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Essential Nail Spa
Rating Details »
Category: Nail Salons [Edit]
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park2104 N Clark Street
(at Dickens Ave)
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 549-2990
$20 OFF Non-Chip Manicure
Receive $20 OFF initial set. Must mention ad when…
Announced 1 week agoMore »
- Hours:
Mon. 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Tue-Fri. 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
25 reviews for Essential Nail Spa
Yep -this place is slightly pricier -but it worths every-single-penny!! Hmm .. where do I start -everything is simply awesome!! The people, the beverages, the non-chip gel manicure, the snacks, the service, the ambiance -- did I mention the people?
My nail tech (Mariya) -is very sweet and talkative (but not overly talkative so you would wish she would be quiet). She did a very good job for both my regular manicure and non-chip gel manicure.
Everybody here -and I mean, everybody - is very sweet and helpful and friendly -yet very professional. They would actually recommend you what would be best for your nails -explain to you the advantage and disadvantage of different services -but not at all trying to sell you anything that you do not desire.
Seems like they have a large number of regular clientelle. I'm pretty certain that they only take clients by appointment only -- that's how busy they are!
I have yet to try their pedicure (once the weather get warms up -I'll be the first one on their booking list!!)
It's a nice cozy place, but I was disappointed with the service. I give them credit for keeping the place clean and staff is friendly, however my mani started peeling off the very next day. Also, Samara did a sloppy job filing my nails. I was pleased with the pedi, however.
I'd give them a try again.. maybe it was just a bad day.
It's been a week and I'm not impressed with my manicure at all. I kept the 2 stars since the pedicure is looking good but it's only been a week. My nails are so bad I'm going to have to polish them today, it's only been a week!
I was planning on going back and just hoping that my first trip was an off day but a manicure that only lasts a week won't work for me.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/2/2009
I wasn't super impressed with the service. It was nice enough but didn't win me over with just the… Read more »
I am sorry but $45 for a spa pedicure is ridiculous . I had to put my feet in a bowl ( who doesn't have spa baths now?) and sit in an uncomfortable chair. I really don't know what made it a "spa pedicure".. you can go most places in Chicago & get a manicure & a pedicure for $45 including Nirvana in Lakeview or 2x10 on Southport (both way better). Totally overpriced and not worth the money at all.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/15/2009
This place is just ok... way overpriced. $65 for a mani-pedi is too much when tons of other nice… Read more »
Nina, the owner, definitely knows how to run an efficient business and keep clients happy. I have been going to Essential since they opened and have never been disappointed.
They use great technique, no drilling, no razors.
The non-chip manicure is fantastic, lasts for 2+ weeks, looks great.
The pedicure area is cute. It is nice to enjoy a relaxing pedicure while your feet soak in water on hot rocks instead of the unsanitary jets.
I love this place. The girls are incredibly nice and welcoming! I get the non-chip manicure and pedicure, and it is absolutely fantastic. My nails underneath DO NOT get damaged the way they do with the enhancements.
Nina is wonderflu and has been great to talk to from the first time I visited. Although their prices are slightly higher than Nail Santuary, the girls seem happier to be where they are and atmosphere is a lot when I am looking for a relaxing experience.
As far as not having the massage chairs, I do not see that as a negative. There have been so many different warnings related to those and the potential to spread infection. I would much rather have a bowl soak and not walk away with a fungal infection.
My non-chip manicure easily lasts until I go in for a touch up after two weeks and the pedicure is good for a month. I would recommend this to even my pickiest friends.
I went here based on Yelp reviews and it did not disappoint. Very nice ambience - snacks, beverages, and no nail polish fumes. My manicurist was utterly silent, which I thought was simply her m.o. until another customer came in. She immediately started laughing and chatting it up, which made me feel a little weird that she hadn't said two words to me. This seems like a place that has a lot of "regulars."
Anyway, everyone else was extremely friendly. They TIED MY SHOES for me so I wouldn't ruin my nails! I'll definitely be back.
I wanted to give my wife some R&R so while walking back from Ranaldi's on Clark Street we watched 2 beautiful women walk into Essential Nail Spa. When I walked in, it didn't look different then other nail spa's but most of the women looked Eastern European, usually i have seen most nail places have asian workers, but what do I know I am a guy.
I took their pamphlet, and later I called as they ran a special for Wed. They offered a 40/60/80 manicure/Pedicure. The 40 was basic, the 60 was Spa, and the 80 was "essential" again being the guy I set her up with a basic. They asked for a Credit card to hold the appt for later that day.
So I surprise the wife, she takes a shower and head over. She comes back and her toes and fingers look great, save 1 finger where it chipped. I had thought they used anti chip polish, and I never seen my wife have a chip this quick.
