Always professional, clean, and neat! Small boutique, but they never make you feel rushed.

Stay away from this place. Last week, the manicurist (I believe she is also the owner, as her name is on the business cards) at Ultimate Nail Salon cut my finger and sent me home without so much as an apology. Not wanting to leave anything to chance, I immediately cleaned the wound with soap, then alcohol once I got home, which is about two blocks away. Within hours, the left side of my fingernail (where the wound was inflicted) swelled up, and has progressively gotten worse each day, despite periodic cleaning and daily application of Neosporin at the site. Yesterday the pain was unbearable and I started to see pus, so today (4 days since the incident) I decided to see my doctor, who confirmed that I have Paronychia (an infection in the nail region, which may be a bacterial or fungal infection). He said that 9 times out of 10, these are caused by dirty nail instruments at nail salons. This was before I told him that I had my manicure done last Friday and that the nail tech had cut my finger. I went back to the nail salon and spoke with the owner (?) Helen, who was very aggressive and defensive. When she asked to see my finger, she accidentally (?) pressed the infected part, which caused me to scream in pain, and caused more blood to ooze out of the wound she inflicted on me last Friday. I told her that she never even apologized during my manicure last week, and that again she didn't even apologize for hurting me even more. Only then did she apologize, and smugly at that. I told her I had just seen my doctor and he confirmed that it was an infection, often caused by dirty nail instruments. Her response was to point at the toaster-looking sanitizers (not sure if those were autoclaves) and taunted me to call the Department of Health. I told her that there was no guarantee that she cleaned her instruments before working on me, and our "dialogue" escalated at that point. Before leaving I repeatedly asked her to give me the number for the DOH as I now intended to report her (I had no intention of doing this prior to this), which she refused to do. (EDIT: I have now reported this nail salon to the JC DOH, and am in the process of filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau). I am uploading a photo of my finger after today's visit to this nail salon and you guys can be the judge. I am now on antibiotics, and may have to return to my doctor's office on Friday (7 days after the manicurist cut my finger) so he can slice my finger to remove the pus if conditions do not improve. Normally I'm a big proponent of supporting local businesses, but I can't support this one based on the salon's practices and that owner's smug attitude. read more

Ultimate Nail Care - Doctor's diagnosis: Paronchia (Infection in the nail region), 4 days after the manicurist cut my finger at Ultimate Nail Salon - Nail Salons Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

I was brunching on Grove St Saturday and was in desperate need of a pedicure. I yelped what was around within walking distance and found this place. I was greeted as I walked in and was quickly ushered back to choose my color and sit at the pedicure chair. They have a nice selection of colors from OPI and essie. They also had several gel colors. The lady was very nice and worked quickly. I didn't see any magazines which was weird but the tv was on so that provided some distraction. I decided to turn on the massage chair and it was very powerful! lol Overall, a solid 3 star nail place. I have been to better but I have also been to worse. The pedicure was a decent quality and was $22 which to me is about an average price. I will probably be back if I find myself if need of a pedicure and am in the area. read more

Ultimate Nail Care - Store front - Nail Salons Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

This place doesn't deserve anything less than 5 stars. I found it by chance when I moved to the area and it's one of my go-to nail places. It's spic and span and very clean and organized. I always get a gel mani-pedi. And my nails look perfect each time. Once I chipped my nail a few days after my pedi and Helen, the owner fixed it back for me at no charge. She is very warm and welcoming and treats all her customers like friends. It's by appointment only and she gets booked up super fast. read more

Best manicure in Jersey City....Helen (the owner) is a one-woman show who is attentive, personable, and just all around the BEST! Book in advance as she is busy and has her regulars!!! I will not go elsewhere!!! read more

I love coming here. I used to hate gel manicure because I've had very bad experiences before at many other places where it doesn't last as long as they claim or my nails are filed soo much it hurts. But when I first tried here now I come religiously every two weeks. They have a variety of colors and super clean. Whoever does your nail here is very professional and do a great job (I know cause ive worked with all of them). read more

Amazing service!!!!Helen was very friendly, professional and did not rush at all, the prices are fair compared to other places in the same area but the quality definitely stands out here! read more

This is my main go to nail salon. The staff and the owner Helen are all sweet and accommodating. Would definitely recommend if you are in the area or from the area. read more

Ultimate Nail Care - Nail Salons Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

After some positive reviews, I gave this salon a try. As a first time customer, only cold service from owner and workers is what I have been treated. But I saw big difference when they faced the regular. The person who did my nail was hard to communicate with and only communicated by demanding dabs on my feet or hands. Well, a regular always begins with good impression and warm welcome. Apparently I won't be one. Especially, no one bothered to say thank you or come again when I stepped out of the salon. read more

