Nail Art Designs For Beginners Biography
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New Yorkers may have too much on their hands, but since the city is chock-full of the best nail salons in the world, there’s no excuse for those digits to go unpolished. From the best cheap manicures to amazing holiday nail-art designs, we’ve located the best bargain (and splurge-worthy) polish parlors in New York. And although we can appreciate a good DIY mani, let’s face it; the services offered at these salons and spas are just too good to resist.
Delacqua Salon and Spa
For highly detailed and unique nail art, it's worth the hour-long trip from midtown to this one-of-a kind spa and salon. Since 2002, owner Edward Malina and his team have been providing beauty services like haircuts ($25–$65) and color ($60–$150), waxing ($30–$100), facials ($45–$150) and massages ($70–$110), but the nail art is what makes this spot stand out. The tri-level space has a colorful haremlike feel with red leather pedicure stations and leopard-print chairs. Sip gratis tea or coffee while one of the seven manicurists on hand (we recommend Nina Levata, who has been doing nails for seven years) prepares the nonacrylic LCN resin that she will apply to your natural nail bed. What starts as a honeylike liquid sets under a heat lamp for just a few minutes to become hard, nonporous nails ($80 for LCN natural nail lengths, $100 for LCN tips). Once the canvas has been created, the technician will apply 3-D effects like gel flowers and crystals ($10 per nail), or hand-paint anything from abstract prints to amazingly lifelike renditions of iconic New York City sites ($5–$10 per nail) using skinny brushes and special LCN gel nail polish. The salon can also apply any nail art onto a basic manicure ($15). If you do decide to go the LCN route, plan on returning to the salon: Although it's recommended that you come back in three weeks for a refill ($55–$65), you'll eventually need to soak everything off ($20) to remove it safely.
2027 86th St between 20th and 21st Aves, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn
Jin Soon Natural Hand and Foot Spa
A 20-year veteran of the nail business, Jin Soon Choi runs a trio of posh, full-service parlors in Manhattan, all of which offer nail art. With white brick walls, minimalist decor and just four manicure stations, the serene Upper East Side location feels like an appropriately reverential setting for the meticulous work done by the technicians, each of whom Choi trains herself. The specialists here can embellish digits via Sally Hansen Nail Effects decals (full set $20) and rhinestones ($1--$7 per nail), as well as hand-painted designs that employ shades from heavy hitters like Zoya, Essie, CND and Kiss Brush ($1--$10 per nail). Sabina Thapa and Lakey Sherpa, both based at the UES location, can tackle a bevy of seasonally appropriate fruit, including strawberries, papaya, watermelon, kiwi and oranges (all ten fingers $40, plus cost of manicure, $18--$35). After applying a clear base coat, the specialists use thin brushes and the narrow end of an angled metal tool to create the vibrant bounty; a glossy topcoat ensures the detailed look stays fresh.
Locations throughout the city
Paintbox
At this Soho nail studio created by veteran beauty editor Eleanor Langston, the experience is, well, polished. The spacious manicure spot features a beverage bar with champagne and Grady’s Cold Brew, a curated selection of 50 on-trend lacquer colors (manicures start at $35), iPhone chargers at each of its 18 stations and a seasonal menu of nail-art designs by celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec. One note: Paintbox doesn’t do pedicures, so head elsewhere to put the shine on your toes.
17 Crosby St, (at Grand St)
Primp & Polish
Don't be intimidated by the high-end vibe of this Williamsburg salon: Despite the stone floors, more than 400 polish colors from brands like Essie, OPI and Chanel, and plush leather drying stations, its basic nail services cost about the same as your run-of-the-mill neighborhood salon. Settle in at the high, illuminated counter for a manicure ($12), or opt for a pedicure ($25) in the leather-massage-chair-laden section hidden behind string curtains. When it comes to snazzy nail effects, Primp & Polish does it all, and you can stop in without an appointment for services including stickerlike Minx styles ($7 per nail) and 3-D nail art ($4--$10 per nail). But for a hand-painted creation by head manicurist Kieu Bui, you'll need to call ahead and book and appointment. Bui, whose sister Lauren manages the salon, has been honing her craft since she was a teen, and her steady hand will paint anything from delicate flowers to abstract patterns onto your digits (from $4 per finger). The salon recommends that you get a gel-polish manicure (an additional $15--$20, depending on the brand of polish) to ensure that your design will last for up to three weeks, but you can also stick with regular polish if you want to skip the $5 fee for soaking the gel off later.
189 Grand St between Bedford and Driggs Aves, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Pure Nail Salon
Though this minimalist salon has been a Clinton Hill staple for seven years, Calgel manicures ($30) are a recent addition to the lineup of services, which includes basic manicures ($6) and pedicures ($13). Owner Jessie Lean and her team of seven friendly technicians will have your name memorized before you leave, but the staff's cheerful disposition isn't the only draw: The Calgel-based nail art, which includes glitter gradations ($40) and embellishments such as rhinestones and tiny fruit decals ($2 per nail), features some of the most understated—and affordable—options we've encountered, making this spot perfect for nail-art newbies. For those who are slightly more advanced, Pure also offers Minx prepatterned manicures for just $50.
927 Fulton St between Clinton and Waverly Aves, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
Sakura
This Japanese chain (with branches on the Upper East Side, Lower East Side and in Tokyo and Shanghai) is so sleek that a couple once walked in, took a seat at the cushion-adorned tables and asked to see a food menu. But the only thing the spa is serving is nail art—and tons of it. Start with a basic manicure using solid-hued Calgel ($40) or regular lacquer ($12), and add on glitter ($3 per nail, $15 for gradation), free-form painted designs ($5–$20 per nail), rhinestones (50–$10 per gem), sticker decals ($3 each) and, if you're at the UES location, 3-D art ($5–$10 per nail). The well-trained technicians can do just about anything from leopard spots (regular polish $42, Calgel $70) to ombr styles ($70, Calgel only), though you can also opt for prepatterned Minx adhesives ($7–$10 per nail). Get inspiration by flipping through Japanese nail-art magazines (just one of the supplies imported from Japan every month) while sipping complimentary tea.
