Top Reviews about 19 Nail Salons in Palo Alto, CA

Karena Chan i never leave reviews but i need to let everyone know you could not find a better nail salon than merrys!!! i had an appointment at the nail bar next door and was a bit put off by the rushed energy of the salon and still had to wait so walked over to iconic nails. it was busy too but the moment i walked in, merry was super accommodating, sweet, and a general VIBE. you wont feel like just another customer. shes the most patient and willing to help you with your design and by the end of your visit, you feel like besties just yapping away (another customer and her were making plans for lunch!!). i am super picky about my nail art and she went above and beyond in every way, recording my preferences for next time and even letting me come back 2 days later to adjust and add charms. would give this salon 10 stars if i could.

Alejandra Ceja I had a wonderful experience at Iconic Nails with Kimmy and Jaime. I was a bit more detail oriented for this service because I went in for my wedding nails. They were so patient with me and happily made the minor adjustments I asked for. Apart from the service, the offered tea or coffee, the salon is clean and aesthetic and I love salon’s that have easy online booking. Definitely coming back to see Kimmy & Jaime!

Parul Agarwal Their gel manicures last forever. All stylists are patient and do a perfect job. Remember the anxiety we have when someone is working on your nails, worrying if they will do a good job. Here you can sit back and relax. It just comes out great without any oversight from me.

Richard Garingalao Dao has been doing my feet since i knew her! Love it! Good person too

SELF CARE 911 MED SPA Dao does my nail all the time .very pleasant and does a good job on mine

Jennifer Solano When I got here I asked one of the nail technicians which of the two would be easiest for her she quickly said the cherry ones so she proceeded to prep my nails. After prepping my nails harshly I asked if they had a selection of acrylic powders she ignored the question and tried to make small talk. Long story short she charged me $50 but didn’t listen to me on the shape or color I wanted.

Alejandra Valle This place is disgusting! I went in to get a pedicure and the lady doing the pedicure just walked to the back to RINSE/WASH ALL THE USED TOOLS SHE USED WITH THE PERSON BEFORE ME!!!!! They literally just wash the tools, not too clean the pedicure area was dirty they dont clean after there done doing a service. I was too embarrassed to even get up and leave haha. Now I feel I have an ingrown. My toes are still in pain. They cut my toe nail way to short, it hurts really bad. I WILL NOT BE GOING BACK! AND I DEFINITELY DONT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE.

Melissa Lyn Lee What can I say??? Holly is just great at nails!!! Some of the pedicurists leave something to be desired though... The massages are too quick and the prices have been known to be extremely high... More quality for what we pay for would be more ideal... Also, the massage chairs are old. They need to be stronger to keep me happy.

Harlan Blumenthal I was in desperate need of a manicure and stopped in to see Lien, the owner, on a recommendation. Not only was she professional and attentive, but she was also fun to talk to and made me laugh several times. She took her time, massaged my hands, and gave me a nice buff and clear coat, and the pricing was very reasonable. I recommend you patronize her establishment. If Im in the area again, I will be back.

Jessica Erickson I first read about Nail Bar Too in the Town Crier and after reading about the owner, Lien, I decided to give it a try. Their team is A+! Great options at different price points, very gentle, and a lovely manicure/pedicure. All their chairs are new and those include many massage options that add to the overall relaxation. After being so impressed the first time, now I’ve been three times and now it is my go to place!

Cynthia Rattey Ive been here 2x to get my nails done, refused both times told no time a person after me was given the appointment. Please remove walk-in available.

Kathryn Dixon The Nail Bar Los Altos is my favorite place to get my manicures and pedicures. It’s clean, beautiful and the ladies always do such an amazing job. I usually see Le, and have been a loyal fan of hers for almost 15 years now. I’ve followed Le, Susan, Tee and Gigi to every location they’ve worked. When Gigi opened the Nail Bar, I knew it was going to be fantastic. Gigi has the best customer service and runs her salon like a well oiled machine. Susan took care of my grandmother’s nails up until she passed this year in May, and we are forever grateful to her for going above and beyond at every single visit for my late grandmother. Tee does a great job on nails and is truly the best at massages! I highly recommend coming here! Photos are of a few of the amazing sets Le has done for me this year. The green ones were 3 weeks grown out and still looking excellent at my appoint to switch them up.

