I come to Palo Alto for meetings weekly and I needed a fresh set of nails, so I came to Mai! I came in for short acrylics and she delivered. Mai is the sweetest and we had wonderful conversation. I love when I can take a break from my every day routine and make conversation with my nail/hair/etc. artists. The service was only $65 and very high quality. I will most definitely be returning. read more

Nails by Michelle - Acrylic - Nail Salons Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Check my daughter had a pedicure. Everything was delightful., my daughter was so happy with her nails read more

Nails by Michelle - Rainbow creation - Nail Salons Near Me - Palo Alto, California

I've been visiting different nail salons in Palo Alto for the last few years and never fully satisfied until I found Michelle. Her work is impecable, silk nails last so long, her work is meticulous and outstanding. I also really look forward to my appointments with her because it is such a pleasure to chat with her! She is kind, down to earth and a joy to be around. She now has openings at 7am which makes it super easy to get nails done before the day begins. She is reliable, very responsive over text message and listens to exactly what you want. I highly recommend her! read more

Michelle is the right person to go to for nails. She is professional, artistic, knowledgeable about nails and keeps an immaculately clean studio. She is always on time and she is the only manicurist that I've been to that does my nails so well that I get compliments from people. Even my podiatrist commented on how nicely cut and maintained my nails were. The time I spend with her is very enjoyable and I come away with beautifully manicured and pedicured nails. My hope is that I never have to go to anyone else. read more

Nails by Michelle - Great Manicure! - Nail Salons Near Me - Palo Alto, California

This is the only place I am willing to go to get my nails done. I've never found another salon that does silk nails like this, they're not bulky and they don't hurt my nails. They stay on for a really long time and give such a polished, femme look. 10/10 read more

Nails by Michelle - Silk nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Palo Alto, California

I got a gel manicure with Michelle and walked out feeling so much more put together!! The vibe of the salon is very cozy and she really talks to you and makes you feel special. Michelle's really talented at nails and has a great eye for detail. You also text her the colors you want so that when you get there everything is all ready to go and she can focus more on you as a person! 10/10 could not recommend enough!! read more

Nails by Michelle - Nail Salons Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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After reading the stellar reviews I decided to book an appointment with Mai (Michelle). Mai was so nice and asked many questions regarding what I wanted. I've only gotten my nails done twice before, so I'm not too familiar with the terminology. I showed her pictures of what I wanted and she walked me through the process on the phone. She was super attentive and even told me to "think about it" so that I can get the best value for my buck. She's very responsive via text and phone which is a big plus! During the appointment, she was so fun to talk to and she had the color I wanted mixed in advance. I wanted korean style translucent pink nails with girly decals, and that's what I ended up getting (acrylic set with decals) :) I love how they turned out, both the shape, the color, the sparkles and decals. The price was as I expected and I'll be sure to come back again! read more

Nails by Michelle - Acrylic set with decals. So pink and pretty! - Nail Salons Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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I scheduled an appointment with Mai for a few days before my wedding. I had never done acrylics or silk wrap or anything, so I told her to do what she thought is best! She mixed a color for me the day before based on an image I sent her for inspiration. I got so many compliments, and now I definitely want to keep up the nails until my honeymoon next month. She was so so nice and made me feel really comfortable the whole time! After the appointment (2 hours total for adding length, silk wrap, gel polish, and a pedicure with regular polish), I felt like we were already good friends. read more

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Best Silk Nails ever!! After being allergic to chemicals I switched to Silk nails and heard they are the best here, and so far it's working out she's very friendly!! parking is easy and free for 2 hours! I work by Apple so it's just convenient. read more

i've been doing my nails myself for over a decade, and i'd like to say i'm pretty good at it, but michelle did a much better job. she did a great job at shaping my nails and creating a very smooth, even coat. this was my first time having a manicure and my first ever gel uv-cured nails, and i was in and out in a little over half an hour. i do a good job at taking care of my cuticles and trying to keep them presentable, but michelle somehow made them look better than they ever have. she helped me pick colors that were complimentary to my skin tone and directed me away from a color that was unflattering. very pleased and in love with my new nails. thank you, michelle! read more

