Top Reviews about 19 Nail Salons in San Rafael, CA

Stacey Jo!!! Hawks-Gross Fantastic crew! My buddy and I enjoyed the experience so much that we agreed to meet there every 4 to 6 weeks to get a mani / pedi together and just enjoy the massage chairs and wonderful foot massages/ hand massages that go with the fantastic manicures and pedicures. The staff is wonderful! A great place to unwind and pamper yourself or to unwind with a friend! Thank you !!!

Scarlett Elia my nails look horrible. they were 80 dollars even though before my appointment she said they would be 65. It 2 hours for my nails to be done. to top things off, when i went to tip her, she crossed out the number and added more money. never going again. and i recommend to never come.

Adrielle S Writing this review for the owners so they can hopefully understand how horrible the customer service is from the man who answers the phone to book an appointment. Ive been coming here consistently for over a year, ever since I moved to Marin, and this is the 2nd/3rd time the same man has dampened my experience. The first incident in 2023, I booked an appt and called back to let him know I was going to be slightly late - he ended up, quite literally, yelling at me saying I should be mindful of my appointment time. When I told him I was late due to personal reasons, he ended up apologizing and giving me a FAKE name. I found out his name wasnt "Tom" when I was telling this incident to one of the women doing my nails. See the photo I attached for PROOF that this incident occurred, as he texted me later in the day, apologizing once more after he realized he was in the wrong. Apparently their receptionist saves your phone number and info in their system indefinitely.. Fast forward to 1 year later, today, when I tried booking an appt, I called and nicely asked if they had any availability for a dip powder mani & regular pedi. First thing he responds is, "are you going to come this time bc last time you didnt come!!" I was shocked & so confused at this response because I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. I then asked him what was he accusing me of, because I confirmed the last time I came, I got my nails done & touched up by Jenny (which was an amazing job her part btw). He ended up yelling back at me, then quickly apologized when he realized I was telling the truth. Next, I asked for his REAL name this time, after I told him I want to speak to the owners to let them become aware his horrible customer service and he refused to say his name! He ended up yelling at me saying he doesnt like how Im handling this... Excuse me?! The audacity? Paradise Nail salon, I have been coming to you nonstop for the last year and these 2 incidents with your incredibly rude receptionist is not a good look for your brand. Please do something about this or you will lose not just me, but other customers as well. From a fellow local, trust me when I say your nail salon is truly gaining a bad reputation around the neighborhood and beyond, which solely stems from your receptionist. I promise you, customers are flocking to other salons because of him. I really cant fathom how your salon allows this man to treats his customers. He has no respect, decency, or a care in the world for providing genuine customer service. Evidently, his main priority is overbooking clients to squeeze in as many as possible solely for profit. Its sad for me to write this because the women who work here truly are passionate about their job. The lack of customer service & incredibly rude behavior from your receptionist who lies about his name and creates FALSE accusations really put the nail in the coffin for me. Its truly a uniquely horrible experience that Ive never had once in my life, not from ANY salon, ever.

Anna Hoffmann Holly & Ryan and the rest of the team are all amazing! They are great at what they do, very accommodating, super sweet and creative! I cannot get enough of my nails, each and every time! From acrylic nails to even just a basic pedicure, I’ve never been this happy with a nail salon. Definitely worth stopping in!

Leilani Beth Sabit-Delos Reyes Had such an amazing experience the first time that I had to come back again!!! First time getting Gel-X nails for November Birthday Nails and then a Christmas/New Years combo Gel-X set. Was referred to Holly at Ooh La La Salon through a family member and had my nails done and designed by Ryan.

Miranda Diaz Ryan did an amazing job on both me and my friend’s nails!!!! We absolutely loved them and they lasted very long, about a whole 4 weeks. Definitely recommend and will come back! The design was exactly how my reference was.

Renee Shapiro I have been a client of Nail Boutique in Larkspur for many years and think Lynn is one of the best! Nail Boutique is clean and quiet and Lynn consistently provides a relaxing and pleasant experience. Lynns manis and pedis are beautiful and long lasting - I highly recommend her!

Karla Allen Lynn provides excellent mani-pedi services. I have lived in the larkspur and Kentfield area for many years and this is the nail salon I like the best. I recommend booking an appointment to give this sunny, quiet, relaxing salon a try.

