Getting your nails done is very personal and not just because of how you want them to look. A trip to the nail salon can take anything from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the treatment. That is potentially two hours sitting with one person. A person you want to be able to trust with your money and nails. A person who is going to tell it to you straight. If they say they can add the intricate nail art you requested, you want to trust them to deliver. If they say your appointment will last an hour, you want it to last an hour so you can make your next commitment. Moreover, you want that person to be friendly and personable. Going to the nail salon is an experience, not just a service. It is a time to relax and take some time for you. Youwant to be comfortable and looked after with excellent customer service. Perhaps most importantly, you want to know that the technician is good at their job, that they take pride in their work, know the products and procedures and that the technician and salon seek out customer satisfaction. You want to be sure you are getting quality products, service, and experience from start to finish from a friendly and knowledgeable technician.

Location can be a real driving force behind choosing a nail salon in Boston. Convenience and ease of access can be key. If you’re nipping out to the salon during your lunch break you don’t want to spend more time traveling than you spend being pampered. Is it within walking distance? Do you have to rely on public transport or getting in the car when you can be there in just 5 minutes? Of course, it may be that making that long journey for the perfect 2-hour salon experience is worth it but it is usually a case of, the closer the better. Narrowing down your choice of nail salon by location is a great way to start your search.  

What is the industry average for the treatment you are having done at the nail salon and how does the price you are being charged compare? According to frugalanswers.com the average manicure at the average salon can be between $20.00 and $25.00. For your average set of acrylics, this will set you back $35.00 to $45.00 whereas you can expect gel nails to cost between $45.00 and $55.00 Don’t forget those high-end salons, luxury hotels and spas can cost up to, or even in excess of,  $75.00 per treatment. So be sure to compare like for like when doing your market research. It is also worth remembering that you may require additional services such as removing pre-existing polish, acrylics, or gels and these services will all have an associated cost. Be sure to factor that in and consider the nail salon’s pricing structure for these services too. You will want to be satisfied that you are paying a fair price, that you are not paying $20.00 more than the salon on the next street but equally, you don’t want to find yourself paying below average for a poor job. No one wants to lose a nail two days later, as the saying goes you get what you pay for.

Businesses today live and die by their reviews and the great thing for you is that they can be found in a matter of seconds. Simply putting the nail salon into Google may bring up Google reviews left by customers. Facebook also has a platform for customer reviews to be left on a business’s page and then of course there are dedicated review sites such as Yelp. You can use these tools to scope out any potential feedback your chosen salon or any nail salon may have had. Simply type ‘nail salons in Boston’ into Google and you might be surprised what you find. These reviews can be great, they can offer a real insight into how a salon operates, the service provided, and the experience they offer. Chances are customers may have even uploaded a picture of their new nails for you to see for yourself. In fact, searching the nail salon on Facebook or Instagram may provide you with more than just client feedback. If they are active on social media, which most places are these days, you will most likely get a feel for the salon. What it looks like, how they operate, photos of the work they have done. Social media is a great way to get to know your chosen nail salon in Boston a bit better. 

It might seem like an obvious one but it must be a priority question, more so now than ever. Having your nails done is an intimate treatment that involves close contact with your hands, the technician’s hands, and procedures such as filing and cutting your nails. Hands, fingertips, and nails touch all sorts of surfaces every day and your nails can be home to some quite frightening bacteria. If salons, equipment, or hands are not properly sanitized the bacteria residing under your, or anyone else’s, nails could be spreading with some nasty consequences. The CDC, Center for Disease Control, advises all shared nail grooming equipment should be sanitized before use**. Keep an eye out for the equipment being used, is it single-use? Such as a buffer or plastic file. If so, has it been taken out of a sealed wrapper or disinfectant solution? Is the nail salon itself clean? Have you been asked to wash your hands? Has the technician washed theirs or are they wearing gloves? These are all things you will want to consider when choosing a nail salon. If you have any questions about cleanliness or the sanitizing procedures a salon has in place just ask. It is better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to hygiene.

Are you a regular at the nail salon? Do you know exactly what treatment you want or do terms such as acrylics, gels, and french tips get your head in a spin? Nail treatments offered are plentiful and a good salon and technician will be able to tell you exactly what each treatment involves, what may or may not suit your lifestyle, and advise you on aftercare. Well-trained technicians and reputable nail salons will be able to point you in the right direction and answer any questions you might have.

It is a legal requirement that nail technicians and nail salons in Boston (and statewide) be licensed and it is not uncommon for these certificates to be proudly framed and displayed upon the salon walls. If you can’t see any then ask about them, you don’t want your treatment being carried out on unlicensed premises or by an unlicensed technician.

What about the smell? Smells and odors in nail salons are certainly not uncommon or harmful in smaller quantities. That said, good ventilation systems will help eradicate these odors and any dust particles created from all the filing. If you’re spending a sustained period of time in a nail salon or plan on being a repeat customer this may be something you want to consider when spending up to two hours having those intricate gels.

What about the environment? Is the salon somewhere that you like? Are you going to be comfortable sitting there for your treatment, conversing with the technician? Is there a friendly atmosphere and welcoming environment putting you at ease? A trip to the nail salon is a paid luxury, you go to enjoy the whole experience and not just the service that has been offered. You want to be sure you are sitting somewhere you want to be sitting and that you are happy to part with your hard-earned money spending your time there.