I just moved to Winchester from Brighton and have FINALLY found an acceptable nail salon. The good, bad, and ugly: 1) THE GOOD: The place has enough workers so I have never had to wait -- I can walk right in. Also, the massage chairs are comfy. 2) THE BAD: Not enough of a selection of colors (at least compared with what I'm used to). 3) THE UGLY: Inconsistent service. I've had terrific pedicures here, but also ones that were less-than-stellar. In short, I recommend this place! read more

First, I stopped last week and asked how much they charge for a powder dip showing him my nails. He told me $60. Today I went in to get them done and he talked me into a pedi while my nails were soaking. For $40 I was in the pedi bath for 10 mins. All she did was trim my nails and take off the existing polish. No scrub, hot towels or rocks. The massage in each leg was less than a minute. I questioned her, told her what I get normally for $40 and then she starts yelling at me. I then tore off the toe separators. Whereas I was stuck now having the guy finish my nails since they were in tinfoil. Then, when I went to pay, he wants to charge me $90 and I said I'm not paying for the pedi. Then tells me my nails are $70! I was only going to pay $10 for the water in the pedi but ended up paying $20. I then handed him a credit card where he then informed me they no longer have a machine and only take cash! I normally don't have cash on me but for some reason I did.... Never again! No matter what, You never, ever yell at your customers for any reason! Gail Stewart read more

excellent, immaculate, careful, creative. I stopped going to my podiatrist because their pedicures were more carefully done. Huge color assortment, beautiful worl. Highly recommend. read more

Clean efficient salon friendly service excellent quality vivian is a true artist customer for 10 years

First yelp review I've ever done, and if I could give them negative stars I would. My daughter just went in to have her dip polish removed. The man took a plastic nail tip and shoved it under the dip polish and pulled it off. Her nail tore off with it. When she questioned it, she was told her nails were unhealthy. She countered this and asked why they weren't soaking them in acetone. He said that's not how they do it and proceeded to peel the rest off. She was upset that they tore them off and said she didn't want him to polish them because he just broke them all off. He said he could put tips on if she wanted them long. She's refused because she now needs to allow her nails to recover. He said they would not get healthy without gel polish. So she accepted. She's a high school student and did her best to advocate for herself, but this salon is beyond bad for customer service. I phoned to inquire about the situation and Vivian continued to claim they did nothing wrong. I believe it is wrong to proceed with something when a customer expresses dissatisfaction. I requested a refund. She flat out refused. Said I could call city hall but that if we paid for a service she won't give the money back. Then she hung up on me!!!!! I am in disbelief and am beyond dissatisfied. We will certainly never frequent this salon again and I strongly encourage others to avoid it as well. read more

I needed my gel polish removed to let them breathe for a while. My favorite spot in town has too busy for my walk-in so I went around the corner and saw that Vivians was not as busy. Was that a premonition? When I told the gentleman who was doing my nails that I simply wanted the polish removed, he looked at my hand and replied, "Well, your nails aren't going to look good without polish. I'm just saying, but it's up to you." Nice way to make a woman feel good about herself! There are a gazillion different approaches for upselling but saying that ain't one of them. (Plus, my nails look pretty good au naturel!) He didn't have me wash my hands before or after the service. Ew. And he charged two dollars more than my fave, cleaner, non-judgmental place around the corner. Next time, I'll remember to make an appointment there. read more

I WILL NEVER GO BACK!! I had my first and last appointment at that place. I was looking for a local place to do my gel nails (refill in this case) and I know that not all salons do that. I live in WInchester and I looked up VIvian's and decided to give them a try. I had an appointment with Tran(g) this morning. First, to say that he was rude is to really say nothing: his attitude was as if I am encroaching in his home: after unsuccessfully attempting to start a small talk to break the ice, I just shut up - he was sitting there with his grim and unfriendly face and was giving me short "yes" and "no" answers in a very brush-offish tone. I was then surprised that he was not going to do a bonder first (the whole foundation for the gel to keep as a whole) - and I asked him about it. He told me with irritation that each salon does it differently, that my nails are not the first ones he is doing and that he knows how it is done. Second, he only did one layer - again, to my surprise. I made a comment in a friendly tone to him about it (as if not making a big deal), and he brushed me off again. In the meantime, a lady in the chair next to me complained to her manicurist that the manicurist was shoving her hands into a UV machine to deeply, it was making her uncomfortable. There was a lot of unfriendly blubber in Vietnamese to all of this, and the lady finally had to make it clear that what her manicurist was doing was not making sense. When my nails were ready for polish (and there was no hand massage, no lotion, no cuticle oil applied), he told me "it's 25 dollars. gimme 5 dollar on top". In a tone that did not presumed any room. The way I felt I would have not given him a penny - but I was not ready to have a fight with him in public and he still had to do my manicure! I paid him and asked about the lotion - to which he said "after, after". When my manicure dried, he plopped a bottle of lotion in front of me. I said "I guess, you don't do any hand massage, do you" He walked off to clean his entrance door with a Windex saying as he was walking "Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't". I guess, I was the unlucky one who he didn't do it to! When I was leaving, not only no one told me "thank you" or " good bye" or "would you like to make another appointment" - they all had their grim, unfriendly faces, and Tran(g) was leaving the room all together. Needless, to say I WILL NEVER GO BACK. I will see how my nails are doing (I've never had it done this way and I really doubt they will survive the requisite for gel timing) - but it was a very, very unpleasant and unbecoming for Winchester experience. I am not sure yet regarding the quality of their work - but the rude treatment, unfriendly atmosphere and the luck of professionalism was overwhelming. Everyone I spoke to about it this morning encouraged me to leave a comment so people avoid repeating my experience. read more