Srushti P Nice salon with great customer service. Perfect place for manicure and pedicure. Queenie is my go to Nail technician for any and all types of nail arts. She is perfect and quick with her work. They have many options for services. They have a variety of colors options to choose. The salon is clean and hygienic. You can make an appointment online to avoid rush. Tee did a great job with gel pedicure. She was so careful and efficient with pedicure. Amazing work. Recommend this salon for pedicure. I enjoyed the manicure with dip polish and nail art by Tracy. She was so careful and did the nails with perfection.

Oksana Bazhenova Pros: gorgeous place, crispy clean, polite staff, no reservation needed Cons: bad quality of gel manicure and expensive. I did about 4-5 times gel manicure there, and every time, it got chipped in 3-4 days. (For reference, when i get manicure in another salons, it lasts for two weeks minimum)I love the place, but the quality is average. It cost me $85 ($70+$ 15 tips) ! P.s. the picture was taken a week later, when I wrote a review, but the gel chipped in 3 days

Alison Hanna was very experienced, professional, skilled and even stayed late for me (sorry Hanna!) glad I found her, definitely a repeat customer!

Joanna Chan I had one of the most disappointing experiences here on 06/21. It was my first time here and I made an appointment online specifically with Lynn, but when I arrived, she and the other staff were speaking Vietnamese, and another lady ended up helping me instead even though Lynn was available that time. Although I didnt mind this initially, the quality of service I received was unacceptable. The nail shape was inconsistent across all my nails, and there was gel all over my cuticles. The gel was also not spread evenly, making my nails look messy and unprofessional. The lady almost skipped the cuticle cutting step until I pointed it out, and she had to go back to do it. What makes this worse was, the gel started coming off after just 1.5 weeks, whereas it usually lasts me 5 weeks from other salons. On top of all this, it took her almost 2 hours to complete such a poor job. I wont be returning and would not recommend this salon to anyone.

Kira Hartz Ive been coming to this salon for 5 years and love it. Everyone is professional, friendly, and caring. Lots of regular customers here which is always a good sign. They always do an excellent job. The salon is super clean, the owner Vivian ensuring excellent hygiene. Several technicians (Hana, Lynn, Becky) have worked here for years which is a testament to a well-run business. The location is great too - right in downtown Los Altos with lots of shops and restaurants around. I will definitely continue coming here and recommend this place.

Ainhoa Indurain Very satisfied with my nail polish. They were very nice. The place felt safe in regards to covid too. The price appears to be average. 35$ for a manicure+ gel polish. I also got a brief hand massage. Very lovely. Will update photos.Edited to add new photos

Anita Stewart Lam has done my pedicures for several years, and she absolutely excels at her work. The result is lovely nails and smooth feet. Her focused, attentive care keeps my toenails healthy. She clearly has a high standard of excellence. She is very good doing the foot massage. Going here is overall a very relaxing experience.

Erin Sun This place is under new management and the service is decent. They are clean, friendly, fast, no fuzz, getting the job done. Massage chair is awesome! I didnt want to leave after my treatment. The hard working staff definitely deserve a chance to succeed. Will come back again.

Jennifer Diaz Michael did a beautiful job on my gel x nails! He would do one nail, then checked in with me about the length, shape, base color, and the color of the French tip before doing the whole hand. I love how they turned out and can’t wait to get another set at this location/with Michael. He pays attention to every detail. Also shout out to Nancy and the front desk attendant who were very kind and considerate : )

Alina Z I’ve been coming to Lee for the last two years now and I love her and her work so much. I always get gel builder and it is a flawless manicure every single time. Lee is a master shaper and artist. Plus we always have fun thinking of new designs to do!

