Jin Soon Natural Hand & Foot Spa
Category: Nail Salons [Edit]
Neighborhood: Manhattan/East Village56 E 4th St
(between 2nd Ave & 8th St)
New York, NY 10003 (212) 473-2047
- Nearest Transit:
Uptown Bleecker St-Lafayette St (6)
2nd Ave-Houston St (F, V)
Downtown Bleecker St-Lafayette St (6, B, D, F, V)
- Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
11 Reviews for Jin Soon Natural Hand & Foot Spa
This is the place to come to if you want to relax. The atmosphere is very calm and soothing. I've been to my share of nail salons and this one is different. You feel as if they're really taking the time to do your manicure and pedicure correctly. What a difference that extra time makes! My nails look absolutely fabulous! The price is definitely worth it. Oh, and definitely get the citrus tea! Delicious!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Nice place to spend a relaxing afternoon. The place is very clean and zen looking. It doesn't look like a typical nail salon - when you peek in the window it looks like a bunch of girls getting together for a manicure party. I looks like fun!
I had a french manicure done, and Jin Soon the owner walked in as I was drying. She looked at my nails and did NOT like how the nail technician did them, so she re-did them herself! How nice!!! She is very picky about these things apparently. I actually prefer to do my nails myself, but if I am going for a manicure, I would go here. The pedicure turned out fine. I ended up being there for a really long time though, because Jin Soon had to do my nails over and it was a french manicure.
Other points: They put this oil coating on top of your nails after you leave to preserve it. The serve tea when you get a pedicure.
My nails didn't last long after I left, but they never last because I am not careful.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I love pampering myself. I love getting meni-pedi's. In the summer, I do them weekly as we all know we have to keep our feet looking pretty in those open toe shoes and sandals.
While I can't go here every week, I do go at least once a month, rotating between a couple other salons I like. By far, Jin Soon is my favorite. Though small, the space is very soothing. The mani-pedi is impeccable. They give great foot and hand massages as well, included in the service. The citrus tea is also very tasty, perfect for cold days.
Be aware, they do take their time with your services so it's not where you want to go if you are in a hurry. It is best enjoyed in leisure. The Milk & Honey treatment for the winter, the Cucumber treatment for Spring/Summer. Although the basic is pretty great also.
And be sure to call ahead for an appt. They can usually fit you in the same day, but they do fill up quickly.
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
I"m currently in NYC for business and while rushing out of L.A. I didn't have time to get my nails done. So I checked out yelp for a recommendation. I must admit, I was a little nervous to try someone new, but I was in need. So anyway...
I went to the Upper East Side location and thought it was an extremely cute set up. They appear to be clean and have tons of nailpolishes to choose from including Chanel, Essie, OPI, Mac, Sally Hanson and some others.
My manicure and pedicure look great. As soon as I stepped into the elevator at my hotel I received a compliment and inquiry about who did my toes. My only hangup was that it takes a little too long to do both because they are not setup where you can get both done at the same time. I was in there two hours which is too long to spend getting your nails done.
Other than the time, I was pleased. I would say they are little pricier than I usually pay for manicures and pedicures just as good, but they give you a lot of extras like warm towels, bath salts, aromatherapy and a beverage. I can't comment on the durability of the mani and pedi, yet, since I just went today.
One other thing, I asked if they took AMEX and they said they did, but then tried to get me to use a VISA or Mastercard. As a business owner I know AMEX charges more in fees, but how tacky is that! If you don't want to pay the damn fees don't accept the card.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Cool (3)
Despite seeing it in the beauty mags for years, I'd walked by this tiny, bamboo-shaded salon several times without realizing it. It's surprisingly small, with only two pedi chairs and two vintage school desks for manicures. Even though I suspected I needed something a little heavier-duty, I asked for the basic Essence of Soul mani-pedi. The pricing really isn't bad, especially for the pedicure; a basic pedi at Bloomie Nails is $25, so $32 at Jin Soon feels okay to me.
It's all about quality here. They have a dizzying selection of polishes, including NARS, Elizabeth Arden, and Sally Hansen Professional in addition to the usual OPI and Essie. The lotions, potions, stones and implements are all high grade. There's soothing music, and my manicurist perhaps sensed I was feeling pensive and left me to my thoughts.
The Essence of Soul treatment starts with a soak in warm water with essential oil, which was very nice, though I'd have liked it to be longer. There's also a massage with a lovely citrusy lotion, and a reasonable rub with a lotioned pumice stone for the pedi. If you want a sugar scrub, you'll have to spring for the Milk and Honey upgrade. You end with a wrap in a hot towel. It's all very enjoyable (hough they're leaving room for additional luxury at a higher cost). Please note that my cuticles were cut without asking, so speak up if you're highly resistant to that.
