Manicures & Pedicures
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March 2010
I am wondering if there are any salons/spas in the
Berkely/Oakland/Albany (or even Walnut Creek) area where you
can have cocktails and manicure/pedicures?? I am trying to
put together a mommies day of indulgence party. There would
probably only be about 5 or 6 people attending. Any ideas?
thank you for your help!
Check out Entourage Salon in Orinda...I go there to get my
haircut but have not done a 'party' there; however, I know
they offer them. It is a beautiful salon with excellent
customer service and well set up to 'pamper'! Have fun!
Andrea
June 2009
Dear BPNers,
I noticed a new nail spa in Kensington on the Arlington. Does anyone
know if it is baby friendly?
Diane
The new Kensington Nail Spa is a great place to relax, with or
without your baby. On Wednesdays, they are offering a 10% discount
to anyone who brings their babies along. It is women-owned and
operated, and, if the super-friendly ladies look familiar to you,
you might recognize them as family members of the popular Inn
Kensington restaurant a few doors down. The spa is very clean,
with an emphasis on sanitation. I highly reccommend it!
Laura
August 2008
Does anyone know of a salon in the Oakland/Piedmont area that gives a
manicure while also giving a shoulder & neck massage? Or do you know of a
nice salon where you can pay extra to get a massage while getting your
mani? A 3rd option would be a salon that gives massages in 1 room and does
manicures in another...I live off Piedmont Avenue so anywhere in the
neighborhood or Lakeshore/Grand would be ideal.
Thanks!
mani/massage lover
Sol Y Mar Salon & Day Spa on Piedmont Avenue, just a couple of doors west
of Piedmont Springs, is exactly what you're looking for. It just opened
a couple of months ago and I'm already a huge fan. Everything's new and
the services and treatments are tremendous.
Here's the website: http://www.solymardayspa.com/
ttkblx
March 2008
I'm looking for a quality (yet affordable) nail shop in/near
Albany...any recommendations?
Hello-
My favorite is Mai Beauty Nails....great prices & great service.
Sharyn
I absolutely love and swear by a shop called Bebe Beauty Salon
at 701 San Pablo in Albany. Their phone number is: 524-7285.
(The cross street is Portland). A mani/pedi is only $30 and
they use Opi polish. I find that my polish stays fresh and
doesn't chip like others places do. They also do a really
long massage on your legs and arms, it is fabulous value and a
quality shop. Go visit Bebe! Most times I go I don't even
have an appt. and they make time for me. I have also brought
my 3 and 6 year old in and they only charged me $5 to have
their nails and toes painted!:) Bebe fan
May 2007
Can anyone recommend a nail salon or somewhere to get a
manicure/pedicure where either they use non-toxic polish and
materials, or one that is very well ventilated? I can't breathe
in most nail salons - and would love to go somewhere where some
of the healthier kinds of stuff is used.
Must be some in this area?
check out joi nail salon on solano in berkeley. they carry
regular brands (like essie & opi) but also some non-toxic ones
(non-toluene, maybe?). anyway, it's a very nice relaxed
experience and never reeks of those awful fumes. i've been
there now two or three times and have always been pleased with
my pedicures. hope that helps!
breathing free
I can't rave enough about the Nail Spa on Telegraph in Berkeley. They
have excellent
ventilation and have a full line of non-toxic/vegan nail polish. Not to
mention their
wonderful indulgences like aromatherapy salt scrubs and other treatments.
They even
have an autoclave so there's no issue with cleanliness. They will be
opening another
location on College across from Safeway sometime in the next few months.
You can
call them at 510-644-9900 or visit their website at:
http://www.nailspa.biz/
Melissa
try cuticles on park blvd. in glenview. it's been open about a year now
and owned and
operated by two women from the claremont spa. they are sweet and
professional. they
take pride in their cleanliness and spa-like products, and the salon is
like no other nail
salon you've seen. it's a little on the pricey side, so i only frequent it
as a treat; but,
well worth it when i do.
pedicure junkie
Azul Spa on Encinada off Solano in Berkeley has none of that
icky smell about it. They don't do the plastic nails there
which I think is the main source of that noxious smell plus it
is well ventilated. Also, you get the feeling that everyone is
making ok money there too to ameliorate any liberal guilt one
might have.
