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Merry Nails
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon. 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Tue-Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- No
21 reviews for Merry Nails
I have been a patron of Merry Nails and a client of Lilly's since November 2000, I think I was driving around trying to find a nail spa that was open during a Holiday morning and Merry Nails was open.
I am particular about my nails as to how they are cared for. I am especially picky about how my cuticles are cut, the shape of my nails, and the technique of the massage that sums up the whole service. After all I am paying for the entire experience.
Before I discovered Lilly, I have tried many nail spas in San Jose, Cupertino, and Sunnyvale area and they were just simply terrible. At Merry Nails, Lilly pays attention to details and doesn't carry on a conversation with other employees while she is working with you so you can sit and relax. If you are a big fan of massage chairs then you will be in for a treat. Moreover, you can see as Lilly is working she really takes pride in her work.
I frequent Merry Nails every 2-weeks, the manicure and pedicure usually can last 3 weeks if you care for your nails after you leave the nail spa.
Lilly is in high demand so an appointment is recommended, if your time is not valuable then definitely go unannounced. I also recommend the waxing service with Lilly. Try it!
As for payment methods; cash is preferred (isn't it always), they will ask for cash but, if you do not have cash they do accept credit cards. Don't mistake their question for cash as being pushy, it is just a question.
They did a pretty nice job for Mani/Pedi compared to other Nail salons I had been to, certainly not the best and the price is alright, but they did a good job, above average.
What I like:
- the salon looks ok, nice atmosphere
- good job cutting the cuticles around the nails, clean & neat
- polishing job was done quite nice too.
Didn't like:
- a bit pushy over all... especially they seemed to highly prefer CASH (I handed them my Credit card first). Luckily I carried enough cash that day. It was a treat for my friend's bday and there were 3 of us. If I had less than "that amount" in my purse, it would have been UHHH... a bit embarrassing.
- the shaping wasn't so great, my 2 big toe nails were trim down too short, but I'm fine w/ that.
- Vietnamese conversations... I don't mind cuz I can understand... but I didn't want my 2 friends to feel awkward or ... left out.
Anyway, all of us left with good looking hands & feets. We prob. will come back again :)
I read an earlier post by a reviewer saying that her manicure lasted a week. I was kind of skeptical. But after having two manicures that indeed lasted a week I'm joining the fan club. Also, I usually ask for two coats of color. I think one coat is standard there.
Another bonus is the massage chairs. They're new and once you figure out how to work them they totally hit the right spot. And, unfortunately I don't remember the lady's name who did my pedicure, but talk about an artist! She created one of the prettiest flowers ever.
The best part? They are open til 7pm. I'm one of those get in and get out types when it comes to my nails. I came in around 5:50pm for a mani and pedi and they waited for my nails to dry even after closing time. The owner lady sat down with me to chat. This is a great place!
I come here since it's next door to my drycleaner and they always get me a person within 5-10 minutes on a Saturday with no appointment. Sometimes they say five minutes, when they mean ten, but that's ok. I've been coming here for about a year now since Kalie Nails (TP Nails) is further away.
The pedicures used to be $20. Now they are $25 to compensate for the new massage spa chairs they got several months back. I'd rather have the cheaper pedicure without the massage chair. I continue to come here despite this 20% increase because they consistently do a great job with cutting cuticles, cleaning and cutting nails and makes me feel like all the dead skin on my toes are gone! Some places are not thorough enough, but they are pretty meticulous here about that and my toes feel clean (akin to getting a teeth cleaning). I can't recommend anyone specifically, but I've tried about everyone who works there on Saturdays (except the head person, Mary who is usually doing fake nails and the girl that speaks English fluently with the yellow highlights). I don't have any complaints about my pedicures.
Amy or "Hien" did my manicure last week and she did a great job. My cuticles are cut and clean and my nails are shaped exactly the way I like them - square, but a little rounded at the corners (can you tell I'm picky?!). I told her I wanted clear and instinctively knew that I wanted one pink coat in between the base, clear, and topcoat. She stood for my hand/arm massage, which made it nice and strong. Manicures are the usual $10.
One thing I hate about all Vietnamese nail salons is that they always ask if you have cash. If I did, then why would I hand you my card? This really irks me about this place because they are pushy about receiving cash. They don't take checks like the usual places either. Sometimes I purposely use my card because I do not encourage pushy behavior in the service industry.
In desperate need of a quick pedi, I headed over here with OPI Lincoln Park after Dark and a fat wallet in hand.
