I’m with the Brand

Six nail pros share how they’ve waved goodbye to dust & fumes by teaming up with Vodex – & why you should follow suit

For Poala Taylor-Riddick, building her own brand had been a pipe dream – but it was a trip to a beauty salon that sparked the idea for business success. While seated for a manicure, she noticed the salon’s lack of ventilation and poor air quality, and left her appointment feeling nauseated and with a runny nose, itchy eyes and headache.

Poala Taylor-Riddick

That same day, Poala spoke to her husband, Paul Riddick, who worked as a fume and dust extraction specialist. The idea for VODEX and its filtration products was born, and Poala dedicated her time to researching the harmful effects of fume and dust inhalation, speaking with medical experts, nail technicians and salon owners.

Together, she and Paul formulated an idea for units with extending arms to extract dust and fumes at source, meaning airborne particles could be removed before being inhaled by customers or staff. Poala’s research into the harmful effects of fume and dust inhalation, specifically in nail salons, shocked her, as she uncovered potentially life-threatening health concerns resulting from poor ventilation.

VODEX has grown as a company to offer fume and dust extraction products to various industries, creating its hero units: the SalonAIR® 1001 and SalonAIR® 1002 models, with capture accessories, the FileOWAY® and FileOTRAY®.

“Nail technicians are dedicated to perfecting their craft, forging a vibrant and inspiring community,” Poala comments. “Whether working from home or in a salon, nail techs should invest in at-source extraction to protect themselves from long-term exposure to both airborne dust and fumes. VODEX is proud to support nail pros and ensure that their workspaces are safe, so they can enjoy doing what they love for as long as they choose.”

VODEX has appointed brand ambassadors to speak candidly about the units they use in their nail spaces, and answer queries from fellow pros. Let’s get to know them…

The VODEX SalonAIR® 1001 is an at-source, low noise fume and dust extractor for salons. Featuring one bamboo arm and nozzle, it is available with a variety of accessories and has remote, digital speed control.

The VODEX SalonAIR® 1002 is available with either two bamboo arms and nozzles or one bamboo arm and nozzle and FileOTRAY®.

JENNA LYNCH

Nails by Jenna, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

@nails.by.jenna_

Nail artist & educator, Jenna Lynch, discovered VODEX via social media and was fascinated by the advanced technology of the company’s products. “The SalonAIR® is so thoughtfully built,” she shares. “Its adjustable bamboo arm means I can direct it closely to my nail station to collect the dust created during treatments.” The gel specialist adds: “The SalonAIR® keeps my workspace clean, and I can watch it collect even tiny dust particles. Once I discovered how much dust is created during a manicure service, I knew I had to invest in the best equipment to keep myself, and my clients, safe.”

Jenna became a VODEX brand ambassador in 2023, and is ‘proud and honoured’ to be associated with a company that boasts high standards of care. In between perfecting the nails of around six clients a day and offering training once a week, she shares her love for VODEX with others in the industry and hopes to raise the brand’s profile in Australia.

The Vodex SalonAIR® set up in Jenna’s nail space.

NICOLETTE MANESH

Nicolettes Nails, Waterlooville, Hampshire, UK @nicolettesnails

Nicolette worked in a salon and then as a mobile nail professional before opening a cabin at home from which to offer treatments. She divides her time between seeing clients and educating, and discovered VODEX in 2019 after experiencing symptoms of irritation caused by her role as a tech. “The company is based locally to me, so I visited HQ to discover how the SalonAIR® units work,” Nicolette shares. “The VODEX team is passionate about health and safety and keen for every nail professional to work in a safe, comfortable environment.

“I am delighted to be a brand ambassador and educate my students and social media followers about safety: stressing the importance of investing in a great dust extraction system.”

Nicolette’s nail setup features the SalonAIR® 1001 with Built-In FileOTRAY®.

DANNI SIMMONS

Danni’s Nails & Beauty, Newton Abbot, Devon, UK @dannithenailtech

Danni attained a BTEC qualification in Beauty Therapy in 2003, but decided to pursue a career in hospitality, working in the sector for 13 years. When she fell pregnant with her son, Finley, she sought greater job flexibility, so pivoted back to beauty. “I completed a refresher course in nails and began working as a nail technician,” she shares. ““I completed further training, and am now proud to be an educator and assessor.” The talented pro discovered VODEX in 2019, and invested in the SalonAIR™ 1001 unit and FileOWAY® Desk Top capture accessory, which aids the removal of airborne dust particles and chemical vapours from the breathing zone. “The FileOWAY® doubles up as an arm rest for clients and helps alleviate pressure on the wrists,” Danni continues. “It’s a professional-looking device and clients feel comforted, knowing I take their health seriously.” Danni shares her knowledge of the VODEX brand on her social media channels and supports fellow pros who have questions about the functionality of the products. “VODEX works with techs who champion great education and high safety and working standards, so I feel proud to be a brand ambassador,” she smiles.