Sarah
Joi Nail Spa on Solano is exactly what you are looking for. I highly
recommend it.
Liz O.
I've been going to Chantee at Hair to Serve in the Beauty Center
store on Piedmont Avenue since 1999. She runs a one-woman,
multi-service salon and has lots of regulars, so call ahead and
make an appointment 510-923-1339. Because she is the only person
there doing nails or hair, you won't be drowning in a sea of
other people's chemicals during your service. I love the fact
that she is very meticulous and takes her time with each client.
And she is impeccably clean with all her equipment and tools.
It's not like a nailshop assembly line. Prices are not rock
bottom cheap, but very reasonable and worth it for the extra care
she takes. She sees lots of clients for hair, so the nail polish
only comes out now and then.
A devoted regular
Feb 2007
Can anyone recommend a nail salon in Albany or Berkeley which
does a good job with acrylic nails? Preferably someplace
reasonably priced which takes walk-ins, not a salon or spa. Thanks!
MB
Try Emily at Ashby Nails, right across from the BART flea market. She
does excellent work and her son, as well. I have gone there loyally for
years.
A satisfied customer
Sara's Nails in El Cerrito Plaza does lots of acrylic nails
(silk wrap, gel and regular acrylic), does a good job, and takes
walk-ins (there are usually 6-7 manicurists working there).
anon
May 2003
I must have missed this day in ''How To Be a Woman''
class! I went to get my nails done and was amazed at all the
choices of things to have done. What's the difference
between acrylic nails, gel nails, silk nails, and crystal nails?
Is one kind actually better than another?
destined for glamour
There is, indeed, quite a bit of glamour in nails. A word of
caution, however, as you embark upon the beauty of glued-on
stuff. A 1995 article by the Food and Drug Administration, and
recently (beginning in 1997, and continuing in greater numbers)
several outbreaks of disease in hospitalized patients
(including the deaths of about a dozen newborns in one hospital
in the midwest) have been associated with either long natural
nails or artificial things stuck to one's nails. It is
impossible to clean the potential space between the artificial
nail appliance (gels, wraps, overlays, nails, jewelry, etc.)
and the natural nail. The glue that sticks the stuff on is a
food source for microorganisms, and protects them as they
multiply. Perhaps it was better to have missed that day in
the ''How to be a Woman'' class. There are other ways to have
glamorous nails, such as buffing or polishing.
A word to the wise healthcare consumer: The unwashed hand of
the health care professional (dentist, doctor, nurse,
practitioner, medical assistant, etc.) is the number one
transmitter of microorganisms, and could put you at higher risk
for healthcare-acquired infections. Ask your healthcare
professional to cleanse their hands (with either soap and
water, or with a waterless, alcohol-containing rub, gel, or
foam) in front of you before every examination or procedure.
Amy
I had fake nails for years, mainly acrylic and silk. Silk is
thinner and less obvious when they start to grow out. They
basically put a piece of silk over your nail and glue it down.
WIth the other types, they put a synthetic liquid over your nail
that hardens and makes your nails thicker. All of the above can
be used over your natural nail or with a fake nail tip. Here
are the drawbacks of all nail systems: 1. They reguire regular
maintenance and look really bad when they start to grow out
unless you get them maintained. If you don't do regular
maintenance, you risk getting water under them and getting
fungus. 2. They are way toxic--the fumes you breathe in the
salon and the waste they generate. Definitely not eco-
friendly. 3. They require having your own nail filed and
eventually your nail gets paper thin. I have seen people whose
nails have never recovered. Personally, I think you are better
off getting a regular polish manicure and skip the overlays.
