A University of East Anglia student has launched the first on-campus nail salon, Immoral Nails, offering an accessible alternative to traditional salons.

The student behind the venture said that the idea emerged directly from her own experiences navigating high salon prices. “I didn’t want to pay too much for them any more, because so many nail salons charge a lot,” she explained.

What began as a personal workaround quickly developed into a passion project.“I found when I finished doing my own, I’d still want to be creating more sets, so I was thinking ‘Who do I do them on now?’. That’s when I got the idea for the business.”

The prices are lower than average, designed with student budgets in mind. “My target audience are uni students. Not many students can afford getting their nails done regularly, and I want more people to be able to enjoy cute nails. It makes you feel pretty,” she said.

Accessibility is also central to the service. Many students struggle to find affordable salons nearby or feel intimidated entering unfamiliar beauty spaces in town. By operating directly from her campus room, Immoral Nails hopes to remove those barriers. 

She said: “I want it to be easy for anyone to come and get a set. They won’t have to worry about travelling into town and finding a salon, they can just get comfy in my room.”

To create a relaxed environment, Immoral Nails encourages clients to choose something to watch during their appointment. “I don’t mind a comfortable silence, but I don’t want it to feel awkward. When the customer has something of their choice playing in the background, it’s never truly silent.”

Beyond affordability, Immoral Nails also fills a stylistic gap in Norwich by specialising in alternative, bold aesthetics. 

“Alternative people are definitely my target audience. There’s not really many alternative nail studios in Norwich, so I want my designs to have a bit of oomph… you don’t even need to plan a good outfit because your nails are the outfit.”

Although Immoral Nails stresses that the business is passion-driven rather than profit-driven, she hopes it will grow sustainably. She plans to expand into press-on sets, offering an accessible option for students who prefer not to book long, in-person sessions.

Students can book a set via Instagram at @immoral_nails.

Image Credit: Immoral Nails