Postcards from Your Fingertips: Summer Nail Art at Atelier Anaiis
Some people send postcards. Atelier Anaiis clients wear them.
Each year, our Old City nail salon creates nail art for summer not just for travel — but for celebration.
Each set reflects a different kind of adventure — internal or external, tropical or tender — and the worldviews of the women going on the journeys.
Whether you’re making your way to the Hamptons or Mykonos, Greece, chances are you’ve invested some time pondering over the nail design for the upcoming trip.
As intentional as the outfits you’ll pack into your suitcase, these nail designs serve as extensions of your individual spirit — versatile enough to accompany your outfits, and a statement all of their own.
So as you consider your nails, we’re here to discuss why our health-first approach is integral to a stress-free vacation, never being bothered by hangnails on the road again, and why nail art in Philadelphia at Atelier Anaiis is ideal — both functionally and emotionally — for your travels.
Always Health First
For you — a creator, a mother, and a leader — travel is time used to gain inspiration, space to think, and fields to dream.
That’s why you — as a client at our Philadelphia nail salon — invested the resources into nail care many months before the sparkling idea to go on an adventure visited your mind.
Because the last thing you want as you saunter through the sunlit pavements of Marrakesh with your loved one is worrying about the integrity of your Postcard Nails.
It’s peace of mind during your travels that you want — and it’s peace of mind you receive through The Deep Clean Manicure, the foundational process supporting the health and longevity of every manicure at Atelier Anaiis, including, of course: nail art.
It’s a quiet promise that your manicure will continue to protect — without chipping, peeling, or compromising your natural nails — as you spend your time where it matters most.
Less Hangnails
There’s nothing quite like the sting of a hangnail when you’re halfway across the world — without your usual comforts, far from home.
Regardless of how aesthetically pleasing your Nail Art from Philadelphia may be, hangnails are a small pain that becomes a big disruption, especially when you’re supposed to be relaxing, exploring, or simply feeling your best.
At our Old City nail salon, we take hangnails seriously — because they’re not just unsightly or annoying.
They’re your body signaling that something is off. And they almost always point back to one thing: neglected cuticle care.
That’s why every manicure we offer begins with our Deep Clean Manicure, which includes a rigorous and delicate cuticle care process.
We meticulously clean the skin and folds surrounding each nail — particularly the proximal nail fold (also known as the eponychium) and the lateral nail folds.
These folds form the walls that cradle your nail plate, and when the cuticle isn’t properly detached from them, problems begin.
As your nail grows out, any cuticle still attached to those folds tugs on the skin — eventually causing it to split.
The result? Painful, sometimes bleeding hangnails.
But it’s more than discomfort. Left untreated, hangnails can become gateways for bacteria, leading to infection and even long-term damage to your nail matrix — the part of the nail bed responsible for new nail growth.
What’s especially disheartening is how common issues with hangnails are.
Many of the clients who come to us with chronic hangnails have never had proper cuticle care before — regardless of how often they’ve had their nails “done.” Most salons rush through, or skip, this step entirely.
By taking the time to clean, detach, and condition the cuticle and its surrounding folds, we dramatically reduce the likelihood of hangnails — both during your travels and after you return home.
Because the best souvenirs from your trip should be memories — not hangnails.
Why Nail Art
Summer travel for pleasure asks you to step into a different rhythm — one where you gather inspiration, reconnect with yourself, and move more slowly through beauty.
For you, nail art is a natural extension of that shift. It’s not just aesthetic. It’s emotional. A visual journal of how you want to frame the memories you’ll create.
At our Old City nail salon, nail art is built atop the same health-first foundation as every manicure we offer: our cuticle care-centered Deep Clean Manicure and ever-protective Signature Foundation Manicure.
The difference lies in the visible layer. Instead of a single gel color, nail art transforms your manicure into a collaborative canvas — each detail an echo of your inner world.
Together, we shape a story: one that reflects where you’ve been, what you’re drawn to, and how you wish to move through the world.
But nail art isn’t just expressive—it’s protective.
Functionally, nail art adds extra layers of gel, creating an even more durable finish atop your natural nails.
These additional coats do more than just support your design — they shield your nails from the friction, moisture, and unpredictability of daily life. Especially during travel.
When you’re far from home — navigating unfamiliar places, trying new things, and moving with less routine — your hands instinctively do the work of exploration.
They open doors and haul luggage, grasp handrails, hold cameras, and brush past foreign textures. In these moments, your nails are your first point of contact with the world.
That’s why the longevity of your manicure matters.
Nail art from Philadelphia at Atelier Anaiis, built upon the foundation of our care-intensive Deep Clean Manicure, is designed to last 5 to 6 weeks — without chipping, peeling, or compromising your natural nails beneath.
Because while you may be out of reach from your usual routines and comforts, your manicure won’t need a second thought.
For many of our clients, that peace of mind is the greatest luxury: knowing your nails will stay protected and beautiful while you lead, explore, and create new memories.
Up next: a visual moodboard of the destinations that inspired these wearable postcards — each nail art design drawn from the places our clients were headed next.
Because style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.
Citrus-Scented Mirage
Quiet Thoughts by the Water
Maxi Dress on the Mediterranean
City Pop
Purple Rain
Luminous Opulence
A Gateway to Water Lilies
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do hangnails happen?
A: Hangnails typically occur when the cuticle is not properly detached from the skin folds that cradle the nail—especially the proximal nail fold (eponychium) and lateral nail folds.
As the nail grows out, any remaining attachment pulls on the surrounding skin, eventually causing it to split.
This is often the result of rushed or neglected cuticle care—something many salons skip entirely.
At Atelier Anaiis, our Deep Clean Manicure addresses this directly by meticulously cleaning and detaching the cuticle to prevent painful hangnails before they start.
Q: Will hangnails go away on their own?
A: Unfortunately, no. Hangnails won’t resolve themselves—and leaving them untreated opens the door to infection and long-term damage to your nail matrix.
At our Old City nail salon, we treat hangnails seriously by prioritizing cuticle care as a foundational step in every manicure.
Through our Deep Clean Manicure, we not only reduce the occurrence of hangnails but also protect the integrity of your natural nails in the long run.
Q: Why choose nail art for summer travel?
A: Summer invites a slower rhythm—a season for inspiration, reflection, and beauty.
Nail art becomes more than a design choice; it’s an intentional framing of the memories you're about to create.
At Atelier Anaiis in Old City, Philadelphia, our nail art is built atop the same healing foundation as every service we offer—starting with our Deep Clean Manicure.
Designed for durability, each design adds protective gel layers that withstand the movement, moisture, and unpredictability of travel.
The result? A manicure that lasts 5–6 weeks and mirrors who you are—no matter where you go.
Q: Will nail art last through my vacation?
A: Yes—when done the Atelier Anaiis way. Our nail art lasts 5 to 6 weeks without chipping or peeling, thanks to the extra protective layers applied over our health-first base.
Whether you’re traveling through city streets, coastlines, or airports, your manicure is designed to withstand daily friction and movement—so you can explore freely without needing a touch-up.
That peace of mind? It’s what our clients call true luxury.
