Nail Spa

Someone from the health department called me and shut this place down after I voiced my concern. It’s now called «Jessie Nail» under new ownership with a light remodel. The former owner moved back to China. Nail Spa is officially closed. Bye Felicia.

I was suspicious when the lady doing my pedicure didn’t speak English, so I asked her if she was a licensed nail technician or licensed cosmetologist and she said, «no». Issues with the pedicure lead me to ask her questions. My nails were uneven and my little cousin has done better pedicures than her.
I asked the other lady and her answer was, «no» too. I called 311 and they sent the information to the Business affairs department.
This place also offers waxing service by people who are not licensed.

M-​W — $ 27 mani/​pedis. That’s as good as it gets for cheap mani-​pedis in Chicago. The nail technicians are super polite and friendly, and they do a great job. If you’re looking for a great deal, Nail Spa is where it’s at.

This used to be my favorite place for cheap, no-​nonsense pedicures. But the crap this place pulled today, I am NEVER going back. At some point, my dignity is worth more than $ 4 every 3 weeks!
Business card says hours are until 830. I call at 530 to come at 645 (place will sometimes close early if no customers by 630)…their response is Yes, fine come.
I show up at 630. They are busy… I am told it’s an hour wait. I say I called you said some… but ok, fine, I’ll wait. He says, actually we’re closed.
What?! You were open 2 seconds ago. Your card says so. Your here. He says… no, we all want to be done early. We can’t do you. I pull out my frequent pedicure card, and politely say that I am here all the time. You did my feet two weeks ago! He looks blankly at me and says «sorry were closed.»
These places are everywhere. Trust me. For a normal pedi, you can do better somewhere else.

DO NOT COME HERE FOR LIP WAX. I had to point out all the hairs that were left, which she ripped off only 10% of hair and 90% of skin. 4 times of putting on wax, and ripping it off, still nothing. Ouch — see my scabbed skin on photo. I’m glad I didn’t get an infection, as it looked kind of dirty in the room.
When I pointed out after the first peel she did, that there were tons of hairs left, she tried to pry the mirror away from my hands after the second time, so I wouldn’t put it too close to my face to inspect. Shame on her.

This used to be one of my fav inexpensive pedicure spots to go to until today I waited for nearly a half an hour and had to ask how long was the wait as no one even acknowledged me being there. Very disappointed I assume the business has been sold to someone else.

So I show up in the middle of the day on a week day. The lady says ‘pick your color’ and I find a seat in the basement spa that smells of nail polish. 20 minutes go by… and nobody says another word to me. Finally I got up and asked how long it would be and the response was 30 seconds of the 2 ladies working there chatting quietly back and forth followed by ’20 more minutes’. So I left. Rude. Inconsiderate.

Awesome! My first time here, Sunday through Wednesday pedicures are $ 18 and Thursday through Saturday they are $ 20. Not rushed at all, last took her time and even went back to make sure my cuticles were good. They even massaged my legs with a hot stone. Only down side was figuring out where to park

Man, there are some snobby b*tches Unilocaling about this salon. It’s a $ 27 (Sun-​Wed) mani-​pedi. You’re not at Ifergan or Mario Trococi. Adjust your expectations accordingly.
I’ve been coming to this basement salon for 3 years and no other salon’s pedicure lasts as long as this one. For people whining about cleanliness, I have yet to get a deadly fungus. The cleanliness is on par with almost every other nail salon in the area. It’s just underground and the lighting is dim, not fluorescent and clinical.
On a weekday evening I get in and out of here in a tight 45 for a mani/​pedi. The employees are friendly, the leg massage (hot stone) is great, and most importantly, my nails are always done well.
It would be great if they renewed subscriptions to magazines, got a UV light drying table, and always remembered the order in which their customers arrived. But for basically a 2 person operation and $ 27, there really is nothing to get worked up about.