Elizabeth
Oct 2004
I'm looking for a manicurist (Berkeley, Albany, El Cerrito area)
for a French Manicure that will hopefully last a couple of weeks.
Recommendations and prices would be greatly appreciated!
Shelley
Sherry at Elixir on Hopkins Street in Berkeley gave me a
manicure that lasted two weeks (I did wear gloves to do
dishes). Lovely shape and long-lasting, too! 526.1700
anon
I like Mais Beauty Nails in El Cerrito. It is on San Pablo Ave
across from JV center. They are reasonable and very good.
b3rkl33m0m
June 2004
Hello,
I'm looking for a clean, reasonable nail salon. I live in the
Claremont Canyon above the Claremont Hotel. Any suggestions?
anon
Well, since you live above the Claremont, there's always the
Spa at the Claremont, but if you're looking for something more
affordable (albeit further away), I highly recommend Polish on
Piedmont Avenue. They are scrupulously clean, and obsessed (in
a good way) with sanitation. Their services are very reasonably
priced for the quality of the work they do. They use the
highest quality products (polishes like Essie, Chanel, Deborah
Lippmann), which may not be to their benefit because pedicures
can last up to a month. They also offer discounted, "express"
services where they give you a spa quality manicure or pedicure
without the frills. It's still plenty relaxing and pampering,
but it's less expensive and perfect if you don't have a lot of
time to spend. This is their website: http://polishspa.com/
I just found a great--and affordable--salon for a luxurious
pedicure: Argania Salon, 1801 MLK, 883-1832. It's a spacious
and pleasant salon, and there's only one manicurist, so it's not
all full of nail polish fumes. She spent close to an hour and a
half on my feet, and it cost only $30 (price goes up to $35
starting July 1). If you go, tell her the very pregnant woman
recommended her!
Pregnant and polished
May 2003
I am looking for a reasonably priced place to receive a quality
maniure and pedicure. I only do this about every three to four
months adn would like to find someplace that is unhurried and
relaxing. I would appreciate any recommendations. Thank You!
I have consulted the existing recommendations, but they seem to
be quite old.
elise
I recently had the best manicure and pedicure of my life at
Moonshadow Salon at 2634 Ashby in Berkeley. Halina Myca is most
thorough and professional. The charge is $46, which isn't cheap,
but it also takes about 1.5 hours. She also uses a nail polish
line (Zoya, I think?) that does not have harsh chemicals. The
salon's number is 510-841-4696.
Kristin
A really good place for a manicure/pedicure is DTN Nails on Mt.
Diablo Blvd in Lafayette. I live in Berkeley and make the trip
out there occasionally just because they are so good and
reasonably priced. They charge about $22 for a pedicure. You
sit in the massage chair and they do a full pedicure plus a 5-10
minute foot massage on each foot! It feels great. They also do
the paraffin treatment free of charge if you want it. Most of
all, I just get really good pedicure's there that don't chip.
There's a place I go in berkeley occasionally when I can't get
out to Lafayette and their work is just much more sloppy.
have fun
December 2002
Can anyone recommend an excellent manicurist in/near Berkeley who
charges less than $25.00?
Lynde
Top Silk Nails on San Pablo Ave at Marin gives a nice manicure
for about $10. They also have spa chairs for a relaxing
pedicure. The owner, Ana, has an amazing orchid collection. 524-
8817
Cheryl
If Montlclair isn't too far for you, I would recommend Bozenna
skin care. Bozenna does all the work herself, her manicures are
$21 and they have lasted me up to three weeks. She is excellent
and I can't recommend her enough.
anon
When I lived closer, I always went to Galaxy nails in Berkeley
on College/Claremont across from the Safeway on Claremont. $30
for manicure AND pedicure. I think it's $10 for just manicure.
They're very nice ladies and you don't usually need an
appointment.
