Paint Nail Salon

the location is conveniently located right off the red line Diversey stop– so it’s very easy to get to if you live in LP or lakeview. There are about 4 – 5 stations in the small rented out space. The décor is mod and the staff is friendly — they even offered tea/​wine :D. Overall I would like to say, I like the idea of paint, but i was not impressed with their manicure skills! I usually frequent Hot Nails in Skokie (which has great nail artists) but short on time, and having had a swoop/​groupon (can’t keep them straight!) i ended up at paint and left with a mediocre nail job. –TEARS
p. s. There are a lot of other nail spa on Broadway that offer good mani/​pedi deals.

Apparently the new
owners are liars, thieves and cheats who won’t honor the gift certificates they previously told me they would.
I complained here:
So now I go to Strong Nail instead. I recommend you do the same.

Paint has sadly closed but the new salon in its place it quite nice. Paint will be missed but the ChicagoNails did an amazing job with the space.
Chicagonails:

If I’m right to think Lincoln Park is about recreating some putative ideal college experience with less acne and more money, then Paint should be the Official Nail Salon of Lincoln Park. It looks like one of those «Dorm Essentials» flyers from Target landed in an exposed brick loft. I think I heard four Maroon 5 songs over the hour I was there.
Anyway. I maybe could appreciate the zeal with which this place conjures up someone else’s fantasy, even though I’m not the target demographic, but the service (while not awful) was just not that good. The space was uncomfortably cold. The pedicure paid almost no attention to the bottoms of my feet. My polish was already smudged when I looked at it.
On the upside, I did get to listen to two women discuss what it means when a man says, «We should do Netflix.» But what does he mean by WE!!!
I’m just not sure why you would choose this place. Unless your dreams take place on the set of _​Friends_​.

This place is pretty awesome. i got a groupon type thing and came here with my friend to blow off some steam before the holiday season (xmas parties and new years festivities).
They have a lot of little extra that are nice– an offer of wine tea or water when you come in, a little hand massage here, a little foot massage there… The ladies that did my mani/​pedi were quick, efficient, and I have to say that their work really held up! I defnitely did not see any chipping until past the new year!
However, the one thing I will say, is that I think they forgot about my friend and I a little bit toward the end. After we were done and drying, our ladies left, and we were watched over by the receptionist/​assistant guy, who let us dry for ~30 minutes…
After awhile though, we brought it up to him and he helped us saran wrap our feet (no smudging!) and helped us get our boots on. It was a bit chilly in here though, so be sure to bring a sweater!

Why all the hateful reviews? I don’t understand… maybe this place has changed for the worse after 2010.
I came here in May ’10 after getting the $ 28 mani pedi special from groupon. Granted it was super hard to get an appointment because it was the last month before the voucher expires, the owner still squeezed me in.
First, I have to admit the pedi chair was so uncomfortable for shorties like me. Being 5’3, there’s no way to be comfortable in their chair even though the nail lady tried really hard. But I had to say she did a wonderful job. She was SO meticulous and scrubbed my feet and legs super well.
I guess people are right. This place is not memorable since I haven’t been back after a year even though my hair place is just right next door. SKIP.

What a pleasant surprise!
I’m sure I’ve walked by Paint many times without ever noticing it. Storefront is nothing special, just looks like any other nail place. But magic happens inside I tell ya! (that is if your definition of magic, like mine = A cheap, GOOD, clean mani/​pedi that still feels luxurious + an excellent color selection + wine)
I loved that the pedicures were in an entirely separate room from the manicures. Yes, it meant walking with those annoying flip flops between the two but it kept the pedicure part cozy and made it feel more luxurious (the complimentary wine didn’t hurt). The pedicure lasted a good 45 minutes, which is longer than most in the same price point.
Moved on to the manicure and the manicurist was very thorough and listened to how I wanted my nails shaped.
After the manicure was done, they let us sit there and talk for a while while our nails dried. They also offered to wrap our toes before we had to re-​boot (I appreciated this. Usually you have to ask for it.)
At this price point, and this close to the train station, I’m sure I’ll be back!

