The Ukrainian manicure has become one of beauty’s most talked-about treatments, praised for creating nails that look impossibly clean, elegant and expensive. I had heard countless people describe it as chic, sexy and completely transformative but, if I am honest, I did not even know where to begin looking for one.
Then Browchuk came onto my radar.
Founded by Ukrainian beauty specialist Vlada, the Fitzrovia studio brings together a team of highly skilled Ukrainian experts whose meticulous techniques have earned them a loyal following among editors, founders, tastemakers and fashion insiders. Its discreet reputation has also attracted high-profile clients including Olivia Attwood, Dr Ewoma and Amelia Liana, alongside women travelling from across the UK and internationally for appointments.
“Beauty should never feel one-size-fits-all,” explains Vlada. “Every face is different, every client is different, and that’s how we approach every appointment. Our goal is always to create results that feel effortless, timeless and completely personal.”
Nestled in Fitzrovia, the Ukrainian-founded beauty studio was perfectly positioned for me to squeeze an appointment into a meeting-filled day in Central London. I booked the Nail BIAB Ukrainian Manicure and Nail Strengthening treatment, which came with an appointment time of one hour and 40 minutes.
My immediate thought was: surely not. How am I going to sit still for that long? Yet I was fascinated to discover what could possibly make a manicure take almost two hours and whether the results would really live up to everything I had heard.
From the moment I walked into Browchuk, the atmosphere was calm and refreshingly relaxed. It was exactly how I like a beauty appointment to begin: no unnecessary fussing around. I was shown straight to my assigned seat, brought a cold bottle of sparkling water and the treatment began.
There were two small details I appreciated almost immediately. A little stool had been placed beside me for my handbag, so I did not have to keep leaning down to reach it, and there was a phone holder positioned in front of me, allowing me to check emails simply by tapping the screen. Both were convenient and practical touches, yet they are things most salons never think about.
Then came the cuticle work.
The care and precision involved were unlike anything I had experienced during a standard manicure. For around an hour, every inch of my nails and the surrounding skin was carefully inspected, refined and perfected. Every trace of dead skin was meticulously removed. It felt like a full MOT for my hands.
Before any colour had even been applied, my hands already appeared more elegant and my nails somehow looked noticeably longer. It made me realise how much beautifully maintained cuticles can change the entire appearance of the hands.
For the colour, I chose a gorgeous milky-white finish. The BIAB and gel had been premixed inside a pot before being carefully hand-painted onto each nail. Even the application technique was fascinating to watch. At different points, I was asked to turn my hands upside down so that my nail technician could examine the shape from another angle and perfect the structure and sides.
Nothing was rushed and no detail was considered too small.
The finished result was extraordinarily precise: glossy, beautifully shaped and incredibly clean around the cuticles. The milky-white shade was understated, but the flawless application made it feel striking. My nails looked natural and elegant, yet there was still something undeniably sexy about them.
The only way I can describe it is as the Ferrari of manicures compared with a basic nail appointment. It was the same category of treatment, perhaps, but the craftsmanship, finish and attention to detail placed it in an entirely different league.
By the end of the appointment, the one hour and 40 minutes I had worried about did not feel excessive at all. I had been completely absorbed by the process, watching as each small stage contributed to the final result.
Since leaving Browchuk, I have received an unbelievable number of messages on social media about my nails. People have also stopped me in person to tell me how striking they look. There is a visible difference—one that even people who may not know exactly what has changed seem to notice immediately.
Each time someone asks, I proudly tell them: this is a Ukrainian manicure.
I arrived intrigued by the hype and left ready to book my next appointment. For anyone who views a manicure as a quick coat of colour, Browchuk may completely change the way you think about your nails. This is not simply nail maintenance; it is precision beauty at its most meticulous.
Browchuk is located in Fitzrovia, London. Discover more or book an appointment at browchuk.co.uk.