A couple of days later, my nails look fantastic. The polish is gorgeously, evenly, thoroughly distributed, the squared shaping is perfect, and I'm overall thrilled. I didn't get enough callus removal on my feet to spare me my post-shower sloughing ritual, but then, I didn't pay enough for that.
As a general rule I'm more disposed toward the $20 mani-pedi than the $50 version I got here, simply because even the prettiest manicure will only last a week. I'd go back when in need of a serious pedicure, and I'd spring for one of the pricier treatments for a longer-lasting result. The $50 Milk and Honey pedi is actually more affordable than most high end spa pedicures.
Mastercard and Visa accepted.
-----------------------------------------------
*EDIT: I had to knock off a star because my manicure started chipping ridiculously fast. It was embarrassing.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Beautiful pedicure, distractable technician. First, definitely book an appointment, the place is small and intimate and its no fun tripping over everyone else at the door if you are a walk in. Second the space is beautiful and the pedicure is bliss. I went with my sister and we both walked out with beautiful feet. The only problem is that the person was working on my feet seemed to be doing double duty as the door/appointments person and kept interrupting an otherwise flawless pedicure to consult with colleagues, deal with the phone or some other task. My sister got undivided attention though, and i will definitely try the place out again. :)
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
This is how you turn a bad day into an awesome relaxing one-go to Jin Soon. They are very particular about reservations but if you don't mind waiting sometimes you can sneak an appointment in. It is by far the best place to get a manicure or pedicure in the city.
There is no rushing here so even though the pedicures can be a bit expensive you get primped and massages and no rushing-which is so rare for a manicure place-no matter what the cost.
The last time I stopped by it was typhooning outside and the second I stepped foot inside-it was warm, inviting and calm!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I used to go to Jin Soon, and was getting incredible pedicures from a girl named, Akiko. They were the best pedicures I have ever had in my life. However, word of Akiko's talent caught on, and before you knew it, almost every customer was asking for her. Jin (the owner) then made the STUPID mistake of instituting a policy where no one could *EVER* request a specific girl! I pleaded with her to let me see Akiko....even saying that I would make the first appt. of the day, so that no one would know that I had requested her. Jin abjectlly refused. There is not one salon or spa in all of NYC that doesn't allow you to request the person of your choice!! Her absurd policy cost her my business, as well as countless others, who were left scratching their heads wondering why they had to see "whoever was available", even if said technician was downright awful. I will never go back unless she changes her policy.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (2)
Cool (4)
I have been to all three Jin Soon locations and like them all about the same. The #1 thing that I need to know when I walk into a nail salon is that they're clean. Jin Soon definitely seems clean. They have a very wide range of nail polish colors and brands which is nice. Give yourself 10 minutes before your appointment to look through them all. That part takes me forever. A little pricey, but worth it given my paranoia with respect to nail germs.
I will say that the level of care given by each technician is not all the same - some do a better job cleaning up the cuticles, etc. than others. The polish always looks great and shiny and in the many times that I've had my pedicures done there, I've never had a chip before taking the polish off myself 2 weeks later.
Jin Soon is definitely one of the places I am going to miss when I leave NY.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Not bad prices for a well publicized nail salon. My feet were silky smooth for days. I wish I could go every week!
Because Vogue likes it and you should too. I say this in jest but Jin Soon Choi, the owner of the three locations of Jin Soon Natural Hand and Foot Spa has tended to the fingers and toes of many a beauty editor. What does that mean to you? An experience like no other. The employees attentive and friendly, the atmosphere tiny and tranquil. The decor is very Asian country house. At the E. 4th Street location you sit at antique wooden school desks while getting a manicure. The pedicure area in the back is seperated, a bit of privacy, as no one wants their calluses on display.The actual service is what makes this #1 for me: hands down best mani and pedi. The polish never chips or peels, they take their time with the entire process from cuticle trimming and massage to polishing. A basic mancure is right under $20 and worth every penny. They also have a variety of exotic and treatment services available for either hands or feet, which are lovely if you don't mind spending a little more. For the service, price and the serene unassuming environment it's the best overall.
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Hot and New
- Gramstand
31 reviews
Neighborhood: Manhattan/East Village
- The Market NYC
35 reviews
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Little Italy
- Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca
187 reviews
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Greenwich Village
- The Jakewalk
13 reviews
Neighborhood: Brooklyn/Gowanus
- 53rd and 6th Halal Cart
185 reviews
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Theater District