Central Nails

Just got my eyebrows waxed and they double dipped the wax stick. I watched her do it three times and when asked she insisted she used different sticks.

If I could give this place zero stars, I would. Do not ever think you will have a relaxing experience on your lunch break. I had an «appointment» on Friday– during my lunch break and I was told to pick a color, which I did pretty quickly– was then sat down, while my tech started to soak my gel off, spilling acetone up both of my arms… and not offering me a towel to clean it up… She then tells me they are so shorthanded, leaves me for 25 minutes to do someone’s waxing… I get it– its lunch time, you’re busy… but I made an appointment for a reason– because I was on a time schedule… She then begins to take my gel off and tells me that I shouldn’t choose OPI because it lasts too long and its hard to take off. OKAY I chose OPI because it lasts long… that’s the point– no? Meanwhile, she is grating my hands with a nail file trying to get it off– cutting three of my cuticles… She finally finishes the manicure and as I am going to pay, I look down and every single one of my nails is bubbling and cracking (she didn’t let it dry long enough between coats) —
I show the «manager» (who I witnessed rolling her eyes at several customers after she walked away from them) my nails and she proceeds to run my credit card mumbling something to the effect of «you must not have had your hands in the right place in the dryer»… Excuse me? Um, no. I told her that I wasn’t paying until it was fixed. She then told me that I could either come back after work — (I couldn’t I had somewhere to be right after) or sit down and have them fixed (I was already ten minutes late to get back to work)… I said to her, «Listen, I’m not being difficult, but everyone of my nails is messed up– why would I pay for this»… She never once extended an apology… In fact, she started to raise her voice and get her appointment book out saying that she would make me an appointment so I could be in and out after work…
For the rest of the afternoon, I witnessed my nails crack and bubble– and I opened an envelope in my office and the gel tore right off. When I got there, they were really busy and she did sit me right away… however, I was told the fix would take «ten minutes» and I sat down and a different tech proceeded to re-​soak my nails, which pretty much meant I was going to be there for a half hour at least if I wanted them redone.
The simple fact that they never even apologized and attempted to blame it on me was enough. I’ll never return to this nail salon. They are rude, unprofessional and I don’t care how «cheap» or «quick» they are… This place is a nightmare.

This place is your basic cheap nail salon. I probably won’t come back here. It’s a little cheaper than a few places around but I guess you get what you pay for. I got a gel mani and a pedicure. I asked for round nails for both but ended up with square toe nails. The gel manicure was so poorly done I doubt it’ll last more than a couple of days. She didn’t make sure all of the field nail dust was cleaned off before putting on the bottom coat and actually painted some of the cuticles on a few of my nails. I probably could have done a better job painting them myself, and that’s saying a lot. On the other hand, the service is really friendly as welcoming, there is an overwhelming number of colors to choose from. In the end I feel like I still overpaid for what I got.

I found this inexpensive nail salon by walking around my hotel. I needed a manicure pretty badly, so when I had looked up places I was expecting to spend $ 25 for a basic manicure. I found this place, Central Nails, and no one was waiting so I went in. Central nails only charged $ 12 and if you also get a pedicure then it’s only $ 30 for both! The lady who did my nails was very nice and she charged my phone for me. This is not a 5 star spa, but I’d definitely come back for a quick mani/​pedi any time.
Side note: my mani chipped after 2 days, so I’d put another top coat on when getting home or take your own in. Unfortunately I was out of town, so I couldn’t do this.

I come here, mostly out of convenience over anything else, about twice a month for pedis, eyebrows and full gel sets but they’re definitely nothing spectacular. A full gel set is 65 and 45 for a refill which is quite a bit above the center city standard (which is usually 45 and 30 for a refill), but as I said I often prioritize convenience. There’s an older man who does the eyebrows (who I’m pretty sure also works at the nail salon on 16^th and chestnut) and he does an EXCELLENT job. For $ 7 bucks you can’t beat it.

I get my weekly manicure here, mostly because it’s located a half a block from where I work. Longest I have waited on a walk in was around twenty minutes which in my opinion isn’t bad at all. I always have had a positive experience with the friendly technicians and even other customers. They charge a little more than typical but it’s center city so it’s to be expected. I don’t really care when I’m getting pretty and clean nails in return.

If a mani/​pedi is $ 35 why is just a pedi $ 30??? The staff was very pleasant but I feel a little cheated with the price and they don’t do designed!

I came here because the place across the street hadn’t opened yet (it was 9:45am on a wed). My manicurist was amazing. She took care of each and every nail and made sure every nail was perfect. The gel manicure was $ 30 and well worth it in my experience. Hand massage and back massage at the end was the cherry on top. Maybe I’m used to crappy nail jobs in Erie, but this was great in my opinion.

