Looking for the best London nail salons? You’re in luck.
From nail bars with prosecco on tap (yes please) to CBD-infused manicures and all-natural focused products, there are plenty of brilliant nail salons in London where you can book yourself in for a pamper.
Whether you want a simple polish or like to go bold with quirky art – we’ve rounded up our favourite spots in the capital.
Price Guide (based on a simple gel manicure)
£ – Up to £20
££ – Between £20 and £30
£££ – Over £30
Brilliant London Nail Salons
Nuka Nails
Ladbroke Grove
£££
Rewind to three years ago and WAH Nail Salon was everywhere on Instagram. You didn’t have to scroll for too long before extravagant nail art and gel-sculpted tips made an appearance.
So it was a huge shock when WAH announced that they would be closing their London salon.
Luckily Anoushka – a.k.a the Queen of nails at WAH – has since teamed up with the equally talented Kadimah and opened up an exciting nail salon in Ladbroke Grove.
The salon is all about the #vibes, step inside and you’re transported into a world of girl power and ridiculous nail art. Nose through the salon’s Instagram and you’ll find it all: gold foil flames, Space Jam characters, and actual neon lights on your nails.
Best For: Nail art. The crazier, the better.
Townhouse
Fitzrovia
££
Head to Townhouse if you want to feel totally pampered. Not only is the decor beautiful – earth-toned furniture is accented with golden details – but the staff are incredibly friendly, each trained in what they describe as ‘The Townhouse Way’.
Which basically means that they know a thing or two about looking after clients.
Opt for a classic polish, or choose a gel colour for a longer-lasting manicure. There’s also a pretty pedicure station, too.
Fancy a simple design? Choose from two nails, all nails, or a bespoke design that suits you perfectly. Townhouse is known for having a luxury clientele, but the prices are still very reasonable.
Best For: Luxurious nail prep and classy designs.
Dryby
£££
Focusing on elegant shellac nails, Dryby has long been a favourite salon amongst London locals, despite being one of the most expensive salons in the capital.
Simple is the name of the game here. Nails are prepped to perfection before shellac is applied and dried in an LED lamp. Walk out with the nails of your dreams.
Dryby also has a bespoke wedding package on the menu, offering chip-resistant designs that get your paws looking beautiful for your big day. A natural base with gilded accents is among the most popular designs for celebrations.
Best For: Special occasion shellac nails.
Duck & Dry
Multiple Locations
£
With each of their salons across London described as a ‘nest’, Duck & Dry is perfect if you’re looking to get glammed up for a special occasion. Head to the prosecco bar before your treatment and sip bubbles as your nails are preened and polished.
Gel is the main offering here – choose between a basic polish which costs just £20, or go wild and incorporate a hand massage and moisturising mask with the deluxe option.
Nail art is a reasonable £2 per nail. Will you opt for something simple? Or get creative with your designs?
Duck & Dry doubles as a hair salon, so book in for the full works and walk out feeling fab-u-lous.
Best For: Brilliant value for money and fun vibes.
Yuki of London
Fitzrovia
£££
Japan really takes nail art to the next level. Fancy 3D teddy bears on your thumbs? Sure. Chains hanging from your nails? No big deal. Head to Yuki of London for a pimped up version of a regular manicure.
You might think that all this crazy art would be damaging for your digits – oh no. Japanese polish is famed for its high-quality, chemical-free formulas, so you can go crazy without damaging your nails underneath.
Even if you don’t want to opt for wild nails, it’s worth coming here for a simple Japanese Organic Manicure.
At £55, the prices seem pretty steep, but take into consideration the long-lasting formula and we think it’s worth spending a little bit extra.
Best For: Japanese-style nail art and techniques.
Linnaean
Nine Elms
££
Linnaean is a cultural hub in Nine Elms: a cafe, shop, hair salon, and beauty bar all rolled into one (very aesthetic) package.
Stressing that their treatments are for all genders, the heavily inclusive attitude makes the salon a breath of fresh air – and a thousand miles away from the other heavily female-marketed spots in the capital.
Regular and gel polishes are offered, and both are non-toxic (in keeping with the natural theme). Whether you want a simple nude, or fancy painting each nail a different colour, Linnaean’s wonderful nail technicians are on hand to help you achieve your dream manicure.
Best For: A friendly salon with a community-focused vibe.
Shoreditch Nails
££
Both a salon and an academy for budding nail technicians, Shoreditch Nails is an ultra-cool East London nail salon specialising in moisturising gel treatments.
Simple gel manicures are taken to the next level here, with a huge focus on prepping the nail beds and a post-paint massage. And if you don’t fancy polish, you can pick a speedy mani, which includes filing, cuticle prep and oil for just £16.
