Nail salons - when you've actually bothered to take the time and money to get yourself down to one for a much-needed manicure, there's nothing worse than realising you've booked into the dodgiest nail bar in town. 'Oh you only do six inch French tip acrylics and no, you don't accept card? Totally fine...'
Which is why we've rounded up the best nail bars across the UK where you can get a next level mani that's safe for work but also totally fashun.
From millennial pink arm chairs and TVs that play SATC on repeat, to champagne bars and virtual reality nail art, check out the best nail salons to get a first class ELLE-approved manicure, wherever you are in the country.
Young LDN
Go for...Tucked within the idyllic spot of Westbourne Grove, Young LDN offers skin, body and nail treatments for a top-to-toe glow up. The Japanese Manicure is excellent for anyone embracing the clean-girl manicure (or is simply after healthy, hydrated nails).
After grooming the cuticles and shaping the nails, your nail tech will buff in a mixture of keratin and beeswax powder which leaves bare nails looking plumper, smoother and ridiculously shiny for up to two weeks - no polish needed.
Townhouse Harrods - Milton Keynes
Go for... Townhouses' first salon outside of London. Expect to find digitised nail menus spanning their extensive colour range, the infamous Townhouse nail art and perfectly polished interiors housed in Milton Keynes Harrods. Once you've had your nails done, why not pop on down to The Skincare station for a consultation and then onto The Mask Bar to satisfy your self-care habits?
Lacquered + Stripped
Go for... West London's best kept sustainable salon secret. Nestled in Connaught Village, Lacquered + Stripped is your one stop shop for head to toe beauty treatments. From only using eco-friendly and cruelty-free products to limited plastic consumption, this is the salon that eco-conscious beauty lovers need on their radar. They also have a handy nail art guide on their website to offer you some pre-appointment inspiration.
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Shian Nails - London
Go for... the new kid on the nail block (it just opened in 2021) with a bespoke salon experience. If you're looking for chic nail art in a serene setting, these velvet bucket chairs are the ones you want to be heading for. The owner stumbled upon her passion for creating beautiful nails during lockdown and has channelled all of her nail know-how into this venture, so you know you'll be getting the very best treatment.
Townhouse in Harrods - London
Go for... The most luxurious nail experience maybe ever? At Townhouse's brand new residency, whether you opt for the Harrods exclusive 'The Manicure' (which features Chantecaille treatments and massage no less) or go the full length with gel extensions, you know you're in the best hands. Did we mention the interior is what marble dreams are made of?
Simply Urban - Brighton
Go for... a laid-back tropical vibe from the comfort of Old Blighty. Chill out in the sapphire blue and green-hued nail lounge and treat yourself to a mani pedi before heading to one of the other two floors for a spa package. All this located just five minutes walk from the beach? Yes please.
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NUKA Nails - London
Go for... the hottest nail art in London town. Seriously, we cannot get over the level of detail and creativity that goes into these designs. From ombré butterflies to pop culture references, if you can think of it the chances are the NUKA Nail girls can paint it. So if you like your nails to make a statement, head on over to West London to get your own tiny masterpieces while watching Ab Fab re-runs, of course.
Un/Basic - Earlsfield
Go for... the ultimate green experience when it comes to your nails. This uber-cool and calming space is punctuated with plants and thoughtful touches, which makes it look like it's come straight out of our Pinterest inspo boards. When it comes to the nails, only vegan, cruelty-free and toxin-free polishes are used, without compromising on a high-standard finish.
Jennifer Rose - Manchester
Go for... when you want the full works. This salon not only offers an extensive range of nail treatments (including some super cute nail art), you can also get your brows and lashes done in the same trip, all whilst sipping on a glass of Prosecco (or five). Pre-drinks just got a serious upgrade.
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Gossip Nails - Bristol
Go for... If you're looking for the most Instagrammable nail situ in the south west of England, you've just found it. Not only is this a neon-lit, millennial pink haven, but you'll also be able to get some seriously incredible nail art that's sure to make people stop you on the street and ask, 'Where did you get those done?'.
Linnaean - London
Go for... Battersea's new hottest one stop shop for all things beauty. Indulge in a vegan lunch downstairs before having your hair blowdried, then glide to the first floor for a muscle-soothing massage and the best manicure Battersea can offer.
Plaster Beauty - London
Go for... Treat yourself to seriously friendly service, great colour ranges and totally vegan and cruelty-free products. They’ve also started selling their own manicure cream so you can continue the self-care at home.
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After Beauty - London
Go for... A total 'beauty playground' complete with the extremely instagrammable nail bar. After experimenting with the curated edit of beauty products on the ground floor, indulge in a spot of nail art upstairs before snapping the finished look in front of the pink floral wall.
Ama The Salon - London
Go for... The eco friendly manicure of your dreams. 'We try to keep everything natural and organic, down to our scrubs, our creams and the sanitisers we use, which come from certified organic UK brand Pinks Boutique,' says founder and nail artist Ama Quashie. 'I didn’t want to demonise people who still want to get acrylics, it’s just about providing another choice and then people can make informed decisions.'
NAF! Salon - Glasgow
Go for... The fun, chilled atmosphere, the millennial pink pedicure area and more shades of gel nail varnish than you can shake a French tip at.
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Beauty Temple - Mapperley
Go for... The zen country spa vibes, the perfect classic mani, and the indulgent champagne nail bar.
Gloss Bar - Watford
Go for... The reassuringly clean white surfaces, the squishy pink pedicure booths and a mani for under £20.
Cowshed - Nationwide
Go for... The crazy comfy armchairs and pregnancy pillows, the TVs showing SATC on repeat, and the most zen manicure ever.
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The Nail Yard - Edinburgh
Go for... A manicure minus the millennial pink, the all natural Kure Bazaar nail polish, and the ingenious nail art printer.
DryBy - London
Go for... Fashion week's go-to neutral toned nail art, a seriously speedy blowdry and a whole lot of interiors inspo.
George Driver
Former Senior Digital Beauty Editor
George Driver was the former Senior Beauty Editor - Digital at ELLE UK.
