Happy New Year!! I wanted to renew my review for Fabulous VIP Nails (Helen, Troy, and Sam) and let…read moreall Yelpers know that as an original from day one and a consistent regular that this place is 5 star AMAZING!! Whether you are a new customer or a regular you will be treated with red carpet service because Helen and her Brothers genuinely care about their customers and in making sure you have a relaxing and memorable experience. They all are soooo meticulous and always aim for perfection with your service. All businesses go through ups and downs so if by chance you catch them on an off day, I encourage you to try them out a second time so that you can see how truly great of a place Fabulous VIPs Nails is in providing you high end services with a mom and pop/family owned feel. Pro tip - try to make an appointment rather than walk in so that you can get more focused pampering!! Thank you again Helen, Troy, and Sam for always making my nails "FABULOUS" and for giving me "VIP" service!! 10 out of 10 every time!! =0)

I came here for the first time and got an appt right away…read more Her massage chair was nice to have while having my toes done. Her brother did a good job for gel polish.

Needed an early Sunday morning nail spot as a meeting point for my friends. We come from Oakland,…read moreSan Jose, and Castro Valley. We all agreed to meet in San Mateo. This was a get together to get our nails done for some TLC and to strategically get our friend to get her nails done before her engagement !!! The quality of the nails in photos looked great and the inside looked comfy and fitting enough for us to catch up and yap. Kudos to the team bc originally my friend was not gonna get her nails done and only wanted a pedi !!! We finally convince her but then she didn't want gel !! I spoke with my nail tech in secret and had them convince her to get gel. It was a success and without them it would've been mission fail. Our nails looked super cute, great quality, price, & service. Would recommend again. And now our friend is a fianceee with a beautiful rock and with stunning photos !!

Moving back to the Bay Area from Utah meant I had to leave behind my nail girl of 4 years so…read morefinding someone new for my Gel X era honestly gave me anxiety lol. I found Linda on Yelp, loved her work, called the salon, and she just happened to be available that same day -- which already felt like fate. And of COURSE... before driving there, I tried swatting a fly on my porch (don't ask ) and somehow broke my thumbnail literally in half. By the time I arrived, I was anxious, embarrassed, and fully preparing myself for pain and disappointment. But Linda immediately made me feel comfortable. If you're someone who gets nervous walking into a new establishment -- whether it's a salon, restaurant, or even a medical office -- you know how important energy and kindness are. Linda greeted me so warmly, reassured me instantly, and handled my broken nail SO carefully that I barely felt discomfort. I genuinely thought my nail was doomed, but she saved it beautifully. The whole appointment honestly felt like hanging out with a friend while getting your nails done. We spent the visit talking, laughing, and getting to know each other. She shared stories about her salon and her team, and you can genuinely tell these are hardworking, humble people who truly care about what they do. That part especially stuck with me. I've always been a neutral nail girlie, but Linda started showing me different styles and ideas that actually got me excited to branch out and try new things again. That's the kind of nail tech you want -- someone who not only does beautiful work, but inspires confidence and makes the experience feel fun and safe. Finding a new nail tech after years with the same person can honestly feel weirdly emotional lol, but I left feeling SO relieved and happy that I found her. Safe to say... I found my Bay Area nail girl

Thank you so much Celine! Absolutely appreciated her…read moreattention to detail. She was very gentle and I would love to continue to go to her. Spa itself was clean, relaxing, and the hot tea and cookie was a nice touch.

First, I want to say that Karen is amazing. She's kind, professional, and gave me some of the best…read moreservice I've received in the five years I've been coming here. This review is not about her, it's about the business. I've been a customer for about five years because it's convenient, the salon is beautiful, and I enjoy the relaxing atmosphere. Over the years, however, I've had several uncomfortable experiences that I overlooked because of the convenience. For example, I was once pressured by a receptionist to tip in cash, and another time I brought a group in for pedicures and everyone received a drink and snack except me. Today was the final straw. I came in for a pedicure after an exhausting week. Although I arrived about 30 minutes before closing, I was never asked which pedicure package I wanted or which scent I preferred, questions they normally ask every visit. The service lasted about 30 minutes and felt like a very basic pedicure. There was no mask, extended massage, or any of the upgraded amenities typically associated with their higher-priced services. I initially requested regular polish but later switched to gel after seeing a sparkly red color that matched a dress I plan to wear to a wedding. When it came time to pay, my total was $80. I was shocked. Nothing about the service I received justified that price. It felt like I was charged for a premium pedicure despite receiving a standard one. After multiple questionable experiences over the years, I no longer feel comfortable giving this business my money. The salon may be beautiful, but the repeated issues and lack of transparency have outweighed the convenience. As a long-time customer, I'm disappointed to say I won't be returning.