I just found my new «go to» place to get my nails done. I arrived 10 minutes before closing and they still took me for a mani/​pedi. They worked fast but my nails looked great with no chips for over a week (with regular nail polish, not the costly «no chip» polish). They did a great job on my cuticles too. I paid more money at several other places in Old Town and Lincoln Park, but liked the results from the Nail Spa the best. Nail Spa also has the best deal around town from Monday to Wednesday’s (I think) for $ 27. My mom went earlier in the day and said she got a stone massage with her services. Definitely worth it to see for yourself. Easy parking. Easy walk from Armitage brown line and Clybourn red line.

I have been coming here for about five years, and while yes, it’s the cheapest pedicure in the city, you get what you pay for. Lately I’ve noticed they haven’t renewed any magazine subscriptions, which is part of the reason I love getting a pedicure – reading the latest gossip or fashion mags. I just read a year-​old Elle because that was the most current thing I could find! Also a few of my favorite colors seem to be missing. It just doesn’t feel like they are updating anything anymore. I recently went to Strong Nails on Diversey and had a better experience for almost as good a price!

This place was fantastic! I was nervous because of the horrible reviews they have but there was no need. The place is downstairs so don’t be alarmed when you first walk in. I had May (sp) who was very very sweet and had a good grasp of the English language so there were not language barriers there. I had a mani-​pedi for $ 27. They are very fast and are on a mission to get you in and out. So it was a little rushed but I have a feeling it was because their were only 3 of them and the customers kept pouring in. They did a fantastic job on my nails and I will definitely be back.

I really wish I could give this salon no stars because I would. I do not write much on Unilocal but felt compelled to write this post.
Let me start off by saying that I have severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. However, I was feeling great yesterday! No redness, no swelling… nothing!
I was going over to my friends house for dinner and she recommended it to me. So, I sat down for my manicure and had to get the no chip polish that was on from the previous week taken off, and I paid five dollars for that, don’t worry!
After ten minutes of letting my previous no chip soak, another woman came and sat down to finish my manicure. Well, the polish was not coming off as easily as she would have liked I suppose because she grabbed my hand (very hard) and started aggressively filing. yes filing. off all the no chip polish.
By the time she finished, It hurt so much I couldn’t finish the no chip manicure I had originally went there for and had her put clear polish on instead. My hand was inflamed, bright red and bruised and I have a picture but for some reason, I cannot post pictures with my review. Not to mention she ruined my nails they are all brittle and weak.
I have been in pain all day because of this. This HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE and I have had RA for 8 years now. I am honestly so livid! Thinking about it all day today made me realize that I shouldn’t have paid and better yet, I shouldn’t have tipped the girl.
I am seriously considering reporting this to the board of cosmetology in Illinois. It is ridiculous.

Love love love this place! I am there almost every two weeks for my nails. They are quick, consistent and a very good price for the city Chicago. All of the above keep me coming back along with the fact that it’s in a great area where if you’re running errands you can stop in and get a pedicure as well!
Definitely recommend this for pedicures, manicures and acrylics. I’ve never had a no chip there but I see plenty of costumers get them done, so they must be good.
Their prices went up a bit, but still only $ 18 for a pedicure Sunday — Wednesday and I think it’s only $ 27 for a mani and pedi sunday — wednesday. Acrylic fills are $ 15, great deal!