very professional and pleasant people. always easy parking and I've never had to wait more than 5 minutes. I highly recommend Vivian's Nail Salon in Winchester MA read more

They are doing an exceptional job managing the Covid guidelines. Their place is always very clean anyway but as you walk in the door they sanitize your hands. Everyone is in masks and they have shields up at every station. They are also spacing customers out so there aren't too many people in the salon at one time. They are really nice people and do a great job. read more

This place is all about get them in and get them out. I am the client. Why should I be telling the manicurist to even out my nails. She left them pointy and straggly. I will never be returning here I feel like less of a person after getting my pedicure done. read more

I used to go to Vivian's all the time, and never really had a problem. However, the more I came here the more loud children started to ruin my manicure experience. Whenever I would sit in a chair to get my nails done, a child would either be kicking my chair or complaining loudly to a parent. Not a good atmosphere. read more

I occassionally stop in here when I'm in the area to get nails and toes done. Never disappoints!

Well. i like them. The place is clean , pretty and airy open plan.i love all the luxurious steps ao I notice when they are missing. I find they are inconsistent so you don't know what you are going to get. I have been to 4 different manicurists there and they all prepped me differently. One didn't use the fan or uv light and told me I would be dry in 15mins and gave me no drying coat and sure enough my nails all smudged and looked like that at my event as i didn't have time to fix them. :( But having said that i do like them all. they were always very polite and friendly to me. I just wish management would insist on consistenty of steps so no one leaves dissapointed. Hopefully they'll read this and do just that. :) Thanks! read more

MY FIRST AND LAST TIME THERE. I went to get a Shellac manicure done and a male manicurist took me in. In between every step of the process he got up to do something, don't know exactly what since I was distracted watching TV at first. However, I became annoyed at his behavior and the service was taking way too long. After the 2nd polish coat, I placed my hands in the UV light and he walked away, again. I finally look behind me and there he was giving somebody a pedicure! What the funk?? After 3 minutes I took my hands out of the UV light, like it's supposed to be done! One of the Asian ladies noticed and told him in their language. He came over and asked why I aren't my hands placed in the UV light, told him because they're not supposed to be there for more than 3 minutes, duh! He looked at me and just smiled, then finished the job in a sloppy way, saying that my thumb nails might not be completely dried (they actually were fine). I got up, paid, gave him a crappy tip and walked away as fast as I could. I'll stick to the manicure places in my home area, where my time is valued and the service is good. read more

My daughter and I go in here about once every two months. They are always very nice and take extra time to do flowers and other decorations on my daughter's little nails. I don't get anything like gels but they do a good job consistently. read more

I come here basically any time I get a Mani pedi. The staff is nice and I like Vivian the best. They have nice massage chairs but they don't clean out their foot tubs the correct way, so I don't have them scrub my feet, I just let them cut and paint my toenails. They always do a good job of painting my nails and toes, but the polish is so thin that it chips in the first few days every time. Also, they have a very small color selection and that is a big downside for me. The prices are good in my opinion, but I wish the color lasted a lot longer. Maybe next time I should get gel or shellac because normal polish doesn't last long from this place. read more

Don't ever go here!!!! I just left. I had a male technician and he was rude and insulting. I have arthritis and a few of my fingers are crooked. He was visibly disgusted and when he began filing my nails I asked him to trim them as they were a bit to long. He fumbled and was twisting and pulling at my fingers, mumbling under his breath. I asked him not to be so rough as he was hurting me. He said why don't you go somewhere where they know how to do your nails! he put his clipper down and said go. I have never met anyone so unprofessional and rude. read more

