Why Lili And Cata Offers Exclusively Dry Manicures & Pedicures in Brooklyn
The Hygiene Case Is Clear
Traditional foot baths are among the most significant sanitation risks in the nail industry. A CDC-published study found mycobacteria present in 97% of whirlpool footbaths sampled across nail salons, leading to outbreaks of painful, scarring skin infections in clients. The EPA has similarly warned that microorganisms in foot spas can enter the body through even the smallest break in skin. At liliandcata, eliminating water gets rid of that risk entirely. All tools are also autoclave-sterilized, which puts our hygiene standards at the highest level.
Your Polish Lasts Longer, Too
Dry nail services aren't just safer, they deliver better results. When nails absorb water, they swell and lose their natural curve. Polish is applied to an expanded nail and then chips as the nail dries and contracts back to its original shape. By keeping nails dry, liliandcata ensures polish bonds directly to the nail's natural surface, resulting in a longer-lasting manicure or pedicure with a cleaner, sharper finish.
Better for Brooklyn, Better for the Planet
Waterless nail services are also one of the most impactful sustainability choices a salon can make. Each dry pedicure saves an average of 10–15 gallons of water compared to a traditional soak, translating to hundreds of gallons saved daily across both our Brooklyn locations. Going dry also reduces energy use, eliminates chemical disinfectants needed for shared basins, and removes the single-use plastics commonly associated with foot bath liners.
We know that for some clients, the soak feels like part of the experience. We completely understand. But we've found, and our clients consistently tell us, that hot towel wraps, nourishing lotions, steam and the knowledge that their service is genuinely clean make the experience feel more luxurious, not less.
When you book a waterless manicure or dry pedicure at liliandcata in Greenpoint or Williamsburg, you're choosing a service that is cleaner, longer-lasting, and more sustainable — without sacrificing a moment of the luxury you came for.
REFERENCES
1. Winthrop KL, et al. "Mycobacteria in Nail Salon Whirlpool Footbaths, California." Emerging Infectious Diseases, CDC, vol. 11, no. 4, 2004. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/11/4/pdfs/04-0936.pdf
2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). "Preventing Pedicure Foot Spa Infections." https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/preventing-pedicure-foot-spa-infections
3. Hodges, Karen & Schoon, Doug. Quoted in "No Need for Water: The Pros and Cons of Dry Manicures." NAILS Magazine. https://www.nailsmag.com/391316/no-need-for-water-the-pros-and-cons-of-dry-manicures
4. Rojas, Lilly. Quoted in "4 Tips to Make Your Salon More Sustainable." Beauty Launchpad / NAILS Pro. https://www.beautylaunchpad.com/nails/health/article/22889001/
5. OSHA. "Health Hazards in Nail Salons – Biological Hazards." https://www.osha.gov/nail-salons/biological-hazards