Why I Still Do Everything by Hand

In an age where almost everything can be automated, Satomi Nails, located inside the Metropolis Hotel on High Street in Auckland CBD, remains beautifully personal.While many salons rely on speed or technology to get more clients through the door, Satomi believes true quality still lives in the hands — in touch, intention, and precision.

A Craft Rooted in Care

When Satomi started her salon in 2012, she had one guiding principle: never rush what deserves care.From the first file to the final topcoat, every step of her process is done by hand. She shapes nails using manual files, perfects the cuticle area with tools chosen individually for each client, and applies every layer of Japanese gel with measured attention.

She laughs when people ask if she’ll ever automate her workflow.

“I like to see and feel what I’m doing. Hands tell you what machines can’t.”

For her, this isn’t about resisting change — it’s about staying connected to her work and to the person sitting across from her.

Technology Can’t Replace Trust

Modern salons often promote fast, machine-assisted manicures. Electric files, automated curing systems, and pre-set shaping tools can save time — but they also take away touch.Satomi has tried some of these tools but always returns to her hands.

Clients in Auckland’s CBD notice the difference immediately. Many describe how her gentle techniques make their nails look and feel healthier, even weeks later. It’s not just aesthetics; it’s comfort and trust.

Satomi believes that when you do something by hand, you notice what others might miss — a tiny uneven edge, a small area of dryness, the way someone’s hands tense when they’re tired. Those details aren’t data points; they’re human.

The Meaning of Handcrafted Beauty

Every appointment at Satomi Nails is one-on-one and unhurried. Inside the quiet of the Metropolis Hotel, her studio feels like a world apart from the city’s noise.Clients often describe it as meditative — not because of silence, but because of focus.

She works slowly and precisely, the way an artist would prepare a canvas. Every brushstroke matters.This is what gives her work its signature look — natural, strong nails with a finish that seems effortless but takes years of discipline to perfect.

“Doing everything by hand reminds me why I started,” she says.“It keeps me close to the process — and close to my clients.”

Tradition Meets Modern Precision

Though Satomi embraces tradition, she’s far from old-fashioned.She keeps up with new gel formulas, modern safety standards, and international trends. The difference is that she filters all innovation through craftsmanship — using only what enhances quality, never what compromises it.

Her preferred products, premium Japanese gels, are designed for durability and flexibility. Combined with her Russian manicure technique, they allow her to deliver long-lasting results that protect natural nails rather than weakening them.

By balancing tradition with thoughtful innovation, Satomi has built a salon that feels both timeless and modern — a place where precision and empathy coexist.

The Quiet Confidence of Doing Things Properly

Clients often comment that her studio feels calm — not because it’s silent, but because nothing feels rushed. There’s confidence in the rhythm of her work, in the knowledge that excellence takes time.

Satomi doesn’t chase trends or compete on price. Her success comes from something rarer: integrity in the details.

Every brushstroke, every conversation, every decision — all by hand, all intentional.

Experience Handcrafted Care in Auckland CBD

At Satomi Nails, every detail is personal, precise, and done with purpose.From the first consultation to the final polish, Satomi’s hands guide every moment — not machines.

Experience the warmth of handcrafted excellence.

Book your appointment at Satomi Nails, inside the Metropolis Hotel, 42 High Street, Auckland CBD — just a short walk from Victoria Street car park.