We don’t mean to brag, but New York City is the birthplace of a very important place: the nail salon. Back in 1878, an entrepreneurial woman opened Mrs. Pray's Manicure, the country’s first parlor for the treatment, filing, and buffing of nails. (Actual lacquer, as we know it, wasn’t invented for a few more decades.)
These days, our fair city is home to more than 1,000 nail salons. And, while we can appreciate giving ourselves a good DIY mani while binge-watching OITNB, let’s be honest: nail care is one beauty ritual that we’re more than happy to outsource.
So, we’ve handpicked 13 of the city’s absolute best places for a manicure/pedicure, from nail-art galleries to affordable spots that won’t make you fear a staph infection. (Always a plus, in our book.) Read on for the polish palaces we swear by — and be sure to let us know about your go-tos, too.
Jin Soon Natural Hand & Foot Salon
Nail artist Jin Soon is a mainstay backstage at Fashion Week, where she consistently whips up gorgeous nail looks that quickly become trends. But her salon, of which there are multiple locations across NYC, is definitely a more low-key experience. The spot is known for its luxe add-ons, like a flower-petal foot soak, to give you a seriously relaxing spa experience.
Jin Soon Natural Hand & Foot Salon, multiple locations.
Photo: Courtesy of Jin Soon Natural Hand & Food Salon.
Hortūs Nailworks
An appointment for one of this LES newcomer's (formerly, Lushlife Nailworks) totally indulgent and blissfully affordable manicure or pedicure treatments will have you feeling like you just came back from one of those spa retreats Gisele gets to take. Listen to smooth jazz, sip cocktails during Hortūs Happy Hour (11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Wednesday), and talk it out with Jane, the owner, who might be one of the sweetest people we know.
Hortūs Nailworks, 210 Forsyth Street (between Stanton and East Houston streets); 917-475-1558.
Dying to try acrylic but never had the guts? The Nail Boutique has the liquid courage you need — we mean nail polish, of course. This boutique spa manages to be glitzy without forsaking cleanliness or professionalism. Their chief mission: to make you feel FABULOUS.
The Nail Boutique, Multiple Locations.
Photo: Courtesy of the Nail Boutique.
Essie Flagship Salon
Situated inside Samuel Shriqui is nail legend Essie Weingarten's first-ever salon. Choose from over 300 of the brand's iconic shades (everything from Ballet Slippers to Mint Candy Apple) and sink into one of the oversized, lush leather chairs, which are just as colorful as the polish itself. It's a designer home for a household beauty name.
Essie Flagship Salon, 35 East 65th Street (between Madison and Park avenues); 212-472-6805.
Photo: Courtesy of Essie Flagship Salon.
Bed Of Nails
Harlem’s newest nail salon is arguably the neighborhood’s most posh; owner Candice Idehen, who’s tended to models’ nails at global fashion weeks, has stocked her spot with premium lacquers from the likes of Chanel, Deborah Lippmann, Tom Ford, and essie. When she’s not on set for magazines such as Bazaar and Vogue, Idehen still takes appointments at her salon. It might not be a bad idea to become one of her regulars before word gets out.
Bed of Nails, 2272 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard (between West 133rd and West 134th streets); 212-694-2200.
Photo: Courtesy of Bed Of Nails.
Paintbox
So, maybe you’re interested in nail art, but you don’t want your thumbnails to have 3D dinosaurs playing ping-pong while a Precious Moments kitten pounces on your pinky. That’s where Paintbox comes in. The spacious studio features a menu of chic seasonal designs — for summer, think negative-space manicures in hypersaturated hues — all dreamed up by celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec. A host of smart touches (complimentary beverages, iPhone charging stations) has quickly placed this newcomer among the city’s best beautifiers.
Paintbox, 17 Crosby Street (between Grand and Howard streets); 212-219-2412.
Photo: Courtesy of Paintbox.
Fix Beauty Bar
This Upper East Side spot specializes in manicures and hair blowout services...at the same time. Best known for pampering its cutomes, but also respect your busy schedule, and get you quickly primped and polished and on your way!
Fix Beauty Bar, 847 Lexington Avenue (between 64th & 65th streets); 212-744-0800.
Photo: Courtesy of Fix Beauty Bar.
Primp & Polish
No, this isn’t the cheapest spot in Brooklyn, and we’re not crazy about having to pay $4 more for Dior or Chanel lacquer. But, we’re letting that go because of these three words: outdoor pedicure garden. There, you and a gaggle of your best buds can stretch out while your feet are massaged, your hangnails are removed, and your toenails are painted to a glossy shine. No need to worry about inclement weather, either — the patio is covered, so your crew can get groomed come rain, shine, or whatever crazy stuff Mother Nature throws at us next.
Primp & Polish, 172 Bedford Avenue (between North 7th and North 8th streets), Brooklyn; 718-384-3555.
Photo: Courtesy of Primp & Polish.
Vanity Projects
It’s not a gallery, exactly, yet this space is so much more than a nail salon. Here, founder Rita de Alencar Pinto fuses two of her professional interests — fine-art curation and nail art — into a high-concept mani/pedi studio. Video-art installations play on the walls, while the “residency” calendar features a rotating roster of well-known nail artists such as Masako Sasaki and Jessica Washick.
Vanity Projects, 99 Chrystie Street, 2F (between Grand and Hester streets); 646-410-2928.
[Editor's Note: According to de Alencar Pinto, Vanity Projects' guest artists are all part-time employees and paid on "a very handsome" commission structure.]
Photo: Courtesy of Vanity Projects/Jessica Bloom.
Valley Nails
Dream it up, and chances are good that Valley can make it happen on your nails. Since 2006, this downtown salon has been decorating digits with everything from Degas to Warhol, The Hunger Games to Grumpy Cat — and, if you bring in an inspiration photo, your manicurist will translate it to your nails. On a budget? Each manicure comes with a complimentary design on one or two accent nails, so nobody has to go without a little razzle-dazzle.
Valley Nails, 198 Elizabeth Street (between Prince and Spring streets); 212-274-8985.
Photo: Courtesy of Valley Nails.
Tenoverten
Better show up 10 minutes early for your mani/pedi — you’ll want the extra time to pore over Tenoverten’s massive selection of polish colors. Along with its excellent house brand of five-free lacquers, the sunny salon has the latest hues from the likes of RGB, NARS, essie, and Dior. As for the services themselves, the cheerful technicians and their obsession with cleanliness are top-notch. Color us impressed.
Tenoverten, 132 West Houston (between Macdougal and Sullivan streets); 917-475-1000.
Photo: Courtesy of Tenoverten.
J. Sisters
You may have heard of J. Sisters as the "pioneers of Brazilian bikini waxing in the United States." Their expertise goes far beyond the panty-line, however; they approach mani/pedis the way detectives tackle crime scenes, and this is no country for callouses and hang nails. Seriously, these Brazilian beauticians will handle your New York nails, nasty or not.
J. Sisters, 41 West 57th Street (between Fifth and Sixth Avenues); 212- 750-2485.
Photo: Courtesy of J. Sisters.
Van Court Studio
Looking for something natural and chic downtown? NYC's latest non-toxic spa is for you. All of Van Court's polish options are 5-, 7-, or 9-free (think: LVX, Floss Gloss, Deborah Lippmann, and more) and its creams and oils are natural and often organic. Did we mention that you can book online? We're sold.
Van Court Studio, 90 Water Street (near Gouverneur Lane); book online.
Photo: Courtesy of Van Court Studio.
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page. Like us on Facebook — we'll see you there!
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
A Secret Technique From A Red Carpet Nail Artist