Nail It (Russian Manicure)

Verified by N49

First, the good: the staff was very friendly and accommodated me as a walk-in, without an appointment. The salon is bright and clean, and very conveniently located near my office (and many others).

The bad, and the reason for the 1-star review: this was the most painful pedicure I have ever received. I was unfamiliar with the Russian manicure/pedicure technique, so let me explain. Instead of soaking your digits in water to soften your cuticles, the technician applies corn starch powder and uses a nail drill (rotary tool) to remove your cuticles. I guess in theory this can work as well as the “conventional” technique, but that was not my experience. As you can see from the attached photos of my toes (sorry 😂), the technician went way overboard. She repeatedly pushed the tool beyond the cuticle onto my actual skin, breaking it in multiple places. That was unpleasant enough… And then she applied the antiseptic spray! With my skin raw and cuts in a few places from the overly-enthusiastic application of the nail drill, my toes felt like they had been lit on fire. Honestly, this would make an excellent method of torture. At the end, she told me I have “very sensitive skin.” And maybe she’s right – maybe their usual clients don’t mind having a nail drill driven into their skin.

I went in on Monday, and I took these pictures today (Friday); as you can see, my toes are still healing.

This salon has excellent reviews, so I am forced to conclude that my experience must have been an outlier. Needless to say, I won’t be back.

I have never had a Russian manicure until today! A friend and I stumbled across this piece of Heaven in San Fransisco! Natasha was my nail tech and she is incredible. The entire staff is highly trained and the precision/attention to detail is unmatched!

This was my second time getting Gel X nail extensions at Nail It, and once again, the service was amazing! The staff is incredibly attentive to detail and made sure everything was perfect. When one of my nails came off, they let me come back in to get it fixed for free. I really appreciate their professionalism and care. Highly recommend this salon!

just moved to the city and was looking for a new nail salon - this happened to be my first russian manicure experience as well and I really enjoyed it! really clean and well-kept space, and all the staff were super professional and friendly. nails turned out exactly like my inspo picture, and just realized the nail artist free-handed extensions on my long-time stubby index finger - it’s never looked this good. highly recommend!!

I’m in love with this salon! The salon has a team of true professionals, and the atmosphere is always cozy and welcoming. I found an amazing nail artist here who perfectly brings all my ideas to life. My nails not only look stunning but also last a really long time! And today, I discovered that they also offer brow services—| decided to give it a try and was beyond impressed! The girl who did my brows listened to all my preferences, and the result was simply stunning-my brows look so beautiful! Now, I'll definitely be coming here not just for nails! I highly recommend this place to anyone who values quality!!

I had a really good experience the first time I got extensions here. Super thorough, lasted a long time. Decided that it was worth the high price tag and came back. The person I had today was super rough with the removals of my current gel that she burned my nail bed at least 8 times where I physically had to pull away or say “ouch”. Also, the quality this time around was definitely lacking. Potentially due to the slightly transparent color I chose for my polish, but you can see the bubble in the gel as well as the edge where the extensions start (see pictures). The top coat had some missed spots around the edges for some of the nails and one of the extensions already started lifting and it hasn’t even been 5 hours since I got them done.
For regular polish, maybe wouldn’t be an issue, but for the $140 + tip I paid, I expect more.

Yesterday I had an experience in this wonderful salon! I really enjoyed the process and the work of the master Anna, namely nail extensions, this is something incredible!!! Everyone should try this experience and I promise you will be delighted!! Also, complete safety is ensured since the instruments are processed after each client - this is the most important thing. Thank you very much! I will come back again and again!!!!

I had an amazing experience at Nail It Nail Salon in San Francisco! The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming, making the whole experience feel relaxing from start to finish. They also offer the most delicious tea, which was a perfect touch to enhance the atmosphere. As for the mani/pedi, I couldn’t be more impressed with the quality – my nails look stunning, and the results last for an entire 4 weeks! I’ve never had such long-lasting polish before. Highly recommend this place for anyone looking for top-notch service and results!

My favorite nail salon! I always get so many compliments on my nails!!

The studio is adorable and spotless. You can tell the owners genuinely care about their clients.

The staff is always so nice and friendly, it feels like home every time I go there 🥰

I visited this salon for the first time and was delighted! Everything is clean, sterile, a large selection of colors and designs. The master Anna Arshaeva was attentive, neat and did an amazing manicure. It is very pleasant when you feel care and professionalism. I will definitely come back

I love NailIt studio! I’ve been coming here for over 6 months and the service is amazing. The team always goes above and beyond to ensure my time is pleasant and the quality of my nails it’s 10/10 every time. The salon is also very clean and organized, which is important to me and a reflection of the high quality sanitary environment.

It’s been over a year now that I’ve been getting my nails done with Irina I am so glad I found her. My nails finally got the professional care they've always needed. She truly knows her craft and takes the time to ensure every detail is perfect. The quality of her work is unmatched, and my nails have never looked better! Not only is Irina's work absolutely amazing, but her salon is also so nice and clean, which really makes a difference. It’s clear that she prioritizes both quality and hygiene, and I always feel at ease in such a calm, relaxing and inviting atmosphere.
I leave feeling pampered and confident every time. If you're looking for someone who genuinely cares about your nails and provides an exceptional experience, NAILIT staff is the one! I couldn’t be happier!
I highly recommend Irina and her team to anyone looking for top-notch nail care.