Fancy dipping your toes (or fingers) into the nail art world? There’s a handy menu featuring the likes of polka dots and half moons, so you know exactly what you’ll be paying for.
Why not opt for a pedi too? Get the full pamper experience with a £90 mani-pedi with a foot scrub and moisturising massage included.
Best For: Simple gel nails in a stylish salon.
Nails & Brows Mayfair
£££
Boasting a gold-kissed manicure, where nails are adorned with 24 Carat gold leaf, Nails & Brows Mayfair take the title for the bougiest nail salon in central London.
The salon’s Kure Bazaar Organic Manicure is another unique offering: the health of the nail is preserved through a luxurious barley mask before non-toxic polishes are applied. The best bit? The polish is yours to keep.
A special man-icure makes the menu too, offering men the chance to get their nails shaped, buffed, and tidied before a relaxing massage leaves the hands feeling incredibly soft.
In need of a midday refresh? Nails & Brows offers a simple maintenance manicure that takes just twenty minutes to transform sad, bitten nails into polished perfection.
Best For: Luxury manicures with a golden touch.
Ama
££
Specialising in natural and naked manicures, Ama worked with the likes of P!nk and Kelis before opening up her salon in Brixton. The salon’s free-from menu boasts a whole host of vegan polishes that are up to 90% natural.
If years of harsh treatments have left your nails feeling brittle and damaged, send yourself to nail rehab for a pampering session that nurses your nails back to health.
The treatment starts with a file and buff, followed by a revitalising oil mask and the choice of a moisture treatment or a non-toxic top coat. Your nails will be stripped back to basics to start the healing process.
Best For: Natural manicures that help to return damaged nails back to full health.
Reecey Roo’s
Camberwell
££
Stepping into Reecey Roo’s is like stepping into an explosion of colour. Those looking for simple manicures will probably want to head somewhere else, Reecey Roo only knows extra.
The extensions are immaculate. Whether you want ultra-sharp stiletto nails or a perfectly-formed coffin, Reecey Roo has got it covered.
Intricate lettering, 3D gems, and character drawing are all on the cards here. In fact, whatever wild vision you’ve got in your mind, Reecey’s can bring it to life.
Best For: The wildest manicures.
Young LDN
££
Young LDN has got absolutely everything covered. Part clinic, part shop, and part beauty salon, this spot offers everything from body sculpting, to lash lifts and manicures.
The CBD mani is among the most popular nail treatments. At £23, it’s a decently-priced deluxe treatment that involves CBD oil-infused products, an antioxidant that helps to calm the skin and protect it from further damage.
The salon also offers the choice between gel and shellac, with the option to add nail strengthening treatments and art onto any service.
Best For: A CBD-infused manicure and all your beauty treatments in one place.
Hula Beauty
Hackney
£
Cheeky tiki-themed salon Hula Beauty is the brainchild of a former MAC employee, who decided that a vintage salon run by red-lipped and pin-curl haired staff was just what the capital was missing.
The salon offers far more than just nails, but their manicures are ridiculously good. Whether you fancy vintage heart-tipped talons or want to go for a half moon design, prepare to be wowed.
Top tip: Pop in on a Friday 13th for a £13 manicure. Be prepared to queue, though.
Best For: Fun theming and reasonably priced manicures and pedicures.
Cowshed Spa
Multiple Locations
£££
With multiple locations dotted across the capital, Cowshed Spa boasts plenty of rejuvenating treatments for your hands and feet. Why go to a salon when you can go to a spa, eh?
Opt for the Ultimate Cowshed Manicure for a relaxing treatment followed up with a scalp and shoulder massage. You’ll get to choose between a huge range of colours as luxe Cowshed products are massaged into your hands and feet.
If you want a spa vibe without the faff, the Speedy Manicure involves a file, tidy, and application of gel polish to leave you feeling perfectly preened before stepping back out into the hustle and bustle of the city.
Best For: The ultimate spa experience.
Guys and Dolls Parlour
Shoreditch
£
This 50s themed salon in Shoreditch is a unisex beauty haven that has built up a loyal client base throughout the years.
Prices are reasonable, with simple manicures starting at £12 for a file and polish. Choices span plain polish, shellac, or even Apres Gel-X extensions, so however you like your nails, Guys and Dolls will be able to deliver.
Got kids? You can even bring them along for a pamper day – treat them to their own mini mani, which features basic filing and a fun nail colour of their choice.
Best For: Reasonable prices and a cosy vintage salon.
Best Nail Salons in London: Map
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