This place is no frills and gets the job done nicely for clean looks. Helen is so nice and I can tell she has great technical habits by double checking the size of the nails between hands and also painting really close to the cuticle. I will say I've had cleaner cuticle work but the shape and precision close to the cuticle is what I look for most after a gel mani. It's $48 now! Their latest appt is 5:15 usually. Make sure to account for parking (downtown San Mateo so quite busy sometimes with meter parking). Their DND polish line is large but they don't have all the colors. I'd call in to confirm if you have a preference. No OPI. $10 French tip and $15 chrome extra charge. I'm happy with my service and would recommend coming here. read more

Fabulous VIP Nails - One coat rose palais and chrome - Nail Salons Near Me - San Mateo, California

Really great place! I did a walk in (nothing planed) and I had a gel polish removal, pedicure and gel polish put back on. I love the results and was very happy with the quality of work. It's a cozy place which I like personally. good vibes. And they have fair/good prices! Totally recommending this place! read more

Fabulous VIP Nails - Pedicure with gel polish - Nail Salons Near Me - San Mateo, California

First time here, and the service was exceptional. Made a phone call reservation for same day service (including a $25 appointment deposit since it is by appointment only). I got a pedicure today, and the attention to detail was the best I've experienced in a long time. The environment is calm and quiet, and the service itself was great. Gentle, detailed, relaxing, and the pricing is competitive for the area. This will definitely become my go-to nail salon read more

Confused at first because the hours were inaccurate on their yelp page. But luckily they called back and I was able to get a same day appointment within minutes. The shop is small with 3 chairs for pedicures and manicures. 2 men quickly tended to me and I was out in less than 30 min for a gel manicure and regular pedicure. The gentleman who did my manicure was a perfectionist. He took his time esp when painting. His massage was also really relaxing. On the other hand, the guy who did my pedicure was quick and didn't really smooth out the top of my nails. They are on the pricier side and they charge a $25 fee for rescheduling, cancellations, and more than 10 min late. They accept venmo and zelle which is convenient. Unfortunately, one of my nails started chipping within days and didn't have time to go back for a free fix. read more

Happy New Year!! I wanted to renew my review for Fabulous VIP Nails (Helen, Troy, and Sam) and let all Yelpers know that as an original from day one and a consistent regular that this place is 5 star AMAZING!! Whether you are a new customer or a regular you will be treated with red carpet service because Helen and her Brothers genuinely care about their customers and in making sure you have a relaxing and memorable experience. They all are soooo meticulous and always aim for perfection with your service. All businesses go through ups and downs so if by chance you catch them on an off day, I encourage you to try them out a second time so that you can see how truly great of a place Fabulous VIPs Nails is in providing you high end services with a mom and pop/family owned feel. Pro tip - try to make an appointment rather than walk in so that you can get more focused pampering!! Thank you again Helen, Troy, and Sam for always making my nails "FABULOUS" and for giving me "VIP" service!! 10 out of 10 every time!! =0) read more

I came here for the first time and got an appt right away. Her massage chair was nice to have while having my toes done. Her brother did a good job for gel polish. read more

I've been going here for years, and i've never had a problem with my nails. I love the atmosphere, and they are so friendly. read more

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I loved this place! They do creative designs and I loved how long my nails lasted, while still looking very good. Helen did my design and was able to flawlessly make suggestions for the pattern. The staff are kind. Please note you have to make a $25 deposit but you can use that towards your service. A simple pattern is 50$ and more complex is 60$ for gel manicures. They offer massages too. I was very satisfied with the services. read more

Fabulous VIP Nails - Love this design! - Nail Salons Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Love the treatment and attention to detail. I always feel cared for after my mani pedi because it's relaxing and they make sure you're looking fly! read more

I've been coming here for years and I honestly wouldn't trust anyone else with my nails. The quality of their work is always excellent. On top of that, everyone is so kind, welcoming, and professional. They always make the experience enjoyable. Highly recommend to anyone looking for beautiful nails and a place you'll want to keep coming back to! read more