WARNING: Unsanitary salon. I watched them clean the pedicure tubs in between clients. I was mortified when I watched. They think you are not really looking, but being a nurse, I wanted to make sure they used hygienic techniques. I don't call washing the pedicure tub down with cold water and drying it with a towel sanitary. When I questioned why they didn't use a disinfectant or clean the tub very well, all they could say was, "Yes I did, Yes I did." I watched the entire thing and nothing other than water was used to clean the foot tub. I decided to leave as I didn't feel safe with their idea of cleaning. After speaking with some friends about my experience, they proceeded to tell me of many people they knew who had gone there and gotten nail infections. Board of health should be checking them out. Stay away! read more

GREAT - clean great pleasant service, Vivian is an artist. I go weekly for services --highly recommend

This is the only place I go in town. I think they're nice, clean and efficient and have good prices. My pedis always last a good long while too. read more

I've been a client for the last three years to Vivian's Nails. I used to be very happy with the place and service. Today Vivian mistreated me in a very bad way because I wanted to give tip with card and because I wanted to have a Manipedi and I arrived 50 minutes before closing (which I didn't know). I won't be back and I won't recommend to go there anymore. I'm really disappointed. read more

I tried this place only because i was short on time and it was close. My appointment was at 330 and i sat & waited till 355 before the MALE waved me over. I've been getting my nails done for 10 years or so every 2 weeks (give or take) & this is the WORST job ever! I told him what i like and wanted seeing i needed a full set (unfortunately) and they look like my 3 y/o grandaughter did them! I have removed 1 alread because theyre SO uncomfortable! At least 3 more have to go. i called to ask for my 30 dollars back (seeing i have to get them redone) and they refused but offered to try and "fix them" NO WAY! I would recomend you pass right by this place & i wouldnt go back if they offered FREE FILLS FOR LIFE! Not worth the time and pain. From what i saw he was the only male working there! read more

I was extremely disappointed in the comments and ratings that Vivians salon received. My family and I as well as the majority of my firends have been going there for over 5 years. I have NEVER found the salon to be dirty.or unclean. I have seen them consistenly cleaning and they always clean the tub after each pedicure. Tran struggles with the english language and can come across the wrong way at times but not intentional. He takes great pride in his work and knowledge of his profession and I see nothing wrong with that. I would prefer someone tell me what would be best opposed to just doing what I wanted if it is bad for my nails. Vivian and Tran came to this country to make a better life for them and their son. They work 7 long days a week and have sacrificed alot to make it in America. They are the only salon I go to and they have a very strong following. read more

First time going, as I was in the area and it was close by. I liked that there was at least something half way interesting on the TV...AC could have been a little cooler considering how hot it was today. As other people have mentioned, it definitely feels like unless you are a regular (a woman who they knew by name sat next to me and chatted easily, clearly talking about conversations they had started in the past)...you won't get the time of day conversation-wise...which is fine - I wasn't looking to chat but the one word answers were enough for me to stare at the TV while he finished my gel manicure. The gel light where your hands are placed kept blinking on and off which was irritating & made me feel like maybe it was broken but he kept pressing the button on it- concerning. Quality is unsure at the moment as I just got them done today but we'll see. The reason why I will not be returning though is because when I went up to pay...there was a minute of awkwardness before I finally asked how much I owed...like...was he not going to say anything?! I always browse new places checking for the price board which should be in pretry easy freakin view...but this place..it was not. Anyway...he then said "how are you paying?" It's unclear to me how this would affect the price of service...but I said cash and him and one of the girls said something in vientmese and he then turned to me and said $25...Im aware that this is standard for a gel manicure but the whole interaction of it was shady. I'd recommend another posh salon in Winchester. I'm betting theres a more professional place. The reviews about them not being sanitary with their pedi-tubs is a huge no for me as well - so glad I didn't get a pedicure while I was in there. read more

they always take the time to do my nails perfect and exactly how i want them. clean and pretty inside, lots of choices of designs!

WOW! reading the negative revews breaks my heart. i have been going to vivian and tren since they opened in 4/2009. they have always done a wonderful job. they, like many americans came to this country from another country for a better life for themselves and their sweet son. so many of the reviews sound culture bias. back to nails. if you have an issue with your nails they will do them over at no cost (within reason) of course they are not going to give you your money back. they are not a retail store. i am very picky about how my nails look. i am always thrilled when i leave the place. an nett read more

I will never go back again!!! Worst pedicure I have ever gotten! The owner was rude and not friendly at all. He pushed my foot into the water and was not nice. I asked him if I could put my other foot that he wasn't working on in the water; he yelled at me and said no! He told me "Don't give him a hard time". He also left me while he went to the front desk to cash someone out in the middle of my pedicure. He jammed my sandles on my feet and smudged the polish. I tried to overlook everything but it was just too much. At the end I asked to speak to the manager/owner and it was him. I told the lady at the desk how awful he was and that he isn't a people person. She offered to do my nails over but I will never go back there again!!!! I usually go to another nail salon but I decided to try this as it was close to my house. There are so many better places that may be a little more expensive but well well worth it!!!!!! read more