Kathy is a meticulous, skilled nail professional. I go to her for paraffin gel pedicures. Each session is super relaxing and my nails look pristine (and feet soft lol) afterwards. note: they don't have a separate person to take appointments as she is (a very efficient) one woman show -- try booking online if you can't reach them the first time by phone. I also always remove my gel at home by myself (pretty easy to do with a cheap bottle of acetone, foil and paper towels.) read more

Nail Bar is simply in another league from your average walk-in nail salon. This is more of a spa manicure experience - it's by pre-paid appointment only, with premium gels and polishes including organic options, highly meticulous nail prep and application, and a lovely, quiet space right on Park. Kathy is a master of her craft, and she's also a lovely person to chat with. All services are about 20-25% more expensive than a regular mani-pedi shop, and it is 100% worth it. read more

I stopped by Nailbar for a gel pedicure and paraffin wax service and it was a wonderful experience. Due to heavier than expected traffic, I was over 15 minutes late to my appointment, and I called and left a message so the staff would be aware. Luckily, Kathy was super understanding and friendly, she took her time with the service and checked in frequently during the pedicure. Initially, I was undecided on nail color choices, and Kathy brought out multiple options and helped me choose a nice shade. The nail salon is clean, comfortable, well-maintained and located in a convenient area. I was very happy with the overall service and the customer service was excellent. I'd definitely consider returning in the future! read more

The best pedicure of my life. I wanted to treat myself to a pedicure and was researching local shops. I decided to come to Nailbar and could not be happier. I went with the gel pedicure and paraffin wax, it was worth every penny. Kathy was so sweet from the moment I walked in until I left. She was gentle and attentive to everything making sure the water and wax were a good temperature and even confirming I liked the color I picked; she noticed it was slightly off from the swatch after the first coat. I still loved it. She even offered to find me something else and switch it. I felt she really went above and beyond and I will definitely be coming back. read more

Alameda Nailbar - Pedicure - Nail Salons Near Me - Alameda, California

Thank you Kathy!!!! You did such an amazing job for custom design the color for me. The salon is clean and pleasant. Kathy is super nice and friendly. See you next time Kathy!! I'm so glad I find a good quality manicure place on the island and will return for more. read more

Alameda Nailbar - OPI gel - Nail Salons Near Me - Alameda, California

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I was in the neighborhood having lunch with my 85 year old mother at 4pm and walked pass the nail bar. My mother said after lunch let's stop by. Once we returned I noticed a sign by appointment and was interested in making one for my mother. The patron said the nail tech would be right back. Once the nail tech returned I asked if she had any availability she quickly said no and turned. She did not inform me of future dates of available appointments or direct me to website to make an appointment. The patron provided better customer service than the nail technician. read more

Alameda Nailbar - Window of establishment on Park - Nail Salons Near Me - Alameda, California

I've been coming here for a little over a year now. Kathy is the owner. She's super sweet and professional. BOOKING: You can book (and pay) online or call to book your appointment. Whatever you decide, just know you DO need an appointment. They do not accept walk-ins. PRICE: I think Nailbar is moderately priced. It's not cheap, but it's also not the most extravagant place you could go to. With tip, my gel mani and signature pedicure comes out to ~$70. Even the signature (read: most basic) pedicure comes with a foot scrub and light massage. SERVICES: The customer service here is great. 10/10. The actual nails? Well, they're good. Some of the nail techs are even great... but the salon only offer basic styles and absolutely no extensions -- no acrylics and no hard gel. Can you grow long nails or prefer natural nails in general? Do you like simple, office appropriate styles? Great -- then this may be the place for you. But if you want nail art, even simple line art, you will not find it here. It's a bit disappointing. So in this area, I'd give the salon a 6/10. It's 2020. The people want nail art! THE VIBE: Relaxing. Calm. Think soft soulful sounds from Sade and hot tea (or a mimosa) on a Saturday afternoon, and that's exactly what you'll get at Nailbar. The salon is clean. They're sterilize all of their equipment. The bathroom is clean. They're also aren't any funky or strong odors in the salon. OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES: Parking on Park Street is not free and nearly impossible. Drive a few blocks in the neighborhood and you should be able to find free parking. If you're going to be late (like 10 minutes), give Kathy a call. She runs a tight ship and you don't want your appointment to be given away. Each visit, you're offered a complimentary beverage of your choice -- hot tea, water, a mimosa, or a glass of wine. read more