I'm really confused. I came here because it had so many great reviews, but my experience was not a pleasant one. I found the staff to be rude. I initially booked an appointment for a mani and pedi, then later called to ask if I could move it to 3 PM. At no point did the person on the phone mention that they wouldn't be able to do both services at the same time. When I arrived, I had to wait for the man to finish my pedi before starting my mani. That's fine--it is what it is--but I won't tolerate poor treatment when I'm paying for a service. You expect a good experience, yet I wasn't even offered water or greeted with a simple "How are you?" when I walked in. Definitely not a place I would recommend or return to. read more

I was about 10 min away and called midweek in the afternoon to see if they had availability for a pedicure, and regular manicure. Honestly, I was having a really hard time because I'd just had to put down my pet of 16 years, I just needed some time to decompress. That was exactly what I got. I got lucky and they happened to have a lull, as they are usually appointment only. I'm so glad I called anyway to ask. My mani & pedi were immaculate and done with care, no pain or cuts here. I actually zoned out watching the TV, boats off some Mediterranean coast, and got my moment of peace. It's a small space and a small team, but they seem very in sync with each other and do good work. All in all, 5 stars, will come back with an appointment. read more

I did a walk in for gel nails and I was serviced in an instant! Pros: the gentleman with long hair was very patient with my gel nails service. Quick when you come for a walk in. Cons: No cons yet but I did see a fee of $20 if you are a no show for your appointments. They has their masks on, and the service tables had the plastic barrier for customer and technicians protection. I paid $50 for gel nails and tip. Gel nails included a nice hand massage and wipe off with a hot towel. read more

Fabulous VIP Nails - Gel manicure -$43 - Nail Salons Near Me - San Mateo, California

I genuinely wanted to give this nail salon the benefit of the doubt, but after my second not so great experience I will not be returning. First visit was just 3 days ago, I paid a deposit for a fill and upon arrival was seated right away. A gentleman sat down, didn't say hello, and started filing my nails on top of all of the pre-colored nails they provide you to look at. This happened for about 15 minutes until he finally asked me, "almond?" to which I answered yes please. He never asked me if I wanted them cut shorter, filed, or what I preferred. After this was finished, I was told to move seats to have someone else finish my nails. Still wasn't asked if the shape/length was ok for me. There was no lotion, massage, or hot towels.. everything seemed rushed, and for the price it didn't feel worth it. BUT my nails looked good (which was why I considered returning.) Second visit was today because one of my nails broke so I popped in to see if they could fix it (no need to replace, just cut and file) I was told that I had to wait for another customer to get their entire mani/pedi done before they could help me (there were 2 employees and only 1 customer). I had just paid 45 mins for parking to be told I pretty much have to sit there and wait for a whole mani/pedi to be done even though my nail was a quick fix. I would be completely understanding had they been busy, but it didn't appear to be at all. I walked out and will continue my search for a nail salon because it is apparent customer service is not their priority here. read more

My go to place for all fun nail designs! Love the attention to detail to get to the perfect result! read more

Fabulous VIP Nails - Got my Coachella nails done today! So fun! - Nail Salons Near Me - San Mateo, California

I meant to say, yes it is appointment only - not walk in. But if you call, it's pretty easy to get an appointment booked. read more

Fabulous VIP Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I usually have mediocre experiences at nail salons and I have yet to find one that I am 100% in love with. However, Fabulous VIP Nails comes very close. I was able to easily make an appointment over the phone for the next day and reserved my spot by sending a $25 deposit via Venmo. I shared my inspiration pic and Helen was able to recreate the design beautifully! I still have PTSD from a previously botched nail design done at another nail salon so I was watching Helen carefully but her great attention to detail put me at ease. I especially appreciated how she would keep checking the designs to make sure they looked the same on each opposite finger. The only hiccup was when I got a small cut on my pinky finger during the filing process. Usually this alone would make me not want to come back HOWEVER I was very impressed by the way Helen remedied the cut -she wiped it clean and put nail glue over it to seal it so it didn't hurt for the remainder of the appointment. I was really pleased with how the design came out so I will definitely come back again! read more

