Unprofessional, rude, and discriminatory. My experience at this salon was extremely disappointing. They do not respect appointment times, I had to wait with no explanation. On top of that, the staff was super cold, dismissive, and openly rude. They only accept cash, I didn't have any on me, so I had to insist on paying via Zelle. It felt like they were deliberately avoiding card payments, which raises questions.they are for sure 100% avoiding TAX . The technician who worked on me was unwelcoming from the start cold, barely spoke, and made me feel uncomfortable throughout. Still, I gave her a 15% tip through Zelle. Right after I sent the payment, she suddenly told me it would be her "last time" doing my nails, no explanation, no conversation. Why not say that before I paid and tipped? It felt dishonest and calculated. Worse, her attitude made it clear I wasn't being treated equally. Her behavior was racially insensitive and unprofessional. No customer deserves to be treated that way. I left feeling shocked, disappointed, and deeply disrespected. I would absolutely not recommend this salon. read more

Karen is amazing !! She takes her time and nails any inspiration picture you have !! I travel from west loop to see her every 4 weeks! Yes the nails last that long!!!! read more

Van T nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

There's 1 person here most days. If you call ahead they will never take an appointment. Seems like they don't want the business. try one of the other salons in the area instead .. they will at least TRY to accommodate you read more

Love coming here to see Karen! she does an amazing job and reasonable price with top quality!

Absolutely the best artist around. Karen is absolutely wonderful, call first cause she books up quickly. From a simple color to beautiful designs. Never been happier with my nails. Mine usually last for two to three weeks. ( my nails grow out fast plus I bartend) read more

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I've been to Van T nails twice now and I can confidently say Karen is one of the best nail techs in Chicago. She runs this business primarily on her own, as it's hard to find other nail techs that meet her well established high standards. Total queen. Karen is quick, efficient, detail-oriented, and able to make your nails look fire. If you're lucky enough to get an appointment with her, you won't be disappointed. Nails also last a long time, which is a huge benefit. Prices are fair for the skill and effort. Pro tip: don't show up late! Be on time or even a few minutes early! She's booked up and just one late customer can throw off the whole day. (Lesson learned) Another tip: salon is CASH ONLY *** read more

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I love getting my nails done with Karen! She does an amazing job! I work next door at Vesper Aesthetics so it's so convenient for me to have her next door. She is so talented. My nails always look great! I highly recommend her! read more

Van T nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Just discovered this place and am IN LOVE I asked for a bit of a tough design for my Disney trip coming up and got the PERFECT nails. 100% would trust for any specialty or wedding, beautiful artistic talent and work!! read more

Van T nails - Mickey-inspired French Dip - Nail Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was in desperate need of a pedicure and called this spot to get in for a mani pedi the day of. I was told that they had availability at 340pm and came at that time. I ended up waiting nearly an hour and decided to do pedicure only since I needed to get back home to my daughter. When I was younger this might have been ok but with a young kid, I can't afford to waste so much of my day with an appointment! The pedicure itself was fine and came to $35 but I will not be going back given this experience. Also cash only which is annoying read more

I discovered this nail salon earlier this year and am so happy I did! Karen is amazing! I see her regularly every two weeks and am always happy with the results. She is always busy, but takes good care of all of her clientele. I love not having any idea of what I want to do for my nails and letting her get creative. Her art is stellar. read more

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Amazing service! Beautiful work, Clean and professional. The most important thing always on time! Highly recommended

I've never had a no-chip manicure last more than 4 weeks. Karen did a great job and I will utilize her services again!

I've come here twice and i really want to like the place, but the quality of the work is not worth the price. Owner is super friendly and the space is new and very clean. We just aren't a match. I'd highly recommend an appt and arrive early. read more

I have said it once and I will say it again, Karen is THE BEST you will ever find in Chicago. I wish I had more time to go more often, but with small kids, you take what time you can get. She is committed to providing the best services and nail care. I feel spoiled now that I have found the best nail salon in the city and it's only 2 blocks from my house! You will not be disappointed and will love your nails for weeks. read more

