I go to Velvet Files 1-2 times a year for special occasions. I care about the products that go on my body and was pleased to find this less-toxic salon (as non-toxic as they can be but of course nail polish can never be truly free of toxins as of now). Their sugar scrubs feel amazing! The prices are rough...I save up! it's a beautiful vibe inside and everyone has been lovely to me each visit. I got gel nails done by Salem once and several of them lifted and peeled the next day and I was able to go back and have those ones redone with no charge and with apologies from the manager. Owning up to mistakes (they happen everywhere) is important. That is the only instance that has happened with gel nails, so it was more about the application and is not their standard. Favorite Nail tech: BAILEY. She deserves her own 5 stars. she is good at her job, easy to talk to, made time to do a last minute polish change for me, and also doesn't mind if you read the whole time either. I smudged a nail an hour or so after my appt once (they felt dry but hey, mistakes happen like I said), and I sheepishly turned around and asked if Bailey could fix the one nail. Like a total rockstar she did, even making sure the color was right after I pulled the wrong one off the shelf. Bailey is the kind of tech you hope stays forever just so you can go see her for her services! Highly recommend, and be generous with your tips. One thing I think is helpful to know is their polish takes an hour to dry unless you buy Dazzle Dry, which is an extra $5 per service. (yes I did dazzle dry on that one nail that got smudged an hour later by my debit card, but debit cards and pretty rough surfaces.) So go ahead and budget dazzle dry in. read more

I don't often pay for manis or pedis but once a year or so I'll get gels before a vacation or special event and love how pampered I feel at Velvet Files. They do use less toxic products and I do notice that often the mani doesn't last quite as long but worth the trade-off for me. read more

I loved this place. Wonderful technicians, calm, relaxing environment. Why 3 star? I paid extra for a dazzle finish that was supposed to make the pedicure I got last longer. I have gotten many pedicures and wore flip flops and followed drying instructions. The next day I noticed chipping. I went in and they graciously fixed it. Again I carefully followed drying instructions. But within a couple of days I had chipping in the same spot. I am disappointed. read more

Guys need self love too! Highly recommended to get a nice and relaxing facial. Also, pick up some local self care products, from lotions, deodorants to incense. All natural and you can't be the smells. Try it for yourself! read more

Okay so I am editing my original review the day after. Yesterday I gave this place five stars (see below)! Unfortunately about an hour after I left my middle finger chipped half way off and I didn't even hit it or anything. I went back in and the lady was super kind and fixed it. She also refunded me cause she said it looks like a few of my other nails were going to come off. She offered to re-do the service but we were headed back to Denver and couldn't stay. Over all the experience was still awesome but now that I read other reviews it does seem like chipping is a big problem :(. I'll try it again next time I'm in Fort Collins! ----------- Original review: Wow! This is a full spa experience. Great playlist, the aesthetics are on point... really beautiful exposed brick and tons of indoor green plants. Shout out to Laura who ROCKED. Her very presence was peaceful and the manicure and pedicure were perfect. I never wanted her to stop during the massage part! Great color selection for nails and yummy mimosas. We loved our experience and will be back! A little pricey but it's because they use good products and they take their time! You don't feel rushed. Make sure to make an appointment they are usually booked! read more

Velvet Files - Cool bowls for pedis - Nail Salons Near Me - Fort Collins, Colorado

I first off would like to say that I am really really picky when it comes to my nails. I try to grow them out and keep them healthy and clean looking and every nail salon i have gone to before always cuts my nails too short or leaves them looking weird, dried out or polish is chipping next day. UGH I have started coming here and seeing kristen for about a month now and she has just changed my life. She listened to my needs and has really worked with me in getting all my nail goals. She is someone you can have great conversation with or if you just want to sit in silence and relax she will 100% respect your wishes. The nail salon itself is so cute and dainty and you feel like you're walking into a nice spa. They have a lot of fun things to buy too (Jewelry, bath bombs, lotions, soaps). Im always greeted with a smile and everyone treats you as their own client and that is just so wonderful. The price for the service is a little more expensive than normal nail salons but honestly it is well well worth it! Just the first tier of a manicure gets you a soak in water with essential oils, extra care of nail shaping and cuticle cleaning and polish to finish. I tried the last time I was in the new dazzle dry nail polish which works like a gel without UV lights and the harsh chemicals to take off later and i LOVE IT! it lasts way longer on my nails than regular polish and like i said i am trying so hard to keep my nails healthy and this does just that. So all in all fantastic place, love my kristen and love my nails! Oh yea, and they have wine and champagne ;) read more