Fabulous VIP Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - San Mateo, California

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This was my first time getting acrylics and a pedicure! I had a truly wonderful time getting my graduation nails. Helen did this beautiful set of nails and guided me through her expertise on what color, shape and it's resemblance to the picture I showed her. During my whole set, she always checked up with me if I liked the shape and color. You will feel heard and treated like a person when you are with her. Talking to her brought me so much joy and as a student, you can tell how wise and knowledgeable she is. I learned more lifelong lessons than ever! Why would you not want to get your nails done here? She is understanding, kind, genuine, experienced, wise, detail-oriented and so so lovely! The pedicures were great too!! Helen's brother did my toenails and he was able to cover up my bruised toe. He was attentive and caring about your needs, and made sure you felt comfortable. Great job!! READ - There is a $25 deposit in the beginning when you make an appointment. Please do not let this hinder your decision because it was so worth it to me. As a student, I was a bit hesitant at first but quickly came to see the perspective of her family business. With her talent and skills crafted over many years, people do not respect businesses for their time and efforts. Some customers call last minute and just say, "I can't make it," try to understand their frustration... Regardless, the $25 payment goes to the final bill for your nails and you have 3 hours beforehand to cancel your appointment. Overall, everyone there had a great vibe and went above and beyond my expectations! Please come by one day read more

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Perfection, always on time, respectful, great colors and quality of work. Helen would work on my acrylics in a flawless matter :)))) read more

Fabulous VIP Nails - Fill - Nail Salons Near Me - San Mateo, California

A nail salon that never disappoints. I used to come here pre-pandemic whenever I needed to get my nails done for an event. I recently just came back to get my nails done to attend a wedding and Helen and Troy are still working their magic. Nails are done just as perfect, service is just as great and shop is just as clean. I opted for just a classic manicure/pedicure and just did alternating colors on my hands. This is the first time I tried the matte look for one of the colors and it looked great. Troy was the one who worked on both my manicure and pedicure. He was gentle and very detail-oriented. I got a lot of compliments on my nails at the wedding. I can't wait to have another reason to come in for another mani-pedi. FYI that there is a $25 deposit when you make an appointment, but the amount will be deducted from your total. read more

Been coming here for the past 3-4 years as I live around the corner. I've occasionally strayed and tried one of the many other nail places in San Mateo but always come back to Helen for the quality work provided by this salon. They are fast, gentle, and do a wonderful job. My gel manis and pedis remain impeccable for well over a month. Often times, the reason I come back is because my nails get too long for my liking, not because of the state of the polish. This is a small, family-run business. They do use a deposit system where they request $25 via Venmo or Zelle to confirm your appointment. However, the deposit is put towards your final bill, or you can choose to use it as the deposit for your next appointment. read more

I needed a last minute pedicure and was able to quickly make an appt. They take a deposit but I'm fine with that as it confirms your time slot. They're very clear about late and no-show fees so there's no confusion. The place is clean and everyone was nice. I enjoyed my pedicure very much! read more

Yes you do need to pay $25 deposit to hold your spot. But it will go toward your final payment so it's all good! Since mine was a simple gel, Troy did it. He was great! My nails never looked better! Highly recommended! read more

Fabulous VIP Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - San Mateo, California

Okay y'all. Hear me out. I LOVE this place. And I'm picky with my nails. It's simple. 1) call in for an appointment 2) you will need to leave a deposit of $25. Everyone needs to understand this is a small owned business, some people are rude and don't understand this so they keep cancelling/rescheduling last minute. This is NOT okay. That makes them lose out on 30 min to 1 hr slot that could've gone to someone else. Be respectful and make it on time, or cancel AHEAD of time, it's that simple. The $25 goes towards your appointment. 3) treat everyone with respect. I love everyone here, everyone has worked on my nails (hands and feet) I have NEVER felt rushed. Ever. They actually know how to cut cuticles and do a damn good job! I've tried every single nail salon in the area and surrounding area. This is IT. Promise you. You won't regret it :] read more