The nail tech wanted $80 for simple chrome Nails and since they are unfortunately cash only, I had to switch my choice. I told the nail tech the simple design I wanted before she started on my nails. When she started doing the design, it was in the wrong color and when I corrected her she told me she couldn't do it in the color I asked for because it would take too many coats of polish. So I ended up just paying for a plain manicure, something I could have done myself. Very disappointing that I didn't get what I wanted. However, the manicure was fine just not what I asked for. read more

Karen always takes such good care of me and the salon is so beautiful and relaxing! We do a dip manicure, which I love because it lasts so long and allows me to grow my nails longer than gel or regular polish. There's a million colors and she can do designs! My nails last three weeks even though my hands are in water alllll the time. We do a gel pedicure because there's no risk of smudging since it's immediate dry and set. The pedicure chairs are dope and hit the most tense spot in my shoulders. Love love love! read more

Van T nails - Shiny nails! - Nail Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Karen is amazing. She was nice enough to take me in last minute and really took her time doing my nails. It was my first time doing dip and I loved it! Definitely coming back. read more

Van T nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went in here because I was in town visiting and the reviews/ other photos looked good. It was my first time doing dip powder and I was a little disappointed. Some of the nails seem uneven and the nail part under the French white seems cloudy/spotty. I specifically asked for them to be thin and it looks thick to me. Karen was very sweet but I'm not happy with these nails. read more

Van T nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Both times I have been to Van T nails there has been horrible service. Appointments start 20 minutes after scheduled days in advance. There is no ask for what type of nail shape is needed. And the nail lady aggressively asks you to sit up because she won't sit closer and allow you to lean back while getting a luxury service you are paying for. I was also charged $38 for a no chip for a basic polish change while she worked on another customer. I really don't see the value here and will never be going back. read more

Van T Nails is a platinum salon. Today, I had a dip French manicure/pedicure and let me tell you that it was top notch. Karen is friendly, hardworking, and helped me to feel my best. I felt so pretty because of the additional service I tried today. Karen suggested brow waxing and eyelash tinting. Karen's suggestion changed my day. Thank you Karen for your amazing commitment to customer service and your dedication to your practice. You made my day! Everyone should go to VAN T NAILS. read more

I've come to Karen a few times since moving to the area and she has been amazing each time. I'm not one to write reviews but she deserves it. I broke my dip nail on Friday afternoon right before leaving to go out of town. She was jam packed with clients and asked for me to come in later (totally understandable as it's rush hour for her). I explained that I couldn't do that but I'll just figure it out. Karen pitied me enough to call me back and take me in despite her chaotic schedule. She is extremely knowledgeable (trust her recommendations) but she is also very sweet. I will never go anywhere else again. read more

Van T. Nails is super clean and professional. Karen is very accommodating, takes her time and does an amazing job with her nail designs. She is also so friendly and really gets to know her customers. I will be back! read more

Van T nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Best nail place I've been to in chicago! Karen is amazing and always keeps my nails looking great! Highly recommend this place!!! read more

Van T nails - Amazing winter nails! Karen is the best and will always get your nails looking amazing! - Nail Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Owner is very nice and salon is very clean. Best dip nails around Wrigleyville! My go to!

Great nail salon! Karen took her time and did a wonderful job with my dip set! They were perfect and very reasonably priced. read more

Van T nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have now gone to see Karen at Van T Nails twice, and both times were great experiences. The whole shop is lovely to be in- totally revamped with all new items and equipment- including brand new pedicure massage chairs! I got an upgraded no-chip pedicure my first time in, and Karen removed a gelx set I did my first dip powder set! I won't go back to acrylic. She did a beautiful job both removing my previous set and applying a new one. I'd recommend stopping in beforehand or calling ahead of time to see what appointment times are available for the service you need. It is a super convenient location with a lot of things to do nearby. I really had a great experience. You will get quality work from Karen and her team at Van T Nails. read more

Love this salon and will absolutely be coming back. Super clean, bright, and welcoming. Karen is the owner and will greet you as soon as you walk in. They offer a bunch of services but I always go with a dip manicure and no chip pedicure. Their entire back wall is covered with so many dip colors to choose from. It's located in a great neighborhood as well which is a plus. I highly recommend trying out this salon!!! read more

Karen is amazing! This is not the place you go to if you want some fast nails that last you a week or two. Karen really takes her time and the final product is always amazing and my nails last me a month or even longer! Her pricing is great for the quality. I've seen her dip work which is gorgeous but I personally get gel x which she does an amazing job at. This time around she did some dry flowers on some of my nails and I love the way they turned out! I 100% recommend this place she runs it all by herself and does an amazing job! read more