This place is wonderful!
Cassie and I went for manicures and pedicures here yesterday, and it was a great day! It really felt like a major pampering, and yet the prices are completely reasonable.
This place is very cute. The area for the pedicures has nice comfy chairs (I do like the massage chairs, but I didn’t feel like I was missing anything not having one here).
The first thing they did was offer us something to drink. Yes please to white wine! It was a full glass (and they refilled it for me during the manicure). Talk about daytime pampering!
The manicure and pedicure were both very good. However the customer service really takes them up another notch!
As I was about to put on my boots, the manager stopped me and asked if I wanted him to wrap my toes. (I’ve never had a pedicure in the winter, so I had no idea what he meant but I said sure). He wrapped my toes, carefully, put my socks back on, and carefully put my feet back into my boots. I cannot believe he did all of that! That is what I call exceptional service! It was way above and beyond what I expected, and it was very nice! (that way I didn’t mess up my toes or fingers).
This is an absolutely wonderful experience! Everyone should take an afternoon during the week of and go with a friend for an inexpensive treat! (Seriously, Mon-​Wed the mani/​pedi is $ 35. That is a helluva deal!)
Oh, and this place is not that close to where I live, but it is right by the brown/​purple lines. So it is very easy to get there!

This is one of the few salons/​spas I’ve been introduced to through Groupon or YouSwoop that I would return to based on the service provided at the discounted price.
Agnes did a great job with my mani-​pedi. She was careful, thorough, and I would even request her when I come back to Paint. I like that they offer complimentary wine or water here too. That’s a nice added touch.
There’s a few manicure stations up at the front and 3 pedi stations in the back. I missed having a massage chair, but the wine made up for it.

Very nice manicure and pedicure from a young lady named Anya. I love the color selection they have. Even offered me wine! What a nice touch!

Oh where do I begin…
So I guess you could say I was a bit of a Groupon victim but I suppose the customer service I received wasn’t necessarily the issue. I called and promptly got an appointment fairly fast. I arrived on time, had a slight 5 minute wait (no biggie, I had a good book to read while waiting) and moved to the back room for my pedi. Little did I know but the back room for the pedi looked like the back room of a place Tabitha needed to come remodel, sick. It was just generally very messy and most of the employees were back there just bitching about their lives to one another.
I received the «spa» treatment which consisted as most have already stated, a bucket of luke warm water and a chair I seriously almost feel out of-​luckily the manicurist wasn’t a fragile little flower and was able to catch me. The manicurist was interesting, kept me engaged with her tales of how much she hated the Groupon, how much she hated this job and every job she’s ever had, and how much she hated blah blah blah blah. Let’s just say, she may have needed to take a lot of happy pills considering how much life irritated her in general.
I left with my dark Autumn pink painted toes and nails (after having had to wait for 45 minutes because their «drying» facilities were not in the least adequate for more than zero people. I was definitely happy to enjoy the solitude quietness of the Halstead bus ride home.
Two weeks later my paint is chipped. I take off the polish to find… guess what… GREEN NAIL SYNDROM on my left AND right big toe! Yuck yuck yuck. My doctor said he sees this mostly from people that get pedicures, citing that the manicurists break the skin to far down in the toe opening it up for bacteria to move in. A month of antibiotics and twice daily drops and two jacked up toes. Should I bill them for the medicine as there are not generic versions out there for this?

Melissa is the best eyebrow threader around! When I called Paint today to make an appointment, they said they haven’t seen her in a month!
Melissa– where did you go?! Does anyone know? Please reply and let me know so I can go to her new salon for my eye brow threading!
Many thanks!

I purchased a groupon to Paint for a spa mani-​pedi and was super excited to use it. I ended up getting swamped and the groupon had slipped my mind. The groupon was marked with the expiration date of May 30^th (a monday). I called the Saturday before to make an appointment and was surprised to be directed to a voicemail greeting stating «due to great call volumes» they are unable to answer the call and to leave a message. Not sure if I believe that but whatever. I left a message figuring I had plenty of time to get an appoinment as my schedule was flexible for the weekend as well as monday. Conveniently, my phone call was never returned.
I called back today and was prompted to the same lie of a voicemail. I left a message and had my call returned by a man named Minh. I had explained that I was unable to use my groupon due to their inability to return my phone call. The guy goes, «well I called you back now…» Alright, as if that helps me in any way seeing as though the groupon expired last monday. I politely suggested that my groupon still be honored as I had intended to use it while it was still good. The man rudely told me to call groupon and get my money back, which I certainly did! I can only imagine how great the customer service would have been had I actually arrived for an appointment.