Nails by Michelle - nude nails! - Nail Salons Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Very professional service , comfy and clean environment, friendly attitudes. I particularly like the foot massage that's complimentarily offered during pedicure ! Strongly recommend read more

Michelle is a pro. I texted her the color and length I wanted beforehand, and on the day of my appointment she had a few swatches for me to pick from. She is skilled, efficient, and a delight to talk to. Her prices are very fair, and her studio is clean and comfortable. I'm spoiled with her and can't imagine going to anyone else. See Michelle if you want beautiful nails :) read more

Nails by Michelle - Silk tips with gel - Nail Salons Near Me - Palo Alto, California

I've been going to Michelle for a few months now, she is always friendly and welcoming. She does a fantastic work, she is very detail oriented and doesn't rush. She specializes in silk, and I couldn't be happier with my silk manicures every time. read more

10/10 - 100% the best nails I have ever gotten. I was looking for someone who would do hard gel and Michelle recommend silk wraps instead. I went with the silk wraps and I have to say it's the best manicure I've ever had and I will never go to anyone else. They stayed in perfect condition for 3 weeks until I got them redone. Absolutely NO lifting, no chipping, and the color didn't even really dull. My nails are so hard and strong and have grown so much. As someone who is so picky with manicures, I guarantee you will never find someone better than Michelle. read more

Michelle did it again! She matched the color to exactly I wanted and my nails are so strong. She is the best!! read more

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Nice lady, fun personality. Quite a talker but wish she focused more on my nails then her stories. Did a horrible job with my gel manicure. First, this manicure lasted maybe 20 minutes. No massage, barely cut any skin around (see attached picture) and uneven coating of gel. Won't be back and definitely will not recommend to friends. Not worth 35 dollars! read more

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I've been getting my nails done by Michelle (aka Mai) for several months now! I've wanted a nail salon near work and I'm so happy I came across this place on Yelp! Michelle is so cheerful and does a fantastic gel manicure! It's so convenient that she's available before my work hours as early as 7am on Tues Wed Thurs and even on Sat early morning to start my weekend. Mon and Fri she's available 11-6:30pm and Sunday early afternoon. She's quick to respond to text message. It's good to book her ahead but you can always shoot her a text message for her availability. Free parking is available right next to the salon in the parking lot on Florence St. It's also easy to walk to from the PA Caltrain. I highly recommend her if you're in the area! read more

I go to see Michelle every month or so and I absolutely love how well she does each time. Not only is she a pleasure to talk to, but she provides an amazing Silk manicure. Ive been a customer for as long as I can remember and will continue to be! read more

The place I was supposed to go initially didn't open at the time they said so I came because it says it is open early and because it says that walk-ins are welcome but I felt less than welcomed. The owner or the person attending the front was rude and made me feel absolutely unwelcome, practically making me leave the facilities before even asking her staff if someone could take me. A complete disappointment. read more

Michelle is the best!! She's great at what she does and so fun to talk to. My extension nails look amazing, thanks to Michelle's great patience in communicating to get me what I want. I'm going back in to see her soon. Definitely recommend!! read more

Nails by Michelle - Nail Salons Near Me - Palo Alto, California

The spot is kind of hidden in some sort of business complex that I've passed by multiple times without knowing it was there. But I decided to walk-in looking for a place to get some pampering. One thing that stood out to me was the ladies' kindness and service. They were super welcoming and luckily it wasn't busy and they were able to take me in right away. I got both a mani-pedi by Nancy. Her foot massage was absolutely amazing! You can tell the nail techs here really care about building a certain connection with their clients. Overall, I was really happy with the outcome of my nails. Very neat, no smudges and super careful. One con was it was pretty pricey ($70 ish for gel mani and regular pedi) but I can't complain because I decided to get them done in Palo Alto so what do you expect right? Unfortunately the color I originally wanted couldn't be applied to my nails b/c the brush was stiff I guess, so I had to choose an alternative. Anywas, super nice ladies talkative ladies and excellent work! :~) read more

