For years, I got my nails done at salons using acrylic products. While they offered a quick way to have “presentable” hands, my nails always felt brittle, and I rarely got exactly what I wanted. At the time, I didn’t think much about how acrylic could be toxic to my nails and skin — that didn’t change until I attended nail school.

I have Dyshidrotic eczema, which makes my skin dry, sensitive, and sometimes painful. Adding acrylics or products containing harsh chemicals only worsened my condition. While I loved nails, working with traditional acrylics became painful, embarrassing, and frustrating — I couldn’t even wear nails myself.

During school, I discovered builder gels — but most contained HEMA, a chemical that could irritate my skin just like acrylic. For a moment, I thought my nail career was over.

But my passion for nails and helping others feel beautiful didn’t let me give up. I began researching safer alternatives and discovered HEMA-free products. Finally, I could create stunning, long-lasting nails without reactions or irritation.

Today, at Babes Den Nails, I not only live proof that these products are safe, but the community we serve experiences the same freedom — beautiful nails without compromise. We pride ourselves on being Fresno’s hidden gem for healthy, gorgeous nails — I like to think of us as the “Whole Foods of nail services.”