I never expected one of the chicest nail salons in Northern Virginia to be tucked into a strip mall off Route 50—and once I discovered it, I was hesitant to share the secret. But what Jade Kim Trusso is doing with Nothing in Between, a nontoxic and cruelty-free nail care and waxing studio, is too good not to shout from the rooftops.
“After my husband and I adopted our rescue dogs, I became passionate about using products that were vegan and cruelty-free,” says Trusso, who grew up in South Korea and had a career in fashion before moving to Falls Church in 2014. “I realized the nail care industry was one of the worst offenders.”
Trusso opened Nothing in Between Nail Bar and Organic Spa in November 2018 in hopes of setting a new industry standard. The salon walks the walk down to the finest detail, using no leather or animal products. Polishes—from brands like Deborah Lippmann, Smith + Cult, Zoya, NCLA and Mischo Beauty—are free of toxins, and polish removers contain little or no acetone. The airy space has none of the telltale chemical fumes or fine particle dust but is instead dotted with greenery and scented by essential oils.
Pedicure stations are low-tech but luxe, featuring reclining chairs cushioned with Turkish towels. Warmed rose quartz stones (to balance the heart chakra) are used for massages or dunked into soaking bowls for fingers and feet. Behind the scenes, Trusso recycles, avoids plastics and uses eco-friendly products for cleaning and laundry.
Manicures start at $15; pedicures at $22. Add-on services include reflexology massages and nail art. An à la carte waxing menu starts at $10. The salon also hosts wellness events and workshops.
“Our mission is to educate our clients and offer them a healthier option,” says Trusso. “Since we opened, we’ve noticed our clients’ nails are healthier. Our staff…are realizing that they don’t have the same allergic and skin reactions that they used to [at other salons]. People really seem to appreciate what we do. We might not be able to change the industry across the country, but we can change it in this area.”