Jenifer Ledesma First time coming here and all I can say is that it was lovely! Felt so relaxed and Anna (who I booked with) was very detailed. Made sure all nails looked perfect! Will definitely be booking again!!!

Shabnam Parang Have been going there and its predecessor pinkies for 20 years. Although they started out good, the manager Chung is rude, doesnt honor appointment times, and over time has been behaving more unprofessionally. With so many nail salons in the area, there are so many other good choices, than to waste time with a place doesnt value loyal return customers and management behaves poorly.

Jenny Chan Terrible Experience at Hygia Nail Spa I recently visited Hygia Nail Spa for a manicure, and I must say it was a truly disappointing experience. I had heard good things about this salon, but my visit left me feeling frustrated and dissatisfied. Here are the reasons why I would not recommend this place to anyone: 1. No Hospitality: To begin with, I was shocked that they didnt offer me even a glass of water during my appointment. Its a basic courtesy that most salons provide, and the lack of this small gesture made me feel unwelcome from the start. 2. Rough and Aggressive: The technician assigned to me was exceptionally rough and aggressive. Instead of providing a relaxing and pleasant experience, she displayed a complete lack of care and seemed more interested in rushing through the process. Her rough handling was uncomfortable and unnecessary. 3. Failure to Follow Instructions: Despite clearly communicating my desired nail design and guiding the technician throughout the appointment, the end result was a complete disappointment. My nails looked nothing like what I had shown her, and it was evident that she did not pay attention to my preferences. It was frustrating to have my requests disregarded, especially when I was actively providing guidance throughout. 4. Unprofessional Attitude: Throughout the appointment, the technician displayed a terrible attitude. She would get mad over the smallest things and made me feel like I was a burden. Its unprofessional to treat customers with annoyance and make them feel like their requests are a nuisance. 5. Poor Quality Work: The quality of the manicure was abysmal. I have uneven streaks of paint, uneven lengths and shapes, and even cuts on my cuticles. It is clear that the technician lacked the necessary skill and attention to detail to deliver a satisfactory result. Overall, my experience at Hygia Nail Spa was far from enjoyable. The lack of hospitality, rough handling, failure to follow instructions, unprofessional attitude, and poor quality of work all contribute to my negative review. I strongly advise others to consider alternative nail salons that prioritize customer satisfaction and provide a more pleasant experience.

Yuki Huang My mom and I have been coming to Hygia for a few years now and the service has always been exceptional. We usually always get the basic manicure and the deluxe pedicure and they always take care of us so well! All the nail techs are so sweet and give great attention to detail from start to finish. Also, pricing is very reasonable for this area! Even at times when I’ve been clumsy and messed up my polish while it was drying, they’ve been super attentive in offering to fix it right away. You can just tell that they care about their customers and how well of a device they’re providing. Would definitely recommend going if you haven’t already!

Carmen Lim I think this is the holy grail nail Artist … I have been to many. Most leave me a nail infection ( ahem nail bar mv ) brittle nails I can’t get another gel for three months …shorts nails can still look very pretty … she is meticulous and a perfectionist. she is legit !!! Go Lara Zhang !

Sally Park Lara is the best! I’ve been going to her for my nails for probably over a year now and I was so happy when she got her own salon space. She is so skilled at nails from shaping to nail art and my nails always stay perfect for so long.

Shelly Cono I used to see Lara at a different salon and was devastated when I found out she left. I was so happy when I found her on Google. She’s so talented and has good attention to detail. My nails last so long with her. Not that I would recommend it, but I’ve gone 7 weeks with no breakage before. It’s hard to find nail salons that know how to do Asian design styles, but Lara is very educated and seems to always understand how to execute the new trends. She is really careful with prep and doesn’t rush. She’s never clipped/hurt me before during prep. I also appreciate that the nails never come out looking very thick. I highly recommend!!