Nancy D
Pedicures
Nov 2009
I have a painful ingrown toe nail but not bad enough to go to podiatrist. A
good pedicure would suffice. Any recommendation on someone who is good at
cleaning ingrown nails on your toes?
anon
I,too, am prone to ingrown toenails--ouch. I have found a woman named
Cuc (pronounced kook) at The Nail Shop on Grand Avenue in Oakland who
has healed me and keeps me healed by going to her every two to three
weeks. It is reasonable and I am so grateful that I leave her a good
tip each time. It hurts the first time or two but I have found that it
works better than all of the other things that I have tried in the
many years that I have suffered from this. I call her my foot doctor.
Good luck, helen
I have troublesome toe nails incl. a big toe where the nail was taken
off due to surgery. I have been seeing Kanika for the last
5 years and never had prettier toe nails. She knows what she is doing
and has the magic touch at a very reasonable price.
You can find her at: Ajuda Day Spa in Old Oakland Kanika Ashford/ Nail
Therapist: 510-593-1136
website:
http://www.ajudadayspa.com/index.html
Tell her I sent you - Stefanie
I recommend Cuticles on Park Ave in oakland. Former Claremont spa
employees. High quality pedicure and very clean.
cath
I have the same problem and have been going to Amy Ho for years. I've
never had a better pedicure and I've had many in my day. She works out
of her home which means less polish fumes. She charges $33 and it is
worth every penny.
Her number is 604-4069.
Pretty nails
Joann will take care of your ingrown toenails! Her shop is in
Alameda, Joann Nails & Hair, on Park Street. She's been looking after
my toes for 4 years.
1619 Park Street
(between Lincoln Ave & Pacific Ave)
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 523-4572
Happy Toes
Feb 2009
Can anyone suggest a good nail place in the Piedmont-Berkeley area?
We've just moved here and there are loads out there - just looking
for someone who does a good job, uses a decent product (I like
OPI), and doesn't charge the moon...Thanks!
Alison
The Nail Shop on Grand Ave. in Oakland (not too far from
Piedmont) is my favorite place. Spa chairs, Opi polish, great
service and prices. I think they also have a shop in W.C. and in
Emeryville, although I have never been to either of those. The
brother of the owner also opened a shop on 4th street in Berkeley
called the Lounge which has gotten rave reviews from my friends.
needing a pedi, too!
The best pedicure (and believe me I've tried many) is Femi Macus
on Park Blvd in Oakland. They are the only people I know that do
a ''hot wax'' treatment at the end of the pedicure to moisturize
your feet. It is fabulous. The women are very meticulous and pay
attention to details. They also do what you ask them to do. My
pedicures last for several months. The only pitfall is you have
to be prepared to carve out a good window of time because they
take their work seriously.
anon
i LOVE cuticles spa in Glenview. (510) 689-0137
www.cuticlesnailspa.com They aren't dirt cheap, but they are
clean, classy and talented!
irene
Feb 2008
So, it's been awhile since my last pedicure, and I would
love to get some recommendations from people who get
pedicures regularly. Here is what I am looking for:
1. A salon that does not use the whirlpool foot baths -
because of the potential for getting a yucky foot fungus
2. A person that I can get to know a little - I would
rather go to one person consistently than a different person
each time
3. Someone who does not aggressively trim back cuticles - a
little is fine, but a lot is a little scary
4. Preferably a salon that uses polish that is free from
formaldehyde and tolune.
Is this a crazy list of demands? Does anyone know of a
place/person who fits this description? Any leads would be
much appreciated.
Signed,
Toesies are not looking so Rosy
I HIGHLY recommend the Nail Spa (on either College in Oakland or Telegraph in
Berkeley). I really like Anna at the College Ave location and always try to
get her when I can. They are very good about cleaning the tubs between
clients and the have an autoclave for cleaning/disinfecting all their tools.
They have a line of vegan nail polish and special aromatherapy treatments,
too. Their website is: http://nailspa.biz/index.html
Melissa
I have the perfect person for you...Halina Myca...at the Milagro Salon in
Oakland (across from the CCAC) she is terrific. 510.593.5080...
anon
I get pedicures frequently. The place that best matches your description of a
clean, non-whirlpool type of place is Joi Nail Spa on Solano.
