Jackson Free Press

Victoria Walker has been doing manicures, pedicures, shellac, acrylic and other nail services in the Fondren Village Shopping Center for more than 10 years.

Walker, a 39-year-old Jackson resident, first became interested in doing nails while an uncle who worked in the business in California visited her. She graduated from Warson Woods College of Cosmetology in 1997, and after taking a break from cosmetology, she began working at Nail Gallery. After 10 years, the salon decided to relocate, but the business closed shortly after that. Walker opened Cuticles Nail Studio in Nail Gallery's former space in 2013.

"It's fun," she says. "I meet someone new every hour, and I get to be creative. It's an honest job."

Cuticles offers manicures and pedicures, waxing services for brows and lips, and, Walker says, depending on the level of difficulty, she can create custom colors and simple designs for nails. While it may be pricier than some of the other local salons, Walker knows that the price is worth the service. With Cuticles, her clients grow stronger nails, which is why they keep coming back.

"I really enjoy people," she says. "I have a knack for the industry, and it's constantly changing. It keeps me going."

Cuticles Nail Studio is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, find the business on Facebook. —Dustin Cardon and Maya Miller

Best Nail Technician

Finalists Cathy Campbell, The Nail Bar (4800 Interstate 55 N., Suite 20, 769-216-2152) / Melissa Harrison, The Nail Bar (4800 Interstate 55 N., Suite 20, 769-216-2152) / Youlanda Watkins, The Nail Bar (4800 Interstate 55 N., Suite 20, 769-216-2152)

Best Place for a Manicure

Finalists Fondren Nails (2906 N. State St., Suite B1, 601-362-6292) / The Nail Bar (4800 Interstate 55 N., Suite 20, 769-216-2152) / Nails Envy Downtown (210 E. Capitol St., Suite M-114, 601-398-7186)

Best Place for a Pedicure

Finalists The Nail Bar (4800 Interstate 55 N., Suite 20, 769-216-2152) / Nails Envy Downtown ( 210 E. Capitol St., Suite M-114, 601-398-7186) / The Skin District Esthetics & Massage (2629 Courthouse Circle, Suite B, Flowood, 601-981-7546)

*CORRECTION: The original version of this story said that Nail Envy with locations on Capitol Street and Medgar Evers Boulevard was the finalist for Best Place for a Manicure and Best Place for a Pedicure. The correct finalist is Nails Envy Downtown (210 E. Capitol St., Suite M-114). The Jackson Free Press apologizes for these errors.