Sandal weather is almost upon us and if your feet are looking a little… hobbit-y, it’s time to head for a pedi. We don’t trust just anyone to maintain our talons and trotters, and neither should you.
Here are the best nail salons in Vancouver when you need a mani/pedi, tried and tested by our friends and us.
Bling Nail Studio
Bling Nail Studio comes highly recommended for its ultra-blingy nails, but this salon can also do subtle: it’s known for flawless gel polish application – smooth, shiny and extremely long-lasting.
How much: $28 for a full mani (they don’t do an express version) and $30 for an express pedi
How to book: Call 604-568-8208
Address: 98 Keefer Place
Breathe Spa
“Amazing” was the word used to describe this swanky spa, which also offers facials, massage, scrubs and acupuncture. It doesn’t offer gel or shellac, just regular polish from 3-free brand Zoya. It’s not cheap and cheerful – more somewhere to head for a treat – but is a lovely calm spot amid the bustle of Granville Street.
How much: $60 for a mani and $80 for a pedi (each is an hour long)
How to book: Phone 604-688-4769 or email [email protected]
Address: 464 Granville Street
Jenny’s Nails On The Drive
This spot is just a few blocks up from Commercial–Broadway SkyTrain station. Clean and comfy, it does all kinds of manis and pedis, including some truly blingy nail art.
How much: $20 for a full mani and $28 for a full pedi
How to book: Phone 604-251-6672
Address: 2193 Commercial Drive
iNail Spa
Most salons expect you to know exactly what you want when you step in the door. This place will make recommendations and give advice based on your personal style and nail condition. Meticulous (don’t expect a fast job), your polish will look great for weeks.
How much: $20 for a mani and $30 for a pedi ($40 combination)
How to book: Phone 604-915-668
Address: 1075 Howe Street
Prep Beauty Parlour
Previously known as Studio by Mika Does Makeup, this is a favourite spot for bridal makeup and lashes as well as nails. Very highly rated for nail art – technicians can do just about any design. Gents aren’t ignored: there’s a men’s mani/pedi combo at $50
How much: $30 for an express mani and $35 for an express pedi
How to book: Phone 604-764-6452, email [email protected] or book online.
Varnish Nail Lounge
You can get virtually every colour imaginable at this studio, which uses brands like Butter London, OPI and Essie. Bonus: It’s above Beautymark, the specialist beauty retailer that carries cult favourites like Leaves of Trees and RMS Beauty. Right beside it is Collective Skincare, which offers waxing, facials and cosmetic acupuncture.
How much: $20 for an express mani and $30 for an express pedi
How to book: Phone 604-710-7546 or email contact@varnishnails.ca
Address: 1268 Pacific Boulevard
Sparkle Nail Salon
As much as we’d like to, we don’t always have time to linger in the nail salon. This place is fast, though not fancy, does a good job, and you don’t usually need to make an appointment.
How much: Regular mani $20 and pedi $35. Mani/pedi combo at $50
How to book: Phone 604-739-9269
Address: 1228 West Broadway
Onyx Aesthetics Studio
The only CND-exclusive salon in the Lower Mainland, this location has a boudoir-inspired design, and the walls are decorated with inspiring quotes by strong women. Owner and founder Linda Trang Ly persuaded us to have nail art for the first time (a tasteful geometric design) and they looked awesome. For hygiene purposes, each client gets a new nail file and you can take it home after your appointment if you like.
How much: $20 for a mini mani and $25 for a mini pedi
How to book: Phone 604-559-8055 or email [email protected]
Address: 421 Abbott Street
Beverly’s The Spa on 4th
If we want a pampering nail treat, we head straight to this Kits staple. Tranquil, with a proper spa atmosphere, it’s not a bargain, but you’re paying for the customer service, attention to detail and luxe environment.
How much: $35 for a mani and $65 for a pedi (includes polish or massage or paraffin).
How to book: Phone 604-732-4402, email [email protected] or book online
Address: 2185 West 4th Avenue
Luxor Hair Salon
We love this salon for both hair and nails. You can’t get regular polish – only Shellac and Gelish. Nail art is excellent, and technicians will do manis/pedis while you’re having your hair done.
How much: $40 for a Shellac mani and $45 for a Shellac pedi
How to book: Phone 604-266-4899 or email [email protected]
Address: 2173 West 41st Avenue
Joyride
This studio uses only non-toxic polishes (there are around 350 colours to choose from) and also has its own line of organic, all-natural body-care products. Service is friendly, the decor is chic, and nail art designs are runway-fresh – think gradient colour and negative space.