It's more expensive than your average nail shop, so I don't go there all the
time, but it's very clean and everyone is friendly, and they do an excellent
job. Also, they are a 'fume-free' nail spa, and offer many beautiful polishes
that are formaldehyde and tolune-free. In addition, the interior is beautiful
and posh-feeling; I go there when I want to be pampered and have an
experience that's a cut above your basic nail place.
They are on Solano Avenue. Here's their website:
'
http://www.joinailspa.com/
Monica
Try the Cure nail and spa in Emmeryville - mostly (if not all) eco-friendly
products and they have Spatini nights where you can get a Cosmo with your
mani/pedi. Here's the website: http://www.cureanailspa.com/
know your toes
Cure Nail Spa in Emeryville offers spa services with organic and natural
products. I had a pedicure there with my 6 week old in my laps because the
atmosphere was fume free. They don't have whirlpool tubs. It was pricey but
it may meet your specific needs. www.cureanailspa.com
anon
Dear (not)Rosy,
I would like to recommend my manicurist, Halina. She works at a cute
salon at the intersection of College and Broadway, and her phone number
is 593-5080.
Halina is wonderful. She has consistently given me the best pedicures
I have ever had. She takes a full hour and really pays close attention
to my feet. The salon does not use whirlpool baths, nor do they use
scary nail polish (with formaldehyde/tolune). Halina is personable and
fun to talk to - she has had a very interesting life. Her prices are
more than fair - I think she should be charging much more than she does
- but they are not super cheap. I think you get what you pay for. At
any rate, I highly recommend Halina. Hope that helps!
I highly recommend Cuticles Nail Spa. Owner Tamika Fisher
worked at the Claremont Salon for many years before opening her
own business. She has a great team. In addition to offering
nail services she also offers massage and facials. A great way
to support a business owned by a woman.
Cuticles Nail Spa
www.cuticlesnailspa.com
3814 Park Blvd
Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 689-0137
Gretchen
August 2006
Can anyone recommend a place in or near Berkeley where one can
get a great manicure and pedicure, where they do a good and not
painful job and, as part of the service, they give you a really
great hand/foot massage? I've used Fancy Nails on Shattuck for
a while, and they're okay but not great. The Claremont is too
expensive (!). Azul used to have someone I liked (I think her
name is Emily), but I think she left. Any other ideas would be
very much appreciated. Thanks!
The massage is the best part
Last year for Mother's day my husband got me a pedicure at
Argania Salon on Martin Luther King, Jr, North of University
Avenue. It was heavenly! It was a ''hot rock'' pedicure, which
was new to me and I loved it. I distinctly remember the massage
as better than I had ever had at the regular nail salons.
Certainly worth a try.
www.arganiasalon.com
1801 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way
(cross street Delaware)
(510) 883-1832
Tues-Sat: 10:00 am- 7:00 pm
Shoshana
I have had great pedicures at Bellisima on Shattuck near Ashby,
particularly from Helen. The cost is $25 and they do a wonderful
sea salt scrub on your calves and feet.
me
May 2006
I'm looking for a nail salon that does not use whirlpool tubs for
pedicures because I am concerned about contracting bacteria from
the water jets. I would like to find a salon that cleans the feet
in a bowl with a disposable liner. Can someone recommend a
reasonably priced and ''safe'' pedicure in the East Bay? Thanks.
Susan
You should try Polish on Piedmont Ave. (510) 601-0909. They use foot bowls which
are scrubbed clean after each client (I've watched them.) They also give you your own
set of nail tools - emery board, orange stick, toe separators, etc. You can bring
them
back with you or just get a fresh set next time. I too am worried about unsafe
pedicures, and have been very happy with the nail techs and their practices - plus,
it's
a nice, comfortable place and they're really good!
