La Vie Nails

I’ve been here a few times. Not from the area so I don’t get to go often but when I do pass by and need a manicure, this is the place. I got French gel today and I believe that it is probably the best one yet. I usually get one color polish because it drives me crazy when there are spots not painted on the side when getting French but I decided Ill try. They use a small brush and free hand the tips!

Long story short. Went in for a full set of acrylic nails. The lady cut me while polishing with the machine, I started bleeding, asked for alcohol and she said its don’t worry it will dry. A week later the cut would not close and began to leak a yellowish substance (puss). Went to the doctor because it started spreading down the finger and on to my index finger. Turns out it was infected. Goes to show you that they do not sanitize their tools. After 2 years of not getting my nails done b/​c of this nasty place, I now go to My Angel Nails in Alameda, CA. Their tools are all sterilized for every customer and their work is clean and great!

So far the best I’ve been to. Very durable and beautiful manicures very well done pedicures. If you are looking for perfection ask for Ivy she is just fantastic, perfect every time. Thanks girl you’re the best keep up the great work!

Cute nails by Sabrina! Wanted something cute and simple with a snowflake design. Looks great.

Let me start this review by stating that the leg massage I’m currently receiving as part of a pedicure is the longest I’ve ever experienced anywhere. This is not a rushed, absentminded atmosphere.
My manicure was equally good, and I was surprised by the back, shoulders, and neck massage at the end.
Would I go out of my way to come here? Yes. A strong attention to detail is evident, and the results are excellent.

I came here today to get my acrylic nails removed from a different salon in Alameda. My nail tech was deeply, DEEPLY irritated that I wanted to remove the acrylics with acetone instead of have her tear them off my nail with cuticle clippers and another acrylic nail (DEAD SERIOUS). She pretty much wanted to fight me afterwards. The manicure she gave me afterwards was ok but started cracking about two hours later, and she put the tools she used on my nails straight back into the box labelled «CLEAN». Definitely not going to be my spot.

I post on here all the time about this place because they’re that good! They take their time with everything and make everyone feel like family! And they still do the best designs in all of alameda, Sabrina can see a design one time and match it completely!!! They will always have 5stars coming from me!

So happy I found this place right by my work! It gets crowded during lunch hour, luckily I got there before the rush. These ladies are amazing, they multi-​task in-​between jobs to make sure all of their customers feel important. Not only that, but they are really friendly. $ 30 + $ 10 tip for a mani and pedi along with a leg and shoulder massage. This is my new go to spot!

I’m torn between this place because sometimes it’s good sometimes it’s not so good. I usually only get gel manicures and it’s usually really nice also in the manicure and include a massage which is also very cool. However it’s always usually crowded and I have to wait for a really long time. I wouldn’t recommend getting acrylic or artificial nails here I would just mainly get gel manicures that’s about the only thing that’s really great.

This review is years overdue! I have been coming to Sabrina and Kelly for almost 10 years back when their shop was beside what is now the Alameda Movie Theatre. All these years they definitely treat you like family when you walk into their shopping knowing almost all of their customers by name. Sabrina has an amazing talent for nail design. I usually come in knowing what I want and she is so patient and attentive to detail. She always gets my nails exactly what I envisioned. They used to be over in Park Street at We Are Nails, but now have relocated to one location. In all of these years they have yet to disappoint!

This place is great! I used to live around the corner, so it was a no-​brainer to just walk there. Now, I live in Oakland and have other nail salons in walking distance. But I still come here.
The ladies are always super nice and accomodating, even calling backup when it gets too crowded, so they don’t have to send me away. My nails are always done perfectly — toenail polish even lasting for up to four weeks. I never get anything super fancy, the fanciest thing for me being French manicure. Never any nail art, so I cannot say anything about that.
But the chairs are comfortable, the place looks a lot cleaner than other places (although still not up to my Southern German standards — but that is another story all together). They also do eyebrow and face waxing in a little back room (never tried it myself, but a friend raves about it). Their prices are good, they also offer gel manicure (which lasts a good week for me, friends have reported up to three weeks though).
So yes, come to La Vie Nails, support those nice ladies! And please, leave a generous tip (cash)!
P. S.: About the massages… I am a big girl, so maybe some of those tiny ladies think I can take it… so they usually TORTURE me (or maybe I am just too sensitive?). In any case, unlike other reviewers here, I do not come for the massages. Sometimes I even skip them, especially when my back is bad that day…

