the art of theRussian manicure
A fume-free, non-toxic studio for precision dry manicures, hard gel and custom nail art — one client at a time, never rushed.
what makes it a Russian manicure
It's the question I get most. Here's the honest difference — it's a technique, not a product.
A regular manicure
A Russian manicure
Being straight with you
This technique lives or dies on who's holding the e-file. In careful hands it's precise and comfortable; in careless ones it can thin the nail plate or nick the skin. That's the reason I trained for it properly and the reason I don't rush an appointment.
It's also not right for everyone. If you have lifting away from the nail bed, a nail infection, or a skin condition around the cuticle, tell me before we start — sometimes the answer is to wait, or to see a doctor first. I'd rather say that than take your money.
and what are dual forms
The short version: length that's built to your hand, in gel, without acrylic.
Shaped first, then fitted
A dual form is a clear, pre-shaped mould. I fill it with hard gel, press it onto your natural nail and cure it — so the length, the curve and the arch are all built in one step.
Not tips, not acrylic
Nothing is glued on top of your nail, and there's no liquid and powder — so no monomer smell. Just hard gel, cured under a lamp. Hard gel is what gives the set its structure, and it holds.
Chosen for your nail bed
I pick the form that matches the width and curve of your own nail rather than forcing one shape onto every hand. Less filing, better structure, and length that actually looks like it grew there.
One thing to know
I won't put dual form extensions on extremely bitten nails. If that's where you're starting, I'd rather book you in for a regular Russian manicure with no extensions first.
The goal is getting your natural nails healthy again — length can come after that, and it'll sit better when it does. I'll always tell you honestly where you're at.
a space that breathes
Green limewash walls, real plants and windows that open. No harsh chemical smell, because nothing here needs one.
The pedicure beds
Fully reclining and properly supported. Pedicure services are coming soon — the room is ready and waiting.
The lounge
Velvet seating, sheer curtains and afternoon light. Somewhere to land before and after.
The station
A curved oak table and a padded hand rest, set by the window — where your set actually happens.
the reason you're here
More on Instagram at @velvetaurasalon.
beautifully, not awkwardly
Services
A $25 deposit secures your appointment and comes off your total. The balance is due at your visit.
Prices and availability come straight from the booking calendar, so what you see here is always current.
you shouldn't have to hold your breath
Most nail salons hit you with that smell the second you walk in. That's solvent vapour and acrylic dust, and you're breathing it for the length of your appointment.
Velvet Aura is built to avoid it — no liquid-and-powder acrylic, low-odour products, real ventilation and filtration. It matters if you're pregnant, if you get headaches, or if you'd simply rather not sit in it.
It also means the room smells like a room.
hi, I'm Mhika
I've been doing nails since 2019. Seven years — and every piece of it is mine.
I left home at seventeen. There wasn't a plan and there wasn't a safety net. What there was: a table in my apartment, a lamp, and whoever would let me practise on their hands. That's where I actually learned this — not in a classroom, but at that table, one set at a time, until the work got good enough that people started coming back and bringing their friends.
From there it was a nail salon — someone else's hours, someone else's rules. Then I rented a suite from another owner, which felt like a step up. My own room, my own clients, my own music. But still someone else's building.
So I left and built my own. I started my own suite business, and today I rent those suites out to other service providers — people doing exactly what I was doing a few years ago, looking for a room of their own to grow into. Getting to be on that side of it is not something I take lightly.
And then Velvet Aura. A storefront on Grove Street with my name under the sign, fume-free on purpose, green limewash walls and too many plants — because I wanted somewhere that feels like a breath instead of a chemical.
I'm a certified Russian manicurist. It's a dry, precision technique: the cuticle is cleaned properly so colour sits flush right at the base of the nail. That's why the finish looks seamless, and why the grow-out stays tidy instead of opening into a visible gap two weeks in. I also work in dual forms for extensions, building length and structure around your hands rather than forcing every set into the same shape.
Every appointment is one-on-one. No double-booking, no assembly line. I'd rather slow down and send you home with a set that still looks right three weeks from now — long after you've left my chair, it's still my work on your hands.