Carla
I've found Delane's Natural Nail Care to be at the height of
sanitization. She is really committed (not just her words) to
keeping her clients safe. I interviewed her a few years ago for a
health education class I was taking and she helped me with a
presentation I was preparing on Hepatitis C. During the interview
she shared a lot of other useful information with me about
choosing a salon and what to look out for. She is very
knowledgeable about the spread of diseases in the nail care
industry. She has a very lovely shop - private rooms, very
relaxing...I actually fell asleep in her chair during my pedicure
(smile). Check it out:
http://www.delanesnails.com/
Anhara
July 2005
I'm looking for a recommendation for a pedicure/spa chair salon
in downtown Oakland, near Chinatown or City Center. Thanks!
rami
Try Elite Nails in the City Center complex (on the middle level,
same as Kinko's). Very clean, friendly salon with spa pedicures.
happy toes
June 2004
Help! I really, really need a pedicure. I have the roughest
feet, especially around my heels. My husband says I need to be
reshod (as in horses!). I need a miracle worker - know any?
Mrs. Ed
I really like The Nail Shop, on Grand (around the corner from
the Grand Lake Theater). Clean and bright, and a pedicure with
nice long foot bath and foot massage is only $15.
Jen
July 1999
I'd really love a great recommendation for a pedicure and manicure place
in the Berkeley, Albany, El Cerrito area. I'd like some place that'll
do good job scrubbing your feet and give a great, long massage for the
hand and/or feet. Diane
I go to Albany Nail Salon on Solano Ave (cross street is Stannage).
Being too pregnant to reach my toes, I am indulging myself in these
last couple of months with regular pedicures! Compared to the couple
of other places I've been to, Albany Nail does a good job, paying
attention to the rough spots, callouses, etc. The massage is probably
a couple of minutes, not too long, but they may be willing to extend
it if you asked (and gave a good tip!). Although I live in Moraga, I
come to Albany because it's much cheaper (Albany Nail charges $18 for
a pedicure). Heather
I am not the kind of person who would have her fingernails painted. I have
the fingernails of a gardener, which is to say they are not my best
feature. And my feet ... let's put it this way: I'm glad they are out of
sight most of the time. So despite my friends' raves, I have always
resisted having a pedicure. Last week I finally broke down and tried it,
and now I'm a believer. It is great. I highly recommend getting a pedicure
to all parents as an inexpensive little 45-minute indulgence, and not just
for moms - dads should try it too. During my visit, a guy was getting a
manicure, and then an elderly couple came in - she got her nails done while
he had a pedicure. So, it really is for everybody.
I went to Galaxy Nails on Claremont just above College, recommended by a
co-worker. She said other places are about the same. It was $22 for a
pedicure, and on impulse I also said OK to a manicure (no polish), so my
total was $30. They have this special chair for pedicures, like a
shoe-shine chair, with a little feet-sized jacuzzi. They fill it up with
soapy warm water and flip on the whirlpool action, and you sit back and read
your People Magazine while your feet soak. Then they do all sorts of
scrubbing and sanding and filing and clipping until you don't recognize your
own feet. Don't worry - it doesn't hurt, and they pay no attention to the
terrible state of the feet you walked in on. Then they rub lotion in and
give you a little massage. That feels great. Finally, if you are so
inclined, you may select one of a million different colors to have painted
on your toenails, which nobody ever has to see if you don't want them too as
long as you never go barefoot or wear sandals. I chose Garnet Red. When I
got home my kids had a little fit over this - they are used to seeing my
dirty, calloused, dried out, unpolished feet and I guess the change was
a bit of a shock. That was fun. Plus, I proudly wear sandals now!
Ginger
I have heard that the Claremont Hotel Spa is great too if you want to
go upscale. I checked into this and it is $45 for a 50-minute pedicure
and $65 for an 80-min pedicure which includes some sort of hot wax
treatment. I might try that sometime.
I've gotten pedicures occasionally at Sara's Nails in El Cerrito Plaza. My
feet are very happy
June
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