Polished
Tell us Tenoverten’s origin story…
Adair: This is starting to seem like a really long time ago, eek! Nadine and I used to get our nails done together as friends in Manhattan tend to do. We would always critique all of the shortcomings of the typical nail salons (this was the mid-aughts), from their florescent lighting to their dated booking systems (remember the big paper calendars?) and lament the fact that no one had opened a more elevated nail salon. We decided to take matters into our own hands (pun intended), leave our jobs and open the Tenoverten in Tribeca.
Nadine: It’s been quite the journey, but the origin was as simple as us feeling like our neighborhood didn’t have a spot that we loved getting our nails done, so we made the list and voila, our first salon came about a year later. The products followed a few years after and that’s where our focus remains today, because we can reach so many more people. However, we are a salon-first focused business and use our manicurists as the true focus group for any and all of our products.
What is your best piece of advice to those setting out to work with friends?
Adair: My best piece of advice is that you have to trust that your partner is always operating from the best of intentions. Disagreements will arise and divisions of labor will shift, but as long as you operate from the assumption that your friend/partner has the best interests of you and your company at heart, it's easy to move past any bumps. Just like a good marriage, business partnerships grow and strengthen over time and Nadine and I are really of one mind at this point.
Nadine: I am SO lucky to have had Adair as a business partner and close friend in my life. She is such a gem and has taught me so much about striding through situations with grace and humor. I would say that you should enter into the partnership with honest expectations for both yourself and your partner on what you want to achieve and as that changes continue to have those honest conversations. Also try your best to partner with someone that has complimentary skills so that you can own your lane and not be colliding toward the same goal.
You have a full day of meetings, school pick-up, and a girls’ dinner that night - there’s no time to go home, what are you wearing?!
Adair: I am a dress or skirt person so I don't typically mind going from day to night. I think you can see it in my Cara Cara pieces. Both the set and the white shirtdress work so well during the day or at night. Since I'm tall, I often wear a flat mule - I love the Manolo Ballerimu or Saint Laurent Lido - which I think works well for an all-day look. Usually I'll add a red lip and darker brow for dinner (Dani Vincent's Kimiko Eyebrow Pencils are a must-have) and throw a sweater over my shoulders which adds a touch of je ne sais quoi.
Nadine: Hilariously I mentioned I often have to roll right into the evening, so I love this question! For that scenario I love a tailored jean with a vest or a blazer and some simple flats or slides that can carry me through the day comfortably, but look sleek at night. I will slick my hair back in a bun in the bathroom before popping into dinner and reapply a bit of mascara and blush. Alas a girls night is full of stories of all the running around we all do during the day so I’m not very fussy about how I show up in the end.
The clean beauty industry has evolved rapidly since Tenoverten was founded. How has nail care played a role, and what have you learned about the need Tenoverten products fulfill?
Adair: Clean beauty wasn't even a conversation when we opened in 2010. It's hard to believe that non-toxic offerings weren't part of our original business plan, but we quickly started thinking about ingredients when we began spending so much time, alongside our incredible nail technicians, at the salon. We are so happy that clean is now the golden standard and thrilled that the FDA is finally committed to regulating cosmetics, including nail care, through MOCRA.
Nadine: It is incredible to see how far the industry has come in the past decade. When we began, we were one of very few brands creating better-for-you nail polish and now it is more of the norm, even among large mega brands which is wonderful to see. Similarly in the salon industry, there is an increased awareness of chemicals that can be airborne and harmful from the toxins in the products, leading to safer working conditions for employees. It is wonderful to see the industry as a whole take more responsibility to take care of one another, our employees and consumers.
What are four of your can’t-live-without-this products?
Nadine: I cannot live without The Cocoon intensive foot and hand cream, Kimiko’s Brow Sensei by brow guru Danielle Vincent, Elta MD Daily Face Sunscreen to protect my skin daily from any sun, and the brilliant Shampoo created by Suite Reyad that's so soothing for my hair in the Summer when the elements can be harsh.
Adair: The Tenoverten The Rose Oil is a nourishing cuticle oil, and a must! It has a roller ball applicator, so you can throw it in your handbag without worrying about it leaking, or keep it on your bedside table.
I'm also religious about using The Sole Mate, a super moisturizing foot balm in a roller stick applicator, on my heels every night before bed. I'm prone to cracked heels but this keeps my feet really soft and sandal ready!
Our friend and influencer Nan Philip introduced me to hanni's Splash Salve . I keep it in the shower and use it all over, and then pat dry when I'm out of the shower. It locks in moisture and has a heavenly scent that makes my shower routine so much more luxurious. It's also a great gift for friends!
Knockout Beauty and their masterclasses have changed my life. I follow the skincare recommendations of their founder, Cayli Cavaco, to a T. She introduced me to Meder's Myo-Fix Concentrate, which is a natural alternative to Botox and is the most concentrated peptide solution on the market.