Cheryl Cam Media Cheryl Jennings Lynn is exceptional! I’ve been working with her for nearly ten years and every visit is special. She’s patient with clients and takes her time to make sure the mani-pedis are long-lasting and perfect. I highly recommend her!

Molly Elkurdi I came to Marlowe during their pre-opening event and had a wonderful experience! The space is very clean and modern. All unused spots seemed thoroughly cleaned and labeled “clean” before the next use. Everyone I encountered was happy and friendly. I got a gel pedicure and am very pleased with the results. Compared to other salons I have been to, it made a big difference being able to easily communicate with my nail tech and made me feel more comfortable speaking up and able to better enjoy my experience. My only complaint was that the lid on the plastic tub (where you rest your feet) for the pedicure kept slipping and I had to keep moving my feet so they wouldn’t slip. Overall, I would highly recommend Marlowe for your next manicure or pedicure!

Ashley Titus Angelo was the technician for my wedding nails, and he absolutely served for my big day! The salon is very nail health conscience, and the setting is so calming.

Olga Trofymets I had a big sur Pedi with Alana. Shes really good! I liked the calmness and comfort of the place, feet massage and the entire experience. I also appreciate easy to book appointment system, which sends reminders:) Thank you!

Sarah Penkethman Best salon experience I’ve ever had- the nail artists were so attentive, they cared so much about making sure I liked every step of the process, and they did BEAUTIFUL work!! They were ready the second I walked in and their prices are better than way lesser salons nearby. I’ve found my new go-to!!! Thank you, ladies!!!

Emma Higgins Best service, they are so nice and did an amazing job! Acrylic nails are thin and even, perfection. Best message chairs around

Adrineh Gouloomian What a great find! My family recently moved to Marin from SF and my daughters and I have been looking for a good neighborhood nail salon. We read some excellent reviews and decided to give this place a try and we are so glad we did! What a a wonderful experience from start to finish! We were greeted warmly as we entered and all three of us were treated professionally and with true kindness. The massage chairs are great and the pedis are top notch. Looking forward to our next appointment!

Cindy M-R I just finished with my second massage by Amy. I have been getting massages for 40 years now in many cities and at resort spas. I have to say that she is one of the best therapist that I have encountered. She does facials along with nails and other treatments. I found my new home for services and she is only 10 mins from home! Thank you Amy

Lili Ricciardi The best massage Ive had in Marin. What an experience! Amy uses a Japanese technique which involves using her feet with gentle but controlled pressure. I highly recommend it. Her store is lovely and clean, the massage room was inviting and very comfortable. I also had the opportunity to get my nails done, Amy is great too, she has a lot of attention to detail and it didnt take long. All the services are by appointment only, she returns calls if she is busy and is very attentive.

Joy Allen Amys great! She does the gel nails as opposed to the acrylic. If you havent tried it its the same as an acrylic nail without all the fumes. Amy is a perfectionist and her spa is very serene. Its only her so you dont have somebody doing your toes and your fingers at the same time while youre trying to balance on your butt just to keep from falling off the chair! Also super clean!

Ana Coleman Anh deserve less than one star but I’m giving her one because I feel bad but this lady needs to go back to school,she does not know how to do nails that’s it!!! She hurt me a few times and get mad when I complained and start pulling my hands,she’s rude,but overall terrible work,terrible,terrible.. please don’t waist your time and money!!!

Shiloh Gordon Great space, service and cut. Exceptionally clean, professional and friendly. Another bonus is that they offer an array of services. A proper barbershop with manicure/pedicure and facials options? Sounds like a great afternoon date idea :) Thanks for the great cut, Q. I’ll 100% be back.

Trevor Brumm Q knows how to make his clients feel relaxed and look their best. He is a master of his craft and keeps me looking fresh with a taper fade on the sides and scissor cut up top. Super friendly atmosphere for all ages.

Allan Santos I was looking for a barber, and I went to Google. I found this place and saw it has great reviews. So I thought, why not try it out and I am happy I did. Q is a great barber, and I am very happy with my haircut. I highly recommend this place.

Julia Nice clean salon. Serves local clientele. I easily made an appointment and they did a great job in my acrylics.

Katherine de León Cindy is the absolute best. She always does a terrific job no matter how busy they get. I tried going elsewhere and came back to Nail Motif. Also, they treat kids like real people, taking their time and doing good work. I really appreciate this since most salons do a quick and dirty job for underage clients.