ATMOSPHERE: Clean nail salon with manicure and pedicure offerings (massage chairs too). Would…read morerecommend calling to make an appointment as they can get busy. SERVICE: Jo Jo is friendly and pays attention to detail. A regular manicure is $35 and takes about 25 min. A gel manicure is $40 (+$5 for French tip) and takes about 35 min. Unfortunately my gel nails didn't last as long as I had hoped because I'm not super careful with nails, but for $45, it was worth it.

JJ Nails is my go-to spot for gel manis & pedis!…read more Compared to other salons in the area, JJ provides excellent service for a reasonable price. The manis & pedis come with a complimentary paraffin wax treatment that other places tend to charge for. My gel pedis can last up to 2 months which is great for summer sandal times. For manis, I usually pop in to get them done before a special event and it's pretty easy to call and get a last minute appointment. They have a large selection of colors to choose from. Note that this is in DTSM so parking is a little hard. I recommend parking at Central Garage. Payment can be done via Venmo & Zelle along with other traditional transaction processes. Looking forward to coming back for a little pamper session.

Been coming here for years and always come back! All the workers are good and give great service!read more

I've finally found the best nail salon in San Mateo. The quality of care they all give is…read morefantastic. The vibe is always amazing and relaxing. They also give the best massages. All the nail techs are detail oriented and thorough. The salon is clean and they have all their nail tools in a sterilization pouch which is a plus. Julie took good care of my mom. She was very meticulous when giving her a pedicure. Jennifer the owner, is sweet and caring. She gave me a manicure and was very gentle. If you're looking for a nail salon this is the place to go. I promise you'll leave happy and satisfied. I can't wait for my next visit.

I love Bella's Beauty Spa! The service is timely, they are affordable, the space is clean and…read morevibrant, they did a great job with my pedi, and communicated clearly with me before my appointment. Lyla was my technician a few months ago and she did a fantastic job on some pretty rough athletic feet. I was supposed to get a luxury service for my birthday today (foot and hand massage, paraffin wax for the hands and a sugar scrub for my feet). I cancelled last minute due to an emergency, but I really look forward to returning again in the future. Thank you Lyla and Bella Beauty Spa!

They were about to accommodate me on a walk in. I asked for a gel French manicure and regular…read morepedicure. I noticed my French manicure white tip started changing into yellow on the pointer finger about a week out. I washed my hands multiple times and with soap, thinking this was a stain from something. This has never happened before in my history of manicures, and I watched the lady the entire time.

Got my nails done here and they look so good!! Matched the photo and paid extra attention to…read moredetail. Great service and very friendly.

I go to Tranquil atleast 1 a month. They are the best nail place in San Mateo I have ever found! I…read morealways go to Bella, she makes sure my nails are always perfect when I leave. The costumer service at Tranquil is also the best ever, they have a calming experience and always make sure you have a snack, or a beverage to ensure you are content for your entire appointment. I could not recommend this place enough!

I've been coming here for about a year now, and I've had my nails done by almost everyone on the…read moreteam. Every experience has been wonderful! It's always quick and easy to book an appointment, whether by phone or through their website. Sometimes I get extensions, but most of the time I come in for gel polish. No matter what service I choose, they always take their time with my manicure and regularly check in to make sure I'm happy with how everything looks. I also really appreciate how clean and well-maintained the salon is every time I visit--it always feels welcoming and comfortable. Another thing I love is how talented the nail artists are. Whenever I bring in an inspiration photo, they do an amazing job matching the design and bringing it to life. Their attention to detail and dedication to making sure you leave happy really stands out. If you're looking for a new nail salon, I highly recommend giving this place a try. It has become my go-to salon, and even if I move to another city someday, I know I'll keep coming back!

I recently moved to Foster City and was looking for a good nail salon in the area. This place had…read morehigh ratings, so I decided to try it for a Gel-X removal ($30). Martin assisted me. He was polite, quiet, and gentle with my nails, which I appreciated. Unfortunately, the removal technique was not a great experience. My fingers were placed in a tub of acetone and I was told it would be about 5 minutes, but it ended up being about 10. My fingertips became very dry and pruney. In my past experiences, other nail techs typically use acetone-soaked cotton applied directly to my nail and wrapped with foil, which better protects the skin. After the removal, I was asked to wash my hands and was told the service was done. However, I noticed gel residue left on my skin and some still on my nails. When I mentioned it, I was told "no worries, it'll come off in the shower". Well it felt uncomfortable for me! The remaining gel was only wiped after I requested it, and there is still visible residue. For the hour that he spent removing it off, it definitely was not worth the price at all. I've had many Gel-X removals before and they were usually much cleaner and more efficient and cheaper priced ($15) and took only 30 mins. Giving 2 stars because Martin was kind, but I wasn't satisfied with the overall result.