for your own safety, skip this shop. I went in for a fill. Left with the beginnings of contact dermatitis from skin exposure/ flooded cuticles while curing. my sidewalls were obliterated. My fingers were burningggg. I tipped 20% bc I was not about to cheat Nikki out of the time she spent on the designs. However, now that it's been months since I had those removed, I can tell you rn that the damage done was almost permanent. I wish I still had photos, you can see how badly damaged my nails were. They have been so fragile from the guy who was filing them, and using way too fast of a rotation setting while buffing the acrylic gel down. I can go on and on and on. Seriously, skip this place. read more

Great service at Nikki nails! Friendly staff, clean space, comforting atmosphere and beautiful nails!

DO NOT GO! SERIOUSLY! In case you want to read this long post. Check the timeline of events that happened: Saturday at 4.30 I went to Nikki's Nails -needed to remove my gel nails (real not acrylic) -wanted to get a new gel manicure set. Got done at 6 pm or so. Came home around 6.15 pm washed my hands. You can't imagine the horror on my face when I looked at my hands. [check photos now] Nikki's nails are closed on Sunday. I came to them right after work on Monday with a band-aid on my thumb and the rest of the fingers started to bubble. How I was treated: Upon entry, I calmly explained the situation and asked for my 50$ back and I wanted my nails not fixed, but just off. I didn't want anything to do with this bubbling, peeling manicure. My nails were done by three different people, one person was taking off, one person was putting the base, and one person was painting. So of course, when everyone does everything nobody cares. So the girl that I saw on Monday, was the one who actually put the color on. She yelled, was rude, told me they won't return the money and they cannot fix anything for me right now and I needed to wait 2,5 hours for someone to get free. When I asked for the manager (calmly) she said she was out of town (convenient), but the cherry on top was that after she continued yelling at me and peeling WITH HER hands my nail. Despite all of this, she said I was being difficult.... Now, I have never written a bad review for any place, because I really try to get all my problems resolved in a quiet and professional way, but this won't do. I strongly recommend not going to Nikki's nails. This place is trash. Literal trash. It's not worth even checking. read more

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Got an acrylic fill with dip and the nail tech cut my cuticles with the drill multiple times and my cuticle bled. The application of the gel was very messy and touching my cuticle and sides of fingers. I went with two other friends. One had also done an acrylic gel fill and the next day the color started bubbling. Her color is now lumpy with bubbles. The other girl got a dip manicure which was so rushed and they did not shape her nails so she had to ask for them to be fixed with the application also messy. Not to mention my mail tech was on tik tok while doing my nails. Overall not a good experience. read more

Nikki Nails - Cut cuticle - Nail Salons Near Me - Ames, Iowa

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I love Nikki Nails!!! I had my mani done at the Lincoln way location and my pedi done at the north Ames location Today!! They were both spectacular! Nikki and Randy are both such great, hard working people and it shows. read more

Nikki Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Ames, Iowa

Amazing experience! 2 different people (a man and a woman) worked on my dip nails and they did a great job! I asked for "milky white" nails and they knew just the color to use to get the look I was going for. They made sure to ask me multiple times if I was happy with the shape and color and offered to fix small things when I asked. They even told me to come back in for a fix if needed! Overall it was a great experience. The employees were all very nice and chatted with me. The facility is very cute and clean. read more

Nikki Nails - Milky white dip nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Ames, Iowa

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I had such a great experience! Everyone was very welcoming, helpful and friendly. I got a regular gel manicure, and the man who did my nails was so nice to me and took his time and was very careful. He even massaged my hands which hasn't happened to me in a while at other salons. I forgot to ask his name, but will always ask for him when I return :) Even though they were really busy because of everyone wanting nails for spring break, they still took the time to chat with everyone. Would recommend! read more

Nikki Nails - Gel manicure - Nail Salons Near Me - Ames, Iowa

got a no chip while visiting on Friday. Saturday I started chipping; nails were so soft and bendable. The cost of the service does not reach end result. Disappointed. They will roll out the red carpet for the regulars though. Bad business. read more

