Now THIS is the spot for manicure, pedicure, and waxing in the Cambridge/Somerville. I've been trying out different salons (~5/6) and can finally say I found a regular place. I have not found a nail salon so meticulous, clean, detail oriented, thorough yet gentle since I moved to Mass from Los Angeles. Lin, my technician, is a total perfectionist and was great at getting every last detail right. The manager/receptionist made it a breeze to schedule. They also offer chilled water and a huge selection of colors. The space itself is huge and aesthetic too. The prices were the best deal in this area that I have seen. Nails by Porter now has a new regular. Not only is their work great, but the vibes are too. read more

Nails By Porter - close up - Skin Care Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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I used to love coming here but the awesome person who did my nails left. They randomly assigned me someone for mani/pedi. It was physically painful and the work was messy. They overcharged me (mani/pedi is supposed to be $45 and they charged me $50 not including tip). I used to be a regular client but unfortunately I will never be coming back here again. read more

I went with a friend to this nail salon for a manicure and a pedi, the pedi was mostly good, my nail artist (Kim) was a bit rough however. Now in my manicure I just wanted a normal gel and she instead on doing only powder. As she finished my nails they were so bumpy and the shape was very inconsistent, I asked her to fix it because I was mortified on how it looked, then she got an attitude started speaking on another language obviously upset and tried to redo them, she improved just barely the shape and since she was being so rough she ended up hurting some of my fingers along near the cuticle. I did not want to ask her to fix it again because she was already hurting me and I was mortified. They ended up overcharging me of what I think is the manicure (they didn't provide me with a receipt) read more

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Just got a pedicure there and I'm happy with the result. Wish the massage had been longer but ... duh! Who wants a massage to end? Very busy on a Friday afternoon - glad I made an appointment. read more

Just terrible work. Just got a manicure and the woman left my nails literally ragged after filing them, then painted them without smoothing them out. Wouldn't listen to me when I tries to tell her. I'm literally headed home to have to strip the paint to put on and clip all my nails myself. A complete waste of money and time. read more

There is a huge deficit of quality nail salons in Cambridge This place is expensive and clean but I wouldn't call it a gold experience and if there was anywhere else that was clean and even 1% better I'd go there instead. What really was frustrating was I asked if they could do a ten minute shoulder massage (pretty standard) and instead of saying no which would have been no big deal they sit me in the normal chair for drying nails (not a massage chair) and, had a horrible attempt at a massage and a completely made up price. I guess it's on me for not noticing massage wasn't listed on the menu but for a place that lists facials and waxing in addition to their normal manicure and pedicure offerings, I didn't think it was a crazy request. Again if they had just said no it would have been fine, but 25 dollars later and my shoulders worse than when I walked in really was not great. Pedicure was fine nothing to write home about, nothing horrible but again nothing worth doing if you can find another place read more

I like that they try to accommodate you even without an appointment and the manicurists are usually friendly, but Prices online on their website are bogus. Once you get inside you see they are higher. Also - lots of polishes but many are so old they don't shine like new polishes. I'll go back though because they are convenient. read more

This is the only place I will get my pedicures and I do it very regularly. I only get white gel and it always lasts.

Exceptional! Clean, courteous, fun and professional, and a great job. Went there to relax and have a spa pedicure and gel mani. See photos for results. Make sure to get an appointment, they are very popular. Also, you get points with each visit, so I can't wait to get my free treats! I just became a regular. Thanks for your great work!! read more

Nails By Porter - Skin Care Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Worst place to go for cute nails you'll actually like.This place literally sucks. I wanted French tips and they kept asking questions I already answered and told them more than 5 times. When I wanted them to fix something the lady wouldn't say anything and not fix it until I asked like 5 times again. ( she tried fixing the size of the white tips cause I asked for them to be skinnier cause she made them really really thick and she never fixed them how I told her. I was very nice and patient as well cause I just thought she didn't understand but at some point it just felt like she don't want to do it anymore and go home.) also she was calling her workers and she was yelling and looked like she was complaining. Never going back here again worst nail salon I've been to. read more

I booked an appointment this afternoon and went in for a regular manicure. My technician did a wonderful job! Polish is smooth with no irregularities and nothing on the skin. I was so happy after, thank you! read more

Nails By Porter - Skin Care Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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This place is always so efficient, friendly and pleasant. Their dip manicure lasts forever! read more

Nails By Porter - Dip manicure - Skin Care Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

It was very easy to make an appointment. The service was friendly and they did a great job with my manicure.

