Cartino Nails & Spa opens in Lighthouse Plaza

The word is out.

Cartino Nails & Spa is open in Lighthouse Plaza, and the salon's service-oriented approach to nail and skin care is a hit with clients.

Leather couches welcome visitors to the tidy reception area, where a menu of services offers everything from $10 princess manicures for kids to herbal pedicures, facials and waxing.

General Manager Leanna Nguyen said her staff puts a premium on offering the best service possible.

"We try to make people relax with the pedicure," Nguyen said. "And with the spa pedicure, we take the time with the customer."

Spa pedicures last one hour; clients choose from a variety of herbal combinations designed to relax, energize or detoxify.

Feet are soaked, scrubbed and massaged. Legs are wrapped with herbs in plastic wrap for a relaxing dose of aromatherapy and herbal stimulation before feet are carefully cared for, patted dry and toenail color is applied.

Meanwhile, soothing music plays in three treatment rooms, each with a softly lit atmosphere.

A customer-loyalty plan is in place; gift certificates are available, and the manager said she is booking parties for bridal showers, weddings and birthdays or other special events.

Equipped with the SaniSmart sanitizing system, she said Cartino Nails staff is as thorough about hygienic practices as they are about service standards.

"We have a checklist so that we can keep everything clean," Nguyen said.

On her most recent visit, Leslie Hayes of Lewes said she's already had four pedicures at the new salon since she discovered Cartino Nails in May.

"I love it here; it's my favorite," Hayes said. "The atmosphere is beautiful, and I think they do more as far as getting the pedicure done."

For her, the best part is always the massage.

Cartino Nails & Spa is open from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 9:30 a.m. to  4:30 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 302-212-2510 or visit www.cartinonails.com.