Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Nails By Kathy

    3.8 (31 reviews)
    PriceyNail Salons

    Services - Nails By Kathy

    Nail fill-in

    Toe nail fill-in

    Hand nail fill-in

    13 More Services

    Hand and toe nail fill-in

    Manicure

    Manicure and pedicure

    Pedicure

    Nail polish change

    Toe polish change

    Hand polish change

    Hand and toe polish change

    Nail polish removal

    Toe polish removal

    Hand polish removal

    Hand and toe polish removal

    Nail repair

    Nails By Kathy Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Nails By Kathy

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Always amazing! Acrylic gel with decals
    Kimbra O.

    I love coming to Kathy for my nails. Kathy is super quick and does a great job. I've been going to her for a few months and have never had a chipped or broken nail (and she doesn't do my nails super thick) and her polish selection is fantastic!

    Nails by Kathy

    I have been looking for a nail place that does a beautiful job and where the nails look natural and they are not too thick. I use my hands in water all the time and not once has a nail came off. She does a spectacular job and I highly recommend her. I had previously tried other nail places and nooone compares to the service I receive here. Thank you Kathy

    Excellent manicure. Simple as that. :) recommend going here to the younger lady :)
    Jacklyn C.

    Five star and 2 star makes a three star. The younger lady did an excellent job on my moms pedicure and manicure. Massage and all. Cuticle clipping, gorgeous color choices, the whole 9. Excellent job. The older lady however, she did a pretty and nice design set on my nails, and okay acrylic too, but ONLY on the nail. The hands and fingers as a whol e, NOT GOOD! She did not clip my cuticles or do any oil or any thing at all really to my nails!! and that really really bothered me . She didn't clean underneath my nails clip cuticles. SHE DIDN'T FILe or anything., or lotion or ANYTHING. All she really did was a sloppy job. And now my hands are dry and feeling really gross and uncomfortable..... and now, 15 minutes after leaving, the design is already wiping off. I'm really upset. 45 dollar manicure..... I wouldn't return .... :(

    Angie L.

    Great first time visit... very professional family owned, sister-run establishment... clean work and friendly. My auntie is a regular there and introduced me to the place. Super location, easy to find. I absolutely loved the finished product. They are very busy so its best to set an appointment.

    Izabella G.

    I love Kathy. She is amazing. She loves to talk to you and get to know you. She will make time for you. Im really bad at making appointments so i just walk in randomly. But she will call other clients to ask them to come 15 minutes later or something. Her clientele is super sweet, very outgoing, they love to talk. Some of her clients have seen her kids grow up, she has seen some of her clients kids grow up. She is truly a warming person. Usually i go toward solid color nails but this time we did a pink ombre and it looks amazing! I couldnt be happier. Im excited to see what other designs we will do!

    Lysa H.

    I have been going to Kathy for a few months now and she is amazing. Not only does she do a phenomenal job on my nails but she also recommended some facial products for me to used that works wonder on acne skin. Spacious cozy salon, flexible schedule and lots of parking. She's very honest and attentive to my needs and wants. Thank you Kathy! I highly recommend Kathy to everyone who's looking for a great nail tech or estithician.

    Nails by Kathy

    I have been going to Kathy and Ann for years and I always get the best results. They are so nice and make sure I am comfortable and relaxed. Great location too! Give them a try :)

    See all

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kimbra O.
    269
    42
    19

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of C. R.
    35
    28
    0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lysa H.
    102
    19
    18

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mishal S.
    5
    46
    417

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of K V.
    57
    6
    0

    9 years ago

    Kathy always does a great job on my eyebrows. Kathy is friendly and always manages to take care of me even when I don't have an appointment.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mary S.
    63
    37
    0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Nails By Kathy

    Anybody knows what time it opens?

    Opens by appointment. If you call, Kathy will work with you on the time.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Nails By Kathy

    Even though I was a walk in they were able to take me right away for a pedicure and full set.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Nail Salons 12,238 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Petite Nail Spa - Black arched French tip - acrylics done today :)

    Petite Nail Spa

    4.2(334 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    I actually stumbled upon this place through word of mouth while walking around my dentist's office…read more Since then, I've been coming here for almost 4 years, and I always have a great experience. The staff is incredibly sweet, hardworking, and genuinely caring. They consistently do their best to accommodate me and my grandma, and we always feel welcomed and well taken care of. I believe they also do a good job handling any issues that come up with care and professionalism. I've seen them handle situations and communicate with their clients when there's an issue, and they have always been upfront and honest. I'm also awful at deciding what I want for my nails, and because I trust them so much, I usually just let them decide for me and they always do a great job. There's a comfort in coming here that feels like being remembered and cared for, not just as customers but as people. My grandma and I truly love this place and are so grateful for them.