Ly Pham This is my go-to nail spa, as the quality of service and skills is top-notch. The technicians are all considerate and meticulous, which I love. Both the staff and customers create a warm, inviting, comfortable atmosphere. Whether it’s for DJing, performing arts, content creation, or social activities, I know my nails will be on point after a visit to Nail Motif.

Alex Pinger Kim always does an amazing job - as good as any place I used to go in the city! She can do it all and is well versed in all different nail techniques. My gel manicures usually last a full month, and she can do fun nail art based on any picture. Highly recommend!!

Mel Stambach Since I moved to Marin earlier this year from SF, I’ve been looking for a nail salon that had all the options that my old salons have. Kim can do it all! She did an amazing job on my gel manicure but she also does a great job with dip, gel x, and acrylic. She also had a beautiful, intricate nail design on her own nails and said next time I can text her a pic before hand if I want a design and she can do it! She said she loves to do designs. She also has the chrome dust if you’re into the Hailey Bieber nails :) On top of all that, she was meticulous with my manicure and just in general a happy person to have conversation with. With all that said, I’ve found my new salon!

Susan Groter Kim is very professional and does an exceptional job with a lot of care and attention to detail. I am able to go three weeks before I need a new fill, I have maxed out in two weeks w every other nail tech. Highly recommend you try Kim!

Cheryl Pole LoAnn is the best!! Great place for mani pedi — appts are a must

Sheila Whittle For the best mani/pedi try LoAnn’s Nail, Skin and Body Care. From the clean, comfortable, environment to the professional skills of the staff to the friendly communications during your visit, the experience is a treat. And, as an extra bonus LoAnn uses only natural, paraben-free products so there’s no chemical, toxic smelling odors in her lovely space. I highly recommend Lo Ann’s but recommend calling ahead for an appointment as it’s a popular place.

Michaela Falkner She takes her time and is so gentle. Her salon is beautiful and so relaxing. Shes so kind and nice. Love going to see her.

Kelsey Hartley My mother and I have been seeing Nan and Lili for years! Even when I was living out of state and visiting Marin for holidays, I have always made certain to book appointments with the two best manicurists in Marin County. Luxurious massages and meticulous painted nails. You must visit!

David Glick As I got older, due to declining eyesight, I found it increasingly difficult to cut my toenails. Fortunately, around the summer of 2022, I learned of Nan and Lili and I set up an appointment for a pedicure. They were very welcoming. They both are friendly, professional, and great at the services they provide. I now get a pedicure every three or four weeks and my feet are very happy and well cared for. The salon is clean and cheerful. They even throw in a wonderful massage for my feet and legs. I highly recommend them. I now think of their salon as the happy feet place.

J B I have had the privilege of getting services from Nan and Lili for years as have a number of my friends and family members. They are professional and expert at managing all details of a nail salon experience. Besides being clean and meticulous they help keep my feet and hands healthy! I particularly enjoy the outstanding foot, leg and hand massages. Nan and Lili make a visit to them inviting, special and relaxing!

Vanessa Nguyen I love this nails salon. Angie is nice and she does excellent gel manicures and pedicures. I left the salon feeling beautiful and confident. She’s the real deal, I’ll be back to support her business.

Chelsie Extremely detailed and amazing care throughout the mani pedi process. The massage on the feet and calves is quite lovely during the pedicure! Nail polish products are quality as well! My toenail polish never chipped, even after having it on for 3 weeks! When I’m back in town I will definitely be back

Maryia Meliuk Love coming to this family-owned local nail salon. Everyone is really nice and my nails always look gorgeous. I’m a regular now!

Đù Tạng I rarely get my nails done, but when I do, I only choose Ace Nail. Ace Nail has May who always makes me feel comfortable. The other staff are also very friendly, lovely and kind. Tea - her skills are top notch, she did my nails which were the highlight of the party I attended that day. I got a lot of compliments from everyone I passed by. Its very clean, modern and bright here, I feel safe doing my nails here. I will definitely come back.

Lishy Loulou I’m genuinely puzzled by all the good reviews. I had one of the worst acrylic fill experiences in 20 years here last week. I was very specific about wanting acrylic and after about ten minutes of checking work emails on my phone while the woman (not May) was doing the first few nails I noticed she was using gel. I asked her to stop and use acrylic but May overheard and told me that this gel was “better” because it was new “extra hard gel”. I decided to let the tech continue with gel but it was lumpy, thick and ugly when finished. It took her an hour and 20 minutes to do my fill (which is ridiculous as most places can do a fill in 35-40 minutes). My nails started popping off within a week! Also, the space is depressing to look at and not relaxing. I’m so disappointed I wasted $65 for a very ugly fill.