Alameda Nailbar - Complimentary wine - Nail Salons Near Me - Alameda, California

Kathy was so sweet and attentive! A spa experience that was so relaxing. She was able to accomplish my nail inspiration I came in with and had great recommendations! 10/10 recommend. read more

Alameda Nailbar - Manicure - Nail Salons Near Me - Alameda, California

Very impressed with my first visit to Nailbar and it was completely hassled free. I was expecting overly prices mani/pedis given that the location and because of Alameda I would be paying for a simple pedicure, but it was well worth the price and experience. First and foremost, I actually appreciate the online appointment system. It's simple and just so convenient to use because my schedule is always changing, so I can book appointments online (especially last minute) and be able to get seen instead of calling non-stop and hoping that they have something to slip me into. Paying ahead of time? Even better because a lot of nail places: 1. charges you extra to use card 2. your freshly painted nails don't have to be ruined 3. you're guaranteed to be seen 4. paypal and your credit card has great fraud protection services in case something were to happen. I appreciate that Nailbar takes the whole tech concept into consideration and makes it such a smoother process once you arrive for your appointment. I got there early and booked myself a 10:30am on a Tuesday morning. Found some residential parking around the corner to avoid paying. Stepped in and was instantly greeted. The overall experience was great. And omg, amazing foot massage! Great on the pressure and the best I've had. They really paid attention to details and love my perfect toes. White is the best color to go and just above and beyond my expectations. The couches did throw me off when I first walked in, but the concept is chill and relax. I did decline a drink as it was so early and I had walked in with a cup of joe from down the street. Very clean and they line their containers. All tools are new and wrapped. Great selection of polishes, OPI, vegan friendly, and gels are available. I like the focus on just mani/pedis and it's not the type of nail shop where it's loud gossip. You can literally sink into your seat and enjoy yourself. There is free wifi as well. Make sure you tip in cash when you are there. I had a great experience and definitely would be back. Clean is extremely key here. read more

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6/29/19: Made an appointment online the night before. Got there about 20 minutes early. They were so kind to take me in earlier, although I didn't mind to wait. But they insisted to get started on my lavender pedicure right away. They offered me wine once I was comfortable. I felt super special today! Rather than one technician, they had two helping me this visit. One for my pedicure. The other for my manicure. Both were so very wonderful! So gentle that I could've fallen asleep. When they were done, I was able to just relax, answer some emails, and finish my drink. After a few minutes I realized, I was in my own little world, got my sandals on and closed my balance. It felt so nice to not feel like I was taking up their space or be rushed out. Great experience as usual requires a generous tip. read more

Alameda Nailbar - Complimentary mimosa with my gel manicure! - Nail Salons Near Me - Alameda, California

I moved to Alameda recently and the one thing that drew me into Nailbar was the online appointment system. I appreciate that you can make appointments online because I am all about efficiency! Time is valuable and I was in and out within the hour. Mostly importantly, Kathy did a really great Opi gel manicure for me. I asked for a simple and clean look for my nails for my wedding and Kathy delivered. I am so appreciative of Kathy's undivided attention! Loved my nails! Finally, I am also so relieved of the cleaning process at Nailbar. Everything is sanitized appropriately between clients. In fact, Kathy leaves time between clients to sanitize. This is always a great practice, but particularly during COVID. I would definitely recommend Nailbar for mani/pedi! I'll be heading here in the future! read more

