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Naomi Yasuda is a pro at creating incredibly ornate nail designs; she’s done it countless times for huge stars like Sabrina Carpenter, Madonna, and Greta Lee, and she’s designed nail art for brands like LoveShackFancy and Luar during New York Fashion Week. This month, she embarked on a new adventure: Opening Studio Naomi, her own salon in New York City, to the public.
Naomi Yasuda prepared Greta Lee’s nails for the spring/summer 2025 Alaïa NYFW show.
Yasuda’s journey began over 15 years ago, when she discovered her love for nails as a teen in Japan. “When I was in junior high or high school, I used to love making custom press-on nails for my friends,” she says. “But nail art wasn’t big at the time, so I wasn’t sure if I could make a living doing nails.” She decided to go to beauty school and become a hair stylist instead, but her aversion to drying hair (“I didn’t have the patience”) thwarted her plans. Afterward, the artist attended Chunichi Beauty College in Nagoya, Japan, to study nails and began working at a nail salon at 18.
Over the next decade and a half, Yasuda built up an impressive Rolodex of clients, and establishing her own space seems like it was an inevitability. Below, Yasuda shares her vision for the salon, what it’s like to work with Sabrina Carpenter, as well as advice for future nail artists.
How did you end up in New York City?
I moved to New York about 15 years ago, and I didn’t know anybody. I didn’t speak any English. I just came. I planned to stay here for a couple of months and go back to Japan. [But] on the second day I was here, one of my regular clients in Japan was here for vacation, and called me. She was like, “Hey! I’m having a drink with my friend. Come!” I went. I met the friend, and she was like, “Oh, you do nails? Do you want to work? Just work at my salon.” I started working there the same week. I rented a table and set up a small section in the corner of the hair salon. It was fun, and I met a lot of people. I changed my plans and decided to stay. And I’m still here.
Inside Studio Naomi.
What inspired you to open Studio Naomi?
I always knew I would open a salon. Because I started my career as a salon nail tech, working in [one] feels like home to me.
Before this, I was just taking clients in my apartment. I didn’t have studio space. I’m a freelancer, so I’m always on set. Basically, I was just doing my friends’ nails; they would just come to my apartment to do their nails. I couldn’t take any new clients, but so many people wanted to get their nails done. I thought it would be nice if I had a space. My boyfriend, Dong-Ping Wong, is an architect. Some of his known works include the Garden Club Spa at the Palm Heights hotel on the Cayman Islands, Kim Kardashian’s house in Los Angeles, and the Off-White stores, so he helped with the design a lot. I moved into the studio in March. I’ve been here for a minute, but I’ve been slowly building out the space, and I just rented the room next to this one, so it’s going to be my office/VIP room.
Are you only doing manicures? Do you plan on expanding the menu?
For now, I’m just doing manicures, but I’d like to do pedicures in the future.
The tables at Studio Naomi.
What features were important to you when designing the studio?
I wanted to hide all the nail supplies inside the cabinets. When you go to nail salons, there are so many things on display. It’s a little chaotic, and I didn’t want that. That’s why I hide everything in the cabinets. I feel like my clients can relax a bit more. It almost feels like you’re visiting your friends.
I also didn’t want to have too many tables. I feel like a lot of nail salons are packed with tables. Getting your nails done is so intimate. The nail tech is holding your hands for a couple of hours. I just want my clients to feel comfortable.
Naomi Yasuada filing a client’s nails at Studio Naomi.
We saw on your Instagram that you built your home kitchen and closet. Did you work on the salon yourself as well?
I love DIY. I built almost everything in this space. I just went on YouTube and TikTok. You can learn anything, and I saved so much money.
How did you meet your celebrity clients?
I started working with celebrities through a combination of hard work and a bit of luck. It all began by word-of-mouth. Some of my first celebrity clients were Lady Gaga and Keri Hilson. I met them through their makeup artist, whom I randomly met at a Dunkin’ Donuts in the East Village. Then, other celebrities heard about my work and started reaching out. It was a gradual process, but eventually, I built up my reputation, which led to more opportunities.
I started working for Madonna over a decade ago. It all started when she was preparing for her iconic Super Bowl halftime show performance. Her team was working with the singer M.I.A., and they recommended me to Madonna’s crew based on my previous work. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that launched my career.
I think I met Sabrina during the pandemic. She DMed me on Instagram. My friend was doing her makeup at the time, and she got my info through my friend, and she messaged me. She used to come to my apartment to get her nails done, and she would bring her sister. She’s so sweet, and I still do her nails. I love all her songs. I met A$AP Rocky through his stylist Matthew Henson. And my friend Humberto Leon introduced me to Greta Lee.
How do you come up with your nail designs?
I see myself as a collaborator with my clients. We work together to create nail looks that align with their personal style and the event.
What fall and winter nail trends are you excited about?
I’m really into magnetic colors. There are so many different kinds now. You can layer them with metallics. It gives a defined effect. I also personally love brown. Even metallic brown is nice.
What are your go-to beauty products?
For skin care, I love Dr. Barbara Sturm. We have her products here in the salon, and every morning, I use the Glow Drops. I love my sunscreen. I’m from Japan, so anytime I go home, I just go to the drugstore. The products are so good. I love Japanese brands [for makeup]. One is Addiction Tokyo—it’s so nice. I love their lip products; they’re long-lasting and feel nice. I love their concealers, too.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Glow Drops
Addiction Tokyo The Lipstick Extreme Shine
Addiction Tokyo Lip Serum Tint
Addiction Tokyo The Matte Lip Liquid
What advice do you have for up-and-coming nail artists?
Practice. And don’t learn everything from TikTok. Nowadays, so many TikTok influencers are self-taught. I’m not saying TikTok nail artists aren’t good—they are good! But if you want to get better, I’d recommend working in a salon. That experience makes everything better. Go to school too, if you can.
Studio Naomi is located at 161 Water Street in the WSA Building, and you can book your appointments online at studionaomi.nyc.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Sharlyn Pierre is a freelance writer from Brooklyn. Her work has previously appeared in W Magazine, Allure, Billboard, and more.