We all love a bit of pampering every now and then, particularly post-lockdown, and while getting their nails done is a regular appointment for many, it’s also a perfect excuse to relax and take a little time to ourselves! This, coupled with an experienced nail tech that you can rely on to take the best care of your nails while making you feel at home, is bliss.

Daphne Mifsud has been into fashion and beauty since she was a girl, and her passion for the industry, coupled with an unquenchable thirst for furthering her knowledge, has resulted in her beautiful Sliema salon, Daphne’s.

And as she herself attests, it’s not your average salon. Boasting a contemporary, somewhat industrial look, the salon underwent a full refurbishment just last year, and even has a separate pedicure room, where clients can get pampered with friends – fun!

“I want people to come for the experience, not to just to do their nails,” she reveals, and her friendly demeanour and bubbly personality are reflected in the salon itself. “We like to offer our clients coffee, and sometimes even snacks. It’s all about the experience, making people feel comfortable and at home.”

As a way of giving back, the salon also offers a loyalty card scheme, giving clients €5 off any treatment once they fill it in. “I love to add value for my clients,” says Daphne, “and thank them for being loyal.” The salon offers a selection of nail treatments, including manicures and pedicures, gel polish and acrylic nails, as well as nail reconstructions and incredible-sounding perfumed nail treatments.

Above all this, Daphne’s emphasises promoting healthy and natural nails. “I’ve studied and invested a lot of time in learning new techniques for my clients, and while I love following fashion and trends, our speciality is natural nails, and keeping the natural nail healthy,” she says, explaining that it’s not just about what the nail looks like from the outside, but what’s happening underneath.

This also extends to specific products which are made for natural nails. “We use a powder that has Vitamins B5, E and A in it to strengthen the nail, and before a client starts any type of treatment, we analyse the nail and see what needs to be done,” the salon owner says, adding that new clients also benefit from a consultation before any service.

Still, her emphasis on natural nails doesn’t mean that Daphne isn’t up to date with the latest trends – quite the opposite! Rubbing shoulders with top designers including D Squared, Armani, Elisabetta Franchi and Roberto Cavalli, Daphne has also worked on models’ nails at Milan Fashion Week, and, um, we’re not jealous at all!  

“I’ve been to Milan Fashion Week twice. It’s tiring and you have to work very long hours, but it’s a great experience to see it all unfold behind the scenes – there is so much work that goes on behind a 10-minute show,” she reveals.

Favouring a “feminine, natural look” Daphne isn’t a fan of excessively flashy nail trends and works with her clients to achieve a beautiful nail look they’re both happy with – in fact, she says, “my clients trust me and usually leave it in my hands.”

Now that the salon’s doors are open once again following COVID-19 restrictions, Daphne is more excited than ever to be back. Admitting that she didn’t find the new health and safety measures too difficult to incorporate, she smiles, “hygiene has always been top priority for us, COVID or not,” adding that it’s one of the reasons people choose Daphne’s for their nails. And after our chat, it’s obvious that those reasons are many!