45 minutes later, $25 lighter and with beautifully polished dark purple nails...I headed back into work (with a froyo from ILuvYogurt).
They were fabulous, prompt & friendly, accurate with the dark polish. They take credit cards. The one thing they couldn't provide for me was a 2 hour long nap after the lovely foot and calf massage. That'll have to come on my own later!
I am a nut about trying new nail places...seriously lovin' La Monique for my mani and pedis, but it's good to know in a 45 minute workday pinch I've got an uber-close backup!
I wrote a previous review before. But I've recently returned to Merry's and I must say they've made a change for the better. They have painted the place, replaced their tables, and got new spa chairs!
They still continue to be friendly and sanitary. I loved coming here before, but now the place looks even more inviting. Plus, my acrylics and pedicure always looks great!
Update 3/29/08
I went in today for a pedicure and I haven't been in a for a few months. Everything got re-painted, they have new stations and new pedicure foot baths! Brand spankin' new! They have also raised their prices from $20/pedicure up to $25/pedicure. I did get a good pedicure and they did throw in a hot towel after my legs got lotioned and massaged, but considering that I can get a pedicure almost anywhere for $15...I was expecting more. The new chairs have a massage mode, but it's not very comfortable. What I did like were that the chairs seemed a lot bigger than the old ones. I could lean back and just relaxxxx!
For a quick pedicure, I love this place. It's a little better than other places where I've gotten $15 pedicures because this place has the pedicure spa chairs, instead of just bringing a bucket of water to your chair. Their pedicures are $20 at Merry Nails, and yes, the $5 upgrade for the chair is worth it. Also, they let me bring my dog with me! She's a small dog, 12 pounds, and she sits in my lap while I either read a magazine or knit. I absolutely adore Lily and think she's the best. None of the staff members have had a problem with my dog in the salon, and most people don't even know she's there until I get up to leave. Yep, she's like a ninja - a little quiet, hidden, black dog.
I've had basic manicures done here as well on other occasions and they've turned out well too. This isn't a high end salon by any means, just another run of the mill nail salons.
i dont remember who i had but it doesnt really make a difference. both my sister & i came here to get acrylic manicures with french tips. while my lady was using the machine tool to saw off the acrylic around my cuticles, she wasnt paying attention & the tool touched my skin, making me bleed.
this didnt only happen to me but also to my sister. sooo we both finished wit our acrylics looking alright, but the skin under our nail wasnt feeling too good cus it was kinda cut open.
im pretty sure there are better salons that actually pay attention while using their tools so you wont bleed. this place isnt that cheap either so i really recommend somewhere else..
I've been going here for 6 years since I used to work up the street.. I've strayed to other places for my nails, but always end up coming back to Mary for my acrylics.
Mary sits in the front and is usually the one who makes the appointments, answers the phone, etc. (she basically runs the place although she is not the owner). She is definitely the best for acrylics and I don't let anyone else do them... She works Tues-Sat.
Lily is her daughter and she is definitely the best for pedicures. She does great eyebrow waxing, too! Some of the other ladies do pretty good pedicures as well, although if you want designs on your toes some of them aren't very good at them... definitely make sure they understand exactly what you want and don't be afraid to speak up if you see things going awry!
It is a very typical salon.. lots of chatting in Vietnamese, etc, but the ladies there are nice, they sterilize their equipment, and I am always happy after Mary does my nails. They don't lift and I can get the pink and white full set that lasts for 3 weeks before I need to go back! The prices have gone up for acrylics (otherwise this would be a 5-star review).. especially the pink & white which is now $45 for a new set, but for me it is still worth it because they stay on, look great, and don't get yellow at all.
They have lots of regular customers, including some younger and older men. The best time to go is usually earlier in the week... I usually call the day before I am planning to go to make an appointment with Mary or Lily (depending on whether it's for nails or a pedi), since they're both usually pretty busy.
Sometimes you have to wait a bit, but there are lots of magazines, and there is a really great frozen yogurt place, I (heart) Yogurt (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) , two doors down that you can hit up if you're bored and hungry (hint.. get the kid's size) so I never mind waiting a few minutes!
YEAH! Merry Nails has always been my FAV! They are so meticulous from taking off the old nail polish to going over their work... I LOVE Lilly and the rest of the gang... I live in Santa Cruz and wait until I am over the hill to have my pedicure, so I can go to Merry Nails...
