Whether for the holidays, an upcoming ball or a night out on the town, getting your nails done is typically part of the prep. Sure, you could get a classic French manicure or some cute flowers painted on your ring finger, but what if there was a way to get a cute photo of your kids on your nails? Or, better yet, a photo of your deployed husband?

Jay Pham, manager of the South Sound's Studio 7 Nails & Spa, can make that happen. The latest and greatest in nail technology can take any photo and more or less scan it onto your nail. Via a USB cable, images can be downloaded from a smart phone and camera. With a scanner, you can even use hardcopy photos. Images are then displayed on a computer so clients can preview what it will look like before placing their hands in the small, oven-like device where the images are created.

"This is just something extra we can offer our customers, a totally complimentary service that will only take an additional five or ten minutes," said Pham. "Really, it is so much better than hand painting designs since it takes less time and we can recreate any image they choose."

While the photos can be placed right onto regular, natural fingernails, Pham said that the quality and longevity is not as good as when the images are placed onto gel or acrylic nails. In fact, if the images are done on top of gel nails and then given a gel top coat, they can last upwards of two to three weeks with little chance of chipping.

Right now, Studio 7 is the only salon using this technology. Based on customer feedback so far, it is an investment that will pay off even if the shop continues to offer it for free with the purchase of another service. In addition to the complimentary nail art, military receive a minimum 10 percent discount, or more, depending on the service.

"I like serving the military," Pham said. "Usually they have seen a lot, moved around all over and really appreciate good service and quality work. They are just interesting clients to talk with."

Studio 7 Nails & Spa is located at 7914 Martin Way E., Ste. 7., in Olympia. To schedule an appointment, call (360) 561-6622. It is open Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit www.facebook.com/Studio7NailsandSpa for a full list of services.

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