Follow along at @velvetaurasalon and @mhikanails.
Before you book
Deposit
Secures your slot and comes off your total. The balance is due at your appointment.
Hours notice
To cancel or reschedule without losing your deposit.
By appointment
Appointments only, no walk-ins — so the studio stays quiet and yours.
By booking an appointment with Velvet Aura, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to the following policies.
Appointment & service policies
A $25 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required to secure all appointments and will be applied toward the total cost of the service. The remaining balance is due on the day of your appointment. Card payment is preferred; cash is accepted. Cash App, PayPal, and Venmo are not accepted.
Velvet Aura does not work over the work of another technician. Clients arriving with product applied by another technician must add a soak-off removal to their service. No additional guests are permitted during appointments.
To maintain proper structure and nail health, a 3–5 week maintenance schedule is strongly recommended. Services scheduled beyond this timeframe may carry increased risk of structural imbalance and are performed at the client’s discretion.
Arrival policy
Velvet Aura operates by appointment only. Clients are asked to remain in their vehicle until the exact start time of their scheduled appointment.
Please do not arrive early. If you arrive even 5 minutes before your appointment time, there may not be space available inside the salon. Appointments begin strictly at the scheduled time, and early entry cannot be accommodated.
By booking, you agree to arrive on time — not early — to ensure a smooth and respectful experience for all clients.
Location
Velvet Aura is located in Gainesville, Florida. The exact address will be provided via email 24 hours prior to your appointment.
Tardiness policy
Appointments are scheduled to allow focused, uninterrupted service. A 10-minute grace period is strictly enforced. Late arrivals may result in service adjustments, additional fees, or cancellation of the appointment in order to maintain schedule integrity. Appointments exceeding the grace period may be cancelled, with the deposit forfeited and the service charged accordingly.
Cancellation & no-show policy
A minimum of 48 hours notice is required to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Requests made outside of this timeframe will result in forfeiture of the deposit.
Appointments missed without sufficient notice may be subject to additional charges. Appointments that are not rescheduled with 24 hours notice will be charged 50% of the total service and must pay another deposit to rebook. Appointments missed without any communication (no call, no show) will be charged up to the full value of the scheduled service. Repeated missed appointments may result in restricted or denied future booking privileges.
Right to refuse service
Velvet Aura reserves the right to refuse service to any client who does not comply with these policies. Children are not allowed in the salon. You must be 18+ to book.
We can’t wait to see you!
looking for nail techs
Velvet Aura is the place I wanted when I was starting out and couldn't find.
I left home at seventeen and taught myself nails off a table in my apartment. Everything here was built from that. So I know what it's like to want a room where the work comes first.
If you take your time, respect an e-file, and want to do Russian manicures and hard gel somewhere that doesn't smell like a chemistry lab — not stacked three deep, not double-booked — I'd like to hear from you.
We're fume-free and acrylic-free. No liquid and powder, no MMA. Booth rent or commission, whichever fits you better.
Tell me about yourself below. I read every single one.
Takes about ten minutes.
what clients say
“Mhika always eats down! Five weeks strong and my nails aren’t going anywhere!! I love my nails even all this time later. The Russian manicure is chefs kiss!”
“I’ve been getting my nails done by Mhika for the past 3 years now and I will always stay recommending her to everyone.”
“Mhia never fails! I’ve been traveling to her once a month for the last year and do not regret the 45 minute drive…”
“Best manicure i’ve found in gainesville!! She cares about not only quality of service but health of your nails.”
“I love going to the FIRST NON-TOXIC nail salon in Gainesville! Mhika is so welcoming, sweet, and talented!”
“Absolutely love my nail tech! Super talented, makes you feel safe, AND she knows SO MUCH about her products! Her nail art is out of this world!”
Every review shown is a real five-star Google review. Read them all on Google.
Find the green sign
- Studio
- 1002 NW 2nd St, Suite A1
Gainesville, FL 32601 - Hours
- By appointment — book online for current availability
- @velvetaurasalon
@mhikanails
Book your next set
Choose your service, pick a time from the live calendar, and secure it with a $25 deposit.