Let me start by saying that getting your nails done up in Big Bear is not as easy as it is down the hill due to the lack of salons and nail technicians. I had no choice since I was not able to go down the hill to my regular "go to" salon. My experience has taught me that you have to plan ahead and make an appointment at least 2-3 days ahead of when you want to go. Although I was a bit hesitant to go to a new salon in a different area, I was pleasantly surprised at the skill level of nail services and the quality of customer service provided by Helen and Kevin. I was looking for a place to do a dip powder fill but they did not do dip powder. I requested for a polish change on my toes and for my hands, an acrylic fill / new set if they had time. They worked together as a team; Kevin removed my old set and suggested a new set since my nails were starting to lift (I was aware but didn't know if they had time to do a new set). Kevin did the gel polish change on my toes while Helen worked on mg hands. Helen was able to accommodate the new set and did a great job with listening to what I wanted [sharp, pointed almond shape and natural looking (thin layer of acrylic)] and she was patient with my selecting of gel color (the selection of colors was limited compared to what I'm used to down the hill) but I was able to find colors for my hands and toes. While they worked on my hands and toes, customers came in requesting services but there were no appointments available for the rest of the day but the customers were understanding and made appointment for the next day. Also, while I was waiting for Helen to finish my new set, I overheard Kevin speaking with the next customer and explaining the difference between regular polish and gel polish for pedicures. I appreciated hearing him explain that gel polish is more and lasts longer while regular polish is less expensive and that the choice is up to get customer. Long story short, this salon is a small family-owned place; Helen and Kevin work hard to accommodate customers' requests. Thank you, Helen and Kevin, I really like the way my new set came out and the gel polish change made my toes look so much better. I would return based on this visit. Five stars for customer service and quality of service provided. read more

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Vibe. Rude! That pretty much sums it up. I walked in and was asked what I needed and right away the manicurist said in a very rude manner, not today, not today, not today to the gentleman that was helping me. read more

AVOID THIS PLACE I've been to this salon 3 times now, within the span of 3 years, and I will no longer be visiting after my last visit. For one it's filthy, the floors, couches, work area, windows, every single thing here. There is no massage chair for pedicures , I will include a pictures of what pedicure look like here, a man cutting ur toe nails sitting on a step stool. The last time I care here was 2 weeks ago for a full set gel acrylic set and I paid $75. I came back today and was charged $70 for my fill and nail 1 nail to be fixed since it broke of. What?? Might as well gotten a new set. She definitely over charges, and is incredibly rude. Helen has terrible customer service. read more

Big Bear Nails - Pedicure in a bowl - Nail Salons Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

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The only place I'll go to get my nails done in Big Bear. Helen is so good at what she does. She does quality nails, and she's so kind. I have been going here for 8 years and will continue to get my nails done here for as long as I'm in Big Bear. Kevin does wonderful pedicures as well! read more

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DO NOT GO HERE. The negative reviews are correct and true! You will waste your time and money. Yes, it is filthy, and I was coughing because the place stinks of chemicals. I came with 2 friends. We were picking our nail polish colors, and it took about 10 nail polish bottles before I finally found one where I was actually able to shake the polish around in the bottle. Most of the polishes are really old. The polish I chose for my hand nails was cracking and chipping 3 hours after it was applied. Clearly it was old nail polish and they put too much thinner in the bottle to make it last longer instead of throwing it out. I came in the next day to ask if she could change the polish to the color that is on my toe nails, as the polish on my toe nails was perfectly fine and not cracking/chipping. While she was changing the polish on my hands, she said things like, "You bumped your hands. That's why it was coming off" and "You have a ridge on your thumb nail, so it's not my fault". If you want to go to a place where the employees/owners are friendly and value their customers, where the place is clean and where the nail polish they have is of good quality, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND AVOID THIS PLACE! read more