I'm hoping my lackluster manicure today is because they were busy. I walked in mid-day and had to wait a while, which wasn't a big deal, it was clear they were over capacity after a little while. They didn't turn anyone away who walked it so by the time my nailss were being done it felt very rushed and it shows. The paint on the sides of my nails is all jagged and the polish was all over my cuticles, which is basically the kiss off death for gel manis. I expect they'll all be lIfted at the edges within a week. I MIGHT try again on a less busy day to see if they take their time and do a better job, but at $45, it'll be a risk. (Also, yes, they try to get you to pay with Venmo to avoid cc transaction fees) read more

This place is amazing!!!! Always a good time and manicures with dip powder last a month!!! Nice a clean and if something seems off with your experience just let them know and they'll do anything to accommodate your needs!! Love this place and everyone that works here!! read more

Nikki Nails - Holiday/ Winter nails!! I always have a fantastic experience at Nikki Nails on Lincoln Way in Ames!!! Loved how these turned out! - Nail Salons Near Me - Ames, Iowa

LOVE THIS PLACE!!! Going to be coming back! Everyone was so nice and they did an amazing job and made sure every detail was perfect. My new nail place 10000%. read more

Nikki Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Ames, Iowa

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Beginning of review on google ^ When I went in I was told that Nikki was sick so another girl was going to do my nails. Obviously I can't be mad about Nikki being sick but I was really disappointed because I felt like I wouldn't get my nails fixed correctly. And that's exactly what happened, the staff was super nice but I pretty much needed an entire new set because the acrylic was really thin and misshapen. Instead of restarting she just took off the paint and filed my nails more. Rip to all of the skin around my nails. When she painted my nails there was paint on my cuticles. At this point I was over trying to say anything, at one point one of the workers kept saying "you need to tell us right away if something is wrong" I completely agree with that but there were so many mistakes I didn't even know what to say. Thankfully they didn't charge me for the "fix". After that I was still not happy with my nails but they were definitely better than the first time. I wanted to leave a review after that whole experience but I still had a few weeks left living in Ames and I knew I would need I fill before I left so I decided to bite my tongue and hopefully get to schedule an appointment with Nikki. A day after my fix I received a call from Nikki, she was calling to make sure I liked my nails and apologized for not being able to do my nails. I really appreciated her taking the time to check in, I didn't really know how to tell her I wasn't super happy so I just decided to have her book me an appointment with her for my next fill. Today I went in for my appointment with Nikki, I was really excited to finally have my nails done correctly. When she started doing my nails she asked me if I had ever been to Nikki nails before, so she clearly didn't remember who I was, not a big deal but I was expecting her to be a little more attentive because I had such a poor experience my first time. When she started doing my nails I told her to please cut my cuticles and fix the acrylic because there was absolutely no shape to my nails. She did both things, but while she was doing my nails she cut me and my finger was burning the entire time, the whole fill felt really rushed, and she barely talked to me. When she painted my nails somehow she got paint on my cuticles and my nails were still wet/ tacky (I didn't realize that until I left) they are gel so that shouldn't be an issue. After finishing painting my nails she told me to go wash my hands (that were covered in acrylic powder). I was very frustrated at this point and very ready to leave. After washing my hands I go back to her table expecting to have her clean around my nails and maybe put a little oil on my fingers but no yet again she just sent me on my way. I was so mad and I honestly just needed to go because I didn't want to be rude. I will include pictures but I had acrylic powder stuck to my skin, paint on my cuticles, still had misshapen nails, and my nails were tacky, there were little hairs sticking to the paint. I thought about walking in but honestly I'm just done with that place, I'm really not sure how they are ok with charging that much and giving that kind of service. My fill was $58.... Truthfully just posting this very wordy review to try and help this business out, they have the potential to be a good salon because they are clean and their staff is very kind but the nail technique really needs work. read more

Sure it's cute on the inside but I wasn't happy with my pedicure or the PRICE! Oh my god! My pedicure didn't even last two weeks.

