After months of backpacking through South America I was in desperate need of some pampering. My Airbnb host, Maria, suggested a mobile app called Bluma that allows clients to book manicures and pedicures from the comfort of their home or office.
First up on the agenda were my atrocious nails. I can’t remember at which point I stopped caring that I looked like a troll.
“It’s like Uber for home beauty” Maria told me. I was skeptical at first but my laziness got the better of me…plus I was expecting a pizza from another domicilio app! Ah the sweet mobile app proliferation.
Notorious for its incredible beauty conscious culture the city of Medellín, in stark contrast, has in recent years been nurturing a culture of innovation and technology. The longer-term goal – to make the city the “Silicon Valley” of Latin America.
The beauty industry is still booming of course. And what do you get when you combine beauty with technology? The Bluma mobile app of course!
The Bluma mobile app even shows how much time until your manicurist shows up
My Experience with Bluma
After downloading the mobile app I booked an instant manicure and pedicure. Also, you can make future reservations but my nails were pleading for help.
The request was accepted by an Adriana who was 15 minutes away. A short while later a sweet woman donning stylish Bluma gear arrived.
We found a comfortable spot in the apartment and she got cracking away. She was delicate, polite and extremely professional. And I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the service.
We had a little heart to heart and she told me how she had arrived in Medellín from Venezuela with her 9-year-old daughter and that working for Bluma was her life-saver.
She seemed incredibly grateful to the company and proudly spoke about how she managed to buy a moto after four months using the money she earned as a Bluma partner.
Happiness is having your nails done – at home!
More About Bluma
I was inspired by this story and dug a little deeper into the Bluma brand. They have been operating in Medellín since 2017 and have managed to accumulate over 5,000 registered users in Medellín alone.
Bluma has a cool lifestyle image and the brand has a contemporary feel to it. Most of the women I met in Medellín (and even some of the guys) know of Bluma or have recommended it.
The beauty of this service is that it allows you to schedule instant manicures and pedicures from a “Blumanicurista” at home or at your office when you need them without having to go to a salon.
They even use the slogan “mani or pedi where and when you want” (in Spanish: “Mani y Pedi donde y cuando quieras”).
You could also order Bluma X 2 and get a manicure with your friend, photo courtesy of Bluma
Also, with the mobile app you pay with a credit card. So, no need for cash.
The customer service is also great as I found out when attempting to reschedule my second appointment. And just like this the stylish brand has managed, in a short time, to work its way into the hearts and homes of Medellin´s finest.
The mobile app is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
In addition, you can check out their website for more information: http://www.blumaapp.com/
Getting a manicure at home, photo courtesy of Bluma
The Bottom Line: Bluma – Medellín’s “Uber” for Manicures and Pedicures
I had used Bluma twice at the time of writing this article and would definitely use it again. I love manicure y pedicure a domicilio!
Sadly, I will be heading back to Poland soon. But I highly recommend Bluma to my fellow travelers and of course the lovely people of Medellín!
In addition, if you are looking for the best mobile apps to use in Medellín, the Medellin Guru website previously looked at 20 of the best mobile apps to use in Medellín and Colombia.
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