When Anastasiia Arabadzhy left Ukraine in early 2024 as the war raged on, she probably didn't expect to end up revolutionizing San Francisco's nail game. But here we are, and the Bay Area's latest obsession with Russian manicure techniques has found its perfect ambassador in someone who actually knows what she's doing.

After working as a nail master at an established salon where locals quickly caught on to her precise, medical-grade approach, Arabadzhy took the leap and opened Alphora Nails on Geary Boulevard. The concept? Marry the exacting Russian manicure methods she'd mastered back home with the comfort and style that San Francisco clients demand. Apparently, it's working. Not only did Hoodline dub Arabadzhy "California's Queen of Ukrainian Manicure," she also just opened a second location in Sausalito.

The timing couldn't be better. The nail salon industry is having a moment, with IMARC Group projecting the global market will hit $25.1 billion by 2033. Not bad for an industry that once meant sitting in massage chairs while someone aggressively pushed back your cuticles with what felt like medieval torture devices.

Arabadzhy's success taps into something bigger happening across Bay Area salons. Russian manicure techniques—which involve precise e-file work and zero water soaking—have become the new gold standard for anyone who's tired of their polish chipping three days later. Unlike traditional manicures that can compromise your natural nails, according to Mars Nails, the Russian technique uses an electric file to meticulously clean cuticles without damaging the nail bed. The result? Polish that actually lasts weeks, and healthier nails overall.

She's not operating in a vacuum here. Zorina Nail Studio and Look at Me have already staked their claims as Russian manicure destinations, while spots like Yarco Studio keep expanding across the region. There's clearly an appetite for this level of precision—and frankly, it's about time.

Arabadzhy's journey from war refugee to business owner mirrors that of many Ukrainians who've found new beginnings here since Russia's 2022 invasion. According to Public Policy Institute of California, about 14,000 Bay Area residents were born in Ukraine, with San Francisco hosting the highest concentration of Ukrainian ancestry in the region. Organizations like Nova Ukraine have been helping newcomers navigate everything from driver's licenses to school enrollment—though recent SF Standard reporting shows immigration policy changes have added stress to an already challenging situation.

The broader nail industry is having its own renaissance moment. Social media has turned nail art into mainstream culture, with Instagram and TikTok driving demand for techniques that would have seemed impossibly extra just a few years ago. KQED recently highlighted how local nail artists are turning manicures into legitimate works of art, with places like Sparkle SF in the Mission specializing exclusively in nail art rather than traditional salon services.

San Francisco's embrace of the weird and wonderful makes it particularly receptive to both artistic nail work and technical innovation. According to Cosmetics & Design, technology is offering new ways for consumers and nail techs to get creative—and honestly, even the city's older generations aren't afraid to try chrome finishes or three-dimensional designs that might be too avant-garde elsewhere.

At Alphora Nails, the focus extends beyond just technique to genuine client relationships. Arabadzhy's team includes fellow Eastern European technicians who share expertise in advanced methods, creating what clients consistently describe as having "impeccable attention to detail." One Google reviewer summed it up perfectly: "It took 3 years to find a great nail salon!"

The expansion to Sausalito signals confidence in the Russian manicure market beyond SF proper. With similar specialized salons like Level Up calling themselves the "first European nail salon in East Bay," there's clearly growing regional demand for these health-focused, precise techniques.

"Opening my own salon was something I first imagined here in the U.S.," Arabadzhy explains. "I wanted to create a place where advanced techniques and client care go hand in hand. Alphora Nails is where my European training meets my American experience, and I'm proud to share this with the San Francisco Bay Area community."

From war refugee to successful business owner with two thriving locations, Arabadzhy's story embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that continues shaping San Francisco's diverse business landscape. In a city that's always been about reinvention, she's found her niche—one perfectly polished nail at a time.

Alphora Nails is located at 5150 Geary Blvd unit 8, San Francisco and 190 Donahue St Ste 7, Sausalito. Appointments can be booked at alphoranails.com.