Our hands are the most exposed part of our bodies, on display all year round, and so they need special care and attention. In summer, our feet are also on show, which means you want them to be looking their best as well.
There are so many options to choose from – do you go for a long-lasting set of shellac nails, or a basic polish? Do you want a full spa treatment for your hands and feet or just a light pampering? A professional nail salon will be able to help you make your decision, and leave you with outstanding results.
The benefits of a regular manicure and pedicure don’t stop at the aesthetics. You will also enjoy some pretty exciting health benefits – with the massages included in your treatment increasing circulation to your extremities, and regular deep cleaning removing bacteria from our most exposed body parts. And besides, taking the time out for a pampering session is something we all deserve every now and then.
In this article we list the qualities that make a nail salon great, and share where to find the best nail salons in Canberra. Let’s get right into it.
What makes a great nail salon?
Here are some things to look out for when choosing a nail salon in Canberra.
- Cleanliness. Undoubtedly, cleanliness is the most important thing to consider when choosing a nail salon. Ask yourself, is the floor clean? Are the benches wiped down? Is equipment sterilised correctly? The last thing you want is a risk of infection, so don’t be too shy to ask any questions. A professional technician will be happy to put your mind at ease.
- Experience. Like anything, the more experience you have providing nail treatments, the better they’ll be. An established salon with a good reputation is usually a safe bet.
- Qualifications. Nail technicians need to be trained correctly. It’s important that your technician has a thorough knowledge of the health and safety concerns associated with hand, foot, and nail treatments, as well as how to create a great looking finish for your fingers and toes.
- Price. Prices can vary widely from salon to salon. However, there is such a thing as ‘too cheap’ Be cautious of very low prices, as this may indicate that a salon is cutting corners.
- Friendliness. Part of a great manicure or pedicure can be a good old chat with your technician. On the other hand, if you prefer to drift off during your treatment, an experienced technician will be able to read the situation, and leave you to it if necessary.
The best nail salons in Canberra
RiotACT’s editorial team has combed through 20 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.
To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on RiotACT and Facebook as well as maintaining a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.
Waramanga Beauty Spot
Waramanga Beauty Spot is owned and operated by international beauty trainer Amy Lam, whose extensive experience in the beauty industry keeps the team of friendly, highly qualified therapists at Waramanga Beauty Spot up to date with the latest treatments and technology, ensuring all customers benefit from the best treatments available.
Waramanga Beauty Spot offers an extensive range of nail care treatments. Whether you’re looking for nail polish, a full set of false nails, repair, a tidy up, or a deluxe spa treatment for your hands and feet, Waramanga Beauty Spot can cater to your needs exactly.
They also offer a 10% discount on gel nails for seniors and students. With affordable prices and efficient service, this salon will have you completely taken care of.
As Facebook reviewer Moo West said, “Amy and the team are great, the salon is lovely – I highly recommend their services!”
Waramanga ACT 2611
Elegance Beauty Therapy
Looking for award-winning service in a convenient location? The long-established Elegance Beauty Therapy could be the place for you. They offer friendly and professional staff, free advice on home-care treatments, and a VIP Loyalty Card to help with the cost of keeping your hands and feet gorgeous.
From mini manicures to the indulgent spa deluxe manicure or pedicure, indulge in the extensive range of treatments. And rest assured if you’re not completely happy with your results – they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so if you have any completes you can either get a full refund or a total re-do of the service.
As Facebook user Korina Choundary writes in their review, “Tina and her team provide fabulous service and are very knowledgeable about their products. I highly recommend Elegance.”
Gel-icious Nails
Gel-icious Nails is an accredited nail salon, specialising in nail enhancements and customised press-on nails, ensuring perfectly tailored nails that look beautiful and natural. With over twelve years of experience behind the team at Gel-icious Nails, you know you’re in experienced and knowledgeable company and will not be disappointed by the results.
Press-on nails are slightly different from gel and acrylic nails in that they are quicker to apply and are reusable – so if you don’t have the time or money to invest in ongoing maintenance of gel or acrylic nails, then consider getting press-ons done at Gel-icious Nails. The nails will last for up to 2 weeks, and if they are taken care of properly they can be reused, so they’re a great accessory for a special occasion. Design your perfect nail by selecting from their range of lengths, shapes, patterns and colours to get your perfect nail!
As Google reviewer Teresa Rodz writes, “I have been a client of Paulette for 6 years now. She is a fantastic, professional and dedicated nail technician. I always receive compliments on my nails and my response each time she finishes my nails is ‘perfect.’ A true professional.”
Vivid Nails
Vivid Nails aims to provide all customers with a luxurious, personalised experience, meeting all of your specific needs, set in an elegant and comfortable environment. The team at Vivid is made up of knowledgeable and enthusiastic technicians who will adapt to your requirements and provide you with excellent products, care and sanitation.
Vivid Nails offers a wide range of services all at affordable prices, such as mani-pedi spa treatments, acrylic and gel nails, SNS, and even facial and skin care treatments.
Facebook user Danni Sparkes left the following review for Vivid Nails, “Clean and professional salon. Each technician provided a great client experience. Will be back, and love to support a local business with a passionate owner.”
The Beautique by Jessica Peris
Headed up by passionate and dedicated beauty therapist Jessica Peris, The Beautique’s goal is to not only provide excellent service and yield high-quality results, but to make sure everyone who enters feels happy, empowered and beautiful.
Jessica and her team all specialise in nail art, and in addition to classic mani-pedi treatments – gel polish, luxurious treatments, and basic buffs – they also have a selection of nail art you can choose from, as well as offering you the chance to request custom art for your nails.
