I'm only in Durham for a short visit but I desperately needed new acrylics so I stopped in here. I got a full set and a pedicure and it was amazing!! This is the honest to god best nail salon I've ever been to. Chris did exactly what I wanted with my nails and they look gorgeous. It was worth every penny read more

Elegant Nail - Nail Salons Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I have lived in Durham for 7 years and been to every single nail salon. Elegant Nail is the best hands down. The quality of work is unbelievable and they stand behind their work. If you want to go to the best place in town go here! read more

I'm actually shocked to read all of these negative reviews -- I walked into Elegant Nail on a Saturday, planning to get a quick mani and pedi before my cousin's wedding. The salon staff was friendly and accommodating. Best of all, the manicure (shellac) lasted FOREVER!! I literally couldn't have been happier, especially since similar manicures from my hometown salon had gone down hill and weren't even lasting a week. If you're in town for a quick visit or need a lasting manicure, give them a try. Bonus points- walking distance from the Hilton! read more

Being from out of town I was a little nervous about trying a new nail shop. I read a bunch of reviews on yelp and with mixed reviews I chose this Salon. I was a little apprehensive at first. Kevin did my nails and I was pleasantly pleased. I made sure he understood exactly what I wanted, including the type: I wanted a acrylic re-base with shellac on top. I also made sure he understood the shape that I wanted. My nails look great thanks so much to Kevin who made my nail experience in North Carolina a pleasant one. read more

Elegant Nail - My acrylic rebase with shellac in top! - Nail Salons Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Rude. Dirty. And frankly a lousy job. Don't waste your time or money. Sad because it's one of the only places in the area that you can walk in without an appointment. It's better to have ugly feet and hands than support a business that does not support you. read more

DON'T EVER GO TO ELEGANT NAILS!!!! I guess I didn't do my homework well before booking an appointment at Elegant Nails but hope to save the next victim. We had a wedding to attend & a day full of commitments before the ceremony. I made an appointment, arrived on time and waited 40 minutes. We originally had 2 gel manicures and 1 pedicure scheduled. I had to make a scene, skip both manicures and rush through pedicure. I checked the appointment book and ours was the only scheduled appointment. Apparently they take drop-ins regardless of scheduled appointments! Also, while we waited people came in for eyebrow without appointments and they were taken ahead of us. They showed no concern for our time. Sitting for so long gave me time to observe their cleaning process and it was NOT impressive! They barely rinsed items between customers. Please learn from my mistake and avoid this place!! read more

I really wanted to love this salon since it is so convenient to where I live but I was disappointed. No one even said hello. Then I had to wait 45 minutes before I was seen. They also skipped over me and started working on someone because she said she was in a hurry. I won't be back. read more

When I go to a cheap nail salon, i am fully prepared to deal with strange decor and worn down massage chairs. Who cares, really. It's all about the meticulousness of the paint job, perfect cuticles and a firm massage. I wanted to give this place a fair review bc some of the previous ones were bizarre and a little unfair. I got a perfectly good Basic Spa pedicure for $35. This place was swamped, so my feet sat in water for 20 minutes longer than I would have liked. My manicurist took his time, despite the rush, and I appreciated that. I would recommend this for an easy mani/pedi but make an appointment on a Friday afternoon. I would definitely not recommend this place as a nail art option, because my sister, who asked for nail art, was met with some reticence, surprisingly, and what she ended up getting on her nails was not what she asked for, but just what the manicurist could do. read more

Went there last day with some friends after a terrible terrible experience at the nearby Blush Body Bar. I got a pedicure, and had a couple of nails re-done on my hand, which they were very flexible and kind about. The top useful reviews pointed out that the colour selection is thin but that's clearly been corrected over the past few years. They had a lot of China Glaze, Essie, some brand I've never heard of before that's hidden near the bottom, and a loooot of OPI. There was a good range of matte to sparkly. My only complaint is that their selection of on-trend colours/latest ranges was a bit thin, but it wasn't hard to find a lot of awesome colours to choose from. The pedicure was great. Fantastic attention to detail, great job with trimming dead skin and cuticles. My toes look fantastic. This is nitpicky but I can't give 5 stars because I noticed they didn't put a basecoat on my toenails, just a topcoat. They basecoated my nails with Orly Bonder rubberized base coat, but they also didn't put a protective base under that (apparently, that basecoat has a reputation for staining nails, so when I take off my polish, I guess we'll see). These are things I'm nitpicky about with my nail routine, and I think it's the one place that they're skimping. I would definitely go back to them again, especially for a pedicure. read more

