By: BNDS Media
Wellness as the New Lifestyle
In New York City, the once-celebrated hustle culture is giving way to something more mindful: a focus on wellness. More than ever, New Yorkers are embracing self-care not as a luxury, but as a vital form of maintenance. From early-morning Pilates and lunchtime facials to midday nail appointments, the city is reimagining how it restores itself. At the center of this shift is Glowly—a modern manicure salon that pairs efficiency with calm, offering a cleaner, more innovative approach to nail care as part of a sustainable self-care routine.
A Wellness Industry on the Rise
Wellness is now a $1.5 trillion global industry—and New York City is at the forefront of the movement. A 2024 report by the NYC Department of Health revealed that the majority of residents now prioritize some form of mental or physical self-care each week, a sharp rise from before the pandemic.
Beauty That Respects Your Time
But in a city where time is always in short supply, self-care has taken on a new form: it must be efficient, intentional, and genuinely restorative. That’s where Glowly is quietly leading the way, turning nail appointments into a simultaneous manicure and pedicure ritual designed to fit into even the busiest workdays. The salon focuses on delivering long-lasting polish and skilled technique, ensuring clients enjoy up to three weeks of flawless nails with minimal maintenance.
Not Just a Manicure, a Day Reset Button
For many clients, it’s a micro-wellness moment—a calm pocket in an otherwise hectic schedule. From the elegant interior design to the gentle, professional tone of the staff, the space feels like a reset button.
Every visit starts with your drink of choice—be it a soothing peppermint tea or a crisp glass of prosecco—and is carried out by a highly trained nail artist you can fully trust throughout the entire experience.
Wellness Through Safety & Transparency
Cleanliness is a priority and is always prominently maintained. Each station is stocked with single-use tools, visible sterilization equipment, and technicians who wear gloves and masks throughout every appointment. The salon also uses HEMA-free, low-acid gel products, following USA FDA regulations, which minimizes the risk of allergies and damage. Technicians provide honest advice on nail health, helping clients maintain strength and resilience beyond the salon.
In today’s version of self-care, clients are looking for more than perfect nails—they want trust, efficiency, and real peace of mind.
A Cultural Shift Toward Care
This rise in self-care isn’t just a trend—it’s a cultural correction. After years of hustle culture, late nights, and burnout, more New Yorkers are embracing sustainable wellness as part of their everyday lives. From boutique fitness studios to clean beauty bars, the city is full of brands built on consistency, transparency, and results.
Glowly is part of this new era. It doesn’t just offer services—it fosters confidence, comfort, and care. Technicians aren’t just focused on polish—they’re trained to protect nail health, educate clients, and deliver a relaxing experience that lasts well beyond the appointment.
Lana and her team aren’t chasing trends. They’re setting standards.
About the Founder
Lana Kars is the founder of Glowly, a modern manicure salon redefining nail care through precision, wellness, and innovation. Originally from Russia, Lana moved to New York City in 2016 with a background in graphic design and a passion for clean beauty. After identifying a gap in the market for safe, high-quality manicures delivered with consistency and care, she transitioned into entrepreneurship.
What began as a solo venture in a small Hell’s Kitchen studio has grown into a trusted beauty brand with two thriving locations in Manhattan. Lana continues to lead Glowly’s growth, personally overseeing training, product selection, and client experience, ensuring that every service reflects her commitment to health, hygiene, and modern self-care.
“I created Glowly to be the kind of salon I always searched for and could never find,” says Lana.
“A place that respects your time, your health, and your standards—because I believe if it works for me, it can work for every woman in New York.”
The Takeaway for New Yorkers
In a city where every minute matters, your beauty rituals should do more than make you look good—they should help you feel strong, cared for, and recharged. That’s the true spirit of NYC’s modern wellness movement.
Glowly is proving that even something as routine as a manicure can be a meaningful act of self-care. One that supports your health, respects your time, and makes space for stillness in the middle of the chaos.
Because in 2025, wellness isn’t just a weekend escape—it’s a weekday priority.
