Though the practice of nail art has been around since Babylonia, the whole thing really kicked into gear over the past few years. In the Phoenix area, there are more than a few spots to get a freakishly well-done designs on your little scratchers.
In case you’re not interested in waiting for your shipment from House of Holland, here are seven places in metro Phoenix known for great nail art.
Azul Day Spa
2827 West Peoria Avenue, Suite 104, in Phoenix
602-997-2174
www.azuldayspa.org
Neighboring Metro Center Mall, Azul Day Spa is a big contender in the nail art scene. Prices for nail art range from $5 to $20-plus, depending on the quantity of nails (either two accent nails or a full set), the design itself, the grade of adorning gems or rhinestones, and the prior base services.
"If our clients bring us a picture, we pretty much bend over backward for them,” says general manager Chloe Thai. “All of our nail art services are done free hand, no sticker or stencil.” She says Azul uses acrylic paint, nail polish, gel polish, pigments, color powder, powder glitter, and more.
“We really enjoy the fact they are always satisfied with our nail art services,” Thai says, “It really separates us from the ‘typical salon.’”
Dolce Salon & Spa
3325 West Chandler Boulevard in Chandler
480-722-0500
www.dolcesalonspa.com
Don’t fret, East Valley residents – you don’t have to pack a cooler just to get your nails done in this town.
With locations in Chandler and Scottsdale, the Dolce Salon & Spa features a “luxurious nail salon” – offering hand-painted, custom nail designs and 3D Deco nail art (at $5 per finger). These guys do also do killer stiletto nails (when your nails come to a point — think Rihanna or Gaga).
Thanks to the "Nail Gallery," Dolce offers over 100 glitter options, tons of decals and gems, and top brand polishes like Smith & Cult, OPI, and Gellish – plus Dolce's own line Doco Charmuse of lotions and scrubs.
"We provide manicures, pedicures, and all types of nail enhancements..." says Chandler client pperations director Tessa Love. "You truly get 'one of a kind' nails; an entirely customized experience."
There's a second Dolce location at 15323 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 180, in Scottsdale, 480-722-0500.
M3V – The Nail Bar
5450 East High Street, Suite 109, in Phoenix
480-659-9556
www.m3vnailbar.com
What’s more enticing than a tagline like “Nails. Coffee. Wine?” That does’t even mention beer, mimosas, sodas, and teas. But enough about beverages.
M3V – The Nail Bar usually does custom nail art, “but we’ve done everything from Bronco[s] nails to Halloween spiders,” says founder and owner Tracy VanBibber. “We also have a full scale glitter bar. We do a lot of glitter.”
At M3V, it’s $5 for art or glitter accent nails, and $10 for every nail.
The Spa at Camelback Village
4444 E. Camelback Road in Phoenix
602-840-6412
www.villageclubs.com
The Spa at Camelback Village is lucky enough to employ Sarah Waite, the artist behind Chalkboard Nails – a nail art blog with some DIY tutorials and some fantastic shots of nails.
Village Signature manicures start at $35, shellac bumps you up to $45, and a full set of artificial nails runs you $75. These services also come with a relaxing atmosphere and an adult beverage.
Waite advises those looking for nail art services call ahead to schedule an extra 30 minutes for your session.
Stash House Az
1619 East McDowell Road, Studio C, in Phoenix
602-266-8168
www.instagram.com/stashhouseaz
This is a staple of the nail art scene in the Valley. If you’re looking for the latest in nail art – and believe us these ladies have to stay sharp – then it’s Stash House Az.
Nowadays, nail artistry is valued, it's an experience and it's memorable,” says owner and "shopkeeper" Summer Olson. “While a single-color manicure is welcome at our shop, we're known for artists who can hand paint intricate designs on the tiniest scale.”
Olson breaks down the pricing: “For natural nails, it is $35 for a single color gel manicure, with additional art starting at $10. A full set of acrylic extensions starts at $35. Final pricing is always discussed in person since our artists charge according to time spent and complexity of design,” she says. Olson adds that Stash House is one of the few Arizona salons to use Japanese gel.
Just look for the little green building at the southeast corner of 16th Street and McDowell Road. Inside the appointment only (“to ensure a rush-free service”) salon, you’ll find a wall of famous faces – Prince to Blondie to Bianca Jagger – looking on during your session. The shop utilizes Instagram to showcase their works, and each post includes instructions on how to book a session with the artist.
Sundrops Nail Spot
3949 East Camelback Road in Phoenix
602-956-0822
www.sundropsnailspot.com
Arcadia's Sundrops Nail Spot is an upscale nail boutique for men and women – the kind of place to bring the bridal party before the big day.
Custom nail art prices and services range from $5 accent nails to $10 glitter applications and a $12 Reverse French. Custom art sessions run from $10 for 10 minutes to $20 for 20 minutes.
“We really try to add on nail art pieces without breaking the bank for customers,” says owner Stephanie Coulston.
We recommend The Pizza Look (acrylic fill: $25, Floss Gloss polish in Moon Baby, no additional cost, pizza nail “tattoos,” additional $10), and The Stone Look (Shellac or gel polish manicure, $40, semi-precious stone, $5).
terés | A NAIL BAR
7120 East Indian School Road in Scottsdale
480-499-4901
www.teresnailbar.com
Set in Old Town Scottsdale, terés was named Best Nail Art Salon in 2013 from Phoenix New Times, and for good reason. “The thing we love about nail art is that it’s really “anything goes,” says Courtney King, owner of the four-year-old salon, in an e-mail, "It’s such a fun and unique way to express your personal style, without the requirement of a long term commitment."
According to the website, you can, “Create your own signature style by adding some flair to your manicure – glitter, party nails, striping, decals, and more.”
The whole thing takes about five minutes per nail, at $4 a nail for non-members, and $2 a nail for members. Terés features annual and month-to-month memberships at $25 a month, and includes monthly credits, service discounts, and the ability to freeze your membership.
You can check out completed sets on the téres Instagram. We see you party nails.
