Last updated: June 2026
Editorial Policy
Nail Atlas translates Japanese nail-salon technique and product coverage into English. Japan's gel nail culture — its techniques, certification system, and product ecosystem — is documented almost entirely in Japanese. Our job is to bring that material across the language barrier accurately, with the original sources credited. This page explains how we do it.
Where Our Material Comes From
Our coverage is drawn from Japanese-language sources, including:
- Nail UP! and Japanese nail trade media — technique tutorials, trend coverage, and salon reporting.
- @cosme — Japan's largest beauty review platform, for product ratings and user-review themes.
- Hot Pepper Beauty — salon listings, menu pricing, and design galleries.
- JNA (Japan Nailist Association) certification materials — the technical standards Japanese nail technicians train against.
- Brand and manufacturer sites — official product specifications, pricing in yen, and usage instructions.
When an article draws on a specific Japanese source, we say so and link to it. We translate and contextualize; we do not pass off another publication's reporting as our own.
Translation Standards
- Japanese technique names are kept alongside their romanized and English forms (nuance nail / ニュアンスネイル) so readers can find the original material themselves.
- Prices are reported in yen as published, with approximate USD conversions clearly marked as approximate.
- Where a Japanese product has no official English distribution, we say so rather than implying availability.
How We Use AI
We use AI tools, including large language models, to assist with translation, research, and drafting. Humans review content before publication and remain responsible for accuracy — particularly for technique steps, product claims, and anything safety-related (gel allergies, lamp curing, e-file use). AI accelerates the translation work; it does not replace editorial judgment.
Brand and Product Ratings
Brand profiles in our directory carry a 0–10 editorial rating. It reflects aggregated Japanese user reviews (@cosme and similar), professional usage in Japanese salons, and product range depth. Ratings are not for sale, and no brand has paid to be profiled.
Independence and Affiliate Disclosure
- Some articles contain affiliate links to retailers that stock Japanese nail products. We may earn a commission at no cost to you. Affiliate relationships never determine what we cover or how we rate it.
- We do not accept payment for coverage or placement.
- We do not run sponsored content presented as editorial.
Corrections
Translation involves judgment calls, and we sometimes get one wrong. If you find a mistranslation, an outdated price, or a technique description that doesn't match the original source, email editorial@nailatlasjp.com. We correct articles in place and note material corrections.
What We Are Not
We are a publication, not a nail school or a salon. Technique articles describe how Japanese professionals work; they are not a substitute for hands-on training, and gel products should be used according to their manufacturers' instructions.