As ‘Local Guide’ Samantha Lear writes in their Google review, “The staff are lovely. You can tell the whole place as a personal touch and such a welcoming feel. The girls are so skilled in their nail art and are so gentle with you. Couldn’t recommend a better place.”
If you’re looking for other beauty salons and services, check out our articles the best eyelash extension services in Canberra, the best beauty salons in Canberra, and the best hair salons in Canberra for some helpful guides!
Your experience with nail salons in Canberra
Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback, if you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
Have you had experience with any of the nail salons listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.
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No “cutting regime” will help severe (genetic) ingrown toenails. The “zap” or day surgery is the answer.
neanderthalsis said :
My right big toe has had regular growing-the-wrong-way sessions since I was a teenager as a result of some ill-fitting GP army boots. I sort things out with my swiss army knife, dettol, cotton wool and bandaid as described, and it’s all good for another 6 months.
I might consider the podiarist-toenail-corner-zapping technique though, as it seems to be becoming more frequent as I get older.
I don’t reckon a pedicure would do me much good somehow.
wierd. sakpase didn’t actually ask your opinion on her grooming regime yet people feel the need to comment! Not asking you to pay for it! sakpase if you’re worried about the cost vs cleanliness try the Canberra Beauty Academy they’re therapists in training which means they would have to follow proper procedures. Last check it was $34 the only thing is they’re only open Thursday 5pm to 9pm and school terms I’m guessing. When I was a student I used to go to CIT beauty unfortunately its only open during business hours. good luck.
qbngeek said :
I’m glad it worked for you. Cutting alone hasn’t for me. *shrug* I don’t really care who believes it or not, but for me, my pedicures make a difference to my day-to-day health and comfort. By all means, go and tell me how I have first world problems (that seems to be the current refrain for anything that doesn’t involve sleeping in the streets), but I don’t see how me having infected and painful feet in Australia is going to help developing and emerging countries to solve their problems.
deejay said :
So can a regime of learning to cut your toenails properly. My doctor showed me how to cut my toenails properly after I was getting them regularly and I haven’t had one since.
Erg0 said :
I wouldn’t make a pedicurist deal with a currently ingrown nail (ew), but yes, a regime of regular pedicures can prevent them.
Jethro said :
Choice had a worrying article about this some years ago. I feel sad for the babies in prams I sometimes see sitting right beside the tables.
I don’t have a problem with deejay feeling regular pedicures have an important benefit in such circumstances.
I do have a problem with something which typically is a luxury rather than a need, and this is the important bit, being sought cheaply. You can imagine in which direction businesses are going to go when customers quibble over price but don’t ask about ventilation systems or whether the business uses safer/expensive Chemical A or cheaper/more toxic Chemical B. I have to add though that the authorities should be doing their bit to regulate the industry and ensure an acceptable minimum standard. I don’t know if anything has changed since I read the article in Choice but the fumes that are still apparent just walking past one of those nail salons can’t be a good sign.
Solidarity said :
Or you could man up and do a spot of home surgery with side cut wire shears, a pocket knife, a bottle of metho/detol, some cotton wool and a bandaid.
Solidarity said :
Podiatrist.
also, they have this new technology where they “zap” the toe nail in the corner, and it never grows on that side again. Its a bit expensive, but if you continually get ingrowns, it might be worth it
forgoodnessake said :
Donations may not be enough. Perhaps we need to think critically about our current lifestyles and whether they are sustainable in the longer term.
Solidarity said :
Unless they’ve started doing pedicures under a local anaesthetic, I’d recommend seeing a doctor for that.
Solidarity said :
I think a podiatrist might be more suited to fixing this. Pedicures are more for aesthetic reasons only. If it’s really bad (infected) you could see a doctor.
Hmm, I have an ingrown toenail, these pedicure people can fix it forever?
I’ve never had one before cause i’m not a chick.
bryansworld said :
yes and news flash – lucky for us all we live in the first world. Why should people feel guilty about that? I give donations on a regular basis to support those who can’t support themselves in this country and others. Soooo sick of the attitude that people can’t enjoy their life or money becdause others are not as fortunate. Life is not fair or equal deal with it.
Angelina said :
Well said Angelina 😀
forgoodnessake said :
Oh how terrible, someone’s grungy feet. FFS. First World Problem. Ridiculous.
Elegance in the centrepoint building in civic are very good. They use new files for each customer and clean their implements between each customer. http://www.elegancebeauty.com.au/
People are free to spend their money however they want.
I don’t give a rat’s arse if you spend your entire income on novelty balls with bad puns on them.
But getting a pedicure every three weeks is not a need.
As for my comment about my child throwing up, I was being facetious.
It was a reference to the fact that women who work in those places are exposed to seriously dangerous chemical carcinogens. The risk of cancer, etc for women who work in nail salons for long periods of time is very real. I think it is reasonable that I question the necessity of supporting an industry that caters to our vanity by placing its workers at serious risk of harm.
you’d have to pay me $70 to cut someone else’s toenails. ewww
Tsk tsk OP. How dare you spend money on yourself! Shame shame…. Far out people…. really??
There is nothing wrong with ‘wanting’ to maintain the look of your feet or hands if you can afford the luxury. Every 3 weeks is quite often, but if I could afford it I would totally do it. Who doesn’t want nice baby soft feet with pretty painted toenails as opposed to rough calloused gross toes poking disgustingly out of really nice shoes?? Sandal weather people. Have some consideration for other people who might catch a glimpse of your feet I say!