Worst pedicure ever. Do not go here. expensive. Would give zero stars if I could. The pedicure was rushed and they can’t polish. I came with two other people and they couldn’t polish correctly in any of us.

Ok guys, I needed to come back and say the prices are back to normal and all is well with the world. In all seriousness, a mani and pedi for $ 35 is much more reasonable. My manicures and pedicures last for two weeks PLUS and the service is really quick. I now exclusively go here for my nails and I couldn’t be happier. Also, brows are $ 7 if you pay cash.

Got a gel manicure for $ 30 (reasonable considering most salons nearby seem to charge $ 50+). The lady who did my nails was wonderfully thorough and very neat. End result looks great.

I’m really conflicted about this review, because the nail technicians are really sweet and fast and they do a good job. I am not giving them 1 star on service or quality, but on their pricing policy.
For a mani/​pedi it is $ 35 but, get this, I was charged $ 40 for using a credit card. Apparently the $ 35 only applies when you’re paying cash. Who ever heard of an almost 15%/$ 5 increase for credit card? They insisted it was clearly noted on their signage, but could not show me the alleged sign.
Out of principle alone, I will not go back. I just don’t agree with running a business that way. Especially not in such a competitive industry cuz, let’s be honest, there are too many cute nail salons in rittenhouse to settle for that kind of an upcharge.

I was intending to stop by Aisha’s to get my brows threaded but sadly, it was unexpectedly closed on a Tuesday. On my way home, I passed Central Nails and the sign outside caught my eye — said you could get eyebrows done for 7 bucks. Mind you, this is waxing, but my brows were like caterpillars so I came here. I thought the lady (Sarah) did a pretty good job. I’ve had eyebrow waxing before and I thought this was on point. The waxing was pretty painless and she trimmed and reshaped my brows and plucked away excess hairs. It’s $ 7 if you have cash, I’m not sure how much it is if you pay with credit card. The only caution I’d give is to let her know if you want to keep your brows full. She thinned my brows out quite a bit, which is actually what I like, but if that’s not the look you want, be sure to let her know at the outset. Otherwise, I thought the price was a steal for what you can get in the city and I’d definitely come back here again for another eyebrow wax.

I’m from NYC I was in town for Labor Day weekend. I decided to do my nails in Philly because I barely had the time when I got back to NYC.
The young ladies were really nice and made sure I was taken care of. Thought the service was great for the price I paid. $ 25 more than I do in NYC. I was happy when I left. BUT not even a week and I have three broken nails and a chipped nail WITH gel. I’m livid. I paid so much money for something that is supposed to last me TWO WEEKS. And it’s been SIX DAYS. Unfortunately I have to take the lost because I’m not from philly. Wish there was a way to get half of my money back since it was half assed.

I had a great experience here and will be back again. There was no wait and the nail technician was very attentive, professional, and sweet. I went for a basic mani/​pedi and was not disappointed. I am looking forward to being a regular here :-)

Very quick (I went on my lunch break!) and they did a great job. I got a standard mani/​pedi and the woman who did mine was quick, friendly and very professional. She even have me a neck rub for about 5 – 10 minutes when my nails were drying which was amazing. I highly recommend Central Nails!

I returned for an eyebrow wax after being away from Philly for almost a year. I used to stop by for a quick wax or mani/​pedi due to the cheap prices… which are now apparently not-​so-​cheap.
My eyebrow wax was $ 10 — average pricing and wax at best. When I got home, I still found a few stray hairs I had to pluck. Not okay, but I guess I got what I paid for.
While I was getting waxed, I inquired about mani/​pedi prices since I didn’t see any prices listed anywhere for any type of service. The lady gave me a brochure of prices. I didn’t see a mani/​pedi combo listed, so I guess they are charging separately now?!
At any rate, if I’m going to pay $ 30 for a pedi, I’m going to Rittenhouse Nails on 20^th where I’ll get my money’s worth, as all of the nail work I’ve had done here has always felt rushed. But who knows, maybe since the price increased, so did the quality of the service? One can hope.

Nobody else in the entire city is allowed to touch my eyebrows. For a reason! The owner-​operator is amazing, sweet, talented, and a pro. When I’m in town from NYC, sometimes I come just for an eyebrow wax. It’s that serious. I love Central Nails.

Clean and efficient. Nothing extra spectacular. I’d go again if in a pinch. Mani pedi special $ 25. Several Manicure and Pedicure Stations. Nice nail polish selection.

I’ve been coming here for years, even when I’ve worked or lived outside the neighborhood.
Quick, clean and pleasant. I love getting a mani/​pedi from the ladies here. They have a large selection of OPI polish– which is my favorite and the staff helps me pick out colors when I can’t figure it out.
Sarah is also the only person I’ll let wax my eyebrows. Thanks Ladies!!!