Nope. I just can’t do it. Too pissed off. Attempted to cancel appt via their website and got «The owner (sic) this form has exceeded their quota for form submittals for May.»
Do not pass go, do not collect $ 200. Fail.

Example of a bad waxing experience:
This one time, in Palm Springs, I got my armpits waxed in a horribly painful, arduous and lengthy punishment. I left in tears. I came to realize later that my white blouse had blood dripped stains down my arms and the sides of my body, so that was a weird day at work… My armpits were swollen when I got home and I had to wear dark shirts for a few days to avoid more blood spots. That’ll teacha to get a beauty nooner during the work day.
Ooh, or this other time, actually the first time I ever got anything waxed, an angry and large East German woman basically yelled at me for never having been waxed before and then beat the shit out of me. I had large red wax strip shaped welts on my legs for a week. I was so afraid afterward, I didn’t get anything waxed for like three years. Those were dark and fluffy times.
And then there was this time:
So clearly waxing can be a bad, bad time.
But…
Example of a great waxing experience:
Go to Paint. Ask for Erin.

It’s time to get girl-​a-​fied!
Since this is my year of firsts, I decided to boldly go where my nails have never gone before, and thanks to the great Groupon deal I was able to score my first experience at this adorable place!
The service was good. My nails went from drab to fab in about an hour, and my feet are tons softer. They also offered complimentary water, as well as, red and white wines. Since it was my birthday I went for a glass of the red.
It was all very relaxing and I could certainly see myself coming back here for the spa mani-​pedi combo every once in a while.

2.5
I straddle the fence on Paint. I bought the groupon to try the mani-​pedi out. It was a hellish day for traffic in Chicago so I called in advance to say I would be approximately 5 minutes late. Oh man did I get a dose of attitude over the phone. Basically I was bitched out, saying that I might not get both of my services since I’d be late. I’m like seriously? Does five minutes make that huge of a difference? Scrub my feet a little less, but don’t skip my whole service. At least I called.
I got to Paint and felt an air of pretension upon arrival. While I received both of my services and they calmed down after, the whole snotty-​ass-​Queen-​attitude towards customers because they did the respectable thing and called because they’d be late was really uncalled for and put a bad taste in my mouth.
My manicurist did a nice job and he received a good tip for his services, however I’d be hesitant to go back to Paint even on a deep discount like I had with the Groupon.

I had a similar experience to Jenna. I got a Groupon for a $ 28 spa mani-​pedi and read all the rave reviews here on Unilocal.I was prepared for a relaxing experience.
Instead, I felt incredibly rushed. The Groupon mentioned paraffin was included and I never received that. My tech, Alexandra (sp?), barely said a word to me and didn’t even collect my Groupon or tip! I had to give it to the friendly tech who came by to spray me.
I was out in a little under an hour. The person who made my appointment told me to reserve more time than that. I’m not sure if this was an off day, but I may be willing to give Paint another try due to the foot mask. That made my feet look awesome…

The only reason I come here is for Christina and her magical skills. She is wonderful. In fact, after reading some of the other reviews I think me and some other Unilocalers might even need to start a fan club.
I’ve been to her for eyelash tinting and eyebrow waxing for a couple years now. She seems to always have appointments available, despite how popular she is. Every time I go in there (even though sometimes I go six weeks between visits), she welcomes me with my name and makes me feel so comfortable… even though she is inflicting a little bit of pain on my face.
She does a fantastic job each time, not going too overboard but making sure to pay attention to each detail. I gladly make myself a regular customer here and would suggest Christina for any of your esthetician needs.

Came here on a Thursday mid-​day, took advantage of the $ 50 spa mani/​pedi. I have to agree the chairs and basin placement are not that comfortable. The mani/​pedi was fine. Hard to get the front desk person’s attention when I was done, I had to have someone else help me to pay (uh, if you don’t want my money, that’s fine with me, but I think you probably do).
It was okay, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to go here.