Literally worst fill in ever. One their gel color section sucks. I wanted silver which I've seen at every nail salon ever but this one. So I select a color I'm wary of but is close to silver. I ask them if it's more of an transparent color (like an overlay) because it was silvery but very sparkly. They basically told me no but also made me feel stupid for asking. So then the guy starts drilling off my gel polish. The last nail salon I went too also sucked (nail station near compare foods) and my gel was on really thick and unevenly but my shape was nicely done. I tell the guy doing my nails I like to keep the shape but make them shorter. He acted annoyed because he wasn't planing on making them shorter? Like what? One reason I'm there is because I want them shorter. Anyways once my gel is off he takes his time doing the gel fill (I usually do an acrylic fill but he never asked me what I wanted). I also notice that two of my nails need to a whole new acrylic layer because the acrylic was raising due to the last bad nail job I had. He ignores all but one nail that he fixed. I appreciate him taking his time but also I've been here nearly an hour now. So he starts painting my nails with the color of my choice, the glittery "silver" and just like I asked it is totally transparent and obviously looks bad. after one nail I tell him I don't like it and would like a different color. He acts super annoyed and I ask just for black because I feel rushed to choose. They end up giving me black blue (really???). He paints them and makes me pull my hands out of the UV box sooner then I think is right. I've been getting my nails done for years now. But whatever I do what this man says. Get charged $45 for the wrong color and my nails longer then I wanted. Feeling rushed and spent an hour and half there. The next day one of my nails starts chipping. I can see a few of my other fake nails raising because of the shitty job he did on the fill. I feel like this place was pretty fucking dirty too. Avoid this place! Save yourself your hard earned money. read more

Elegant Nail - Broke after one day. Really? - Nail Salons Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I am a nail and cuticle picker, and for this very reason I never get my nails done because I always get nagged about how bad my nails are (like I don't already know I have a problem...). Anywho, I work on ninth st. so I decided to check out Elegant Nails which is literally 1 minute away. I also did research on many other nails salons before I decided on this one. I made my appointment for a pedicure and gel manicure. Being the indecisive person that I am I changed my mind half way through my pedicure (foot massage) that I wanted a solid color on my toes and not the french manicure, my manicurist didn't mind at all and was extremely patient as I browsed through every color option. I do wish that I had gotten the sea salt scrub on my feet but I guess that is included in the deluxe pedicure (instead I just got a lotion rub). There were massage chairs and water baths for feet. I liked the foot massage because it was light. I have been to other places like Lee Spa nails and the men who did my feet were way too rough! I also decided after my manicure that I wanted the gel nail extensions. I had to actually switch manicurists because mine wasn't trained to do the extensions but everyone was fine with it. I was amazed by how detailed and thorough each manicurist/pedicurist was. And I didn't have any bubbles in my gel! Not one! I definitely recommend this nail salon! I will definitely be going back in two weeks to get my nails touched up. Next time I am going to try a solid color for my gel extensions for a more natural nude look. However, the french was great because the manicurist talked me through the whole process, asked me how I wanted the shape (I am very picky and don't like the squared off nail, I prefer a rounded rectangle). He even let me decide on the french tip width. Excellent service! read more

Excellent work. My nail color lasted longer than it does when done elsewhere. Also, the honey scrub had a uniquely delicious fragrance for the pedicure. My daughter's pedicurist was very friendly and was able to chat with her about how to travel from Durham to the North Carolina beaches. The decor isn't high end, but the salon was very clean and pleasant. Also, when I left, I was distracted by another customer and left my credit card at the register. I called later that day and they had kept the card. The next morning when I entered the salon, the owner recognized me immediately and brought the card to me right away. The prices could be a hint lower. Although they spent quite a lot of time on my daughter and me, the bill stung a bit. On the other hand, I wonder if retail rents are high at this complex. read more

Last time I was here, I was impressed by how long the gel manicure lasted (over 3 weeks!). This is a no frills spot, but it's clean and comfortable. They pay attention to detail, take their time with you, and are friendly. BUT I will say, make sure to ask how long the wait is if you walk in and see the technicians are all busy if you're in a rush. This isn't the type of place that will volunteer that info, and you may end up waiting longer than you anticipated, particularly on more popular days (Friday, Saturday). read more

Horrible service!! Came in with a friend and they started on her after 30 min and then made me wait almost an hour (so much for getting your nails done together with your bestie!). Every time someone walked in the door, they were very rude and not helpful at all. Customers would ask how long the wait would be and they would dodge the question or straight up lie to them. Worst customer service ever, horribly run business. NEVER coming to this place again. Go to Allure just down the road, way better and efficient! read more

Came here for the first time today, and am so glad I did! I usually go to Allure on Erwin road, but this is slightly closer, so I thought I'd try it out. The chairs don't scoot forward, so if you're short like me, you'll feel like your legs are a bit hyperextended. Not a huge deal. Chris did my gel/mani pedi ($50--very reasonable, in my opinion), and he did a fabulous job! He was very thorough, and even dealt with my ingrown toe nails in the least painful manner. It's a lot cheaper for me to get regular pedicures than to go to the pediatrist. Chris was gentle, took care of the ingrown nails, and my toes and fingers came out looking lovely! I will definitely be returning again. . . thank you for a great experience!!! read more