I made an online appointment yesterday with their new online booking system. It was simple. In addition to nail services they have body waxing and eyelash extensions. Today I came in for a gel french manicure and my nail technician did it exactly the way i wanted it with the white part a bit thicker and with a nice shade of translucent pink. She removed my prior gel color quickly with acetone and the drill. She did that without drilling the nail too much and also nicely took care of my cuticles without it hurting like at other salons. My nails look beautiful and were done in about 30 minutes. The have autoclave nail tool sanitizers and their nail tools are hygenic and in those peel packs. Very friendly, considerate, and skilled staff here. I highly recommend this nail salon for all your manicures and pedicures! read more

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Initially got my nails done on 6/21 and didn't like the outcome. I left a message and the owner reached out and apologized for my experience and told me to come back and she will do it over and make sure it is nice. I went back on 6/22 and began the soak to take the dip and extensions off. While it is soaking she tells me to move my seat back to the one that had initially did a horrible job. She goes on to tell me that it was the dip that made it lumpy and we would do a gel paint instead...long story short this job was equally as bad. I don't understand why the same person was the one to do it over when she did such a bad job in the first place. $55 down the drain. I will not return. read more

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I just got my nails done here by Kim! I got dip powder extensions and I couldn't be happier with them! She did a wonderful job and paid very close attention to detail. Everyone here is very kind, and friendly! Loved it, and I definitely will be back! read more

Nails By Porter - Skin Care Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

It's big, with a lot of stations and a lot of nail polish to choose from and lots of decor. I booked a double pedi for me and my partner, we used to like having our nails done together as a date. We also did manicures, which I don't usually get. First warning sign, they started her almost five minutes before me. Then, her manicurist was fast, mine was slow, which totally ruined the experience of going and getting our nails done together because we ended up only sitting next to each other for around ten minutes. She was out the door and I was waiting for nail polish to dry, and then it marred and peeled and they had to retouch. Finally finished, I walked out to rejoin my partner who had gotten hungry and bought a sandwich and was halfway thru it, and of course my polish marred and peeled a second time, the bottle must have been old or thinned too much. By then the store was closing and I never wanted anything to do with them again. read more

I got dip done here and they did an amazing job!!! Lasted a few weeks and looked great read more

Nails By Porter - Dip nails - Skin Care Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Best nail salon in Cambridge michelle gives a great massage and always makes my nails gorgeous. Everyone is so friendly read more

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Staff and services here are very good. however Management Please be advised that on your Caller ID on all phones your business name comes up as "Nails by Potter" read more

Got acrylic tips + gel manicure. unfortunately they weren't done properly or applied well and came out looking all warped and bumpy. Definitely a place where your experience depends on which manicurist you get. read more

I had an appt. Today at 5:30 for dip. I want to start off by saying my nail tech was very nice and was kind and professional. However, my nails came out horribly misshapen, all different sizes and length. One already broke off.. I paid $60 plus a tip $10. I am extremely upset. My cuticles on my left hand were scraped by the machine they use to grind the nail down. She was going so so fast. I even flinched a few times but nothing change. The skin is red a raw. I'm an esthetician and had just come from work. I work on peoples skin all day everyday. With only Sundays off. So I understand, but I never never slack on a patient or do a sloppy job regardless of the day I'm having. I now have to go out to a birthday dinner with broken nail, nails of all different lengths and widths, and raw cuticles. I didn't ask for anything crazy. I also came in with nails on so I just asked for what I had before. They also do not soak the Instruments / little tips they use when grinding the nails down in alcohol of any kind. The ones she used on me were taken from a container that had a bunch of nail/skin dust. Iv attached photos of the nails. Iv had a pedicure here before and that was great. I definitely won't be back and would ever recommend this place for nails but pedicure again were great. Staff is also very kind. read more

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The people are very nice , they got my acrylic nails off gently and nice and painted my nails for a good price love this company and people

pedicure was great! dip manicure not so much. tech was nice but didn't trim/soak cuticles at all, felt super rushed and the surface of several nails is uneven. also i asked for a very simple design (photo example i showed on left) and this is what i got... like dude... you gotta be kidding me, at that point it was hopeless so i just went home and took the design paint off myself and left them plain. for $50 i'll go somewhere else for dip next time read more