After moving to the area and chewing up my nails from unpacking, I DESPERATELY needed a fill and tip repair. I chose this place as it was closest to my apartment. I walk in and tell her I need a fill and pedicure. I get the stare down and am gruffly asked what I have on my nails. Acrylics. She simply told me, (without looking at me and continuing to work on the woman there,) "we don't do acrylics." And continued working as I stood there. Sheesh! There are much nicer salons in the area that also do acrylics with less crotchety women. read more

Snowed in, antsy, and on the fourth viewing of the same movie in a three-day span, one becomes all too aware that her nails are a disgrace and her face may start to resemble a Wookee's. Such is the case recently when a dear friend (local) and I (visiting from Boston) decided to find the nearest nail salon from where we were staying at the time and at the very least try find *something* to go well with our red noses. My friend had passed this place during her normal day-to-day routines but had her own go-to in another part of town, and other friends local to JC didn't even bother to stay in town when they needed a fix, crossing the bridge to the Other City for their nail care. So neither of us had any idea what to expect, being that we had no reviews to go by - word of mouth or otherwise. Ultimate Nail Care is a pretty, clean, sweet little place, clearly run by people who know how to do it right. We both got great manicures, and they were attended to quickly and efficiently, and they have lasted quite well considering not just the everyday wear and tear of two working women, but the weather conditions and the necessary use of gloves. We both also got our eyebrows waxed, and we were both amazed at what a great job our technicians did! Normally, when a new person attends to one's eyebrows, the results could be almost disastrous - even when the technician is great at her job. It takes time for the waxer to get accustomed to what the customer wants and how they want to look, and while usually after a few trials and tribulations things work themselves out, it's usually an arduous process. Not the case here. My friend and I were quite impressed with the precision and obvious talent of our waxers (who were also responsible for our great manicures). Even better are the prices! Very affordable and fair. Cheaper than the other places both of us normally go to, and certainly less expensive than the ones our friends visit in Manhattan. I think this might just be Jersey City's hidden gem when it comes to nail care and waxing. I'll be back the next time I'm in town! read more

First timer. Waited 45 mins for EYEBROWS. then the owner told me i had only been waiting for 10! Even someone in the salon stuck up for me to say they saw me sit through two episodes of the stupid daytime TV show they had on. Not even an apology, which i'm reading is a habit. The lady who actually did my eyebrows was completely inadequate to handle the task. Wax burned my face, little hairs left all over, and she shortened my brows with is a REALLY stupid thing to do because anyone who does eyebrows has the common sense to know that depletes your shape. Because the girl didn't speak english well, when i asked her to stop she didn't understand and trimmed away. Horrible, horrible, horrible. Stay home or go elsewhere. read more

As I type, I am overdue for my next OPI gel mani and I need to go give Helen and the ladies a visit! The owner, Helen, and her staff are all a pleasure to spend an hour or two with for some pampering. She is very friendly and I have never received anything less than a warm, professional, friendly experience from her staff. They have a great location on Grove St. in downtown JC, so for me it's a quick walk from the PATH station. It is smaller than some of the competitors in the area near Newark Ave. but I find it to be much cleaner and never as crowded so it is sincerely an all-around win! If you are into long-lasting gel manicures as I am, Helen has several of the different types available, but the OPI gel color receives my nomination as the best because it is more gentle on your nails than the original OPI gel in the jars, yet it lasts longer than the Shellac. There are tons of beautiful colors to choose from at Ultimate and the prices are VERY reasonable! read more

clean, comfortable, great work, no attitude! this is my regular nail salon and i love Helen and her team! read more

Ultimate Nail Care - beautiful nails! - Nail Salons Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

Ultimate Nail Care is the only place to go in JC! I have been a regular customer since last October. Helen, the owner, is professional, friendly and getting my nails done feels like I am dropping in to visit a friend. She greets almost every customer by name. I appreciate the fact that she does NOT do acrylic nails- it is such a nice difference to not sit and suffocate with those fumes that are so glaring at other places. Her products that she uses are top-notch and the other staff are friendly as well. The salon is always immaculate and is tastefully decorated. She has coffee, tea, bottled water, cake and chocolates available for customers. She did a fundraiser for a local school, and her ties to the commnuity make her a real asset to Jersey City. Check out Ultimate Nail Care- you won't be disappointed! read more

I popped in here for a pedicure on my last evening in the US before moving. Getting my toes pampered and prettied sounded like a great pre-travel idea. The pedicure was nice - nothing special. Have I had better? Yes. But it wasn't bad, save for the 1st technician (1 started, 1 finished) on the pedi (who I believe was the owner) who nicked my big toe as she was trimming the nails. Not a biggie, it didn't draw blood or anything, but I did jump a little and didn't get an "I'm sorry." The same gal made me wait a really long time after I'd finished under the nail dryer to pay. The 2nd technician who finished things from about the 30% point onward was much better. A week later and the polish is still looking great. By the time I left, quite a few people were waiting and one gal was turned away due to lack of space so it seems that this place keeps busy enough. The services given were just fine, but the customer service could use some improving. read more