One of the best manicures I've had in a long time. Lots of color options. Nikki did great on my nails. My nails are perfect for my best friends wedding now! read more

Nikki Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Ames, Iowa

I didn't know that they did take walk-ins but she still let me in! We talked for a while when she was doing my nails and it was a good vibe all around. I got acrylic tips with dip and it was good price but I gave her a tip so it was more. I will be back! read more

Nikki Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Ames, Iowa

I came here on suggestion from a friend after being underwhelmed by a couple other nail salons in the area. I was excited because they had OPI colors! The service was phenomenal, the gentleman who did my nails made sure it was exactly what I wanted, despite there being people waiting I felt like my patronage was valued. The studio itself is very sanitary, and all the tools were kept clean. They also have the option to pay and tip via Venmo which is so easy! I'll definitely be back. read more

This was my first visit to Nikki Nails, actually my first visit to a nail salon in Ames since my parents just moved there. I had an appointment for a pedicure, we got there on time but there was still a wait (about 20-30 minutes) because they were so busy. The pedicure was awesome, and they did a great job. The salon was clean and the decor and general feel was awesome. The owner, Nikki, seemed to know just about everyone who walked through the door by name. You can tell she has a very personal relationship with all of her clients. All of her staff was very friendly as well and made sure I felt comfortable. read more

My family and I have been going to Nikki Nails for the past 15+ years. Nikki and her staff are welcoming, attentive and always provide high-quality service. The nail techs are skilled, meticulous, and definitely the best around! I love Nikki Nails and supporting a local business. I 100% recommend to anyone looking for a new salon to call their home. read more

gel polish started coming off less than a week after I got it. Literally the worst gel polish I've ever gotten.

Wow! Top notch! My nails look better than ever. I had Nikki do my nails but at this family run nail salon I would trust anyone to do my nails. Nikki squeezed me in and I love my nails and my pedi! The salon is clean and there is a tv and coffee shop right next door! Def go here! read more

Nikki Nails - Perfect new full set! Thank u!!! - Nail Salons Near Me - Ames, Iowa

Pleasant experience and my nails looked nice.. but my appointment was at 10, and none of the nail techs got there until 10:17. The manager (I'm assuming) was getting everyone started, and it was so unfortunate at how unprofessional the service started out. My nails looked fine, and my massage was nice but I don't think I'll be coming back. read more

Terrible!! Pricing was horrible for quality of nails I got , will never be going here again. Also the guy doing my nails didnt listen to what I wanted and I went back to get them redone hoping they would understand but they didn't!! They had me pay extra and wait on top of also not getting listened too! read more

I've been a regular customer for 7 years but was treated so badly last week that I won't go back. I made an appointment but was ignored upon arrival. Eventually, the owner told her child to take me to a station. The child filled the bowl with cold water and had me sit down. After sitting awhile, I complained to Nikki who sent someone over who did a very careless job and went off to do another pedicure without ever checking with me again. When I got up to pay, I was ignored again, staring at a sign that announced that a day goes great with a little coffee and a lot of Jesus. I'll look for a salon that tries harder and doesn't proselityze. read more

I have come here 3 different times for a dip manicure. All three my nails broke within 2 days. This is the worst quality I have ever experienced. I complained about it one time and Nikki fixed them for free but was so pissy the whole time. Just rude and on her phone texting while her customer is right in front of her. I would pay them $15 to do my nails because that is all they are worth. read more

Had an appointment, but still had to wait 30 minutes exactly for someone to attend to me. My pedicure was mostly painful, my wax was not thorough. For the service, the price was insane. Seems like they're nice to the locals and regulars... but I can't figure out why anyone would pay this establishment a repeat visit. read more

Best pedicure I have ever had! Everyone working was SO friendly! The ambiance is fantastic, decor is so cute, chairs are comfy, prices great, everything was perfect. read more