Booking an appointment for Nailbar was very easy whether it's online or on the phone. The only down side is that, you have to pay first online then arrive to your appointment on time. Their Nail Salon is really clean, professional, and friendly that is one of the reason why it is first come first serve. This location gives a good amount of foot and arm massage; they are also very careful and gentle to your cuticles which not a lot of nail technicians do. They had a wide selections of color from nude, vibrant, and sparkle. The service costed me $40 for the signature mani-pedi combo; I feel like this is a comfortable price for the quality of the service and the elegant facility. If you're 21 and up, they offer free wine and mimosa (one per customer). I would definitely come back again to this location, but parking is really hard to find especially if it's meter paid areas. read more

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Kathy is fabulous. She runs THE CLEANEST nail salon I have ever been to, hands down. She'll say she's only following state board regulations... which every nail salon is supposed to... but again... I've never been to a cleaner nail salon. To top it off she does a meticulous manicure and pedicure. It's such a treat to go and get your nails done there, I can't recommend Nailbar enough. read more

I've been here several times for a regular pedicure and recommend it. It is simple to book appointments online, and usually spots open when you want them. Kathy does a good job on both the nails and exfoliation (the latter being the main reason I get pedicures). The shop is comfortable and clean. read more

Airy, bright interior with good service. Major selling points: -ambiance -complimentary adult drinks -no chatty loud employee banter -sanitized tools -regular manis done in chairs -stainless steel bowls for pedis -tablet pay via Clover Standard polish choices: OPI, Zoya and Essie, gel is available also. Lowlights: -nail shaping is uneven, several nails were filed at an angle -polish job could have been neater, pooled at my cuticles -polish is already chipping, two days later -massage was maybe 30 seconds on each hand, not worth the additional cost -felt like an assembly line, one person did the file/clean/shape, massage and another came in for the color Ask about pricing, it's not posted, they have menus stored at the register if you ask. read more

Alameda Nailbar - Manis in chair, not table - Nail Salons Near Me - Alameda, California

Great price for a pedicure and Kathy was a perfectionist when it came to the polish. I also really appreciate that you can book and appointment and pay online, though remember cash for the tip. Take a look at photos online, no massage chairs (not needed) and a one woman operation. I'll definitely be going back. read more

This place is so amazing!!! And they are friendly, I first messaged them on yelp to see if they had opening. They had messaged me and told me to book online. I tried to book online but the time wasn't available to get the time I wanted so I gave them a call. Kathy picked up and told me to come in, she would be able to assist me. I was coming all the way from SF! Managed to make the appt for 6pm. She told me not to rush and to drive safe because safety comes first. I know some other places have late policy. When I first arrived she told me the packages they had. I went ahead and picked the gel mani with lavender pedi. (Extra 10 min massage with lavender scrub and oil.) it felt more than 10 mins. I felt like my legs were so relaxed I could of fell asleep. During my service there, she offered me drinks... such as wine, champagne, mimosa, hot tea. And water. My eyes popped out! Of course I would want a drink! After a long day of work! ! ! The color I picked out where so pretty!! Kathy took her time to apply each coat and I didn't feel rushed at all. I finished about 8:10pm. Which I felt bad because I wanted them to get off and go home too. But she keeps telling me it was ok and that she don't like to rush, this is why her place is appt base only. Towards the end of the visit, she gave me a stamp card. For each service I do, I'll get a stamp. When i reach 7 stamps I would get a free signature pedi. WHATTTT!! never heard of that!! Which would make me a reason to come here more often! Also, when I paid, she gave me a 10% discount !!! Even more of a plus! Thank you Kathy! I cannot wait to come again! read more

Alameda Nailbar - Love it! - Nail Salons Near Me - Alameda, California

What a breath of fresh air. Go see my review of Classy Nail Spa for that experience. Came here after that horror show. Basically walked in, sat down immediately. Super friendly, clean and efficient. They don't have the standard massage chairs and footbaths. But in lieu, comfortable side chairs and metal bowls are provided. My tech knew what she was doing. Every nook and stray cuticle was attended to. Overall, a very nice experience. Next time I'm in town, I'll definitely look them up. Well done. read more