Bottom line.
They did offer her something to drink, but no snacks (I read that they offer snacks)
The polish they used was great but the nail girl was more concerned that her "regular" customer showed up unannounced and was being taken care of by someone else, that she didn't clean the "SPA" treatment off my wife's nails properly, hence the polish chipped within an hour and started coming off soon after. (Feet were and still are perfect.
They don't use the "cheese grater" again I am a guy so I don't know what that means.
And they rushed it ( she paid 20 extra for the SPA treatment)
All in all a total waste of manicure, and a so so pedicure.
My wife told me she like the nails place at 2400 Clark much better P N nails or something like that. That is where i will book for her next time.
Essential is so not essential. D-
They do a great job with your nails. I usually have a spa mani&pedi and it always turns out amazing. I love the scented oil selection they have. What I love more than the terrific nail job is the very friendly atmosphere they have. The second time I went there was a month after my first time, and everybody remembered my name. Not only me, but they know every customer by name. Great service, great people!
This is my new favorite place to get my nails done. It is clean, cute, the people who work there are so sweet, and they do a FANTASTIC job. I've been to a good number of nail places in Lincoln Park, always looking for a balance between bargain and quality, and this place has it. I was totally fine paying 20 dollars for the express manicure. Plus, they gave me all sorts of presents to celebrate their one-year anniversary.
I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a great, no-nonsense, neighborhood nail place. I am definitely going to be a regular.
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This place is great! I have been living around the corner from here for 3 years, and had never tried it because I thought it didn't look very... impressive? And that is the perfect example of why you shouldn't judge a book by its cover... The people are great, the music they play is perfect (no idea who it actually was, but sounds cool and you feel cool being surrounded by it), and the pedi I had (an Express Pedi) was fantastic! I had wanted to get a Spa one, which is supposed to be more pampering, but they didn't have time in their appt book on the night I wanted to go. The Express was totally thorough and I didn't feel like I was missing anything.
I am totally excited that I found the perfect pedi place 30 paces from my back door... and embarrassed that it took me 3 years to discover it.
I have tried a few other nail places nearby and have been very disappointed... until I came here! Everyone who works here was so friendly, welcoming and sweet. First when I was choosing a color, they asked me if I needed any help, and offered to try some of the colors on their own nails so I could see how they looked.The girl doing my nails asked my opinion about how to cut them, and if they looked okay. The manicures are a bit precier (20-30 bucks), but it is worth it!! I got a great manicure and I will definitely be back!
When I moved to Chicago from NYC 3 years ago, it was tough to leave everything I knew behind. Let's be honest, a girl's hair and nail people are huge to them. When I moved into Lincoln Park and unpacked everything, what did I need to do, get my nails done!!! So, I walked across the street (score!) and was so pleasantly surprised. I was greeted with big smiles (that were not fake) and even more pleasantly surprised by the prices. The work they did on me, I thought it was going to be a fortune (especially coming from NYC) but it was a 1/3 of what I thought it was going to be.
They do regular manicures, pink and whites and non-chip gel manicures. Yes ladies, you heard me right, non-chip. Lasts for at least 2 weeks and worth every dime! They don't' use drills (which destroy your nails) and they don't have those annoying blowing machines that dry your nails. The pedicures are a real treat. Again, not in one of those big spa machine, just a bowl with rocks and all the greatest products. After you're done with everything, you sit there as long as you can and wait for them to dry, they spray you and you're off. I know that sounds weird but the waiting is not bad. The staff is so courteous and the people that go there are just so nice. You're either in a great conversation or just relaxing and taking time for yourself and who doesn't need a place where you can do that????? Also, it's easy to get to. There's the 22, 36 right on the corner and the 151 and 156 down the block. If you drive, it's street parking or there's a lot right up the block. One last thing, have cash for tips because they do not put it on your credit or debit cards.
The more I got acquainted with these people the more I felt at home again. I have become good friends with the owner of this salon along with her family and they are wonderful people and not only that but they do the best nails in the city! I promise you that!!!!
If I could give it more stars, I would!
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I love Essential Nail Spa and am lucky enough to live right around the corner. It is extremely professionally run (appointments start on time!) and super clean. All of their employees are very welcoming and friendly, and I always have great conversations with them and my fellow customers.
Importantly, they do a great job on nails. The non chip manicure is the best thing to happen to my hands -- it lasts two weeks and I type all day. Their pedicures are great as well -- yes they are bowls but you watch them disinfect everything completely after every customer, which is nice to know.