Nails By Porter - design example - Skin Care Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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AWFUL, awful, awful customer service!!! Went in to get a mani/pedi which seemed to be going great with the nail technician. Upon first glance, my nails looked fine at the time. However, when I went to pay, I handed over my AMEX, to which to guy at the front desk (I'm assuming was the owner) informed me they would not or did not accept. WTH? When I informed them that my AMEX was all that I'd brought in to pay the guy immediately yelled he wasn't going to "call the cops". (The lady in the shop kept asking if I could go to an ATM but the guy kept repeating that someone had recently tried to cheat them by walking out without paying.) I am a Harvard student, so without any cash on me and no family in town, I was frightened and at a loss for what to do. Shortly thereafter the cops did come only to see my AMEX still sitting on the table and me crying in distress. The cop looked baffled and reassured me "This is not a crime! You're not in trouble." He then asked me where I lived, to which I replied down the street. He looked at the man and woman -who were hoping he'd arrest me- and told them to take out a sheet of paper. The cop then instructed them to just write down my "name" and "phone number" and if I didn't return with cash then they could always file a report in a few days. Then the cop left. They seemed really upset and dumbfounded. Not wanting to have to EVER deal with them again or return, I called and texted around to a few classmates I knew informally and begged someone to help me out. One classmate finally answered and agreed to bring me the $62. Only the nail people became even ruder, demanding that she "hurry up" because they were ready to go home. My friend finally arrived and paid with her MasterCard but all-in-all it was a pretty shitty experience for a $62 mani/pedi for which the pink nail polish eventually turned a dark purple (ink looking) color after a day. So HELL NO, I would *not* recommend this place to anyone!!! read more

Got dip manicure. She didn't fully remove my old dip manicure and now my nails are all lifting and one broke. Very upset as I have spent so long trying to grow my nails. Sloppy lazy job! read more

I've cheated on my salon twice due to a last minute engagement and atrocious nails. The first time was before the concert and I was willing to tolerate slow service and a subpar mani and pedi bcz it served me right for not staying on top of them. I promised my phalanges no more neglect. I would dutifully stay on top of them and keep them in tip top shape. I faltered and ended up right where I started those months back: jacked nails, unable to go to my place, and a last minute engagement. I arrived 5 minutes ahead of my 1:45 appointment and was forced to wait 25 minutes. I guess they were short staffed bcz the technician doing my pedi was alternating between my toes and removing the gel from another woman. She hastily pushed my cuticles forgetting to use softener. I reminded her and she obliged. She then tried to scrub my foot with a yellow pumice covered in black dirt. I respectfully declined. The brushes also had weird brown stuff at the base of the bristles. The worst of it all was the tech not prepping my nails for the gel removal while my pedi took place. Why is this the worst? Bcz she attempted to remove the gel by allowing it to soak for 2 min then trying to chisel it off with the tool. I continuously informed her "please don't do that, you'll destroy my nail bed" and was responded to with attitude. She then soaked them but this caused the mani to take much longer than usual, 90 min. Also, no free paraffin wax with a gel manicure. If you're in a jam and don't mind rolling the dice. Go for it. But if you are in search of a salon to be 'THE' salon, head over to Cambridge Nail & Spa. They have great service and don't charge an extra $3 for certain polishes. read more

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A fantastic salon for nails hands and feet. Staff is great. Service is perfect and the prices are very reasonable.

Don't get an appointment here, they don't stick to it. Some Businesses have not learnt to keep up with the crowd after COVID. I was asked to wait for 30 min because they have taken up walk-ins instead of respecting my appointment. They also took 15 minutes of discussion to let me know that after I picked my colors. read more

Easy to book an appointment. Nice tech and services. I felt really welcomed I really like my nails. Michelle did a good job for my nails. Good price!. The last time I went there, my nails lasted for a long time. For sure will come back again in the future. read more

I got a gel manicure at Nails by Porter on Tuesday, and by Thursday I already had my first chip. By Saturday 3 nails had chips in them and multiple had cracks. The service was very cheap (~$26), but you get what you pay for. read more

Nails By Porter - Skin Care Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Everyone is very nice, want to start with that. I had a pedi and mani appt made right after one another. Once the pedi was finished I was left to soak for 30+ minutes while they accommodated walk-ins. If I didn't have an appointment I'd understand but being left waiting was annoying. I was told a few more minutes, several times and I'm sorry we are just so busy. I love your busy just honor appointments. So, if you go be prepared to wait and if you're a walk-in you'll probably be accommodated before those with appointments. It's a good location too, won't be returning with so many more nail salons nearby. read more

Best price for nails all around. And they include a hot stone massage with every pedi. I couldn't ask for more!