Nails by Michelle - By Nancy... - Nail Salons Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Mai (Michelle) is such a wonderful person and manicurist!! She's so cheerful and fun to talk with, and I've loved getting my nails done by her for years whenever I'm in the Bay Area. She's always so attentive to details and takes the time to understand exactly what I'm hoping for, and completely delivers. I love getting silk wrap manicure done by her, and they always turn out so elegant and flattering whether or not there is any length added to the nail depending on what I'm wanting, and my nails always feel so healthy and strong. I would 100% recommend seeing her! read more

Nails by Michelle - Silk manicure - Nail Salons Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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Mai aka Michelle is simply amazing. I've been in the area a long time, tried many different salons. She' is clean, precise. knowledgeable and funny, smart and so wise! Love the smaller salon vibe too. She is not there to make a quick buck and will recommend only the best solutions. The silk nail is golden! read more

Michelle took great care of me, and has a super friendly vibe! I've already received a ton of compliments, and knew I needed to give her the creds:) I also love how she is always prepared before the appointment, making sure that when you arrive for your appointment, you don't have to spend time searching for the color you'd like. Michelle also has the experience to pull off the magic that you request. My nails will last for a long time and it was very much affordable, especially for this Palo Alto area read more

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I just created a Yelp account specifically so that I could leave my very first Yelp review for Michelle...who is AMAZING! I have been hopping around to various nail salons in San Francisco since moving here in 2013, but never found a place that I was absolutely crazy about. I left salons disappointed WAY too many times. Finally, a few months ago I decided to look around for a nail salon near where I work in Palo Alto (Stanford). From my first appointment with Michelle...I knew I had finally found the one! I have been trying to grow longer nails for years, but wasn't crazy about the way that acrylics felt. My own nails are naturally pretty weak, so I was never really able to achieve the length I desired. With Michelle I tried silk wraps for the first time and have finally been able to grow the claws of my dreams! I have not had a single broken nail in the two months I have been seeing her. She is super skilled and the manis and pedis are high quality She has a great selection of colors as well and is always adding new polishes. The shop is small, clean, and very relaxing. On top of it all, Michelle is so easy to talk to--she is hilarious and so welcoming. And organized! She is really attentive to keeping her schedule and appointments always start on time. I see Michelle every 2-3 weeks like clockwork now and have no idea how I lived without her for all of this time. Definitely make an appointment ASAP (which she also can even do with you via text)!! read more

Nails by Michelle - Holidays nails with about three weeks of growth...no broken nails, no chipped polish (and it is not even gel!). - Nail Salons Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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Michelle did an amazing job on my French tip nails! She is very talented but also very prompt to complete her service efficiently. She was able to soak off my dip nails and do my acrylic nails in about an hour! I've also gotten so many compliments on my nails I love them this was my first time getting my nails done here and I would 10/10 recommend coming here! read more

Nails by Michelle - Nail Salons Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Michelle is amazing, I will never go anywhere else after finding her. In addition to acrylic, gel, etc., she does silk wrap nails (see pictures) which are similar to acrylics but much more natural feeling & thinner yet still strong! As someone who is an artist I am always getting my hands messy and can be a bit careless with my nails, but the set of silk wraps Michelle gave me totally stood up, lasted for weeks and never broke. In addition to the beautiful nails, Michelle is such a pleasure to spend time with and so sweet and kind to her customers. She gives great life advice & is very accepting (LGBTQ friendly!). She also has great taste & if you are conflicted over what color or design for your nails, she will help you pick a beautiful combination. Every set I have gotten from her I have been so happy with. read more

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I would recommend this place to anyone! Michelle is the nicest person and she does an amazing job. She's super accommodating of timing as well. I've always been happy with the outcome! read more

Mai is an absolute gem of a human being and the best at what she does. The level of quality is second to none and her selection of colors and brands is extensive. Her shop is simple, but more importantly... CLEAN!! She keeps everything spotless and she is so meticulous about cleanliness. No one does cuticle work like Mai and she makes my natural nails look like acrylic. Her massaging will put you to sleep and her advice is so spot on and wise. Her small shop is conveniently located in downtown Palo Alto. Nancy is also an amazing technician. I usually book double appointments for me and my stepdaughter, who sees Nancy, and her work is beautiful. I can't say enough about this team and I will never go anywhere else. read more