After trying 3 nail salons on my own, in search of a decent pedicure. I decided to try my girlfriend's nail spa. Finally, a great pedicure. My nail tech (Maria) gave me the best spa pedicure ever (good foot rub). She's a bit shy and I had a hard time understanding her, but she is trying. I also got a spa manicure too because it was a Wed. They have a $10 off special on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Anyway, I like this place because they don't use the blade to remove your dry skin. (Not callous) Clean, professional but warm. Good music, yummy snacks, friendly staff and clientele. Oh btw call and book ahead they are very busy.
5 stars because this place is consistent and provides professional quality, the kind you can't do at home by yourself. They're friendly too. I don't write this review lightly, I'm anal (especially when paying for spa services). The economy's gone to shit, which means beauty expenses have become harder for me to justify.
This place was just great. The customer service and quality are just down right amazing. I haven't had anything artificial done to my nails in years but the ladies here are amazing. I have been to a few other places here in Chicago but this is the only place where I felt comfortable. It wasn't like some places where they are rushing around trying to get you in and out in 15-20 minutes. I got pink and whites done and she did exactly what I wanted to, took her time, asked me my opinion on them (which is rare) and then refiled one or two of my nails that were a little too long. Everyone was also very upbeat and talkative which was nice and it didn't feel like an introduction, it felt like seriously we were friends which made it so much more comfortable. This place is just all around has an awesome atmosphere and a great nail salon :)
Tried out for the first time last the other night after reading the reviews on Yelp. Very clean, very professional, everyone will call you by your first name, and make you feel at home. The estheticians were as chatty as you wanted them to be and seemed to really know all the regulars. The women at the front was super attentive and they give you a $5 coupon for your next visit. I made an appointment and didn't have to wait.
I will be going back : )
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After reading all the positive reviews on here I decided to book a mani/pedi at Essential Nail Spa. I took advantage of their Tuesday special, which got me a basic manicure and pedicure for $35. The girl really took her time and did a nice job and she was very friendly and talkative, without being annoying. The manicure lasted for over a week without any chipping and the pedicure still looks great after two weeks. I particularly liked that when I mentioned I was a first-time customer they gave me a menu of their services, a $5 off coupon and a little packet of chocolate covered sunflower seeds as a gift. It really showed that they value their customers and want them to come back. I would definitely come here again.
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This is a nice, friendly, clean place. I went for the Express mani/pedi special during the week that goes for $40. My mani paint actually lasted for a week. Even after I removed the nail polish, my nails looked well manicured so when I repainted them, they looked decent. Same for my toes. Not too sure about the price and I kind of miss the massage chairs, but the service is very nice and they have cookies/snacks while you wait for your nails to dry.
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I went here in a rush because where I used to go (Touch on Fullerton) is apparently closed and every where else I tried to make a same day appointment was booked. It's small but very nice and clean. I had a spa manicure and pedicure. Leila (I think thats her name) took her time and was very nice. I hadn't had a pedicure in months and it was a nice treat. I'm not into manicures so much because I still bite my nails, a bad habit I'm trying hard to break. I just wanted a clear coat, nothing else. She suggested buffing them instead. I've never had my nails buffed like that and I was amazed at how shiny my nails were! It lasted for almost 2 weeks!
I was the only client there at around 2:30 pm but someone who I'm assuming is a regular came in later and started chatting with the other workers and it felt very welcoming. For the spa manicure and pedicure it was $60, but well worth it in my opinion.
Nice, cheap pedicure and manicure, and the manicure has lasted six days so far, with no big signs of wear. The last star isn't there because the pedicure bench isn't the most comfortable. Reasonable for a quick, easy pedicure. (It's also right around the corner from my place, which makes it very convenient.)
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This is the only nail place I've been to where the people call you by your first name the minute you walk in the door. The receptionist and technicians are very friendly. The pedicure manicure is awesome and such a good price. I must admit I love pedicures but I hardly bother with manicures because it always chips. I kid you not I went over a week without so much as a chip. Sounds kind of weird to be excited about something like that, but I've been to other reputable places where the results have been disappointing.
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This place is fabulous. It is welcoming, incredibly clean, and I've never had a bad experience. All the nail techs are friendly and talkative (but not too chatty!) I'm lucky I live so close, but if I move, I will definitely go the distance for this salon!
Going to Essential makes me feel like I'm in a small town - in a good way. You can either mind yourself and relax with a magazine, or you can let yourself be brought into the room's conversation and get to know some of the regulars. Seriously, just smile at the one doing the talking and they'll include you in whatever's coming next. For a semi-shy girl like me - you can't beat it!
I've had excellent manis and pedis here. One manicure had slight issues (nails uneven), but they just touched it up when i stopped by the next day - no questions, no fuss.