    I booked an appt through Yelp for 4pm. I showed up on time and asked for a regular pedicure. It's…read morecurrently 4:20pm and all I've done is soak my feet in water. The water is freezing. Many people have called to make an appt and the lady on the phone is NOT writing these down! They are turning away walk ins because there is only 3 staff currently working. My pedicure hasn't even started and I'm already debating to just leave. What a bad experience.

    Photos
    Petite Nail Spa
    Petite Nail Spa - Birthday party

    Birthday party

    Petite Nail Spa

    See all

    Q Nails - Nail art by Jennie

    Q Nails

    3.6(137 reviews)
    2.0 miWest San Jose
    $$

    I've been going to ThatMan at Q Nails for over 15 years, and he is the only nail tech I truly…read moretrust. I've tried many other places over the past 20+ years, but no one has ever come close to his level of skill, precision, and consistency. Not only is his work exceptional, but his professionalism truly sets him apart. He is always focused, detail-oriented, and dedicated to delivering quality every single time. Over the years, ThatMan has become more than just my nail tech--he's someone I genuinely respect and look up to as a true example of what it means to be a professional. If you're looking for the best, you won't find anyone better.

    I've been coming to Q Nails for 5+ years now and it's truly one of my go to spots in San Jose. Kim…read moreis absolutely amazing and her attention to detail and consistency always impress me. The rest of the staff are also very friendly and always welcoming. I usually get acrylics or Gel-X, and they always turn out beautifully. I tend to stick with neutral colors, but whenever I want to try something a little bolder, Kim is always able to bring my ideas to life. I also really appreciate how flexible and accommodating they are with scheduling. The store also has waxing available and has a bathroom. There's always plenty of parking in the plaza and they accept both cash and card (with an available ATM in case). It feels great to support a local family owned business that's been serving the San Jose/Santa Clara area for over 10 years.

    Photos
    Q Nails - Nail done by Jennie

    Nail done by Jennie

    Q Nails - Acrylics by Kim

    Acrylics by Kim

    Q Nails - Nail set by Jenni

    See all

    Nail set by Jenni

    Amy's Nail Lounge - Manicure and pedicure service

    Amy's Nail Lounge

    4.5(321 reviews)
    2.7 miWest San Jose
    $$$

    Walked in for a pedicure and Amy was so nice! She did a simple French tip but it came out so good!…read moreWill definitely be back!!

    TL;DR: My big toes were messed up 3x and instead of taking accountability, the owner blamed me for…read morechoosing regular polish--a service she provides. No refund, no solution, and deeply unprofessional behavior. *~~ Service Overview & Pricing I booked a same-day appointment that the owner accepted. I requested: * #108 Gelixir purple gel polish + acrylic fill manicure * #108 Gelixir purple regular polish + basic pedicure The owner upsold heavily throughout. I even let her do extra work on my pinkies to build rapport. Total: $81 Tip: $15 (tipped before the service was completed) She opened the shop ~5 min late despite accepting my 9:30 AM appointment, & complained aloud, setting the tone for our session. *~~ Where Everything Went Wrong 1. First Mistake Toe spacers were applied after polishing but before the paint was dry, immediately smudging the big toe. 2. Second Attempt They only partially removed the polish to "fix" it. Because the initial coats weren't fully removed, the application was thick and uneven. After 40 minutes of "drying," the nail dented and the texture caught the lip of my shoe, scratching again. I told them I still had time if they wanted to properly redo it. 3. Third Attempt A kind staff member accidentally damaged the other big toe while helping me into disposable sandals. At this point, my toes had been ruined three separate times--all due to staff actions. *~~ The Owner's Response When I asked if they could use gel on the big toes (since the mistakes were theirs), the owner refused and claimed: 1. The colors "wouldn't match." 2. Gel and regular polish can't match--despite the Gelixir palette offering both and my manicure proving otherwise. 3. That because I chose regular polish, the outcome was my fault. She repeated this many times. 4. That regular polish takes "hours to dry in cold weather," something she never mentioned and is simply not true. By then I had been there from 9:30 AM to 12:20 PM, and the pedicure was the first service we started. *~~ Escalation & Unprofessional Conduct When I calmly asked for a reasonable fix (or at least accountability for my time), the owner became rude, defensive, and dismissive. She offered: * No refund * No partial refund * No refund of my tip * No solution She repeatedly told me I could "leave if I didn't like it" while her staff was trying to help me with bare toes. Instead of accountability, she lectured me with constant "you" statements and kept shifting blame. I stayed polite and attempted to de-escalate, but she kept escalating. My friend who was with me also felt the owner was short, judgmental, and rude from the beginning. As a Filipina, I'm familiar with cultural bluntness--this wasn't bluntness. This was aggressiveness and unprofessionalism. *~~ Service Quality & Safety Concerns * They used a pumice scrubber on my inner ankle bone, leaving raw skin and micro-cuts. * The owner drilled harshly on the sides and cuticle area during my fill, causing irritation and cuts. When I said "ow," she told me I "needed lotion." (I regularly moisturize; the issue was her technique.) * During upselling for designs/gems, she asked about two fingers. When I agreed, she worked on the wrong fingers, insisted I said "all," and did the same thing to my friend. * Despite her picking my friend's shade, she acted annoyed when we asked to see it on one toe. Odd behavior throughout--there's truly no winning with her. *~~ Final Thoughts Based on quality alone, this could have been a 2-star experience. But the owner's behavior makes it a 0-star experience. Earlier, she told me her business struggles with retention but has some regulars. Now I understand why. The recurring reviews about poor customer service suddenly make complete sense. Even her responses to negative reviews show the same pattern--confrontational, defensive, and unwilling to take responsibility. It's impossible to relax when the owner is hostile, unaccountable, and provides no customer care. This was my first time going (only to accommodate my friend's work schedule) because in theory the 9:30 AM start time is competitive. But honestly, you're better off walking one minute over to Winchester Nails, which is actually my regular spot. I'll never cheat on them again.