Absolutely filthy and they will fleece you of every penny if you let them. I went here because my 9 year old wanted her nails done for her birthday. They told us because of her age, they could ONLY do gell. Ok, whatever. This place is dirty, you have to sit on a filthy old love seat if you're waiting. This lady is a slob, butt cack hanging out and everything. The place smells like cigarrete smoke also. As my daughter was getting her nails "done" she was upselling her (A 9 YEAR OLD) like crazy without asking me. When she was done, her mani pedi turned into a $55 polish. Never had her soak her feet, no massage. NOTHING. The gell was messy and not done well with lots of lumps. When I go to Blue Jay, I get the full pedi with gell French manicure for $45. DO NOT GO HERE!! read more

The owners are a great team. He does the preliminary work and then Helen finishes up with the color you want. They charge a fair price. I highly recommend them read more

If you want quick and quality this is your place. The atmosphere isn't the most spa like experience but they do an amazing job on the nails! read more

Big Bear Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

I called for a last minute appointment because I needed to leave town for a wedding. They graciously worked me in but then appeared to be angry because of my dislike of having a pedicure in a manicure chair with my feet in a home use foot bath. I can do that at home. During the pedicure the gentleman scraped the skin off my foot with his pumice. Never apologized just acted as if it never happened. I would never recommend this nail salon based on my experience with them as business owners and nail technicians. This is never ok. Never. read more

Big Bear Nails - Today it looks like this... - Nail Salons Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

I'm visiting Big Bear and was in badly need of a fill. I called asking if they take walk-ins. The lady told me they can but its better to make appointment. She made me an appointment for that afternoon. She informed me they take cash only and a fill with gel would $45 to $50 dollars (Wow!). I was desperate so I made the appointment. This is a tiny nail salon with only 2 chairs. I'm assuming it's a man and his wife that own the place and do the services. I was expecting to pay $45 because I didn't have any broken nails and didn't do any designs or anything extra. They charged me $50. I had one nail that needed just acrylic (no tip) so I guessed they charged me an additional $5 for a "broken" nail (which is rdiculous). When I questioned the fee, the lady barked "it's because I got gel and gel is more" which made no sence. My feeling is this nail salon will charge any higher amount they possibly can. It's only $5 but it's the point. Not good business practice to price gouge your customers. Their menu even States that all prices are subject to change. I suspect that if they feel they want to charge more, they will charge more. A fill with gel is the same amount as a new full set. Ridiculous! This is a tourist town and they know they have tourists that will be in predicaments and be willing to make the sacrifice to pay these exorbitant prices. It was nice they got me in the same day, but my fill was not worth $50. My nails had rough spots, they could have used one more coat of gel to get rid of the streaks, and I left with gel on my cuticles. It's probably an additional fee for 3 coats of gel! By no means are they friendly. They didn't say more than 10 words to me or any other customer in the place. There are several other nail salons in this town. I recommend checking into one of them first and using Big Bear Nails if desperate and can't get an appointment elsewhere. It's my bad for not looking at the reviews before I made the appointment. I gave four stars because they accommodated me when I was desperate, gave me a same-day appointment on a Saturday, and they were on time for the appointment. read more

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The manicurist is excellent. She quickly completes the manicure process She is also always extremely friendly and welcoming. I definitely recommend this business! read more

Helen did a great job on my nail fill. She was efficient and took about 45 minutes. I liked the gel color choices. I will be coming back when I'm in town. read more

Big Bear Nails - Nails fill by Helen. - Nail Salons Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

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Helen did a beautiful job on my nails for October. I got a full set with gel polish with an added spider and web. She honestly is the most gentle nail tech I've ever been to. This was my first time coming here and I'll definitely be back! read more

Big Bear Nails - October nails! - Nail Salons Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

My husband and I got turned away by Sunny Nails, This morning alittle after 9am, so I called this shop and left a message, and got a return call to come in at 10:30am. Hubby got a mani/pedi ($33), and I got a pedi with a pink and white full set ($65). The service was lovely! I asked for thinner nails and she did just that. They are so cute! The man did my husband's hands and feet and my feet. I'm so ticklish, but he applied pressure, and kept feeling my callus to make sure he was getting it off. It didn't tickle, and my feet are super soft! My husband was pleased with the service and felt relaxed. Will definitely come back. read more

