Recommended buys: Keep the Kure Bazaar Organic Rose Cuticle Oil next to your bed and apply morning and night to nourish and strengthen the nails.
How accessible is it? Unfortunately the salon is quite narrow, so wheelchair users would struggle to access the space.
Try: Icelandic Luxury Soak/Massage and Kure Bazaar 10 Free Polish Pedicure, £45 – and also have an intuitive tarot reading session and infrared sauna whilst you’re here.
Address: 450 Kingsland Road, London, E8 4AE
Website: still-london.com
Iris Avenue
Iris Avenue, Fitzrovia
Nestled just off Tottenham Court Road on one of my favourite streets in London is Iris Avenue. As you enter the elegant space, on the left is a fully loaded cocktail bar – serving a mix of non-alcoholic drinks and more potent cocktails – and individual tables next to each other for manicures. Around me, friends have come as a trio to catch up after work, and the client next to me has popped in for a pre-date manicure. I opt for a classic gel manicure and am astounded by the types of colours and finishes available – jelly, magnetic, glitter, metallics, you name it. The pedicure is intensive; my hard soles are sanded with a drill-like gadget until they’re baby smooth, and all around me is the sound of the nail technicians giving expert advice rather than trying to get people out quickly, which is so refreshing. Unsurprisingly, I leave with perfect nails and one of the best manicures I’ve had. Next time, I’ll be back for one of their other treatments, which include facials, waxing and massages. Anita Bhagwandas
How accessible is it? Easily accessible via street level with plenty of space upstairs that cater to wheelchair users. It’s also a calming, relaxed space, and isn’t noisy at all.
Try the: SOS Gel Manicure – which includes shaping, cuticle work, massage, builder gel to help strengthen the nails and gel polish, £68
Address: 32 Store Street, Fitzrovia, London WC1E 7BS
Website: irisavenue.com
Best nail salon in London for: relaxation
Young Ldn, Westbourne Grove
Located in one of Notting Hill’s most exclusive corners, Young Ldn is a hidden gem serving West London’s young, beautiful and trendy crowd. Originally founded to help millennials and Gen Z have a cool place to go for their every skincare need, it now offers a wide range of leading beauty treatments for all ages and races. The Lounge boasts floor-to-ceiling wall murals, flower displays and a glam make-up corner along with colourful manicure and pedicure booths. A spacious and aesthetically pleasing haven away from the hustle and bustle of Portobello market, it offers everything from a Japanese manicure to buff, gloss and condition your nails to their shiniest selves to a Microneedling manicure, which offers a light peel and LED therapy. I opted for an hour-long gel manicure and was presented with colours from all of the latest brands including BIAB, Gel X and Shellac. After primping, preening and prepping my nails, my square claws were transformed into elegant oval talons and painted with The Gel Bottle’s Vanilla shade. My manicurist, Emma, even squeezed in some nail art as an extra, adding a delicate black heart to each nail as I tapped my foot along to classic Ibiza dance hits. Jessica Rach
Recommended buys: Emma’s favourite colour is Michelle by The Gel Bottle. The two most popular colours at Young LDN are Silk & Diva, both of which are by The Gel Bottle.
Is it accessible? The Lounge on the ground floor which houses the nail salon and beauty express salon is wheelchair accessible. There is also a basement and first floor with extra areas for specialised beauty treatments, which are only accessible by stairs.
Try the: Gel manicure £50 plus nail art from £11
Address: Young LDN, 228 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2RH
Website: youngldn.com
Source link
