This salon's specialty is the art of nail care

The business' name is also its mission: Glamorous.

By BETH N. GRAY, Times Correspondent
Published January 6, 2008

Diana Heeley gives Ceil Lorenzetti a manicure at Glamorous Hair and Nails, the nail and hair salon Heeley opened Dec. 27. Heeley offers personalized nail art, such as in the top photograph, that she does by hand with no airbrushing or stencils.
	[Keri Wiginton | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT [Keri Wiginton | Times] Diana Heeley puts the finishing touches on a nail art design for Ceil Lorenzetti at Glamorous. "You've got to have glitter," said Heeley, "because it's glamorous." [Keri Wiginton | Times] Aficionados of Bart, Lisa and the rest of The Simpsons probably would appreciate this sample of the nail art created by Heeley. [Keri Wiginton | Times] Joe Iannacone prepares to give Donna Shrieves a haircut at Glamorous Hair and Nail.

SPRING HILL - The last four digits of the phone number - 686-GLAM - say a lot about the new hair and nail salon in the small strip center near the intersection of Mariner and Northcliffe boulevards.

Glamorous Hair and Nails is one of some 40-plus salons in Hernando County. But be prepared to be amazed when you step into the both nouveau-appointed and retro-decorated salon for fingernail, pedicure and hair attention.

Talk about pampering. Come in for a "glamorous pedicure," sit in an upholstered chair designed as a throne - heated, three massage settings and equipped with an ozone sanitizing system that kills bacteria, fungus and viruses - and sip from a flute of Verdi champagne. Price: $45.

If coffee is your cup, owner Diana Heeley will serve that up, too, while she creates unique artwork on your fingernails. A full set runs $30.

Then, whether toes or fingers have been the recipient of care, move on over to a drying console, where heat and light do duty to feet on the carpeted floor or glaze fingers at tabletop level. Most salons utilize portable drying units or spritzes from a chemical drying atomizer.

Every nail client receives a personal package of nail implements, file tips and polishing brushes. Cleanliness is a paramount concern in the business.

If hair is your do at the salon, sit back and listen and look at your own chair's flat-screen TV, playing music videos, from oldies to country to boy bands. Fridays or Saturdays - Heeley hasn't yet decided which day - will be dress-down days for customers, and music videos will be replaced by movies on the screens.

Her business partner and fiance, George Martins, "makes all the TVs work, sounds, speakers," said the 27-year-old graduate of Pasco-Hernando Community College's nail school. She has been designing and painting nails for seven years at various salons in Hernando, but Glamorous is her first ownership endeavor.

With all the most up-to-date care equipment, upscale amenities and three fish aquariums plugged into chocolate and sky-blue walls the Betas therein are named Ariel, Nemo and Jaws, Heeley describes her salon as "futurama."

"It's different for Spring Hill," she adds. "I'm not sure they're ready for it."

Interjects Roz Doris, who has followed Heeley from shop to shop since 2002 for Heeley's nail artistry: "It's very today. Spring Hill is getting younger. I think they are (ready)."

Doris is one of some 50 loyal clients who have followed Heeley.

Heeley only does nails. "That's my forte," she declares. "I don't want to touch anybody's hair."

For that role, she has brought on as hair stylist Joe Iannacone, who has 20 years in the business, most recently at Uptown Styles and Tanning.

"I need more hairdressers, more nail artists," Heeley said as she wielded a low-buzzing electric file, quick and smooth, on Doris's nails.

Doris said she is an every-two-or-three-week client.

"Her nails never come off like other places," she said. All are hand-done - no decals - works of art that Doris declares should be produced on canvas and hung on walls.

Receptionist Theresa Abbadessa, 19, noted that some employers, including physicians and restaurateurs, don't allow nail polish on their workers. "They don't want a rhinestone falling into a milkshake," she said. So, Glamorous's nail art - from murals to characters to miniature flowers - are imbedded in acrylic.

Abbadessa offered a lithe but firm handshake. Nary a rhinestone of chip of ruby paint fell off.

Glamorous Hair and Nails is at 11095 Hearth Road in Spring Hill. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Mondays by appointment. Call 686-4526.

[Last modified January 5, 2008, 20:43:38]