If you could help the planet while getting your nails done would you do it?

Find out more in this lifestyle post featuring the newest and one of the few non toxic nail salons in the East Bay.

I sat down with Rebecca Sawhney, founder of Marlowe nail salon of Berkeley to discuss how her company is changing the way we mani-pedi.

1. Rebecca, what inspired the name of your business ?

Ah, Marlowe! It took me about 3 years to settle on the perfect name for my business. In the end, I was pregnant and had fallen in love with the name, “Marlowe,” but my husband vetoed it for our little human! So I took that name and gave it to my business baby. It’s perfect–Marlowe means “driftwood,” which matches what we do in store, manicuring raw hands and feet with clean and polish services.

2. What’s the biggest misconception people have about the nail care industry and what is Marlowe doing to change this?

Price. Customers are used to rock-bottom prices for mani/pedis. But they don’t realize that to maintain cheap prices, salons are either severely underpaying employees or vastly cutting corners on cleanliness. The NYT sounded the alarm to these unethical practices a few years back in a well-circulated article, here. Well+Good continued the education, here. If more people knew about this, I don’t think they’d choose to continue to support cheap nail salons.

Our business model is to take care of our employees. They’ll take care of the business. We provide healthcare, 401Ks, employee status (never independent contractors), guaranteed hourly wages (never commission or booth rentals), a healthy workplace without acrylics or toxic dust, and real growth opportunities. We’re always eager to chat about our ethical labor practices with customers, and always looking for new ways to continue the reeducation campaign with the public!

Bottles of Nail polish at Marlowe Nail Salon — First Stop – select from a full line up of vegan and non toxic nail polish.

3. Tell us about your most coveted manicure products ?

I’m in love with the Smith and Cult @smithandcult polish we just brought in–they’re vegan, cruelty-free, and 8-free (with a 10-free line coming soon, I hear!). Not to mention their shades are stunning: saturated reds and perfect nudes. They’re a knockout!

Pedicure station at Marlowe salon with west elm chairs and a place to hang your bag — They had me at the purse hooks! Never set your bag on the floor again!

4. Who is the Marlowe woman?

So many! Coming from a law background–traditionally dominated by men–I was excited about the prospect of creating a space in which women help other women. Always. So I take inspiration from women all around me! My true beauty industry inspo for doing one thing, and doing it well is Alli Webb @alliwebb (Drybar). She’s a superhero.

5. What changes would you like to see take place in the nail care industry?

I want to see more ethical non toxic nail salons out there! It’s time to retire the old model and get salons to hire employees, not independent contractors; provide health insurance; offer guaranteed hourly wages; create healthy work environments without toxic dust or chemicals; create clean spaces; and keep happy employees. Come on!

Clean Room at Marlow Nail Salon in Berkeley California — Priority 1: Worker conditions and sanitation.

6. What is your vision for Marlowe in the next year?

For Marlowe, we have so much in store! We have exciting new retail lines we’re rolling out (hush!) and expansion offers we’re seriously entertaining. I’m so thrilled at the prospects and can’t wait to bring Marlowe to more of the Bay Area!

For now, you can find Marlowe in the newly built annex in the 4th Street Shops of Berkeley. Book online at hellomarlowe.com