Alameda Nailbar - Storefront. - Nail Salons Near Me - Alameda, California

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I feel like I have tried 1,000 nail salons in Alameda and Oakland. For real! This place is so cute and the staff is so friendly and a pleasure to be around. What I like is that you can make an appointment online and pay with Paypal right away. I almost always get a same-day appointment. I found that it really doesn't matter which nail technician you chose on the page, you get the one that is free ;-) But that's fine because they all know what they are doing. No crazy uncomfortable "massage chairs", instead nice and cozy chairs and spanking clean bowls, etc. Also, the instruments are always sealed after they are cleaned and the pouches are opened in front of you. Very professional and it gives me a good feeling all around. The whole place is bright and welcoming, the polish wall is well stacked, and they even have organic polish and the gel one that changes color with changing temperature. It's a lot of fun! read more

Such a great find! My daughter and I were in town for the holidays and needed pedicures. This place was great! You will need to make an appointment because Kathy is the only tech in the place but she is so amazing and gentle. We will definitely be back and I recommend you visit as well. read more

4 stars well deserved as I am fan. Kathy made me feel like a million dollars with excellent tips on how to keep my nails nice and healthy. I booked an appointment there rather than my regular nail bar as they offer a Gel nail recovery manucure that we all ought to use once in a while let's face it. The online booking service is super simple to use and you get no less than 3 reminders. read more

Alameda Nailbar - Nail Salons Near Me - Alameda, California

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Kathy is attentive and takes her time to do good nail work. Her Deluxe Pedicures are really relaxing and done with good cuticle care, exfoliation, and a paraffin dip! My feet stay soft for weeks after as a result. Unlike the rush out the door pedis you may get from many salons who push fast turn around instead of service. Prices are reasonable compared to the quicky shops but the service is much better. Highly recommended! read more

I called 30 mins before they're closing time & they took me in. Quickly they greeted me & gave me a warm welcome. Here's a quick run down of WHY i gave them 5 stars. 1. They offer you 1 alcoholic drink to help you relax 2. They actual have the instruments sealed in the autoclave bag (usually other spots just use that bag for looks to make it look like they disinfected and cleaned the nail instruments) 3. They have organic, opi, and NEW nail polishes (the front desk lady said they always get new season polishes which i LOVE) 4. They take apple pay & they dont force you to tip the workers in cash 5. The bathroom is spotless and clean lol... (sorry i judge places by restrooms too) This is a great place to get your nails done if you want good quality & a clean mani pedi. read more

Alameda Nailbar - Nail Salons Near Me - Alameda, California

So happy with my gel manicure! I wasn't able to get the name of the person doing my nails, but she was so friendly and quick. I had gel nails that had to be removed but she removed and buffed it out so well. My nails look perfect and I've never been so happy with a manicure! Also, Kathy is so friendly and accommodating :) read more

Alameda Nailbar - Gel manicure - Nail Salons Near Me - Alameda, California

Super nice atmosphere and kathy is so kind. she was so patient when doing my toes wish they had more workers since she's the only one at this place but i love the booking process online and reminders sent by email read more

I'm love with this nail salon. They always do an amazing job on my nails. Nail bar always have the newest selection and colors for each season. Kathy makes sure that you are welcomed in and appointments are made without a hassle. Once you book your appointment, everything is ready for you. I recommend coming in with a friend and getting a drink. If you just want a me day, nail bar is a great place to go on your own too. You can bring in a book or your phone and just relax. The special rose mani & pedi combo is my favorite and definitely worth the experience. The gel lasts for a long time and the colors are so cute. I also love the way they do my nails. I would definitely go more often if I have more time! read more

Alameda Nailbar - Right after getting my nails done - Nail Salons Near Me - Alameda, California

