Izabela's is the best nail salon in town. I have been going to izabela for about 11-12 years. She never ever disappoint me. I love my nails and I enjoy seeing Isabela and the other ladies when I go. They are all professional and they take you at the time of the appointment, there is no sitting around waiting. The salon is very clean and the seats are comfortable as well. read more

Love my full set with gels! They look SO good and natural. Marta really took her time to make sure I got the look I wanted, and it's perfect. I really can't stop looking at them haha Also make sure you bring cash or your checkbook as that is the only form of payment they accept. read more

Izabela's - Gel full set - Nail Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

I have never left a yelp review before, but I just absolutely had to write one for this place. The women who work here were incredibly welcoming and kind, and did the most beautiful and meticulous job with my nails. Yes, the services take longer than the average nail salon, but perfection takes time! They seriously do the most gorgeous nails, and the whole experience is so pleasant and comfortable. read more

By far the best nail salon in Chicago! Amazing service, amazing staff, and of course amazing nails. They always do such a great job and are great to chat with. I cannot recommend Izabela's enough!! read more

Izabela's - Nail Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My mom has been going to this salon for 7+ years and has raved about all of their services. I was visiting town and went to see Basia for a manicure and pedicure (Basia is who my mom usually sees) ans I am SO impressed! I got my nails done over 2 weeks ago (gel) and they still look perfect (pictured). This is honestly the best manicure and pedicure I have ever gotten. Basia's attention to detail and care are amazing. I look forward to going again when I'm in town! read more

Izabela's - Nails after 2 weeks. Done by Basia. - Nail Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Best mani pedi in town! I've been going there for 30+ years. Izabela, Basha and Marta (on Saturday) are really good and very professional at what they do. The shop is clean and the utensils are sanitized. I highly recommend this place if you can get an appointment. read more

I love Love LOVE this salon! Izabela took such good care of me! I have problem nails and she is the first artist that truly put a real effort into making my nails pretty! Such amazing attention detail and she is so pleasant! I will never go anywhere else and highly recommend this salon! Thank you sooooooo much! read more

Izabela's - In love - Nail Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Count me amongst the converted! I had my first appointment there today utilizing the $35 mani/pedi special. I went in with velociraptor feet and creepy hands and came out with glorious, soft, delicious feet and kissable hands! And not once did they say anything about the appalling state of my digits. Everyone is extremely nice, funny, and patient. I felt pampered not rushed. I can't stop staring at my toes, and I can't wait to go back! I cannot imagine going anywhere else now. Saints be praised...I have found a high quality nail salon I love love love! Thanks, ladies! P.S. They only take cash or checks but there is an ATM across the street from the salon, so no big drama. read more

I really wanted to like this place! The nail tech was extremely nice and friendly, it was clean and they had a great selection of polishes. The problem lies in the fact that they couldn't do a fill in 1.5 hours!! For me, if I cannot get in and out with a pedicure and fill in two hours, it really doesn't matter how my nails look. The tech insisted on filing off my existing gel polish and acrylic BY HAND! Even though a drill was readily available, she insisted on using a nail file to strip away the layers. She was meticulous in the application of the acrylic powder too... (At this point we are 50-60 mins in) and then proceeded to file down the new acrylic with a nail file once again. After 1.5 hours of buffing, she was finally ready to apply the polish but her 3:30 customer was on her way and I was informed that it would be another 15 mins to polish my nails. I had to leave without any polish because I had to go to work. I asked if I could come back tomorrow and she told me she was booked. read more

Izabela's - I'm super embarrassed! This is what $40 and 1.5 hours will get you. - Nail Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The ONLY place where I will get my nails done in Chicago. Excellent work EVERY time, very consistent. No matter who does my nails, it's always done perfectly. Tip for those who have an issue with how long their services take: in my humble opinion, I would rather they take their time and do a fantastic job that looks great and lasts for a decent amount of time, than for them to hurry up and do a sloppy job. Good work takes time and I get acrylics and gel nails here that last 3 weeks to 1 month without lifting or chipping (which is more than I can say for some other nails shops in the city). If I'm already paying them, I might as well let them do a great job and get the most for my money :) FYI, that GORGEOUS red color is 'Backstage Beauty' by OPI read more

See all

-Easy to make an appointment. -Good color options. -Painting of the nails looked good. -Pedicure chairs/bowls do not have massage or jacuzzi features . -The way the nails during the manicure were shaped destroyed the integrity of my nails, causing them to bend and break. -No chip manicure began chipping after a few days. -Only takes cash or check (they worked with me and let me come back to pay, but it was extremely inconvenient, and I was never told beforehand). -Unimpressive customer service from tech: if I pointed out a concern or something I was unhappy with, she came across as condescending, leading me to stop saying anything. Overall, not worth the money or time. read more