I’m cheap. I’m not ashamed. I always look for deals whether it be at restaurants, shows or stores. I always want the most bang for my buck. If you’re like me, then you’d really appreciate Nail Spa as they are a reliable and affordable spot to go to without scouring Living Social or Groupon weeks before.
A girl’s gotta look good and sometimes you get invited last minute somewhere and realize, «Ew, my nails need help.» Nail Spa will take you in without an appt. Yes, cheap, quick and no appt! This is the perfect combination for my hectic lifestyle.
I live about 3 blocks from here and am a regular. I only had 1 bad experience and that was with a male nail tech. He was being really quick with me and rushing through the whole no-​chip mani. He ended up putting thick globs of paint on my nails (my ultimate pet peeve) that was uneven and looked horrible. I saw it better when I got home and cried because I was so upset. I was in a hurry for a Christmas party and didn’t have time to go back that same day to correct it. Every time before and after that instance, I make sure to only stick with the females (call me sexist, but dudes just don’t get it) and I’m never disappointed.
The best thing about this place are the insanely cheap pedicures. You read it right, it’s $ 15 sun-​thurs and $ 18 fri-​sat. They are really thorough with removing the gunk from the nails and even put hot towels and do a hot stone massage. They can get really deep with the cleaning of the feet but I enjoy it as I live in work shoes and gym shoes and my feet take a beating. They sit you in a big, leather massage chair but I turn off the massage option because it’s a little too intense for me.
The space is pretty big and casual with carpet on the manicure area and white tile in the pedicure area. There’s a wall of Essie and OPI polishes and for the price, I think the variety is pretty good. It’s not fancy by any means but not creepy or dirty either. Yes, they’re not soaking you in champagne or rose petals, but if you want a solid, quick and affordable pedi, this is the spot.
I have even started doing my eyebrows here. I read on a previous Unilocal review that someone did their bikini wax here and was upset. Umm, no offense, but why would you seek waxing such a sensitive spot at a nail shop? Eyebrows, in my book, are not as big of a deal and again, can be expensive if a groupons or other coupons aren’t purchased before. They have shaped my eyebrows really well and it’s only $ 10!
I don’t know about you, but I’m lookin’ good on a budget.

I was really late this year getting a pedicure. With all these humans following me its hard to get time by myself. I was a little apprehensive walking down the stairs, but when I walked in, it was busy and CLEAN! I am a neat freak and it was clean enough for me. They fit me in, and had me in and out in 20 minutes! I kid you not. I was shocked that it was cheaper than I expected. I thought for sure for the price I paid that it would be chipped in a week! No, its been a month and they still look great! I watched them clean the tubs and try not to handle any cash while working with a customer.
$ 15 Mon — Wed
$ 18 — Thurs and Fri

Bah, this place has really fallen off the mark for me.
Its cheap $ 15 – 18 for a pedicure.
The colors are old and gross and chip in like less than a week.
The staff isnt as good and its just getting dirty.
No longer my ‘go-​to’ nail spot.
If I am in the area, I might stop by for a cheap nail job.

Mon — Wed $ 15 Pedicure. $ 18 Regular.
Has to be the best deal in town.
And they do a GREAT JOB…
Why three stars?
I sometimes question the cleanliness.
Call me «THAT GUY» but I always ask if the bowl has been sanitized.
And always bring my own pumice stone. I just don’t know how I feel about my heals being rubbed with the sameone they used on the person before.
all in all it’s a good deal

AOK, indeed. Nearly a week later and my nails still look OK. Not super duper alley ooper, but certainly adequate. The color selection is OK. You aren’t going to get the best and brightest new colors… but the old standbys are here, and you’ll survive if you come.
The Nailhouse (my new fav) was pretty packed on a Saturday around 11am, so my gal pal whipped out her Unilocal app and we trotted down the street, into the dungeon (ahem, basement) known as Nail Spa. Watch out, the steeps be steeps!
$ 30 mani/​pedi: nice deal (same as The Nailhouse). It’s definitely an «express» service though, not the languishing luxury of a full mani/​pedi. You get what you pay for? I guess so. About 35 minutes end to end. No extra touches like shoulder rubs or parrafin, or any of that girly goo-​goo stuff. The girls were moderately friendly, and there was no wait.
Everything is moderately clean with requisite décor of a lower-​priced nail salon. You know, weird little trinkets and pictures of french manicures.
They did try to weirdly upsell my friend with a foot massage. Weird. Include it or don’t, but don’t be weird about it.
*Credit cards accepted, tips can be included.
*Parking is fairly easy on Clybourn.
It’s a decent option, but I’d check The Nailhouse first and use this as a backup on Clybourn.

You can’t beat the price. A mani-​pedi for $ 27. Kind of a bare bones place with language barriers. I wonder about the cleanliness of their tools, as they were in a box with no visible disinfectant. The pedicure I got was okay, but not as silky smooth as my usual place. Sort of hard to get to also.
Great selection of polish colors. I’d probably go back ‘cos I’m cheap.