Long lasting gel mani! Mine lasts 3 weeks + The nail technicians really do pay attention to detail to make sure your needs are met! Shout out to Kathy for always being so hospitable and nice! read more

Alameda Nailbar - 2.5 weeks with gel mani - Nail Salons Near Me - Alameda, California

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Came in with the hubby for an Express Pedicure. Place is simple and clean (shared with the Electronics shop). Love how they only offer mani and pedi, no acrylic, powder or any of those full sets. Because of that, it's a great place for pregnant moms to come get pampered (I'm 6months). I didn't have to worry about inhaling all the powder/dust flying everywhere. Doors were opened, so it's nice and airy, hardly any polish/acetone smell lingering around. It's so chill and relaxing there, almost took a nap while getting my pedi done. Owner Kathy is nice and attentive, workers are gentle. Hubby loved the complimentary beverage (Hubbys margarita in pic. I had water, I swear lol). Only con, polishing and scrubbing could've been better imo. read more

Alameda Nailbar - Express Pedi $20 - Nail Salons Near Me - Alameda, California

Kathy is simply the best! Love the ease of making online reservations and how you're pretty much her only client when you make an appointment meaning your have her full& undivided attention. It's freakin' awesome for myself as a mom of two and a very chaotic & stressful job. Back to Kathy - she has plenty of polish to choose from - from regular to gel polish. I never felt rushed at all , unlike most other salons with round n round of clients just coming and going. I even ended up choosing a new color later per Kathy's suggestion since my original choices were not quite what I thought would be. Finally the salon is fully sanitized from nail equipments, the bowls for hands and feet to all the towels are piping hot - you know it's gone thru a thorough cleaning. Kathy even attested to her she always has 15min in between clients so she can clean and sanitized everything. Those words were simply music to my ears since Covid is still around and let's be real - those tools and bowls used in most salons are used for various clients throughout the day n with the typical walk-in salons - I hardly ever seen tools n bowls properly cleaned in between clients. I would not hesitate to recommend Kathy to anyone I know and will definitely plan on returning back for future visits! read more

Alameda Nailbar - Gel nail - Kathy recommended a nude color then topped with a light pink color with a touch of sparkle - Nail Salons Near Me - Alameda, California

Just visiting the Bay Area for work for a few months and found my new go-to nail salon. Appointments can be made online and there is an option to choose the technician you want. Payments can be made online prior to arriving. This is all very convenient for people like me who have such a crazy schedule. I did bring cash for a tip however. I like the simplicity of everything in the salon and the fact that it is clean and relaxing. Upon arriving, I was greeted with a smile and immediately taken to be seated and taken care of. I was offered a beverage- hot tea, coffee, detox water, mimosa. I chose green tea. This was very relaxing especially since I had just worked night shift and was on my feet the entire time. You won't find any automated massage chairs and chemicals from acrylics in this salon and I love that. I got a manicure and a pedicure. They have an option for a deluxe mani/pedi which includes a paraffin wax treatment. Maybe I will get that next time since I will definitely return. read more

