Owner and nail specialist, or shall I say nail guru, Tara Ellis is still sculpting and manicuring nails but with a few changes — a new location, a new business name, and a bigger staff. The Purple Door Beauty Lounge is a 4000 square foot pampering paradise that opened in March.
“I wanted a name that was unique and inspirational to me. When I was searching for one I came across a picture of a purple lotus flower. Purple is my favorite color but also the lotus flower is unique because it opens to light and closes to dark,” Ellis said. Adding that, “We aren’t a spa but we are a beauty lounge.”
Before changing locations Ellis owned Safari Sun in downtown Bellingham where she said she had three tanning beds and only offered nail services. Now, The Purple Door Beauty Lounge is a full service salon located at 725 N. State St., offering services that include skin care, waxing, message, nails, hair, makeup, tanning and airbrush tanning.
The salon has a distinctive layout, which is why Ellis said she was attracted to the space. With two floors and multiple rooms The Purple Door Beauty Lounge truly is an enormous great escape. Clients can relax in the calm and tranquil ambience, as they enjoy any service. With five hair stylists, two nail technicians, two massage therapists, and one esthetician clients can be pampered from head-to-toe.
Ellis has been in the industry for 20 years and exclusively does nails. “My favorite product that I use is En Vogue gel because of the way I can sculpt nails and create length with it. The product is extremely flexible and looks natural,” Ellis said. The popularity of the owner’s work can be seen on the salon’s Facebook page but was also mentioned by her fellow nail technician Melinda Hemmingson-Cole, “Our most popular service is our nails. Tara has a huge clientele that come in just to get their nails done by her.” Ellis modestly responded that nails weren’t alone in popularity, that the salon also does a lot of hair.
Hemmingson-Cole has also been in the industry for 20 years. She works at the salon a few days a week doing nails. Hemmingson-Cole pays great attention to detail and her professionalism displays her passion for her career. She is willing to offer advice without making her client feel pressured. The result of her attention, professionalism, and advice is a great gel polished manicure, beautifully pedicured toes and a happy client that did not have to pay an
obscene amount of money.
The prices at The Purple Door Beauty Lounge are a steal because the overall experience is comparable to that of an upscale hotel spa without the big dollar sign. Women and men are welcomed and appointments are recommended. Be willing to take a few hours out from the busy day to take advantage of the many services that are offered under one roof. “The women that work her are fabulous, they have created the atmosphere. A place of relaxation,” Ellis said.
Purple Door
725 N. State St., Bellingham
Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. – 7p.m.,
Sat. 9a.m. – 6p.m., Sun.
