<< Salon Makeover: Before and After at Artistry of the Nail | Home | What's On Your Nails Right Now? >>

CVS Launches New NailHQ in More than 2,000 Stores


We told you about when Walgreens upped its ante on nails, and today we found out that pharmacy chain CVS is also striving to be a nail destination.

CVS/pharmacy today announced the launch of the new Nail HQ, special in-store kiosks that showcase the hottest nail trends and product innovation.  Available in more than 2,000 CVS/pharmacy locations starting this month, the Nail HQ provides “easy access to nail innovations, including drugstore firsts like at-home gel kits and on-trend shades from former salon-exclusive Essie,” according to a press release.

“With nail care sales booming, it’s clear that customers are looking to CVS/pharmacy to find the latest innovation that the category has to offer,” said Cheryl Mahoney, vice president of beauty for CVS/pharmacy, in the release.  “With the launch of the CVS/pharmacy Nail HQ, we are able to feature a wide variety of the best new nail trends and technologies that she can experience in our stores and then apply for herself at home — all with the added convenience of shopping at her local CVS/pharmacy.”

Nail HQ will include consumer gel products from SensatioNail and Sally Hansen. Nail HQ will also feature an array of new shade options and allow shoppers to view polish shades outside of the bottles through nail color strip displays.  The popular Nuance Salma Hayek line, a CVS/pharmacy exclusive brand developed in partnership with actress Salma Hayek, will be introducing the 32-sku Nail Lacquer collection. 

Nail brand Essie will also launch its newest collections at the Nail HQ every month.  “We are thrilled to partner with CVS/pharmacy on this amazing collaboration,” says Essie Weingarten, in the release. “It’s very exciting to see the nail category take its well-deserved center stage across the country.”

—Sree

Print | posted on Thursday, November 08, 2012 5:33 PM

Comments

 re: CVS Launches New NailHQ in More than 2,000 Stores

Gravatar left by lynn at 11/8/2012 5:52 PM
disappointed essie would turn her back on professionals and sell her line in cvs.
I will no longer use or retail essie in my nail spa

 re: CVS Launches New NailHQ in More than 2,000 Stores

Gravatar left by Patreisha at 11/8/2012 5:58 PM
@lynn: I doubt the Essie line for CVS will match the original Essie polishes. I think it will be along of the lines of what OPI does with their "lesser" Nicole line. The original Essie will still maintain the high quality and integrity we as professionals are accustomed, while Essie's CVS line will probably be more of the moment, and reserve special polishes for her original line.

I am actually excited about this. I think CVS will make nail polishes/nail care less intimidating to non-professionals, which will make them want to learn more about the industry.

 re: CVS Launches New NailHQ in More than 2,000 Stores

Gravatar left by K at 11/8/2012 6:01 PM
I can't help but wonder how soon it'll be before we start hearing about dermatitis from DIY gel manis.

 re: CVS Launches New NailHQ in More than 2,000 Stores

left by K at 11/8/2012 6:02 PM
@ lynn & Patreisha

I doubt it. Essie is already sold in Walmart and Target among other places - she sold her company to Loreal a few years back and it has been getting into mass retailers since. The bottles look slightly different, but the colors are exactly the same.

 re: CVS Launches New NailHQ in More than 2,000 Stores

Gravatar left by Michele at 11/8/2012 7:15 PM
The day I saw Essie in Bed Bath Beyond, I became concerned, the day I saw it in Walmart was the day I removed it from my salon. I know it is a lesser quality, bottling is not etched, but my shop is high end, not a discount nailery! Buh bye Essie!

# re: CVS Launches New NailHQ in More than 2,000 Stores

Gravatar left by Your Nail Gal Pam at 11/11/2012 7:18 PM
Always sad to see professional products in the mass market retail arena. As to the OPI Nicole line; this line started as a premium line priced higher than the regular line with the tag line Colors With a Conscience and 25 cents from each sale was donated to charities that had meaning to young people like Rock the Vote and Make a Wish foundation. Hardly a "lesser" line.

# re: CVS Launches New NailHQ in More than 2,000 Stores

Gravatar left by Jaime Schrabeck at 11/16/2012 9:34 AM
Essie polish costs $0.49 more at the CVS next-door to my salon, and I have a larger selection . . .

Add A Comment
Title   
Name 
Email (never displayed) 
Url 
Comments   
Please add 4 and 3 and type the answer here:
Copyright © NAILS Magazine