Very unhappy with my pedicure with Nancy today. My cuticles were not cut, I had to ask her to remove dead skin/ingrown nail twice, I have dry skin all over my feet and it just looks like a pedicure I would do at home on my own (and I'm pregnant!). I wasted $35 and did not feel comfortable with the pedicure so I literally just booked ANOTHER pedicure right up to street right now to fix what she did. Spending $70 on two pedicures in one day is very disappointing. I wish I had asked for a refund for the poor service. I most definitely will not be going back. Also, they didn't tell me on the phone that they do not accept credit cards and do not have an ATM. That's something they should say before I start my service. The only reason I gave them two stars is because they are both very nice ladies. read more

Nails by Michelle - Nail Salons Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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Michelle is great and have been going to her for over 15 yrs. She's always punctual and listens to what you need.

TL;DR: Michelle is sweet, attentive, & skilled. Timely too! I got a gel manicure for $35, called at around 4pm on a Monday and got a 5pm appointment. **I'd recommend calling & making an appointment first. It's a really small shop so walk-in's are tough to accommodate. Timeliness: Started right on time right after her previous customer, which I really appreciated. Mani quality: Amazing!! I had a nail that was starting to rip halfway down the nail (legit the worst spot) and she easily fixed it, making it look brand new. She was extremely attentive throughout and I'm so so happy with the results - see pic attached :) Service: Also wonderful! I had a hard time picking a color and am so used to manicurists impatiently pushing me along & making me feel uncomfortable. But Michelle was not like that at all - she helped me narrow it down to two colors and never hurried me, saying sweetly "Don't rush, I'll do the rest first. When it's time to pick a color, you will know!" (she was right) It was also so easy talking to her, she really is so sweet. IMO: worth every penny. read more

Nails by Michelle - gel manicure, (color is #75 i think? it's on one of those long board of samples of colored nails) - Nail Salons Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Maggie was super sweet and super helpful! I came here for a silk wrap set and a pedicure, and I was not disappointed! A week out and my manicure still looks flawless! read more

Nails by Michelle - Silk wrap set - Nail Salons Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Mai (Michelle) introduced me to silk wraps and I finally have great nails. They are long lasting and look great. She works quickly and is easy to talk with. Parking is great (in downtown Palo Alto!). And for the early birds, she starts at 7 am. Very convenient - go before work. read more

Amazing manicure and pedicure for my wedding! And the sweetest lady! Thank you Michelle!

I've been coming to Michelle for a few months now, and wouldn't want to go anywhere else. She always does a fantastic job on my nails, makes me feel super welcome, and is very flexible on scheduling. I tried a few other nail salons in the area before I found this one, and the prices were either way too high or the service was bad. This is the perfect balance between reasonable prices and great service. read more

Michelle is very professional and does a fantastic job on hands and feet! I really enjoyed chatting with her. I love supporting a small, family business - woman-owned, too. Michelle is also very serious about COVID precautions. Go visit her, your hands and feet will thank you! read more

Don't waste your time anywhere else. Mai is the best Bay Area nail tech. She is creative and insightful while also paying close attention to detail. Appointment scheduling is easy and she will always make room for her clients. She can be reached via text and is extremely conscious and respectful of her clients time. Mai, you have a client for life! read more

Nails by Michelle - Nail Salons Near Me - Palo Alto, California

I've been a customer of Michelle for over 20 years (I think I started coming here in the womb), and even though distance and timing has required me to visit other salons from time to time, I always return to Michelle for service that is nonpareil. Her attention to detail, her gentle nature, and her personal service makes each manicure an escape, and something to be looked forward to. The shop is attractive and clean but not overwrought. And the atmosphere she creates and customers she attracts makes her shop a little oasis in downtown Palo Alto. read more

Michelle doesn't usually work on Sunday's but she overheard me talking to Tracy the hair stylist that shares the space with her that I wanted to get my nails done on Sunday. She offered to come in and do my nails! She did a great job and was very friendly and nice to talk to. I'm definitely going back!! read more

Nails by Michelle - Nail Salons Near Me - Palo Alto, California