I've been going to Izabela's for almost 6 months. The BEST gel no chip manicure in the city. My manicure lasts an easy 3 weeks and I could probably push to 4 but I just want a refresh sooner. Highly recommend! Just make sure to call for an appointment. read more

See all

Anelya is amazing. She is nice and professional, precise and thorough. I really appreciate that she worked so hard and meticulous on my nails and cuticles to make them look perfect! read more

Izabela's - Nail Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is one of the few places in the city that I've found that actually does REAL gel nails. Most of the cheaper places that sell "gel" nails actually do an acrylic base (as a powder applied with a brush), and then finish with a UV-curing top coat (gel). The reason is because gel is a lot more expensive than acrylic and it takes longer to do properly. Here's how you know if you're getting real gel nails. The technician will come out with a teeny tiny cup of clear liquid (not powder) and apply one coat of the gel to one hand, stick it in the UV machine, and do the same to the other hand, and then repeat the process for a few more layers. She'll then file them down and shape them a bit, polish them up and you're on you're way after they dry. I've found gel is a lot thinner and looks more natural, and is more flexible--it doesn't pop off as often as acrylic. It also doesn't leave my real nails looking so thin and destroyed like acrylic can do. It's also totally clear, which is a nice benefit if you like a more natural look. On the downside, when they do break, they kind of shatter in sharp way, so carry a nail file so you don't get all Wolverine on people. If you're not sure if you're got gel or acrylic, you can test by soaking in acetone. If they start to feel slippery and gooey, then you've got acrylic, since gel isn't affected by acetone. As for Izabella's itself, my first appointment was with Izabella and we had a nice little chat about entrepreneurial life and whatnot. Make an appointment because this tiny shop is busy (which is a good thing). They don't take credit cards, so hit up the ATM in the bank across the street before you go. It's also cheaper earlier in the week than close to the weekends. read more

Went last weekend with friends as part of a birthday celebration and a week later my nails still look perfect - with only one extra top coat added...not to mention I work with children on a daily basis which add extra wear and tear to a mani. The staff was awesome, laughed with my friends and I, asked about our weekend plans etc. but weren't overly talkative or uncomfortably quite. Although this place is a trek from my lovely South Loop neighborhood, I will be back. The service and quality are unmatched. Honestly the best mani I've ever had! Note: They do not accept credit or debit cards...you have to bring cash or write a check (not sure people still use those, but they do accept them!) read more

LOVE LOVE LOVE! My first ever Yelp review because this place deserves it! 5 stars! Mila came in special to get me in and worked so hard to fix my nails that were badly damaged and thin from another nail salon that had destroyed my nails by drilling on my actual nail and using cheap acrylic claiming it was "gel". Now I finally got to experience the real gel and it's amazing. I've never loved my nails more! She took her time on every single finger to make sure they looked great and to do what was necessary to get my nails back on track to healthy. I'm more than happy and will be coming back as long as I live here!! read more

Izabela's - Gel nails with no-chip polish on top. LOVE IT! My nails have never looked better. - Nail Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I just went in last night for a gel fill and fell in love with this place - and Basia. She was super friendly and we spent the whole time talking. I was very comfortable and we had some good laughs. As others have mentioned, they use the liquid gel instead of the powder. It's great because it looks so much more natural and your nails don't end up as thick as they do when powder is used. Basia did all of the buffing and shaping by hand, so it took longer than when using one of those dremel tools, but the quality and attention to detail is well worth it. It's a bit out of my way, but I will certainly be going here for all my manicures and pedicures from now on! Make an appointment and don't forget to bring cash or a check. Edited to add: Basia mentioned that she really loved working there, and working for Izabella. I job you love to do can be hard to find, and that attitude really shows in their customer service and quality of work. read more

They know what they're doing. One of my best girl friends and I decided to "treat ourselves" and get pretty this week. We saw Izabella's on Yelp and noticed they were also in Allure. We saw that they have good reviews and it was in our neighborhood. We decided to go for it! My advice is to make an appointment because they have steady business and otherwise they might not be able to fit you in ESPECIALLY FOR GELS. We made an appointment for 12:45 the next day. My friend wanted something more complicated than your traditional mani-pedi with 2 different colors per nail. Sophie was very accomidating and talked her through her options. They also have one of the only places in the city where you can get a bomb set of gels. Izabella gave me gels without using the drill that would have damaged my nail beds. It was clear from talking to her that she is an experienced nail technician and she knows her stuff. She also told us that she is about to open a new location in the South Loop. I would reccommend this place to my friends and I will definitely go back. read more

The girls working in this salon are very friendly and professional. They do a great job! I like to have french tips and was so glad to find a place where they do real gel nails. Of course to make a full set takes time and you need to be patient. At the same time I really appreciate the accuracy and preciseness with which Basia and Marta do each nail. You are not being rushed. The quality of work above the quantity of clients - it's Izabella's. read more