    Photos
    Amy's Nail Lounge
    Amy's Nail Lounge
    Amy's Nail Lounge - Came to Amy with a design in mind with barely any photo reference and she gave me exactly what I wanted!

    See all

    Came to Amy with a design in mind with barely any photo reference and she gave me exactly what I wanted!

    Kitchen Nail Bar - Santana Row - Kitchennailbar

    Kitchen Nail Bar - Santana Row

    4.6(1.5k reviews)
    2.3 miWest San Jose
    $$$

    Had such a lovely experience at Kitchen Nail Bar! The salon is beautiful, clean, modern, and has…read moresuch a relaxing vibe right in the heart of Santana Row. A huge thank you to Lam & Lana for taking such great care of me. Their attention to detail, professionalism, and warm hospitality truly made the experience feel elevated and pampering. You can tell they genuinely care about their clients and take pride in their work. From the service to the atmosphere, everything felt polished and welcoming. Perfect little self-care moment after long law school days. Highly recommend if you're looking for quality nails and wonderful service in San Jose!

    I made a same day appointment for a mani pedi and I didn't have much time. They asked if I…read morepreferred pedicure and then manicure or both at the same time. I appreciated the option and went for same time so I could leave sooner. They brought a few different color binders and I decided to try cats eyes which have a little bit of a holographic look. I was so wowed by that process!! Katie used a magnetic stick to change the way the glitter moves in the polish before curing one finger at a time. Overall it looks very cool and I catch myself admiring my nails in the light which I don't normally do or get into (I get a manicure only a few times a year for special occasions). I'll also add they gave me a bottled water when I came in and even gave me a nice quality mask when I asked for one. I am immunocompromised and there was a lot of sanding going on at the next station so I felt taken care of as best as they could.

    Photos
    Kitchen Nail Bar - Santana Row - Broken acrylic nail

    Broken acrylic nail

    Kitchen Nail Bar - Santana Row - Kitchennailbar

    Kitchennailbar

    Kitchen Nail Bar - Santana Row - Kitchennailbar

    See all

    Kitchennailbar

    Nails Haven - This is their gel in two weeks. They ruined my nails. I reduced stars to 1*.  Would give --1* if I could

    Nails Haven

    4.5(282 reviews)
    2.7 miWest San Jose
    $$

    This is THE pedicure spot in my humble opinion. I always get the deluxe and not many places will do…read morehot stone massage with every pedicure package, but this place does that. My deluxe also comes with paraffin wax & massage. They even serve complimentary beverages like tea, coffee, water, and sparkling water. The workers don't have ful blown conversations in their native language like many other places, which I appreciate (I'm Vietnamese, so I understand it all, but I'm just speaking up for my other girlies). So this is definitely a relaxing vibe kind of place. It's usually very quiet when I go even with the salon chairs all filled. If you do come here please say hi to Julie the manager there, she's the best!

    I've been getting my nails done here for about two years and have had some of the best manis. I had…read morea brown set of gels done in December that lasted 4 weeks. I had one nail with that set that separated after a day and the salon re-did it for free. On Monday this week I had my first mani-pedi here. I had gels for both. One of my toe gels totally came off after a day, and my left thumb polish came off the same afternoon that I had the mani done. Since then, I had the gel on my left hand fixed (so I came back once on Wednesday, then Thursday (yesterday) two nails on the right hand both separated in the same corner. I just had those two nails re-done and asked for the right color, but it's a different color. It's just really strange and disappointing to have to get a mani fixed twice- seems like the prep wasn't great this time around and last time around. I'll be back one more time after this but it may be time for me to find a new salon.

    Photos
    Nails Haven - Acrylic nails

    Acrylic nails

    Nails Haven - My recent nails set

    My recent nails set

    Nails Haven - Black + Chrome

    See all

    Black + Chrome

    Nails By Kathy - othersalons - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...