The Best Nail Art and Mani-Pedis in New York City
New Yorkers don’t just know art — we wear it. All over the city, beauty buffs sporting the next big trends, as well as the more simply-ornamented, can be seen nailing the accessory game. From salons specializing in wearable art to neighborhood spots providing down-to-earth indulgences, here are the best nail art and mani-pedi salons in New York City.
1. Vivi Nails
Trust the talented techs at Vivi Nails to nail your dream design every time. Here, high-quality gel manicures and pedicures are the simplest items on the menu, which features design-heavy nail art sure to astonish. With branches throughout New York City, Vivi Nails has got your back, no matter your borough.
2. Nail De Vue
Beauty Salon, Spa, Health Spa
Tip: you can’t rush perfection; prepare to settle in for a longer-than-average session at Nail De Vue.
Queen of NY Nails
Queen of NY Nails is a one-woman operation. Boasting over 5,640 Instagram followers and a packed diary (the Queen is available by appointments only), licensed nail tech Denise is the beauty-loving local’s go-to source for custom designs. Well worth the wait, the Queen’s undivided and individualized attention will show for weeks afterwards.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BV_FJqmBAXe/?taken-by=queenofnynails
3. Glamour Nails
Beauty Salon
4. Akiko Nails
Rave reviews from the likes of Time Out NY and MTV Nail Art News have landed Akiko Nails on the radars of style-savvy locals. A stylish interior, complete with neon signage and exposed brick, lend this Lower East Side salon cool cred. Japanese-inspired designs are a specialty here, where hand-drawn anime and Sailor Moon-themed images, as well as reproductions of fine Japanese art, adorn the hands of fashion-forward patrons.
137 Rivington St, New York, NY, USA, +1 (646) 841-6721
5. Sapphire Nails and Spa
Beauty Salon, Spa
6. Pretty Polished
Beauty Salon
7. Oh, My Nails
Offering mani-pedis that are easy on the eyes and your nails, the East Village’s Oh, My Nails is a top-pick for conscious consumers. Using a ‘new generation gel’ called Calgel, the spot promises no damage, no smell, and no lengthy, nail-harming removal process. At Oh, My Nails, get ahead of the next big beauty trend with a nail job that looks good and is good for you.
117 E 7th St, New York, NY, USA, +1 (646) 590-4700
8. Sakura Nail Spa
Spa, Health Spa
9. Jin Soon Nail and Spa
Spa
10. Paintbox
Beauty Salon
Tip: don’t forget to visit the in-studio photo booth, where you can document your freshly-done designs.
11. Susie's Nail Salon
Beauty Salon
12. Tenoverten
There’s a reason Tenoverten is backed by such beauty authorities as Into the Gloss and VOGUE. Here, carefully-crafted polishes (vegan, cruelty-free, and made in the USA) come with names honoring the New York City neighborhoods that inspire them. Offering custom, hour-long pedicures, mani-pedis for pint-sized patrons, and natural hair removal treatments, repping your city has never been better than at Tenoverten.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWLs6nDFlvo/?taken-by=tenoverten
13. The Gel Bar
Gel nail fanatics need look no further than The Gel Bar, a salon specializing in all gel nails, including calgel, UV, and design. Experimental nail art — such as styles featuring gradation and thoughtfully-placed negative space — is a must-try at this Midtown gem.
11 W 30th St, New York, NY, USA, +1 (212) 695-5985
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRe4Ik7lxyZ/?taken-by=thegelbar
14. Abey Nail & Spa II
Massage Parlour, Spa
15. Valley Nails
Valley Nails is a fashion world favorite at the front of the beauty industry’s campaign for consciousness. Offering only toxin-free and 7-free nail and gel polishes, this eco-friendly, ethical salon supports beauty from the outside in. Custom nail art designs, complimentary repairs, and over 160 sizes of nail extensions have earned Valley a peak position on review roundups from VOGUE, Elle, and Refinery 29.
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