The Only 5 NYC Nail Salons Fashion Girls Love

Manicures have always been a key accessory. These days traditional manicures and pedicures are still in, but so are wildly creative nails and throwbacks to the '90s with French tips and natural nails with metallic overlays that the kids of TikTok are calling "glazed donut nails." Of course, we know that you can paint your nails at home, but if you want to sit back, relax, and be pampered, the nail salon is your best bet.

So how do you find your match? Finding your nail tech can take some trial and error. But to simplify your search, we researched the top-rated NYC nail salons that offer excellent service because we know how important that is to your overall experience. Keep reading for a few of our top NYC picks!

The Laq Lab

You can choose from many nail services these days, and this Black-owned studio in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn does it all. Its specialties are Aprés Gel X and nail art. If you're unfamiliar, Aprés Gel X is a soak-off soft gel extension system that gives you length and longevity without damaging your natural nails. As a luxury salon, you are, of course, greeted with your choice of beverage pre-service. 

Website: thelaqlab.com

Location: 41 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Standard mani price: $35

The must-try treatment: Aprés Gel X

Base Coat at Nordstrom Beauty Haven

If you're in NYC and have yet to visit Nordstrom's Beauty Haven, you've got to put it on your beauty to-do list. You can book services from microneedling to manicures. Base Coat doesn't offer or remove acrylics, dip, extensions, or hard gels, so if you're looking for a simple manicure or a soft gel option, this is your spot. Base Coat offers a range of manicures and pedicures, and you can even get nail decals added. 

Website: basecoatnailsalon.com

Location: 225 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019

Mani Price: $45 

The must-try treatment: Base Coat Soft Gel

Bisou NY

For anyone who loves gel manis, we've found your salon. Bisou's expertise is nail art and gel services, as it doesn't offer pedicures and acrylics at the salon. What makes its services special is the technicians use Paragel, a technique from Japan that is all about maintaining nail health by saying no to buffing and over-manipulating the nails. 

Website: bisouny.com

Location: 6 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

Gel Mani Price: $60 

The must-try treatment: Bisou Elite

Hortūs Nailworks

For an all-natural, nontoxic nail experience, this Lower East Side shop (that also offers sugaring) comes highly rated. Each nail treatment is handcrafted in small batches, and the salon offers a selection of 10 and 12 free gels and lacquers. 

Website: hortusnailworks.com

Location: 210 Forsyth St, New York, NY 10002

Basic Mani Price: $23 

The must-try treatment: The Works 

Art Up Nail Studio NYC

This nail studio specializes in premium Japanese gel manicures, nail art, Aprés Gel-X tips, and hard gel extensions. Because all of the studio's nail technicians are certified nail artist's in Japan, this is where you go to explore your creativity without fear. The menu starts with a simple art gel manicure and gets more intricate with options like 2-hour and 30-minute 3D nail-art gel manicure service. 

Website: vagaro.com/artupnailstudionyc1

Location: 222 E 34th St Studio 24, New York, NY 10016

Starting Mani Price: $78 

The must-try treatment: 3D nail-art gel manicure

Next: We're Just Going to Say It: These 13 Gel Polish Brands Rival a Salon Manicure