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You know that feeling you get after walking out of the nail salon, freshly mani'd and pedi'd? Amazing, right? The key is finding the right salons, where prime pampering, quality service and lovely surroundings (a glass of bubbly works) are always on the menu. Lucky for you, we know 10 such places, and they're mapped (alphabetically) right here.
In addition to the requisite O.P.I and Essie, Milk+ also carries CND, Vinylux, Formula X—and the holy grail of nail color Chanel, which no mani addict can resist. The salon incorporates essential oils and aromatherapy, and there's another location at 2824 California. [Photo]
Often when you splurge for a fancy mani/pedi, you end up spending more time than your schedule actually allows, all for a less-than-satisfying arm and leg massage. Silk offers the best of all worlds: speedy service and impeccable work at reasonable prices starting at $22. Plus, you'll find a great designer polish selection: Chanel, Shiseido, Christian Dior, YSL, and Bobbi Brown.
When you're in need of a little nail attention, head to Cocoon, a lovely Soma escape. Somehow, all the treatments feel way more luxurious than their price tags would indicate. The Ultimate Mani and Pedi are $30 and $45, respectively. Plus, you can get in a fab waxing or yoga class after the pampering sesh. [Photo]
The shabby chic interior of this place is super charming, and the chairs are incredibly comfortable. The neck pillows smell divine, and a variety of services are offered. We're big fans of the Refresh Sports Pedi, designed for active feet. It focuses on tired toes, sore muscles and calluses with an oil soak, minty exfoliation and extra-long leg massage ($45).
It's a serene escape from all the ballpark madness, and the perfect spot for a peaceful signature manicure ($30) and pedicure ($40), both of which focus on intense hydration. Makes sense since Mizu means "water" in Japanese. All the technicians know their nails (no intense overseeing necessary).
This place focuses on the health of your hands, feet and nails while also providing deluxe service (and, yes, you can get fancy nail art, as well.) The Essential Foot and Hand Treatments ($30 and $45, respectively) are a best bet, and include a cup of yummy herbal tea and a complimentary shoulder massage.
Located in the Huntington Hotel, Nob Hill Spa is consistently ranked among the top spas both in San Francisco and the US. It's the perfect place for a little special-occasion nail pampering. Try the Nob Hill Spa Ultimate Pedicure for 80 minutes of bliss ($125). Although at $37, the 25-minute Essential Manicure could easily become a standing appointment.
A little slice of Zen in the hustle and bustle of Hayes Valley, this small salon is all about the chemical-free vegan polishes (Deborah Lippmann, RGB, USLU, and the salon's own line named after SF landmarks). Technicians take their time and know their stuff, plus there are lots of luxe treatments from which to choose. The softening Elemis hand and foot scrub treatments are addictive and keep the ladies (and guys) coming back on the regular.
Light, airy and welcoming, ZaZa is a happy haven for nail treatments of all types. We're partial to the amazing Refresh-Mint Manicure, with a peppermint sugar scrub and butter massage, and the Za-Callus Therapy Pedicure, which we like to call the callus-buster. It starts with a warm milk foot soak and includes a soufflé scrub massage, pear Zents Concreta balm and paraffin dip. Perennial nail-chippers: Take advantage of the three-day polish guarantee and go back for free fixes.
This Potrero Hill nail salon is tip-top in every way. The atmosphere is relaxing and clean, and (chick-flick) movies are always playing on the TVs. But the luxe manis and pedis that include extra-long foot and arm massages are the best part. You'll find an excellent polish selection and top-notch nail techs, too. Make sure to check out the newer second location in Union Square (207 Powell Street).
In addition to the requisite O.P.I and Essie, Milk+ also carries CND, Vinylux, Formula X—and the holy grail of nail color Chanel, which no mani addict can resist. The salon incorporates essential oils and aromatherapy, and there's another location at 2824 California. [Photo]
Often when you splurge for a fancy mani/pedi, you end up spending more time than your schedule actually allows, all for a less-than-satisfying arm and leg massage. Silk offers the best of all worlds: speedy service and impeccable work at reasonable prices starting at $22. Plus, you'll find a great designer polish selection: Chanel, Shiseido, Christian Dior, YSL, and Bobbi Brown.
When you're in need of a little nail attention, head to Cocoon, a lovely Soma escape. Somehow, all the treatments feel way more luxurious than their price tags would indicate. The Ultimate Mani and Pedi are $30 and $45, respectively. Plus, you can get in a fab waxing or yoga class after the pampering sesh. [Photo]
The shabby chic interior of this place is super charming, and the chairs are incredibly comfortable. The neck pillows smell divine, and a variety of services are offered. We're big fans of the Refresh Sports Pedi, designed for active feet. It focuses on tired toes, sore muscles and calluses with an oil soak, minty exfoliation and extra-long leg massage ($45).
It's a serene escape from all the ballpark madness, and the perfect spot for a peaceful signature manicure ($30) and pedicure ($40), both of which focus on intense hydration. Makes sense since Mizu means "water" in Japanese. All the technicians know their nails (no intense overseeing necessary).
This place focuses on the health of your hands, feet and nails while also providing deluxe service (and, yes, you can get fancy nail art, as well.) The Essential Foot and Hand Treatments ($30 and $45, respectively) are a best bet, and include a cup of yummy herbal tea and a complimentary shoulder massage.
Located in the Huntington Hotel, Nob Hill Spa is consistently ranked among the top spas both in San Francisco and the US. It's the perfect place for a little special-occasion nail pampering. Try the Nob Hill Spa Ultimate Pedicure for 80 minutes of bliss ($125). Although at $37, the 25-minute Essential Manicure could easily become a standing appointment.
A little slice of Zen in the hustle and bustle of Hayes Valley, this small salon is all about the chemical-free vegan polishes (Deborah Lippmann, RGB, USLU, and the salon's own line named after SF landmarks). Technicians take their time and know their stuff, plus there are lots of luxe treatments from which to choose. The softening Elemis hand and foot scrub treatments are addictive and keep the ladies (and guys) coming back on the regular.
Light, airy and welcoming, ZaZa is a happy haven for nail treatments of all types. We're partial to the amazing Refresh-Mint Manicure, with a peppermint sugar scrub and butter massage, and the Za-Callus Therapy Pedicure, which we like to call the callus-buster. It starts with a warm milk foot soak and includes a soufflé scrub massage, pear Zents Concreta balm and paraffin dip. Perennial nail-chippers: Take advantage of the three-day polish guarantee and go back for free fixes.
This Potrero Hill nail salon is tip-top in every way. The atmosphere is relaxing and clean, and (chick-flick) movies are always playing on the TVs. But the luxe manis and pedis that include extra-long foot and arm massages are the best part. You'll find an excellent polish selection and top-notch nail techs, too. Make sure to check out the newer second location in Union Square (207 Powell Street).
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