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Helen took me last minute on a Friday late afternoon. She was quick and efficient and I am soooo happy with my nails. I am extremely picky about my nails and I think this is the best set I have had in a very long time. Prices were reasonable and the salon was clean. Thank you Helen! I will be back. read more

Big Bear Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

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On a mini vacation and came in from out of town, luckily I found this place ! Helen was a miracle worker with my shape! Love love love and now I'm going to have to figure out how to come back! Pedi was great too! read more

Big Bear Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

A very humbled and welcoming experience during my vacation here at big bear nails. After not finding any availability, Helen was able to get me in the same day. Was greatly appreciated how open she was to satisfying what I needed done on my nails. Thank you Helen you guys made my trip better! read more

Big Bear Nails - Helen did a great almond shape. - Nail Salons Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

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Love going to Big Bear Nails. They can almost always get me in same day or the next day. Helen and Kevin have always done a great job on my nails. Fast and efficient. read more

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They turned out better than the reference photo, the nail tech was fast but also made sure to make them perfect! Definitely recommend!! read more

Big Bear Nails - They turned out better than the reference photo, the nail tech was fast but also made sure to make them perfect! Definitely recommend!! - Nail Salons Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Love my nails! I got a foreign acrylic fill here on my first visit and my nails lasted an entire month. I just came in for another fill and they look amazing! Durable acrylics! read more

Big Bear Nails - Acrylic fill - Nail Salons Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

I got a gel manicure for 30$ and this is what they look like. Definitely wont be going back read more

Big Bear Nails - I got this for 30$ - Nail Salons Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

My wife goes here every 2 weeks for acrylic nails and gel polish. Her nails rarely ever break, and the work is good and fast. Helen does an amazing job always! read more

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I am not sure what the other 1 star reviews were experiencing, but being from out of town and needing my nails done I figured I would give this place a chance. This place is excellent! They got me in quickly for my 2 pm appointment and the lady and her husband were super nice and treat you like a person. Another thing is their English is great and you can carry on a conversation which is a plus for me! My nails look great the pedicure was great too! They only take cash though just to let you know ahead of time. Overall I loved my experience and will be back in the future when I am visiting Big Bear. read more

Big Bear Nails - See my pretty nails?! - Nail Salons Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Helene and Kevin did a great job with my nails. I called them last-minute on the day before my wedding and they squeezed me in for a manicure and pedicure. I asked Helene to make the white part of my French manicure look thin, and I loved the outcome. Kevin was very nice even though I changed my mind on my toe color three times. This photo is from a week into my honeymoon and my nails still look great! read more

Big Bear Nails - French manicure nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Will never be coming back here unfortunately. A couple months ago was the last time. I was very pregnant and wanted to relax with a mani pedi. I called and asked if she had time right then for a walk in she said yes so i headed over. Waited an hour because she had other people in front. No problem, wish she would have taken me later though or set an appointment. Over $100 cash for regular mani pedi polish. For the pedicure the man had me move my bare foot from the brown carpet floor to on top of his knee under the table. He got irritated because i couldn't position myself correctly around my big belly. Big disappointment won't be going back read more

I came here in search of an acrylic manicure. I normally get a gel manicure. That means I know how my already gel painted hands should've been done. I left my boyfriend whom sent me to get my nails done and arrived back to him less than twenty minutes later; having received a "gel manicure." The lady who "soaked off" my nails literally ripped them off with a cuticle cutter and charged me $3 to do that?!?!?! Insane! When I inquired about acrylic she talked to me like an idiot, even though I made it clear I had not had acrylic before. I opted for just gel because she made me feel like she wanted me out. My so-called "manicure" I paid for consisted of a crap job of cuticle clean up with no massage and a filing with another lady just watching the events ensue. In the midst of her picking off my previous gel with those cuticle cutters, she asked me how I found out about them. When I told her I googled them she happens to mention that they normally are for locals only?! If your locals only, don't mention, "walk-ins welcome" and when I called ahead, just tell me that. Don't take crap care of me and cheat me out of my money because I am not local. I was a paying customer and you screwed me lady! Don't come here if you aren't local apparently! My nails were bubbly and she didn't even clean up the run off onto my nail beds! Thanks for stealing my time and money! read more

i love my nails!! i got a gel manicure but not the whole thing with cutting my cuticles and all that and my nails look so good! read more