Susan Akbarpour I’ve been coming to this nail salon for over 20 years now, and it’s hands down the best! The atmosphere is always friendly, clean, relaxing, and welcoming. They know me and all my family members by name! Buck and Helen, in particular, deserve special recognition—they’re absolutely amazing! Buck is incredibly attentive and ensures every detail is perfect, while Helen’s skill and precision always leave my pedicures looking flawless. She gives me brand new feet all the time ! Duke and Nikki are now my best friends after all these years. Their professionalism and friendly demeanor make every visit enjoyable. Highly recommend this salon to anyone looking for top-notch service and care!

Franzoia MoanaLee Jasmine (CAlofa650) Update since February: Got new nails and I love how they care for you there! No rush, no pain! Thanks for making me feel comfortable!

Amber O’Rourke I have been here twice now and had a great experience both times! I was greeted as soon as I entered and told to pick a color, and then was quickly seated for my pedicure. I had someone working on my feet and hands at the same time but my services were not rushed at all and very well done. I thoroughly enjoyed my gel mani and pedi experience and extras they offer. They came out really cute! The women were also very friendly. A very comfortable atmosphere. Would recommend. We will be back!

Lauren Steiner My go-to nail spot! Excellent attention to detail and always so friendly if I need help picking the perfect color or trying a new nail shape or design. I always leave with a smile and a perfect manicure. Highly recommend!

Sanjana Nair GREAT SERVICE!!! Annie and Tina were the kindest nail techs with the most hospitality and attention to detail. Thank you both. I will return

Tequila W I have been going to this nail salon for many years now. It has changed ownership multiple times, likely due to the costs of rent in the area, but I just say this is by far the best management team. Brenda, the shop manager is so friendly! They cater to your needs, they provide EXCELLENT customer service and I always leave happy. It’s a relaxing atmosphere. The spa chairs are top of the line, it’s clean, and they use the disposable bags in the door spa to reduce the chance of spreading bacteria/infection. They have a loyalty card that allows for a discount after so many visits. The salon has so many colors and they’re good a making suggestions on services if you are unsure of what to get. They also offer waxing services and they do great work. Depending on the service it comes with a foot and leg massage and spreading wax. They’re prices are reasonable but competitive. I recommend giving them a try. You won’t be disappointed.

Zheng花爷 This is my third time to come to this shop for manicure. In fact, every time they are very attentive and considerate, but this time the manicurist who served me really made me like her so much. She patiently helped me choose the color. This color was my first time trying to do it. At first I thought it might fail again, but after it was done, I was very surprised. The overall effect was really good, including the nail shape. I really like it. Thank you very much, Jesse. It has added a little happiness to my next trip. Thank you very much, Jesse

Yi Y I had a great experience at Nail Paint in Los Altos! Two weeks ago, I went to another salon, but my nails broke quickly. A friend recommended this place, and I was lucky to get an appointment the next day. The nail technician was amazing, she took her time, rebuilt and reshaped my nails, and made sure I was happy with the shape and color every step of the way. My nails look perfect now. Highly recommend!

Yiwen Mu I first brought my daughter here for a manicure as an end of school year gift. I loved the cat eye style, so I came back for myself last week. I told Reika I wanted something special to go with the blue cat eye base. She did these ocean themed nails which are sooooo cute!! I can’t stop staring at my nails these days lol.

Maria Filsinger Interrante Have lived in the area for a while and was looking for a new nail salon - found Sky Nails based on their reviews and have had a wonderful experience! The first gel manicure I got for a vacation lasted a full 3 weeks, and when I got the gel removed there they were careful not to file down my natural nails, leaving my nails looking healthy and smooth. Prices are competitive for the area and the shop is cozy, the people working there are kind and efficient - I would absolutely recommend it.