Van T nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I got nail extensions done out of state and was looking for a local place to get them removed. I called this business and was rudely told that they wouldn't do it because I wasn't a customer already and had gotten my extensions done somewhere else. Guess I won't be a customer now! Luckily I found a different nail salon in the neighborhood that was happy to help me out. read more

I'm obsessed with coming to this nail salon. Karen is always so nice and amazing at doing nails. I always get compliments on my nails and it's all thanks to Karen. This is the best nail salon! Thank you Karen and team. read more

Nice worker and clean shops . Thank you for did the great nail for me .I'll be back again read more

Van T nails - I love it!!! - Nail Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Let me put this straight - just don't go there if you are a person of color. I felt that I was discriminated couple days ago by the Asian salon worker.. and I am Asian myself. I know it sounds odd, but I don't have any other clue on how to interpret this situation.  I went to this salon for the first time because it was close to my house - I needed to do a quick pedicure during my lunch hour. Once I entered the salon I felt that I was not welcomed. Technician's (she is Asian too) name was Hien Ma, and her American name is Karen. The technician was doing the manicure for a very sweet Caucasian lady, they were having some fun conversation and the technician was very cheerful and open towards that white lady.  She asked me promptly if I wanted mani or pedi, so I told her that I need to remove the old gel on my toes, no coloring needed, just hygienic pedicure. Miss Hien Ma went and turned on the tub and said go sit to #3. The water was cold. I told her that the water was too cold, to what she responded quite harshly that I need to wait until it will get warm. Well, ok. Eventually water got warm, I was sitting there soaking my feet for 30 min while she was still doing mani for the other lady. She didn't give me any heads up how long will it take for her to help me, neither didn't tell me to wait, maybe, on the chair instead of soaking my feet in "soon-to-be-cold-water-again". The whole vibe already, sort of, ruined my day, I wanted to leave, however, I already was sitting there for 30 min soaking my feet and decided to stay and see how it goes. While I was sitting there I asked for the Wi-Fi password, as my lunch hour was about to be over and I had my laptop with me. I needed to login and get back to my remote work. Miss Hien Ma glanced at me made and after about good silent minute finally replied "Yes". Relieved, I was looking at her and waiting, I thought she will tell me the Wi-Fi information, but she didn't. She carried on having wonderful and friendly conversation with her customer. I waited for other 3-4 min and asked again If she can give me password. Well this time she got mad because I interrupted her chit chat with other lady, so she stood up and brought me a nail filer with password on it, thank you very much. I was thinking that i am, probably overreacting, until couple more clients entered the salon. Her attitude shifted 180 degrees, she is the sunshine all over again, smiling and double checking the temperature in the tubs, making sure that everything is perfect. Do I need to tell you that these ladies were white? Yeap, they sure were. Eventually the tech started doing my pedi, I sincerely attempted Despite my attempts to engage Miss Hien MA (Karen) in conversation, but unfortunately she avoided eye contact and didn't respond to most of my questions. I don't know what was the reason of her behavior, maybe she saw that I'm Asian and won't tip her. I always tip well, but today she didn't even deserve 1$. When she finished my pedi, she didn't say "I'm done", she just stood up and started washing her hands and instruments, and that's when I realized that she was done. She didn't say "Bye", just absolute silence as if I don't exist. I just want to say "Karen or Hien, you have to treat people equally." I have never been treated like this in any place, but this place was exceptionally horrible. Thank you, I am done! read more

5 stars is not enough! I'm recommending Karen and Van T Nails to all my friends and neighbors! I've been going to another nail salon regularly for about 3 years, so was reluctant to try somewhere new but I'm glad I did! Van T Nails opened up right around the corner from where I live, so I figured I'd give them a try. Karen is AMAZING! She is so talented! I typically just get boring square nails with neutral colors, but Karen talked to me about different styles and designs, as well as the differences between dip, gel, acrylic, etc. I've never had a stylist that took the extra time to teach me. After talking with Karen, I decided to try dip and go with an almond shape. I'm so in love with the results! Karen is amazing and I couldn't recommend Van T Nails more! read more