wall. “As someone who has grown up in Brighton, I found it hard to make a salon stand out in a place where there is already so much individuality, but I feel I have achieved this with the venue’s aesthetic.”

Client experience

Offering an environment in which clients can relax is of great importance to Bryony. “The attention to detail and personal experience my clients receive is something that is positively reflected in my reviews,” she shares. “I want clients to feel relaxed when they visit Coco Beautico, and that they can talk about anything.” The business’ success with clients is showcased by Bryony’s full appointment schedule, and the salon owner takes bookings months in advance.

“I am focused on creating an inclusive environment,” she adds. “I want clients to feel that they are catching up with a friend while enjoying their treatment, and that their needs are catered to, so I offer disabled access, gender neutral facilities and modesty treatments, should a client require them.”

The nail pro specialises in builder gel services with hand-painted nail art, using The GelBottle Inc’s Builder In A Bottle (BIAB™) for the majority of treatments. “The formula is durable and supports the strength of the natural nail. My clients love it and many L&P acrylic fans have switched to BIAB™ enhancements,” she says.

Bryony enjoys intricate nail artistry and working from designs or artwork that clients bring to their appointmens. “I love that my creativity and technical abilities are challenged,” she shares. Her enthusiasm and passion is something that clients return for, with her love for nails radiating through her work. “Being a nail tech is such a fun job,” she continues. “I find that it never feels like work, and is like catching up with friends with the bonus of getting validation for your creations. Every nail technician puts a piece of their personality into their creations, and it feels great that clients book an appointment with me because they like my style.”

www.cocobeautico.uk /cocobeautico @cocobeautico

“As someone who has grown up in Brighton, I found it hard to make a salon stand out in a place where there is already so much individuality, but I feel I have achieved this with the venue’s aesthetic.”