I had never had a Russian manicure and pedicure before..it's an off 🌎 experience. Meticulous is an understatement!! The office is beautiful with super comfy chairs 💺..very clean and they use sterile equipment and disposables are used 👌 which is excellent for infection control. I am told it will last 4 weeks, and there is a 7 day guarantee for chips or other issues, but quite frankly, I think my nails are now bomb proof. Highly recommend.

If you're looking for the best Russian manicure in San Francisco, I highly recommend this place. The nails they do last for a long time, and all the technicians are exceptional. The quality, cleanliness, and sterility are top-notch. I especially appreciate the option to have both a manicure and pedicure at the same time. Additionally, the salon itself is beautiful and conveniently located in downtown San Francisco.

I recently visited Nail It, a Russian manicure studio, and I couldn't be more pleased with my experience. The studio is impeccably clean, which immediately sets a positive tone for the visit. The location is fantastic, making it easily accessible and convenient.

The staff at Nail It are incredibly polite and attentive, always ensuring that I feel comfortable and well taken care of. The quality of their work is simply outstanding. I've been coming to this studio for some time now, and each time I leave with beautifully manicured nails that last.

Overall, I highly recommend Nail It for anyone looking for top-notch manicure services in a welcoming and pristine environment!

I totally love my Russian manicure. Great service and polish selection. Very clean shop with beautifully thought through decor, located in old historic building just off Market st. Fantastic place, highly recommend. Thank you, ladies for a great manicure and pedicure, I will be back soon:)

This is the best spot for Russian Manicure in the entire Bay Area, and that’s a hill I’m willing to die on!

PROS: A++ quality manicure, amazing customer service, top-shelf products (ask the owner about it - they order most of their supplies from Europe), clean and modern studio, wide selection of colors and ability to execute even the most complicated, “Instagram-worthy” designs, the most wonderful and accommodating staff.

CONS: once you start going here, you’ll never want to get your nails done anywhere else. You’ll get hooked oh-so-quickly!

I visited this salon, which specializes in Russian manicures. While I appreciate the unique approach, I encountered some communication challenges due to the language barrier.

The service did not meet my expectations, and the color of my nails did not match my request. Unfortunately, I also suspect a possible infection on one nail, as it is now quite painful.

Given these concerns, I cannot recommend this salon, especially to those who may not speak Russian. I believe there are other salons that may provide a more enjoyable and reliable manicure experience.

This place is ONE OF A KIND!!! The attention to detail, the cleanliness, and obviously the work all speaks for itself. I will never go anywhere else for a manicure and pedicure. I’m blown away by this business and the ladies who run it. Amazing work 10/10 A+++++

100% worth the cost. I have now been twice, and I absolutely loved both my experiences. Having your nails done is a luxury, and here, you are actually getting a luxury experience. They think of little details. For instance, there are stands for you to set your phone if you want to watch something like your nails are getting done (so bring headphones)! The inside is very cozy, and you are protected from the chaos / construction outside. In the evening, I appreciate that they lock the door so that random people can’t just walk in. I feel safe in there.

If you do not see a reservation available on the website, you can also message them and ask them to put you on a waitlist or notify you if there are last minute cancellations.

I have been going to this salon for almost a year now and always get high quality, a calm atmosphere, cleanliness and pleasant service. They love their work and customers here.

I had a fantastic experience at Nail It! The staff was welcoming and professional, and the salon had such a clean and relaxing atmosphere. My gel manicure was flawless—the technician paid great attention to detail and helped me pick the perfect color from their wide selection. I also appreciated how hygienic and organized everything was. This is easily one of the best nail salons I’ve been to in San Francisco. I’ll definitely be back and highly recommend it to anyone!

“Nail it” is amazing! The staff is friendly, professional, and attentive to every detail. The salon is spotless and relaxing, and my manicure and pedicure turned out flawless and long-lasting. I couldn’t be happier with the service—highly recommend!

I have been going to the manicurist Irina for half a year now. I really like the result and the service. They always do everything very quickly and efficiently. I have long nails, and many specialists did not make the nails the shape I wanted, but Irina always does what I want. She chose a material for me that I wear for a very long time and everything holds up great. Also, a couple of times I had emergency situations and had to reschedule our appointment, and Irina was always flexible and found a new time in her schedule. I will come to her again and again.

Irina truly does an exceptional job. She is incredibly patient, pays great attention to detail, and works in a clean, hygienic environment with sterile instruments. Irina takes personal responsibility for the quality of her work, ensuring every client leaves satisfied and eager to return. I always receive tons of compliments about my nails after every appointment! As one of her first clients in the U.S., I’ve witnessed how quickly her business has grown thanks to her exceptional skills and dedication. I can’t recommend her enough!