Amazing manicure. One of the few places in Chicago that does hard gel right. Careful work, nails were perfect. Welcoming, great variety of colors. read more

This is a salon where you get Gold Coast/Michigan Avenue quality and service in a shop with a neighborhood atmosphere and neighborhood prices. The manicures and pedicures are wonderful. Isabella is the owner. She and the entire staff have wonderful personalities and do great work. Manicures and pedicures are perfection. They always massage your hands and feet first. They take their time. It is definitely not one of those15 minute rush job nail salons. You will come out with beautiful looking hands and feet. Call in advance to make an appointment because they are always busy on the weekends. read more

I LOVED Izabella's! I have been living in Chicago for about 1.5 years and have finally found a nail salon that now has my loyalty. Izabella and the girls are wonderful and accommodating. When a nail salon has to take appointments its a hint that the salon is great! Izabella is knowledgeable about nails and wants the best for her customers. I cannot wait to be back. BTW Izabella's offers gel fake nails and also works with your nails the old fashioned way! (YES nail filer, NO drills) I felt like a princess and when that is accomplished, I am definitely coming back! read more

This is for services received in the summer of '10. Pretty pricey for their services, but it's all about the location. I spent around $70 for mani/pedi/eyebrows. It's not a pretentious nail salon. It's small, intimate, and inviting. The staff are warm, kind, and easy to hold an interesting conversation with. Bella has been in the area for 16 years, and once you visit and see her interactions with her clients, you can see why. Basia took great care of me and even painted pretty flowers on two nails in each hand--no extra charge. They accept only Cash or checks. read more

The staff is friendly but it took SO LONG to get my nails done. I set my parking meter for 1 hour and 45 minutes, thinking that would be more than enough time for the removal of my current gel polish and a fresh gel mani/regular pedi. Also since I made an appointment I thought I'd be started on right away. Wrong. I waited for 20 minutes before they finally got to me. Not only did they not have massage chairs with the jacuzzi tubs for your feet, they sat me in a run-down chair and soaked my feet in a tin bowl. They didn't complete my mani/pedi that night. I came in nearly 2 hours before closing and by the time they closed, my nails still didn't have any polish on them! In the end I was charged $53 for the typical preliminary mani/pedi process. I had a party to attend the next day and I ended up going with unpolished nails. I am incredibly disappointed to say the least and I will NEVER be coming back here again. read more

I think I just had a bad experience. 1. It's cash only and they haven't written anywhere so had to run to get cash after the manicure 2. In India we have a nice massage and oils and what not here it was just filing and nail paint 3. The place was clean tidy. The staff good but aloof. She told me to stay 10 min for drying and when I wore my jacket after 10 min the paint was all messed up. 4 it just didn't feel happy experience. If this is what manicure in USA is i would probably not have one in USA and for sure not coming back to this place. read more

Izabela's was my first experience (ever) with gel nails. The tech was super nice and professional. She did an amazing job. I will definitely be back. read more

Izabela's - Nail Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Basia is my new girlfriend of nails. She's a perfectionist! I have never had Gel nails. I got tips w/ gel overlay my hand where not the prettiest and Basia said that she was enjoying doing my nails that made me BLUSH and she explain to me that I will not have to get the tips once my nails began to grow and my nails will look more natural with the just the gel overlay. Although my nails look natural right now with the tips. If are looking / wanting Gel nails Izabella's is the best place the owner is great. Basia is the best and I appreciate her nail craft and her wholesomeness. See ya soon! Basia....Sorry if I didn't spell you name correctly. Street parking. Izabella is located on the corner of Fulllerton and Clark down the steps. Bring cash or check only. Liquid only here NO POWDER $45.00 for a full set. I am going to Izabella's for as long as I live in Chicago. read more

I just moved to Chicago with a set of OPI gel nails I trashed during the moving process. A quick search revealed Izabella's, so I thought I'd give it a try. Very cute shop. A very nice girl (whose name I can't remember) did my nails, we had some nice conversation without being forced or overly chatty. Something I liked is that she did the nails without using a dremel or any powertools. So while they took a bit longer, I like the shape much, much better. While I can still afford to have my nails done I will probably continue to return, even though Lincoln Park can be a little but of a hike for me sometimes. I think the fill was $35, and that was with putting new tips on two of the nails. read more

Real Gel nails! Who knew it would be so difficult to find a place that actually did them. I was lucky to find Izabella's and Marta! I wanted glittery ones and even tho Marta didn't do the glitter nails as a standard offering she and Basha pulled together their private stash and made me sparkly! Thank you ladies! The place has a great vibe full of giggles and smiles! Make sure you bring cash or checks - no credit cards read more