VODEX FileOWAY® Desk Top Pod for SalonAIR® extraction units, available in white, black, grey and pink.

KIRSTY PARKER

Kirsty Parker Nails & Training Academy, Plymouth, Devon, UK @kirsty_parker_nail_artist

Scratch Stars Educator of the Year finalist 2022 & 2024, Kirsty Parker, has worked in a variety of areas of the beauty over the past 19 years: as a mobile nail tech, within salons and spas, as a college tutor and now as an independent educator. Six years ago, she started feeling anxious about the potential long-term damage to her health caused by her profession, so researched dust extractors. Many recommendations led to VODEX and she was impressed by the brand’s powerful extraction system and multiple filters.

“I own the SalonAIR® 1002 unit, which has two extraction arms,” Kirsty shares. “I have a hovering nozzle on one end, and the other arm is built into my desk. The unit’s three different filters extract both large and small dust particles, as well as odours from products, and the air smells and feels cleaner. I also love that the SalonAIR® fits various capture accessories: from a hovering nozzle to the FileOWAY® Desk Top Pod and Built-In FileOTRAY®.

“I believe that all salons should invest in a dust extractor, to protect both their staff and clients from overexposure to dust and odours.”

Kirsty’s nail setup, showing the hovering arm of the SalonAIR® 1002 unit and Built-In FileOTRAY®.

JENNA PEARSON

Glow Beauty Studio in Southampton, Hampshire, UK

@glowbeautystudiosouthampton

Jenna Pearson spent many years in the legal sector, but felt unfulfilled and decided to pursue her passion for beauty. “I studied, practiced and honed new skills, discovering a completely different and exciting world of work,” she shares. “Fast forward five years, and I am now the proud owner of a salon, leading a team of talented nail technicians and beauty therapists. I have also established a training academy and salon supplies range.”

It was on a visit to a salon for a hair appointment that Jenna noticed a VODEX SalonAIR® unit next to a nail desk. “The salon’s nail tech kindly demonstrated how it worked, and I was astounded by its effectiveness,” Jenna continues. “Shortly after, as I was in the process of submitting a planning application to convert a building into a salon, I had a discussion with the Environmental Health team at my local council. They raised concerns about the potential risks related to nail products, particularly odours. I contacted VODEX, and the team explained solutions in detail. They even assisted me so I met the council’s requirements.”

Jenna purchased VODEX SalonAIR® 1001 units for each of her salon’s nail stations. She comments: “The units have improved health and safety and enhanced the cleanliness of the salon. We no longer find ourselves chasing dust with a vacuum, and the air is noticeably fresher. I am confident I am doing everything possible to protect the health and wellbeing of clients and my team, and I am thrilled to be a VODEX brand ambassador, as the company’s values align with my own.”

A SalonAIR® unit set up at one of Glow Beauty Studio’s nail desks.

VANESSA HONEBON

Honeybunnybeauty, Whiteley, Hampshire, UK @honeybunnybeauty

Vanessa’s nail setup, featuring the SalonAIR® 1001 unit.

Educator & beauty business owner, Vanessa Honebon, discovered VODEX while researching dust capture options. “At the time, I was using a budget dust collector that was not effectively addressing my needs,” she shares. “Dust frequently settled on my desk, the machine was loud, and the extraction capabilities were inadequate, resulting in airborne dust while I worked. Recognising the need for an upgrade, I found VODEX. I was impressed not only by the company’s ethics and commitment to industry health and safety, but by the specifications of the machines.” Vanessa owns the SalonAIR® 1001 and a variety of accessories to suit various appointments. “I work with L&P acrylic, and the DeepBed Carbon Filter eliminates product fumes, meaning the nail experience is comfortable for both myself and the client,” she shares. In her role as a VODEX brand ambassador, Vanessa promotes the importance of the brand’s products to fellow pros, stating that she is ‘honoured and excited to be involved with a remarkable company’. “I also demonstrate how to use the machine and its various accessories, and discuss the functions and benefits of each filter and how to change them,” she comments.

For more information about Vodex products and to request a quote for your business, visit www.vodex.co.uk /vodexbeautysolutions @vodexbeautyextraction