Lilly is always busy, so make sure you call ahead.
not bad. pretty typical nail joint. everyone's vietnamese and they seemed especially buddhist, incense and bowls filled with food offered to the happy buddha and set outside the store.
i got a manicure there. it was only $10. the manicurist was pretty difficult to understand. she had to repeat herself a few times for me to realize that she was asking me to give her money. overall, she did a good job, took her time and was careful about trimming down my cuticles, so many manicurists have a tendency of cutting too much and either make me bleed or make my fingers burn as soon as they put the polish on. she did good.
what was with the little kid running around calling every manicurist "mommy"? don't ask, don't tell...
I love getting my pedi's done here. They last a long time too! Make an appointment with Lily, she's the best!..
I checked this place out through recommendation, but sadly, I was disappointed. The woman who did my nails didn't seem to understand any of the requests I made; is it that hard to comprehend that I don't want my cuticles cut. AT ALL. I honestly don't think so. The flip side to all of this is, despite my unhappiness about her style of work, I will say that my manicure has lasted, without so much as a scratch, for about a week now. And I've been pretty brutal with this mani. 2 and a half stars for service, half a star for durability and longevity of the work.
I am a huge fan of Merry Nails. I have been getting my nails done for six years and have tried over a dozen places. I found this place about five months ago, and have become a bi-weekly (sometimes weekly) customer. I am very particular about my french manicures and Thuy does not disappoint. I was just there this weekend getting a manicure and pedicure, and she spent 90 minutes on me ($45 treatment)!! Bottom line: friendly and attentive staff, great service, and the ladies always use clean tools and products.
Second time here, first time I went to get one nail repaired, that had broken. They did a good job.
This time I had major nail issues, seriously jacked up due to going to another nail place and not doing research on it. After reading reviews on here I decided to go over during my lunch and see. They were able to take me at lunch, but I only had an hour and didn't want to have to rush, so I asked if I could come in at 5 after work, they said ok. I came back and got something called Solar nails $45. its $20 for fill. this doesn't include tip. They don't put on tips they just put the pink and white powder on your own nails. It is less time and I was in at 5 and out by 6. I like this procedure better than getting tips, cause I like short nails anyways.
My only thing I didn't like about it is that they don't use gel at the end, just a buffing cream which makes them shiny, but I really like them shiny and glossy. So I ended up going home and putting on some clear glitter nail polish. I will see the next go around if they can put something on it to make em shinier, I'm not sure if they can put gel over it, but it can't hurt to ask.
Overall I am pleased with this place, everyone's nice, and not a lot of chit chat. I don't know if its cause it was Wednesday afternoon or what , but I like the atmosphere.
I didn't get a chance to get a pedicure, but I will be going back to try it, A lady was getting her feet done, and they are very sanitary, and they did a good job.
Also really nice new comfortable chairs and tables are there now!
Walked in for a french manicure with no appt., got seated quickly and young lady came to to do my nails...and for the first 15 minutes she was talking on cell phone in Vietnamese.. at first I was kind of annoyed but thought as long as she was doing my nails... French manicure turned out nice except would of opted for the more natural kind instead of bright white tips. 18 dollars plus tip, and was out in 45 minutes.. will go back again but with get just regular manicure.
Your Typical Asian Nail Salon. The ladies are really nice there. Ask for Lily when doing pedicure, she is the best!
After reading several reviews for different nail salons, I decided to visit Mary for my usual pink and white fill. She told me about the new technique "solar" nails which is basically the same as the pink and white acrylics except they put it on your natural nails instead of the usual acrylic tips and they use different filers. I usually tell them to apply the gel to make them extra shiny but Mary said that for solar nails, gel is not necessary.
Mary is extremely friendly and attentive to your wishes. The salon is a typical ghetto Asian nail salon. Overall my nails are good, not great. I'm giving them four stars because i like them, but i don't love them.
I paid $45 for a full set of solar nails, which I find kind of pricey for a ghetto nail salon.
Consistently the best for the bay area for solar nails. Solar pink set was perfect. Mary and Lily do the best nails. Pedicures are great with Lily and others. Clean environment, friendly people. Waxing was good too.
I have been there couple times. The girls there and Tina are very detailed, Tina spent 40 min just to do my french pedicure. Love it! and they just got new spa pedicure chairs too. Walk in are wlecome.
Better than most... got a pink and white full set and they stayed on for 3 weeks... no lifting... looked great and the place is easy to get into. Is it the nicest place? No... but for the price and how long the nails stay on I would recommend them.