Scarlette Tidy Love getting my nails done here. Great job doing acrylic and designs. Mae is really kind and loves doing different designs. They have a great selection of colors.

titacia Best gel manicure I ever had. Went last Sunday for the first time and Tina did a wonderful job! The gel was really close to my cuticles, which pleased me and perfectly applied. Others salons put it so far away that you leave looking like you did your nails a week ago. Tina was very thorough, careful and delicate. I’m a costumer now!

Christy Update August 2024: Be Polished responded to my review that after going through their "booking history", they never served me, and perhaps I have the wrong salon. That is a lie. I have been a customer for years, and I have the receipt for this disastrous visit to prove it, as well as the receipt for the doctor visit, which I should have provided Be Polished for reimbursement. It took two months to rid myself of the condition caused by their filthy salon. Buyer beware, and shame on you, Be Polished, not only for your subpar service but for your lame response. Clean up your act. I have had pedicures at Be Polished on multiple occasions over the years for the quality of service and overall cleanliness of the salon. On more recent visits, since a change in management, I noticed that the place was looking shabby and even dirty, and I became suspicious about how well the tools were being disinfected. Rather than listening to my gut, I unfortunately decided to give it one last try and ended up with a scorching case of athletes foot, covering my toes and the entire soles of my feet. I have never had such an experience before. I dont usually write reviews, but I want to warn anybody considering this place. I highly recommend that you stay away at all costs. Disgusting.

Liz Taft I took my granddaughter here for a manicure. It was quick and everyone was very nice! There’s a wonderful restaurant nearby under the redwoods!

Christian Moyer I had a wonderful experience at Larkspur Nails Spa, thanks to Halem! I requested short nails, clean cuticles, and a buff and shine, and she delivered perfectly. My nails look fantastic and the shoulder massage at the end was such a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend Halem for her attention to detail and fantastic service! :)

Brandi Caulfield Got my first acrylic fill from my full set and had FOUR nails break within the first 3 days without doing anything intense. I went to get 2 fixed after the first 24 hours then the other 2 broke right after I left the country for vacation. I’ve been getting acrylics for years and never once had this happened. I spent $70 to get a fill too, so expensive to have this happen. They are not getting my business again.

Samantha Ferroggiaro Great experience. Very efficient, kind woman called Helen did a beautiful job on my gel manicure. Would recommend.

Barbara Johnstone My husband got me 2 gift certificates for a mani pedi for 2 people. It was supposed to cover any service, my kid decided not to get one, good thing! She talked me into getting a gel manicure when I asked for regular. She was too aggressive with the cuticle trimmers and made one of my fingers bleed. She said it was a hangnail but that was not true! It was near the back of the nail not the front. She did the same on my toes, my feet hurt today! Also, the gel was not pretty at all, way too thick. Not worth the $70.00 it cost for a mani pedi. I had to use both of my certificates to pay for one service!!

Laura Saunders They do a good job with a pedicure and have nice people. But only one chair and they are often very busy.

Chris L.A. They do great work. Need an appointment. Only 2 ladies work there.

Frank Gomez We love going to Glamorous Nails to have our Manicure and Pedicure. The team is amazing and we love the new owners. They painted my nails for the Fourth of July!

Maryia Meliuk Great local nail salon! I called to see if I could get a pedicure and they said I could come in right away. Loved my pedicure. Such sweet people working there! They also gave me new flip-flops because I came in wearing sneakers and they didn’t want me to mess up my pedicure. Definitely coming back!

Astrid Gomez My experience here at Glamorous Nails was very Good. There is really good ladys there and they are really nice they treat the customers really good. My mom and I love our manicure and pedicure we reallyrecomend this place :)

Hai Coughlin-Fargon Excellent service, very professional and so pleasant! Ling was very nice and engaging and Ha, who took care of my husband made his feet look so clean and feel so soft! Will definitely come back again!

Deb Carvalho Very nice salon with friendly staff. They did a good job with my reg pedicure (10/10) and gel manicure (8/10)and you can tell they put the effort into their service. It’s small and not a lot of ambience but would definitely recommend!

Linda K. Cleary Mani pedi, Great service, fair price.