First I want to say that the employees are very nice. No problems with the people who work there. I had two major issues with the rest of my experience. 1. The place is not clean. --The floors are dirty and they don't offer you the salon flip-flops to wear after a pedicure, even though they have bags and bags of them sitting behind the chairs. I had to ask for some after walking around on the dirty, dirty floor with nothing. --The bathroom where you wash your hands is dirty. Period. --There is only one nail brush for all patrons to use when you wash your hands. Most reputable nail salons have a new nail brush for each person and you throw it away -- this eliminates the chance of you getting nail fungus from old nail brushes or from another infected patron who has used the one nail brush available. 2. They do the minimal cleanup on your hands and feet. --They did not fully exfoliate my feet and barely scrubbed them. --They only trim your nails and cut the cuticle, they do not also clean up the hard skin at the tip of your toes and fingers on either side of the nail. --The moisturizer they barely apply is the cheapest available. Overall, I definitely did not get $50 worth of treatments. I will not return and neither will my family members who also went there. read more

This is the cutest nail salon I've ever been to and they did a great job. They were friendly and very thorough. The atmosphere is calming and relaxing. I will definitely go back. read more

We are on vacation took my wife to Nikki nails my wife very happy with Nikki she's very charm she did a good job pedicure and manicure my wife very happy with her service very professional priced very reasonable the salon very nice and clean we would love to come back again next year thanks Nikki again...... read more

Interior is very pretty and clean and staff was nice. However when I got a dip manicure there was a long wait when I called they said there was none. My nails were very very thick from the dip powder and all over my cuticles and looked messy. A day later they started to chip and then my nails broke. When it was time to pay they use Venmo which was odd to me. read more

Been going here for 5 years even after I moved to Des Moines. Nikki does a fabulous job time after time again.

The interior of the salon is fabulous! However in terms of what I'm looking for when I get my nails done falls short. During the manicure my nail technician kept fumbling through his drawer for tools. It didn't appear very clean. Another thing is when I came through it was very apparent who was a regular and who was just another customer. It felt very cliquey. read more

Very efficient nail salon, I walked in without an appointment and they got me in within 5 minutes! I was out with dip acrylics 40(?) minutes later. Nice owner and workers too!! read more

worst dip i have ever gotten. stared peeling the day after I got it and have multiple cuts on my fingers from there she filed my nails.

Unfairly treated, unhygienic. Reserved an appointment for 1:30 and didn't get service until 3:15. Waste of my time. Nails look ok. I do not recommend. read more

The gentleman who did my nails had dirt under his nails. He was a nice man, but my nails all started lifting after 1 and a half weeks. I won't go back. read more

Nikki Nails might have great interior design, but if you want a great manicure DON'T GO HERE! The guy who did my nails barely tried to make them look nice. One light buff over one nail isn't how you give a manicure or giving my hands each one squeeze I don't think counts has a hand massage. My shellac or "no chip" peeled off of EVERY SINGLE NAIL in 3 days. I don't do anything particularly hard on my nails/hands either so there is no excuse. Way too expensive for the awful service I received. Also, 5 of the owner's or one of the worker's screaming kids running around is unprofessional and not how I want to relax. read more

Do not come here, you'll just be wasting your money. I'm only giving two stars because of their kind staff. The man who did my nails was careless and sloppy. My nails are filed unevenly with some being too long and too short. The application looks bad and messy, and I have polish all over my cuticles and on my skin. I live in a different town so I didn't have the time to ask them to redo my nails. My friend also had a bad experience here where they refused to fix or refund her even after admitting that they had done a bad job with her nails. read more

Completely unhappy with the service I received. The other comments here are right. They definitely have their favorite customers and I am not one of them apparently. It was my first time here and they were awful to me. The regulars that were there got treated much better than I was. I was tossed back and forth between the nail technicians so that the regulars cold get theirs done first. I showed Nikki picture of what I wanted and she told me it was going to be around $70 (she looked at me like she assumes that would be more money that I have) so I chose something else and made sure to ask what the price would be and they said about $55. I was okay with that, but when I went to leave they made me pay $74. They charged me more for having different colors when it would have been the same amount of paint used. The older man did most of my nails and I hate to say this, but he should not be working there. He made three different fingers bleed and was not nice at all. I am a college student and will never recommend my friends go there. read more

The cutest nail salon I've ever visited! Love the decor and coffee station. Very clean and relaxing environment. Lots of selection for nail polish and friendly service. Nikki did a wonderful job on my shellac and pedicure. I'll definitely be coming back. read more