This is the WORST PLACE ON THE PLANET. I got a toe infection and I've been on antibiotics for a week and I still have to take more. I have an access under my toe. And will have to go to a specialist. It's unbelievable. read more

I LOVE this place and I'm in there every week--in fact, I just had a French done last night (although the manicures and pedicures last so long it's not necessary for me to go that often). Sevice is great and I never feel rushed. Additionally, the salon is IMMACULATE. There is no place else in Jersey City to get a fantastic $8 manicure!! read more

Ultimate Nail Care - my French manicure--so natural looking!! - Nail Salons Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

Would not recommend this place! Walked past on a Wed. afternoon in need of a gel manicure. Everyone was nice when I walked in & they took me right away. However, the woman who did my manicure barely spoke english & didn't seem to know what she was doing. She asked the owner several questions before proceeding with my manicure. I should've got up & left right then & there, but I gave her the benefit of the doubt. Bad move! She cut my cuticles without soaking my hands & ended the manicure by slathering cuticle oil all over my fingers. My nails look like a 5 year old did them- misshapen, sloppy cuticles & gel polish on my skin! I am extremely disappointed & somewhat embarrassed at how my nails look. But I learned my lesson! Prices in the city are cheaper with much better & more complete service. Stay away! read more

Helen is so wonderful..! Never rushes through her work. My gel nails and pedi always last long :) plus I love the massage I get during pedi. I am not surprised that there are so many regulars here. read more

I have always passed by this nail salon and really have not entered, until a girlfriend suggested it to me. So glad I listened! This place is great - the staff is professional and the place is clean. The prices are very reasonable as well. They use OPI and Essie polishes, which I love! As I was told, Mondays and Fridays are busy, so I'm definitely going to go on the off days. This will definitely be my new local nail spa! read more

Helen is So Friendly! Warm, inviting, and efficient! Tucked away on Grove street, I'm sorry I have not been in sooner to treat myself. Being in the beauty business I def apprecaite great customer service, it goes a long way. Not only that but she's very down to earth! Check out her space. read more

It's cheap (8 bucks for a mani), close to home, and an okay job. I was a little skeptic at first because it looks like a hole in the wall joint and I was used to going to Grace Nails (fancy brand new place opened in 2008), but they did a decent job and the girls/manager were nice. I had no problem booking an appointment (which I experienced every time with grace nails). The equipments definitely needs an upgrade though. read more

Called ahead to check on how busy there were. Was told I could come in at the time I requested. When I showed up they had a long wait of walk-in customers and told me they didn't take reservations by phone. Good thing there are other nearby nail salons... I won't be trying this place again. read more

I went to Ultimate today after receiving a 20% off coupon in the mail and reading Ericalynn g's review. It is small, but cute and comfortable, very clean. The nail polish was displayed very neatly. There was a table with coffee, tea and cake. The woman at the front table (who I believe is the owner) was very friendly and extremely professional. She let me know there would be a wait of about 30 mins. There is a small, but comfortable waiting area, but I chose to wait at the Starbucks at the grove st PATH station. When I came back 25 mins later I was taken care of immediately. The woman who did my eyebrows (also the same as my manicurist), was very sweet. The best wax I have ever gotten at a nail salon. Manicure was fine, nothing special. I did notice on the woman's card it said waxing and pedicure specialist. The prices were quite reasonable, comparable to the other nail salons in the area, but there was something special about Ultimate. It has a warm neighborhood feel to it, great addition to Jersey City. read more

If other reviewers hadn't like this place so much, I might've given it another star, but it just isn't as good as they say. Completely by coincidence I went into Ultimate the first week they were open. I was delighted to find that my fav pedicurist from another JC salon had moved to Ultimate. The owner was nice and the service was great. I've been back twice since. On my first return visit they'd been open a while, and the work was good, although both the owner and my pedicurist were more subued. I went in recently expecting the same level of work and was disappointed. It wasn't a bad manicure, but... the selection of colors has, I think, shrunk. I was looking for assistance to get a certain color/effect, and they seemed unable/unwilling to help. The owner was going to great lengths to help out a regular (semi-regular?), and I felt pushed around. The manicure seemed okay, but started chipping a day or so later. Waay too soon. I'm definitely going to be trying other local spots. read more

I could have experienced better. I always observe salon's sanitation practices while getting a mani/pedi. Let's just say I will not go back there. read more

Great job on my pedi, and my mani last 2 weeks! Very friendly, I was disappointed that there was no coffee or cookies left though.

Great, basic manicures and pedicures. This will be my new "regular" nail salon.