I have been getting my nails done for 10 years and this is by far the best place I have ever been. The girls are so nice, its clean and they actually take time to do a good job. Basia did my nails and she will be doing them for a long time. Just don't have any negative things to say! They only take cash/check (by the way!) read more

Everything about Izabella's is 5 stars. The central location, clean facilities, quality manicures, and friendly manicurists. Izabella's is a bit more expensive than the salons I typically go to (I understand this is depressing) so I only go when I'm treating myself...and they never disappoint. Izabella's has a wide variety of Essie and OPI and the girls are knowledgeable about colors. Sometimes, I can a bit (errr...very) indecisive about what shade to go with and they are always willing to try a few on one nail to see which I like best. My only complaint is that you DEFINITELY need an appointment, but I'll admit this isn't a legitimate complaint, I'm simply used to walk-in nail salons. Moral of the story, go to Izabella's, but plan ahead. read more

Absolutely amazing!! I love this place. Marta did a wonderful job on my claws and for a full set of REAL gel nails, the price is very reasonable! Not to mention her precision and detail to each nail, that's love! I'll never go anywhere else for my nails! Along with great service, (free) street parking was super easy to find. (: read more

Izabella!! Thank you so much for the amazing manicure. Will defiantly be back :) they're the real deal, best acrylics in Chicago! read more

Izabela's - Thank you Isabella! Matte finish! - Nail Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

So... I'm super picky about my nails. Like bordering on neurosis picky. I have been searching, and searching, annnd searching for a place that does gel nails. REAL gel, not that acrylic bullshit with a gel topcoat on it kinda crap. Well folks, let me tell you, Izabela's does the real deal. Real gel. No drills. Everything done by hand, expertly, by people who care and have a passion for what they do. I saw Marta today, and she is awesome!!! Friendly, warm, funny and sweet. I have found my home- well, for my nails anyway :) read more

I went to this shop after reading several reviews and viewing photos of their work and for that reason, had high hopes. I made an appointment for a fill in and the nail technician was extremely nice....i must admit I was disappointed in the fact they charged $40 for a fill in, when that is the norm for a full set. Nonetheless, I paid and tipped and was happy with my nails. Few days later 3 of my nails broke right in the middle of my nail. I called immediately leaving a detailed message and asked for a call back. Called back 3 other times and no answer. No one ever returned my call. Though quaint and cute this salon needs to work on its customer service skills. Unless you're a Stepford wife or file paper work for a living your nails will NOT last, so unfortunately I will not be returning and very disappointed that I as a stylist had to write this review. Waste of money!! read more

I've been going to Izabela's for the past 5 years. They do Amazing work!!! The owner is one of the BEST in the industry and she stays on the cutting edge. Her outstanding reputation speaks for itself. The salon is clean, relaxing and modern. Check out Izabela's. You will not be disappointed! read more

I first tried Izabella's because I pass it everyday walking down fullerton. i always seemed to chip or smudge my nails when traveling home from other salons in the neighborhood, so the proximity of this place to my apartment was definitely appealing. at first i was taken aback by the $17 price of a manicure, but compared to the typical $13 i have always paid, the measly $4 extra dollars is warranted. the place is very small [only 3 manicurists working at a time] so it is wise to try to make an appointment. however, they are great about fitting you in if possible. second, it's a refreshing change that their manicurists speak english [with adorable european accents of some sort] and make good conversation. it's just enough where you can relax and enjoy the service but feel they are focusing on you and not their coworkers/cell phones as it usually is elsewhere. above all, the quality of the service is unmatched in this neighborhood, especially for the price. it will definitely take more than 15 minutes; it is clear that all of izabella's employees value quality of what they do over quantity of customers they see in a short period. they use heated mitts after applying the lotion, which something i have never had before and have really enjoyed. they have a decent selection of OPI and Esse colors, including many of the newer collections. lastly, not only do they make my nails look fantastic, but they typically stay looking great for around 2 weeks! no one ever believes me when i tell them how long ago my manicure is from. in sum, izabella and her staff provide wonderful service and are definitely worth the time and price. read more

I have been going to Isabellaa's since she opened the shop over 15 years ago. I have moved twice and now drive there for my appointment every Saturday. She and her staff are that good. They take care and pride in their work. My manicures last two weeks. The shop is friendly and has quite a few regulars. Appointments are advised. Highly recommended for great manicures/pedicures with friendly service. read more

Great manicure for a good price. I've had many different technicians and have gotten a great gel manicure every time. Highly recommend!

This salon is amazing! Not only are the women here wonderful to be around, they do a phenomenal job :) I have been coming here for a few months now and can't recommend then enough. I was looking for a place that did real gel nails for my upcoming nuptials and not only does Izabella's provide this service (which seems to be hard to find!) but they are so meticulous in their work that you won't leave there disappointed. I have become so addicted to how great my nails look now that I am a regular customer. Thank you Bosia for all you do :) read more