Love this place. Have enjoyed several services here and always delighted. Lovely atmosphere, great smells and enjoyable staff. Magical selection of local artisan works! read more

I had a relaxing spa-like experience here with a friendly nail teach and a comfy chair. My polish did come off a little, but maybe I needed to dry longer or maybe there just a special top coat that I should avoid next time. I'll have to ask them next time. The pedi was luxurious! The place was rather calming, and no one was too loud to relax. The tray that you rest your foot on for painting wasn't ideal for me, so I couldn't fully relax my leg on it, so that's the one thing I would change. But I like the style of this place! read more

I first started coming to velvet files when I was pregnant because I wanted less chemicals being used on me and loved that they didn't do acrylic nails so I wouldn't have to be breathing in those awful smells. I was always greeted as soon as I walked in and offered something to drInk. The ambiance of this place is wonderful . I was always so relaxed while getting my nails done and never felt rushed . I got my nails done every couple of weeks and Laura was my main technician but I also had my nails done my Jenna several times . Both girls are wonderful and I never left disappointed. I love their gel bottle ink nail polish and the rubber top coat . My nails could go 2 weeks without chipping ( as an ER nurse constantly washing my hands this is amazing ) . You definitely need to make an appointment in advance though , not really a walk in type place. I recently moved and sad not to be able to get my nails done here anymore . read more

Velvet Files - Gel bottle ink manicure - Nail Salons Near Me - Fort Collins, Colorado

I went in for gel with nail art today and was not disappointed! I got a cute simple heart detail (I would include a picture if I could take a decent one) that I thought was very responsibly priced and well-done in a timely manner. I was in and out in an hour. Erica did a great job and everyone there was super friendly. I liked the atmosphere and felt relaxed. Will be telling my friends & going back! read more

Love love loved our first experience. My mom and I got pedicures last night for the first time at velvet files. The staff was very friendly, knowledgeable about the natural products, and did a stellar job. They also have some cute products in their shop at the front of the store. This will be my new nail place in town. Love this local business! read more

I love love love Velvet Files. VF is the best nail shop in Fort Collins. The shop is the perfect blend of mid-century modern + traditional inside and has a boutique at the front. My favorite services are the 'Classy Mani' and the 'Velvet Rose Facial.' The Gel Bottle Inc polish works better for me, and there's so many options to choose from (Miami, Sahara, Vixen, Jungle, Grand Canyon are few favs.) The 'Velvet Rose Facial' is the best facial I've ever had, and I've also gotten my lashes done too. Every tech is so good - Chloë, Jenna, Laura. And the owners, Bonnie and Liz, are the best! So lucky to have found such a gem. read more

I was visiting Fort Collins and was looking for a place for a quick pedicure. Velvet Files was recommended to me and I'm glad I checked it out. Immediately when you walk in you can tell that it's a higher end salon. They have perfumes, facial products, etc. They also make their own scents. The lovely girl that greeted me said she was able to get me right in and I settled in for a nice relaxing treat. Sylvia did a wonderful job and was friendly but let me relax quietly. The products she used during my pedicure were luxurious. I also like that they use Zoya Polish-one of my favorites. I will say that this is the most I've ever paid for a pedicure but I believe it was worth it. When I return in November, I will definitely visit Velvet Files again to get my last pedi before winter. read more

Velvet Files is such a cute, cozy space! Their retail is so cute as well and it smells great in there too! Chloe did such a good job on my manicure and she did a great job on some nail art too. Definitely will be back! read more

Beautiful build out, but unfortunately, it stops there. I've gotten 4 manicures here and within 24 hrs (sometimes as soon as 2 hours after) my nails chip. I've heard this from other friends who have since stopped going. For the price of their services, you'd think the quality would be top notch. On one occasion, I called and asked for a touch up since my nails chipped within 24 hrs. The owners agreed, but they seemed put off by my request. I never requested a fix again due to this response. If you're in Old Town and it's convenient, then go for it. But if you can go elsewhere, it's worth it. read more

This is by far the best nail spa I've ever gone to. Great people, great service, great products & the cutest spot. Absolutely recommend!