How much: $30 for a mani and $45 for a pedi. Nail art starts at $0.50 per nail, but is generally in the region of $5 per nail
How to book: Email hello@joyridevancouver.com, call 778-379-7433 or book online.
Address: 1758 West 4th Avenue
KitsilaNails
Reliable and reasonably priced, KitsilaNails offers the full range of nail services, plus facials, eyebrow/lash tinting and lash extensions. Lots of colour choice, and they can usually take walk-ins or do same-day appointments. There are two locations – West 4th and West 10th – but we like the West 4th best.
How much: $20 for a mani and $30 for a pedi
How to book: Phone 604-739-7979 or email [email protected]
Address: #102-2065 West 4th Avenue
Orchid Beauty Centre
This is not a chi-chi downtown salon, but when you can get a lasting gel mani in a clean environment for just $30 (including taxes), who cares? The salon also offers facials using Maria Galland products, and waxing and lash-tinting too.
How much: $17 for a full mani and $23 for a full pedi
How to book: Phone 604-873-9388
Address: 1298 Kingsway
Kaen Beauty Design Studio
Get just about any kind of design at this small studio run by Japanese nail artist Yasushi Arakawa, who has won umpteen awards for his work. Expect precision, quality (manis and pedis last and last) and good customer service. There’s also a hair salon offering Japanese perms and straightening treatments.
How much: $25 for a basic manicure and $36 for a basic pedicure.
How to book: Phone 604-696-6080
Address: 846 Thurlow Street
Spa Diva
If you’ve got more dead skin than Buffalo Bill, a regular pedi isn’t going to do much. Spa Diva offers medi-pedi services that can address problems like calluses and cracks, as well as ingrown toenails and fungal infections. There’s also reflexology as well as regular manis and pedis.
How much: $20 for an express mani and $45 for an express pedi.
How to book: Phone 604-602-7183 or email [email protected]
Address: 1736 Alberni Street
Element Spa for Nails
This recently renovated spot offers great manis and pedis, and your gel polish will last you up to three weeks. It offers waxing as well as nail services. We’ve only tried the original Homer Street location but there’s also a new outlet at Pacific Street.
How much: $20 for a quick mani and $35 for a quick pedi.
How to book: Phone 604-687-6245 or email [email protected].
Address: 1151 Homer Street
Yaletown Nails Spa
Possibly the cheapest nail salon in Yaletown, which explains why it’s so busy. Great service, long-lasting results and a warm and friendly atmosphere.
How much: $15 for an express mani and $25 for an express pedi. Full mani/pedi combo at $42.
How to book: Phone 604-568-6615 or email [email protected]
Address: 1260 Hamilton Street
E-Style Beauty Spa
You get a great mani/pedi here – we only changed the (regular) polish on our toes because it started to grow out. The team is super-friendly too – when we visited, the owner was celebrating her birthday, so there was cake for everyone.
How much: $29 for an express mani and $35 for an express pedi
How to book: Phone 604-559-9019 or email [email protected]
Address: 878 Homer Street
The Ten Spot
All the salons listed here are clean and hygienic, but this place goes the extra mile. Implements that can’t be sterilized are used only once and staff wear disposable gloves for pedis. There are no spa chairs or whirlpool footbaths because they’re said to be breeding grounds for bacteria, and pedi sinks are disinfected after every use. On top of that, they offer excellent manis and pedis, and Netflix in every room. And then there’s the complimentary toe-wax with every pedi.
How much: $22 for a quickie mani and $38 for a quick pedi.
How to book: Phone 778-379-5959, email [email protected], or book online
Address: 1006 Mainland Street
Tiffany Nail & Aesthetics
If you’re from North Van, you probably already know this spot. Known for its cleanliness, friendliness, and high-quality service, the salon also does waxing, lashes, and permanent makeup for brows, as well as eyeliner.
How much: $18 for a full mani and $30 for a full pedi.
How to book: Phone 604-971-3985
Address: 1838 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver
Nail Splash Studio
A West Van staple, this place is known for extremely friendly service and attention to detail. It’s extremely popular, so you might need to make an appointment or wait. They are not associated with the North Van location of the same name (which we haven’t tried).
How much: $20 for a mani and $30 for a pedi
How to book: Phone 604-922-1875
Address: 1876 Marine Drive, West Vancouver