I've been here a few times for pedicures and they do a lovely job. Recently my son went for a set of gel nails. One hand. Not the usual request. Helen did his nails and she did a great job (see photo). He had specifics for each finger and they turned out very nice! If you want the usual stuff or something unique, Fabulous can do it for you. read more

Fabulous VIP Nails - Thank you, Helen. - Nail Salons Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I really wanted to love this place because it's super convenient and it feels like a hole in the wall type of spot. I came in with super high expectations given all the raving reviews and beautiful pictures I saw on their Yelp. However, I was severely disappointed. I was really disappointed with the lack of attention to detail. Lots of cuticles leftover, etc. Pedicure was ok (didn't get a design). However, I was really unhappy with how the manicure design came out given that this example photo was from one of their past clients. If you're going to charge $15 for a simple design, it should be well executed. $15 for this underwhelming design. The squiggles look like I did them myself with whiteout lol. She just wung it with the nail polish brush LOL. Didn't even bother using a precise pencil tool to make it consistent. The AUDACITY to charge $15 for this. Had shown a picture of a design (the one with the blue Dior wallet) from one of their past client photos from Yelp, but I feel it was poorly executed. Simple designs should be a different price than more intricate ones. Reviews had mentioned that there is only one nail artist, Helen I believe. Although they did not mention it, I could tell that the lady who did my nails doesn't usually do nail art. She was trying her best, as she kept erasing it and trying again. I wish they had just asked me to wait for the actual nail artist who was doing my friend's nails (turned out better). $85 + $1 credit card charge fee in addition to $25 deposit (Venmo) for gel mani pedi + design ($15) = total of $111 pp. I called them day of, as soon as they opened and lucked out with them having a spot for us for a gel mani pedi same day. My understanding was that the mani pedi was $80, with a $25 deposit that goes toward that $80 when you show up. I accepted the fact that all designs are $15, so I don't know how the total ended up being $110 (without tip). I didn't want to argue so I just factored the tip into this total. And added an additional $5. The lady who did my friend's nails (Helen I believe) held the $5 up and said she only tipped you $5 so that the whole place could hear instead of asking if I found everything ok. I'm not the confrontational type so I didn't want to argue. After the transaction was completed, the mood became very hostile and unwelcoming. No thank you come again which I get since I didn't give the big tip she was expecting. On the other hand, the lady who did my nails still told me to have a great day though. I feel like she (the lady who rung me up) should've opened the conversation for feedback. The place is really small so if I said I didn't like my nails everyone would hear so I just didn't want to make a scene and throw the nice lady who did my nails under the bus. The lady ringing me up who I think is the owner/nail artist Helen glared at me and was about to say how are you only tipping this much, but she bit her lip mid sentence. I felt like they were trying to pull a fast one on me with the price but I didn't want to argue so just factored the tip in. I just think it's reasonable to expect that if you're going to charge this much, you should at least deliver the value that's expected. Won't be coming back, but just wanted to share my experience since I felt these reviews were a bit misleading. read more

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Overall good service! I walked in and didn't have to wait. Just had a solid color gel manicure and it looks good. The only thing I would complain about is that my cuticle got cut a little (bled) during the manicure. Other than that I think this is a good place to get basic manicures. read more

Fabulous VIP Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - San Mateo, California

They are the best in the area. They are so detailed at their work and I'm always so satisfied . I won't go anywhere else but here.