The best nail salon experience I've ever had! They were all friendly and accommodating. We had our whole bridal party get our manicures and pedicures here. They even gave my 3 year old niece a manicure. The mimosas were a sweet touch. Highly recommend, the best place in town. Great for parties! read more

I enjoyed the nice smelling facial. It wasn't very relaxing though because there is only a half wall dividing the facial room and the pedicure stations and I could hear every word of loud conversation. It was very disruptive. Not what you really expect for a facial at a spa. I probably won't go back unless they can move things around and provide a quieter experience. read more

Used to frequent the amazing Base Coat in Denver and was looking for a similar shop in foco that does natural nails. Called twice, left two voicemails, never returned my call. Too busy for that kind of service! read more

What a GEM!! My wife and mom needed something to do while I went to New Belgium Brewery so I booked them appointments. I was at the brewery waiting for the dreaded come get us text.... but it never came. My wife and Mom loved this place, and I actually got bored at the brewery and went to find them. Cool spot, great ambiance, and an overall good vibe. -Casey read more

Loved this place but the last time I went a friend and I both got gel (which was expensive) and it chipped within days. They kindly fixed it for free so we were happy with the service until it chipped again within days. The ladies who work here are lovely and so is the environment. I really want to love it but with amount we spent on gel it should've lasted much longer. Disappointed :( read more

This place is the best! Laura is by far my favorite!! With it being all natural it makes me feel better about getting my nails done often. I love the color of polishes as well as the owners. The retail space is also extremely well done. read more

Don't. Waste. Your. Time. Don't. Waste. Your. Money. To preface, I will say that I really appreciate what this place is trying to do. Non toxic options in a super cute environment. I also noticed other customers who had great nail artists and left with their expectations met, satisfied and happy. However, this was very much not my experience. I made appointment for a mani pedi a week in advance in preparation for my upcoming trip. They advertise nail art on their website with their add ons, so I chose a relatively simple design that I found on the front page of their website. I got there on time and still waited 30 minutes to be seen. Longest mani pedi of my life. I was in their shop over 2 hours. Pedi was fine. The manicure was unacceptable. The bio seaweed (their gel polish) went on blotchy and inconsistent. When I brought this to her attention, she tried to buff the top coat of polish off and apply a new coat. This left little divots in the polish that she quickly brushed over in an attempt to get me out of the shop, because at this point it was 40 minutes past close, and her poor time management skills were showing. She left no room for error and the polish was blotchy, it lapped up onto my cuticles on 2 fingers, I had little speckles of gel on my fingers, there were divots in the polish,and no time for nail art to cover up the bad manicure. Though she knew I was unsatisfied, I was still charged full price. It's been 24 hours and the polish has already chipped at the tip. I called and got a refund for the mani, but they still charged me for the bio seaweed gel (10 dollars.) 2 stars because of the semi-refund, but I won't be back again. read more

I went in earlier in the week to have a gel manicure done. The day after, I had a nail peeling up and they got me in that afternoon to repair it for me which was appreciated. However, I was not acknowledged at all when I arrived and felt that when I was finally called back, it was a complete inconvenience for them to fix my one nail. It has been 4 days since the original gel manicure and I've got 4 nails that are noticeably chipped and peeling on the sides. It is a beautiful salon and atmosphere; that being said, considering the price I paid and the lack of quality or care from the staff I interacted with, I won't be back again. read more

Love the service, the vibe of the salon, and the all natural gel polish. It didn't wreck my nails like normal shellac.