Alameda Nailbar - Sun kissed blue - Nail Salons Near Me - Alameda, California

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p.s. it's HILARIOUS that one of my photos is one of the "featured" photos on this Yelp page. I should delete it. ---- I am so sad to have to lower my rating from a five down to a two. This place was awesome until today (9/28/19). Had an appt at 12:00. Was running errands before the appt when my brakes went out. Really! and terrifying! Called my husband and told him to meet me at a brake shop near where I was at in San Leandro. I called NailBar to let them know I might be a few minutes late (still 15 minutes until the appt). They asked how far away I was--I explained I was on the freeway, a couple of exits from the Alameda exit. When we got onto High Street, traffic was backed up at a standstill. Waze showed that there was a head-on collision on Otis. I called them again (now at appt time) and no one answered the phone, so I left a msg that it would be a few more minutes. As we neared the shop, I called again--and again, NO ANSWER. We arrived 11 minutes late. The owner was at her tax service counter, with someone, working on the computer. That must have been why she did not answer the calls. I explained about the brakes, then the stand-still traffic, and she told me that I missed my appointment, so she had my manicurist start with a different client. I said OK, I can wait, to which she told me she could only fit me in later that afternoon. I said that would be OK, however--she then went on to LECTURE me about being late. I told her that I was sorry, that I communicated properly, and it was a series of unfortunate mishaps, but that I did not need to be lectured like a CHILD. She persisted to tell me about the "cancellation" policy. I was so stunned about the way this all went down, that I started to tear up. I called my husband to turn around and come pick me back up. Obviously, the owner does not care about her client experiences--only if it benefits her. Seriously--I was 11 minutes late and this whole situation could have been easily rectified for everyone, if she had just been more understanding and accommodating. read more

Came here recently for the lavender combo the day before my wedding with my bridesmaid and maid of honor. It was really easy to book online, and they confirmed with us the day before to make sure we remembered our appointment. The atmosphere was really relaxing and luxurious, as they offered drinks to us as well. Two of us decided to do gel manicure on top of the combo. Doing this breaks the combo (you can't just add gel on top of the combo), so I just paid the additional cost after it. Totally worth it though, as the lavender combo was amazing! All in all, I would definitely come back here if I want to treat myself/others. read more

Alameda Nailbar - Nail Salons Near Me - Alameda, California

Dear Nailbar, never change. I've been to every nail salon on the island and always leave feeling less than satisfied. When I saw there was a new one opening up I was ecstatic because I was still on the hunt for a place I can call mine. And I've found it. Dao did my pedicure and Kathy began my manicure before handing it off to Cue. The three of them did such a great job and paid attention to every detail, continuously ensuring that I was comfortable and satisfied from my drink all the way to the temperature of the water and the environment. I can't wait to come back here. My skin is so soft, my feet are relaxed, and my nails are gorgeous. *Update: I got just the basic polish (not gel, or extended wear) and it lasted a week! It never chipped or cracked. Usually, I'm lucky if it lasts two days before cracking or chipping. read more

Just got home from this place... where do I start? Booked online which was cool. I hate talking on the phone, so 1 star for that. I booked a gel mani and a "signature" pedi and I was able to pay online. I got there at 3:55 for my 4:00 appointment. I was very happily greeted by a lady whom I presume to be the owner. She was very kind and offered me wine, mimosas, water, and tea. I picked my colors and sat down. Their seating is hella uncomfortable. I'm 5 feet tall and I had to stretch my itty bitty baby legs across to the weird bar they have for you to put your feet on. No problem, except that when you're getting a manicure too, they put the drying lamp on your lap. It kept slipping down my lap and that ish is kind of heavy. The pedicure was ok. The lady was nice. But the manicure. Oh my gosh, the manicure. The lady doing my manicure was so rough with my hands and her customer service was abrasive at best. First off, I asked if she could do a half moon design in black on my nails. She looked and hesitated, said she could try, and the said yes. Then 1 minute later, she said no because my "nails are too short and it won't look good." GIRL. I've had my nails done like that a million, trillion times. How are you the first one to say no? I think she just didn't want to do a design. She kept digging her nails into my nails to push my skin down to file. And not like any other place would. It was like, painful af. YO she also NIPPED ME WITH THE NIPPER, causing me to BLEED A LITTLE. She didn't do anything or say anything. Didn't clean it up like you're supposed to (lol I'm a cosmetologist and I think it's funny how people take shortcuts). She for real just kept going with the manicure. I wouldn't be surprised if a bit of my blood touched the brush. DON'T USE THE WHITE GEL POLISH THERE, JUST IN CASE!!! When she went to start painting my first nail, it wasn't the color I expected. I kindly asked if I could do white instead and she passive aggressively said something along the lines of "well when you first sat down, you were asked to pick your color and now you're changing your mind." GIIIIRL. Besides all that, she was going hella fast like she had hella clients waiting in the hallway but nobody was there. Ew ew ew and to top it off, she BLEW ON MY HANDS TO DRY THE PRE-TOP COAT. OMG EW. I don't even eat birthday cake if I know there was a candle that was blown out on it. TL;DR: Drew blood, may possibly be in the white gel polish bottle. Who knows. Blew on my hands with her mouth (yuck). No nail designs. Abrasive employees. Owner is nice. I would never go back, even if they gave me a million doll hairs. (They're not worth nothin!) Edit: forgot to say that she kept talking about how much skin I had on my hands. Like cool, thanks for making me feel disgusting. You don't have to tell me. That's why I'm going to you, duhhhhh. read more

