‘We’re kind of like therapists’ – Japanese manicurist to the stars on how she makes people look and feel good
- Tokyo-based nail salon owner Naoko Takano counts Jennifer Lopez and Miranda Kerr among her clients
- The inventor of pressed flower nail art believes a nail artist has to be happy to make people happy
Whether it be chipped nails, bitten nails, cracked skin or fat fingers, Japan’s manicurist to the stars Naoko Takano can turn her hand to any challenge.
Takano, who is credited as the inventor of pressed flower nail art, has spent half her life helping her clients express their individuality through their fingers and toes.
Takano thinks she has the best job in the world. The Tokyo-based nail salon owner-cum-celebrity gets to be a part of people’s lives – from big occasions like weddings, birthdays and anniversaries to everyday work and family life.
“A manicure can provide quick relief from people’s problems, big or small. We’re kind of like therapists,” Takano says.
“When you’re soaking your feet in a tub of warm water or getting your hands massaged, you can take your mind off your worries. You can chat with us, or be pampered in peace, whichever. For some people, it’s not a luxury but a necessity,” she says.