Love these girls! They always greet me by name when I come here.
Ivy and Sabrina are my main two girls I like going to, but overall I don’t mind the other girls helping me either. They take their time to file and cut the cuticles, if I ever feel like they miss a spot, they automatically look at it and either redo it or pick whatever was on the nail off. Although they take a while, they do a WONDERFUL job! I definitely find this place is worth my time and they fit me in even when they’re close to closing. These girls are so good to me! I have recommended them to a lot of my people, friends and coworkers.

The waxing here is on point! It’s really hard for me to find a person who really takes their time on shaping eyebrows. I have trust issues, but since coming here she has been able to shape and wax my eyebrows just how I like it :)

Best and fastest shellac mani/​pedi I have gotten in the Bay !! ! You even get a massage as your nails dry which is a wonderful bonus free of charge. The best customer service at a nail salon I have ever received. Walked out feeling very relaxed and pampered. Definitely will return.

I was pleasantly surprised when I came here after work today. I needed my nails done for a wedding tomorrow, and I rushed from work and got to the salon at 6:10, I was worried that they wouldn’t take me if I got there any later, but they didn’t seem to notice what time it was at all. I had shellac on my nails that needed to be removed and I was getting a new shellac on top of that. The lady was quick and efficient at doing my nails and to top it all off she gave me a 10 minute back massage? A 10 minute back massage! I almost fell asleep I was so relaxed. Then after the 10 minute back massage she gives me a five-​minute hand and arm massage on either side. I’m going to have to switch my vote for number 1 nail salon in Alameda to this place. Oh and I left at 7:35 and nobody cared, I really appreciate that they were willing to stay after and not rush my nails.

Since moving to the west coast not quite a year ago I have been looking for a nail salon that:
1. Isn’t over priced
2. Is sufficiently clean
3. Does good mani/​pedi
4. Has courteous employees
5. Friendly environment.
Finally, after about 5 failed attempts I found and tried La Vie and I am so happy I did. I was thinking that when I move back east in a couple of years this is one of the places I am going to miss most. Mint Leaf next door will be one of the other things. :)

Today was my birthday! so I decided to spoil myself and I went with a friend to this nail salon, and I’m so happy with this choice! the stuff is very kind and lovely! The place looks great! And the results are amazing! I really recommend on this place! and for sure I’ll be back.:)

I almost don’t want to write this review for fear that Ivy will be too busy once the word gets out how amazing she is. She’s this salon’s best kep secret. But she really is all that, so allow me to sing her praises…
Ivy’s skill, attention to detail, and friendly demeanor are unparalleled. Yes, your manicure will take a little longer, but you can’t rush her brand of excellence. You will leave with the best manicure (gel or otherwise) that you’ve ever had. And the shoulder massage at the end of said manicure is what I look forward to most. I leave feeling relaxed with gorgeous nails. And her handiwork lasts and lasts, too!
This place has a great selection of gel colors and isn’t terribly expensive for a gel manicure (around $ 25, I think). Its always busy, but they usually get you in quickly and the results are worth the wait. Fan for life.

Had such a great experience here. Went today for my very first visit. The leg and shoulder massage were exactly what I needed! and the nail design I asked for came out perfectly :) Thank you ladies of La Vie Nails

My favorite nail salon in the Oakland/​Alameda area so far. I love that they actually know who I am and greet me by name. I go in about every week and a half to two weeks for a pedicure and gel manicure. I would say its the best gel manicure ive gotten anywhere. They actually use this little brush to make sure all of your nail gets painted. The only con is there is one lady who is a bit of a perfectionist while cutting cuticles and cuts too much skin off. She usually cuts me a bit, but I can withstand a knick or two.