Megan Davis I just left this business. I went in asking for my gel builder to be removed, leaving my natural nail intact underneath. My nails are naturally long, and in great condition under the gel builder, at least they were. The lady who removed the gel fully ruined my natural nails. She paid no attention to the fact she filed way too much on one side of my nails, leaving half my nails extremely thin (some now missing half the length) and the other half with gel clearly missed. She kept asking if I wanted a manicure, in an attempt I’m sure to hide/correct her botched execution while no doubt to up charge me, so I said no thank you, multiple times. Now I’m not a nail technician, but I am a licensed cosmetologist. Even with my limited experience with nails (during school) I could have provided better care for someone’s natural nails. I gave 2 stars for the fact that this place could very well provide nice manicure/ pedicures. However I will never know because I will never return to an establishment that displayed such a lack of care and judgement in a service. If you lack the ability to pay attention to the fact you are over filing my natural nail, and lack the common sense to stop filing in that spot, why in the world would I let you perform any other service on my nails? If I trusted my non-dominant hand with an electric file, I’d buy one and I would have done it myself. Prime example why I stay away from places like this. It’s a rushed job with no attention to detail.

Star Sandoval Now we speak in a different language while Im getting my nails done. Also I dont like my feet being worked on by anyone except for myself so I only come in for my nails to get done. The gentleman at the front is very inaccurate at appointment times but I still come in whenever he asked me to. I had the owner work on my nails twice already. Shes a humble sweet woman. But her work is pricey. I kept my real nails and she added fingernail tips and a really nice color. The second time around I decided to go with pink at the top and white for the fingertips because it is breast Cancer month.

Virginia Adame Good

Maria I been coming here for lash extensions their cute and stuff side note: I only come when my lash tech is not available I come here! I did let go and pay less then $200 it was reasonable to pay for the work they do BUT NOW they asking $200 and little more for volume when they don’t look like volume it looks more like Hybrid just if you lady’s compare their work with hybrid and volume they really look the same to me just as you can see they don’t post a lot of pictures of lashes due to they all look the same theirs not difference of the lash extension styles THEY can tell you its volume and reality it isn’t I been getting my lash extensions for couple years and I can tell the difference of a volume and Hybrid they don’t do volume don’t let them scam you don’t pay that much money for a service and for them ending up doing what they want with you and same for Russia lash extensions styles I won’t pay that much money for volume when it looks like hybrid

Rebecca 88 The lashes are beautiful & I have recieved a lot of compliments on them from everyone in my family and even from strangers. Ive been told that this is one of the best places to get your lashes done. And if you ever have a problem, the customer service is good and will help you with any of your concerns or questions. The lashes look beautiful without any make up on and last a long time if you take care of them properly. Ive had these on for 9 days so far and they still look extremely full, thick and long.

Molly Nguyen This nail salon is absolutely wonderful! The place is impeccably clean, and the staff conducts themselves in a highly professional manner. The service was especially great for my little girls—they were treated like princesses. The technicians were patient, friendly, and made the experience fun for them. Well definitely be returning for more pampering sessions!

Prudence Jimenez Everybody from Kitchen Nail Bar come here instead! I come here every two weeks and it’s a beautiful salon. They take time perfecting each nail and they even have builder gel! Their prices are very good considering it’s in Palo Alto/Menlo Park. Everything is clean and sanitized and I can tell that they care about each customer.

Candi Cane Canncel We had a great experience at Signature Nail Spa. It is incredibly clean and the service was very good. Vivian did an amazing manicure and pedicure. And the woman who took care of my husbands man/ped was also great though I unfortunately forgot her name :( I would definitely recommend this nail shop!

Gretchen Lintner Busy, yet not too crowded on a Saturday morning for personal attention. Amazing massage chair. Note, parking available by the side driveway, just past McDonalds.

Irina Kostitsyna I decided to try this place because it has high rating. I got a pedi. The quality of the work is subpar, you can see uneven layers of nail polish. And they made me wait for 20 min even though I had an appointment and came on time. But I have to say that the lady was very gentle when handling cuticles.

sheela veerina The best place to get nails done in Los Altos. They take their time and do a good job, nails are beautiful even before nail polish. Always accommodating and family friendly.

Laura Bajuk We love to get our toes done - 2, 3 or 4 of us together - it’s one way we get to stay in touch as friends AND keep our nails looking great. So much more fun than doing it alone.