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Love this place. The owner, Kathy, is wonderful and so welcoming and accommodating. Great selection of colors, easy to make an appointment online, and my nails always turn out great. read more

Why i get this salon for 5 stars (*****)???? So amazing. This nail salon is new opening on Alameda ... just looking around, it is so clean and shine. The design is so wonderful. The workers are nice and friendly here. Although there are a lots of salons on Park street but i would like to try new one and i thought i really really like here. I like Gel color because they keep color longer than regular on my nail but i try new OPI regular with shiny and keeping longer without Gel(extra $3). I will come again for my manicure and pedicure next time. About prices, it is too soft for me. read more

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Very clean salon with a decent color selection. Kathy was nice and took her time prepping my nails for a gel manicure. However, she seemed to rush through applying the polish. There are visible air bubbles on most of my nails and the polish looks thick. I kind of wish I had just painted my own nails at home lol. My favorite part of this was the lavender oil massage. read more

I live nearby and stopped by to get a manicure. First, they offer you a drink. Unfortunately, I was unable to take advantage of this because I was driving later in the day, but I was impressed by the amount of liquid they served when I saw another woman order a Mimosa.(It was a satisfying amount, not skimpy). Other notes I love the fact that they have online booking available. The owner is so sweet and very welcoming I got a pretty basic manicure and so far it still looks great, my only complaint is the lack of massage. The woman who did my nails basically rubbed the lotion in, but did not really give me a massage, which is why I would not give it 5 stars. Overall, a great place to get your nails done in Alameda if you're looking to escape the chaos and disorganization that nail salons are often known for. read more

They were playing Celine Dion and Savage Garden, ultimate 90s throwback for me. I'm obsessed with Celine Dion, so we all know where I'm going to get my nails done from now on. Place is clean and service is great. I pointed out that I had a papercut right next to a nail, and the nail technician was very careful not to aggravate it. As others have said, they offer free beverages - alcohol & non-alcoholic choices. Didn't test if it's bottomless, that'll be for next time... I paid $35 for a gel manicure. read more

I'm thoroughly confused. I am a 25+ year expert in experiencing manicures and pedicures. I am currently off gel manicures, giving my nails a break. So i decided now was the time to check out some new nail salon spots. This one came highly recommended on Yelp. I didn't quite catch (ahead of time) that there are no spa massage chairs. Not my favorite (I like a little extra relaxation during my pedicure) but I settled in anyway. Pedicure was nice. Technician was paying good attention to what she was doing. Manicure is what confused me. She went straight to the color, with no base coat. Who does that? All good nail care and training tells you that a base coat helps the color stay with the nail and prevents staining, especially for dark colors (like I prefer). This makes me think that they want your nail color to chip off so that you come back sooner, rather than later. This is sometimes why I bring my own nail color to a shop, because they will cut their nail polish with a thinner, to make it last longer. But it cost the customer in the end, by cutting down on how long the polish lasts. Strangely my pedicure did get a base coat so I asked about whether they normally put a base coat on. She said yes, so I explained about my nails. She then said the color i chose didn't need a base coat. What?? But i used the exact same color for my pedicure, so that didn't quite fly with me. read more