No no and never!! I travel a lot and it's hit or miss with skins...miss this one .. or at least the dude I got!! Sits in back... wears hat backwards... horrible .. read more

Went in for a 3pm pedicure appointment...by 3:30, after asking twice about my appointment and noticing there were still 4 people in front of me, I left. No customer service. read more

My daughter and I walked in and were immediately greeted and taken to the pedicure chair. We had a good pedicure and our polished toes look great. Some of the reviews were critical of the decor and even the personalities of the owners. I come to get a service and as long as it is clean I am not critical of the choice of decor or even the personality as long as I am not treated rude. I was very pleased with my service and next time I am in the area I will come again and the prices are very reasonable! Thank you Elegant Nail! read more

Not sure why there are some bad reviews. I love this place. Clean, friendly, good quality. Gel grows out before it chips. Highly recommend. read more

I've been to this place several times and had terrible experiences every time. Today's experience? I went in merely for a polish change. Couldn't be that much of a risk, right? Well, the woman cut my big toe nail BELOW the quick- and mind you, my nails are already short, so there is little need for cutting and filing. After scowling in pain, she proceeded to pick and jam at it as it began to bleed! To stop the bleeding, she then put a liquid on there that burns terribly. After expressing utter pain, she continues with little response. She proceeds painting my remaining nails and then continues back to this toe to poke and prode more! OMG. I'm dying of pain at this point. I was in such pain, I let it go. I even gave the bloody (no pun intended) woman a tip because that's just me. As I limped back to my office, it's now bright red, throbbing and burning. I'm in serious pain, and I'm limping around with flip flops on because there is no way my heels can be put back on!! I will never, ever return to this place after so many bad experiences. :( read more

I was skeptical about coming here based on the reviews, however was very impressed. Look, it's a nail salon with a nail salon atmosphere. However, they did a meticulous job & paid close attention to detail. The customer service was outstanding. It took a long time to complete my mani/pedi, but I can't complain about the quality. read more

I wish I had read reviews before wasting my money on a pedicure from Elegant Nail. I normally do not write bad reviews but this experience was so spectacularly bad that I feel like I need to. I got a pedicure, supposedly the premium one with a "reflexology massage." The guy who did my pedicure appeared to hate his job and just went through the motions. For example, he put exfoliant on my legs and feet and then washed it off but did not actually scrub my feet or legs so I am not sure what the point was supposed to be. He lightly swiped a pumice stone across the bottom of my feet but didn't actually remove any callouses. There was no calf massage, no foot massage, he didn't even file my nails, and the nail polish is messy. But he still charged me the extra amount for the "reflexology massage" and exfoliation. Honestly I do a better job at polishing my own toenails. My heels look just as bad as they did when I walked in the door because he didn't actually do anything to my feet. I will never go back to this place. read more

Elegant Nail - Nail Salons Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I was disappointed with the way the young man performed my pedicure. He barely spoke, just pushed at my feet, never once lifted my foot to do callus removal, and did a very poor job of prepping my toenails. I was given to this kid as a client because someone more important than I walked in AFTER I did and the young lady chose to take care of her instead of me. I've been here before, didn't like it then and will no longer go back. read more

Best pedicure I've ever had! Great place...clean, professional, friendly, and reasonably priced. I can't imagine going anywhere else!

This was the absolute worst manicure I ever got. They cut my nails so short I bled and yelled at me. Never go

Well I was pleased with pedicure until my toe nail polish wore off in two days without using really hot water or anything. I've had regular polish last weeks before it wears off ... not sure how this happened, maybe a bad top coat used? read more

Recommended from a friend. I had a shellac done here and it turned out PERFECTLY. It was my first shellac manicure and the manicurist was wonderful in filing my nails, being responsive, helping me with the colors I wanted. It's lasted well. read more

Went there today for first time. It was fine! Kevin helped me and he was quiet but very pleasant. Nails (gel manicure) look good. $30 total. The other two folks working there were also easy to deal with and polite. I wouldn't hesitate to go back. read more

Called ahead and made an appointment for 1:15pm that day for a pedicure and manicure. Arrived at 1:10pm, I was told to pick color and then they sat me in a chair for a pedicure. At 1:20 a customer walks in and ask for a pedicure, she sees they are busy and comments that she can come back later. At that point the lady that runs the place tells her she can take her right now. She seats her in a chair and immediately starts her pedicure. She also looks over to me and says someone will be with you shortly. I asked how long it would be because I had an appointment but she ignored me. At 1:30, still no one had started my pedicure. At that point I had had enough. I dried off my feet and left. Business is poorly run and needs new leadership. read more

They just raised their prices and lowered their quality. Don't get the younger girl there if you go. She didn't do a thorough prep job, slaked on the whole thing, did some with 2 coats others only one, smudged and left spots. I've been going there for 2 years, less now because of the economy. I haven't had a problem but I work too hard for my $ to have them raise the price and do a bad job. Not going there anymore! read more