It was my first time at Nails by Porter, and I got a dip manicure, also for the first time. Pros: The general vibe of the place was good, my nail technician was super nice and my manicure looks and feels gorgeous! All in all, these are the things I most care about. Cons: They dipped my nails into the main container of dip powder (according to the internet, that's not sanitary), and they did not appear to sanitize their e-file bits (came out of a metal tin, were used, went back into the metal tin, placed back in the desk). I also waited for 25 minutes even though I called ahead for an appointment, but I expect that at nail salons generally. All in all a very good experience! My only suggestion would be for them to make sure everything is super duper sanitary. read more

This is a good nail salon with affordable prices. One downside is that they do charge for gel removal which I always think is pretty cheap if you're getting a new manicure. They have a good number of stations so you don't need to make an appointment and the staff are efficient and nice enough if not over-the-top welcoming. My gel manicure lasted forever! I finally took the polish off because it was blue and I needed a less crazy color for a wedding I was attending. Pedicure was also well done and lasted a while. I'll be back for sure. read more

The environment was nice, clean, and I only had to wait 30 minutes on a Saturday afternoon for a dip manicure. I was excited to try a dip manicure because I heard they were faster than gel and lasted longer than gel. Not sure if I just was a fluke because it took nearly 2 hours for dip application and they didn't even last a full week. After three days I noticed that cracks were appearing on three of my nails at the end. I didn't have time to go sit for two more hours to get them fixed so I planned to get them removed on the weekend at my usual place. This morning I woke up and the tip of the thumb nail had cracked off. Pretty annoyed that after spending two hours and $50 to get a manicure it didn't last a full week. I'm going to go back to my usual place and usual gel manicure. read more

Nails By Porter - Dip manicure just broke right off after only a week. - Skin Care Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

RUSHED, RUDE, INATTENTIVE SERVICE. DO NOT GO HERE! I have been to Nails By Porter twice this year and was disappointed both times, so I will not be back. The service was very rushed and my nail polish was applied messily and hastily. When I asked for more massage on my legs (they barely spent two minutes per leg) the girl doing my pedicure said she didn't have time because she had another customer. I even offered to tip her more! Apparently, the customer in front of her was not that important! I felt like I was in a doctor's office where they are trying to see as many patients in as short a time as possible to maximize revenue. The whole point of getting a pedicure is to relax and feel pampered, but I was made to feel like this was part of the rushed work week I was trying to escape from. This place is owned by the same people who ran VIP Nails and Spa across the street, which was my favorite nail salon until it closed in 2017. Their new location has much more space, but the service has taken a downward turn. I now go to Couture Nails in Harvard Square, which while a bit more pricey is worth being treated like a valued customer. read more

The business is very COVID conscious and takes good precautions. I also got dip powder which was beautiful and done quickly. Will be back!

Eh, the staff are nice and the price is fine ($27 for gel with polish removal), but my nails have already chipped 5 days after application (see photo) and the woman who did my nails would steady her fingers and mine by digging her nail into my nail bed. Pretty uncomfortable. read more

Nails By Porter - Chipped gel after 5 days - Skin Care Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I like my manicures 90% of the time. Pedicures, I only like them from two people. This place is so close to my house that it is convenient to go to. So I choose here over most places because of location convenience. The staff's skills are all different and inconsistent. So unless you know who you like, this isn't a place that I would highly recommend. Also, the atmosphere is cozy and warm, but the staff are rarely smiling or greeting you with warmth. With such a convenient location, I believe this place can step it up and generate loyal customers with more revenue. My sisters and I come here pretty consistently (once a month?) and the owner family is never smiling and just look cold. The older man at the front desk seems warmer than the whole staff. I take customer service pretty seriously. I consider greeting and warmth part of the tip I give. read more