I walked in with two girlfriends, one of whom brought her newborn. The owner and staff were very welcoming, and made the new mother feel right at home. We all got pedi's, and two of us got mani's. The polish lasted for a very long time, and they had a pretty nice variety of colors. They also had cake and tea/coffee available. The owner and staff were very friendly, and I would definitely recommend Ultimate Nail Care. read more

I keep coming back here and am always happy. Helen really knows her nails. It's too bad they don't take appointments, but they're pretty good about fitting you in. Sure, you could go get a better spa pedicure somewhere else for twice the money. But for the value, this place can't be beat. read more

Don't bother. Place is a dump. It's not only small but it's outdated and old. I wanted to soak my gel nails with foil and a cotton ball on the nail. But the workers insisted this is faster. I had to put my whole fingers in a small puddle of acetone that didn't even cover the entire nail. No thanks dude! Nail salons should be up to date with their stuff. Let's start with buying a box of aluminum foil is only $5 at the supermarket... Sorry... I don't like writing bad reviews but I did waste 10 minutes being there and I didn't like the way they handled things. read more

I love coming here. Everyone is friendly and professional. Love that it's a smaller nail salon you get a very homey feel and the service is great. read more

I love this place and go almost every Saturday. I have always had great service. Helen and her staff are fabulous:):) This is definitely one of the best most affordable nail saons in JC. read more

I'm never very good at keeping up my manicure, so when I discovered the gel manicure I was THRILLED. $30 for a manicure that lasts for three weeks? I'm IN! I love this shop. The prices are great and the service is too. read more

When I called to make an appointment, she first let me know that they do not take appointments only first come first serve. This was okay for me on that particular day but might not work when I am on a strict time schedule. It is right across from the Path station so it is conveniently located in Downtown JC. The location could be updated a bit but isn't terrible. It is very small. They were pretty clean, but I still think there are areas in which they could do better. I am not a nail technician but watch everything that is done to my nails when I do get them done. Some of their methods were a bit strange compared to other salons I have been to. They had a good choice of OPI gel colors specifically which I find to always be the best. After doing research they have the cheapest Pedi in the area for 20 dollars. So after a Gel Manicure and Ped it came out to $52 before tip. So I didn't think that was toooooo bad. I will more than likely come here again but will also be trying other salons too. read more

Service was great. The owner did my pedicure and did an excellent job. The pedicure was great. I especially loved the exfoliant put on my calves and feet. I will be back again. read more

In my experience, if you are not a regular, or friends with the owner, they don't care about you. I've lived in the area for over 2 years now and have gone to Ultimate Nails purely because it's convenient. They generally do a good job, which is why I've gone back, but their service is sub-par. This is the only place that has ever yelled at me for reading my kindle while getting a manicure! Last week I rushed home from work just so I could get a manicure before they closed. I got there 6:43 (they close at 7) and they were already locking up the building! The prior day I walked by at 7:05, and they were still finishing up people that got there before 7. Between the poor treatment, unreliable hours, and the fact that they're closed on Sundays, I'll stick to other nail salons in the area. read more

This was my first time visiting this nail salon. I was quite disappointed. All the nail salons I have ever been to have done a much better job. I had a manicure and pedicure done. The nail polish of my finger nails chipped off after one day I got my nails done. I will not go there again! read more

$32 for a mani/pedi Based on a friends recommendation and the fact that I was in a rush, I tried this place. Never again! First off, the carpet floor creeped me out a little bit, but its tolerable. The real problem was the service. The pedicure was decent enough, but upon closer inspection, the coats are uneven and the cuticle job was sub-par. I wouldn't go there again. The real problem was the manicure, the woman who barely spoke english took out a file and made a gesture asking if it was ok to file. I nodded and said, "ok" thinking she was just going to shape them. She asked, "straight?" I replied, "ok but natural" and made a gesture that suggested a slightly round corner. She starts filing one nail and then moves to the next. Thats when I see she has filed down to my nail bed and in an awkward straight shape. I stop her and say, "can you soften the corners?" She looks and files one corner, not both, before moving on. I am so shocked that she thinks that is ok, that I just sit there with my mouth open for about 20 seconds. I try to get her to go back a fix it and she tries and fails. At this point, I realize the damage is done. When she finishes, my nails do not look uniform and they are soo short (some more than others) and crooked: it looks like I hand the hands of a 4 year old. On top of which, the polish job was crappy. But the real kicker was she had a wart on her finger and didn't cover it up!!! So my fingers were making contact with the wart!! I have no clue if they are contagious or not, but its gross! Cover it up! As if that wasn't enough, my cuticles and nail beds were sore and puffy for at least 4 or 5 days! Thank god I washed my hands and feet immediately after and covered them with purell. Do yourself a favor, and take the path to one of the Korean run places downtown: they do a much better job and cost the same amount. read more