Big Bear Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Don't go to Big Bear Nails for a pedicure. Nice people but left both myself and my friend completely disappointed and what's worse is that there was no resolution offered when we showed the manager how Kevin covered our butchered cuticles with polish. read more

Love this place!!! Kevin and Helen are awesome. 2 people at a time, so my sister and I go together. You get such personal service. Kevin does a fantastic hand and foot massage. Helen makes my gel nails last forever and I work with my hands! Super clean, sterilization of tools, clean bowls and ALWAYS masks. Even before covid-19! Worth every penny! read more

We are part-timers in Big Bear and I broke nail and couldn't get down the mountain to my regular salon. Big Bear Nails got me in and did a fantastic job. Absolutely lovely. Thank you!! read more

Would not recommend this salon. I'm on vacation here so I went to the first salon that was open. Kevin cut my cuticle and he and another lady attempted to heal it with super glue many times. I asked for a cherry design like one on their yelp page and I got this. read more

Big Bear Nails - Nail fail ft. cut cuticle covered in super glue - Nail Salons Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Love coming here. They do great nails and are reasonably priced! Helen is always able to accommodate with your schedule.

Dirty, dingy room, with technicians that seemed to be in a hurry to get you in and out. It was the only place in town that had an opening for a manicure, and now I know why. The woman ended up doing a messy job on my nails, and when I brought it to her attention, she put me with someone else to correct it...and that person ended up blaming me for the mess up. First time there...needless to say, I'll never go back... read more

Came in first time to get my nails done and Helen hooked me up with a awesome 4th of July design in less than an hour she had a full set and a design done and it looked spectacular. read more

As a non-local I was extremely disappointed. First: I made an appointment in which they did not inform me that they were CASH ONLY so after my appointment I had to drive to the nearest ATM and leave my phone with the Technician as collateral. Second: I arrived with gel already on my toes and when it was time to remove the gel the guy had me put my feet on his lap which was uncomfortable, unsanitary and beyond unprofessional. And when I asked "do you do this to all your clients" they said that they did not have wireless drills to accommodate. Lastly: When he painted my toes he SAT ON THE FLOOR! I don't know why I stayed, I should've ran when he put my feet on his lap but I was desperate. The shape was okay but the paint job was a mess. Polish on my skin, you can see the brush strokes, just an all around sorry job. I'll never be back and I come to Big Bear annually. This place of business gets 1 Star from me. I do not recommend to ANYONE. read more

The nail techs were very efficient and responsive. I love the color. The pedicure was very reasonably priced, but I feel like I really got a polish change for the posted price. There were several locals who came in, so that helped ease my discomfort at the cleanliness of the facility. I was actually quite surprised that the man that appeared to be the manager did use his idle time while we were their to help keep the stations clean and the floors nail-clippings free read more

Helen is the best! I always get almond shaped nails with gel polish. She will usually squeeze me in, even if I call the day of. Her work is fast, efficient, and beautiful! Also, prices are quite reasonable! read more

Gave this place a try because all the nail salons were booked for NYE. The staff is nice. Unfortunately, their technique is rudimentary and just plain wrong. I had a gel pedicure back home. They removed the gel forcefully which is not correct. It seriously damages the nail! The man painted my toenails as he sat on the floor. Normally, I wouldn't care but he missed the sides of my toenails. I would suggest the ownership read up on proper nail technique then it would be decent. read more

If you have all the time in the world.. Come here.. If you don't mind the manicurist ignoring you as you walk in and not keeping the appointment you made.. Then go here!! read more

Great place for nails, usually busy.... make apt if possible.