I have been coming to get my nails done by Helen since I moved to San Mateo earlier this year, and so happy to have found her! Helen does amazing quality work and makes sure she communicates to you if the design/color is to your liking. The nails she just did has been by far my favorite and definitely shows her talent and skill! They only book appointments via phone, but I've been able to book my appointments day of or the next day. read more

Fabulous VIP Nails - Nails done by Helen. - Nail Salons Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Eight years of consistent, lovely acrylic nails and pedicures that make feet feel like feet again. read more

Fabulous VIP Nails - Ombré powder on acrylic, - Nail Salons Near Me - San Mateo, California

This review is WAY overdue, I've seen Helen a few times now, and I am always leaving with flawless nails. I usually come in with an idea of what I want, but anytime there's a picture I can show she right away knows what to do. I really appreciate her knowledge on nail health, she is always able to give me recommendations on what shape and length work best for me, how often I need to come in for fills, what colors work with my skin tone, everything. I've only ever gotten acrylic tips + fills, but seems like a lot of people come in for dip powder and regular manis as well. I truly love how personal it is, its a small salon so I know I am always going to have Helen working on my nails, and the guy who does my toes always does an amazing job - I will need to get his name next time! Couple things to note: - Don't be a jerk, she's appointment only so please be respectful and book ahead of time! - Be on time, if you expect the best service give them time to complete the work! - There's tons of parking around the salon, it may be easiest to to park on a side street. Most of the parking is metered so bring quarters. read more

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I respect the $25 deposit to guarantee one's appointment. I didn't have to wait and I respect the policy given how the salon could lose money when people reserve then don't show up. Small businesses need our support to keep them afloat. I liked the service I got for my money. My mani and pedi were done well and look fabulous, AND have lasted a good long while. I felt very relaxed and comfortable in the space. read more

Can't believe I haven't written a review for Helen and her team yet. I've been going to Fabulous VIP since I moved to San Mateo in 2015. They do solid work on nails and will continue to be a patron. read more

Fabulous VIP Nails - Gel nail with design - Nail Salons Near Me - San Mateo, California

I got my nails done at a different place that needed to be fixed badly, and thankfully I found Helen who fixed my nails and did them exactly how I wanted. She knows how to shape nails, which a lot of nail technicians don't know how to do, and she has the skill to mirror a photo for the color, shape, and design. I finally found my nail girl! read more

Fabulous VIP Nails - Helen's work. - Nail Salons Near Me - San Mateo, California

Excellent service and my nails look beautiful and perfect. My go to spot! Hhhhhhhhhhhh read more

What a great spot! I went here for the first time this afternoon and had a wonderful experience. The staff was kind, the place is small but very clean, and they made sure to take their time on my nails. Both technicians that worked on my nails were very professional and efficient. I love how my nails turned out and would definitely recommend going here! read more

Fabulous VIP Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - San Mateo, California

I've been coming in to see Helen & her team for about a year now and I think a review is long overdue. They are a small salon that values their time and yours (hence the $25 deposit), as well as their work- they are always checking in throughout the service to make sure you are satisfied (with the length, shape, color, etc). Helen is the only one who does designs, so I mostly see her, and she consistently does a great job matching any inspo pics I bring in. I get compliments on my nails every time I get a design done by her! Also, I have never had thinner acrylics in my life! I hate thick nails and Helen is the only person I've gone to so far who gets them right every time without sacrificing quality or longevity; not only are my nails thin, but they hold up and have lasted up to a whole month before a fill! The only thing I would say is that their color range is a little limited, but I've brought my own colors in before and it wasn't a problem. Thank you Fabulous VIP for keeping my nails pretty read more

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Helen did such an amazing job on my and my friend's nails! We made an appointment for the day before my civil ceremony at city hall and I am so happy with the way my nails turned out. Helen took great care to make sure I was happy with the shape and design on my nails for my special day. She was also able to recreate a design for my friend! read more

Fabulous VIP Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - San Mateo, California

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The salon is nice and clean with a good atmosphere. Helen always does a great job, she always makes sure your nails are to your liking. read more

Fabulous VIP Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - San Mateo, California

So after requesting a refund.. they declined it and DID not text me back about my complaint. Instead responded through YELP!!! It has now been 2 weeks, why would I want to come back a 3rd time and get a NEW color when I now need a fill. This is terrible. I am so upset with them. DO NOT COME HERE. read more