Himal Nails & Spa

Customer service is back in style! Abiola is a true gem and her music sense is grade A. Love how she did my mani pedi and gave me helpful advice for maintaining and caring for my feet and hands. Small quant business space but thats all thats needed to make me a happy customer :-) will be coming back for sure.

I went there last week and got a gel mani and a gel pedi. The price was very reasonable and the employees that work there are nice, polite, and extremely helpful. But that cannot save this business. The polish on my GEL MANICURE started chipping the next day. How does that happen?! Within a week, EVERY SINGLE NAIL had chipped and they did not look presentable anymore. The lady who did my nails was very sweet and I actually loved everything else about the manicure, except for her polishing technique. She shaped them nicely and evenly, was gentle enough with my cuticles, etc. I tipped her extremely well because I was very happy with the way the nails looked as I was leaving the shop. But people pay extra for gel polish so that it doesn’t chip! I would not recommend springing for gel here. Someone needs to teach this manicurist the proper way to do gel or they need to get a better quality polish? I don’t even know what the issue is. I have been gel manis for several years and this has never happened to me! Surprisingly, my pedicure still looks good and none of my toenails have chipped. I’ll give this place one more try, but choose a different manicurist and perhaps update my review if the results are different. I really want to like this place! It’s conveniently located and the ladies are really nice. But I won’t continue to throw my money away…

I had to stop myself from leaving a one star review. I purchased a Groupon for 2 gel manicures for $ 29 (what an amazing price, right?) I figured me and my friend could go get our nails done with this awesome deal. Anyway upon entering the nail salon we were already kind of sketched out. The women were friendly but it was clear that the salon was understaffed. They didn’t have a wide variety of gel nail polishes and the ladies insisted on holding a conversation at all costs. The appearance of the salon is pretty bland and shabby. While my friend and I sat getting our manicures done a small group of loud customers came in. The girls in the group had come to get pedicures and as they sat down they took out a bottle and started chugging it in the middle of the salon. I wouldn’t have mind if they weren’t so loud and obnoxious. The manager was with them and didn’t even bat an eyelash while they were drinking and yelling across the salon. In the end my nails looked as if I had done them entirely myself. 3 days into the gel manicure and half of the Polish on my thumbnail chipped off as well as both nail designs on my index finger. My friends manicure started chipping the next day.
The only redeeming quality of this salon is the threading done by Añu. It seems after the change of management the salon isn’t turning out the same quality of work.

I used to consider myself a regular here before management changed hands. Sure, it is not the fanciest salon in the neighborhood but they did a quality job for a reasonable price. However, after my last visit I will not be returning. I have truthfully been holding off on writing this review because I absolutely adore the old staff members that have stayed on board through the management change and I do not want to take money out of their pockets but my experience was bad enough that I feel obligated to share.
Came in for my usual: Regular polish pedicure and gel polish manicure. The new owner of the salon was my nail technician and she filed the skin on my fingers until they were bleeding. Bleeding enough that alcohol had to be applied and she put on plastic gloves to finish the manicure. During the manicure I explicitly told her that she was FILING MY SKIN OFF and even had to yank my hand away at one point because I couldn’t handle the pain. She blamed the bleeding on my sensitive eczema-​prone skin but I can assure you, reader — The bleeding was caused by her hastily trying to file my finger nails. I had scabs on my fingertips for the next two weeks. It was a horrifying, painful, unacceptable experience and if I had more of a backbone I would not have paid for the service.
As for the actual application? The gel manicure was sloppy and unevenly applied so I cannot even give stars for that. It’s a shame, really — I enjoyed coming here for my monthly «me» day.

I’ve been coming here before and withe the new owner. Great for threading and nails. They do cool designs and I may not have a pic but the new owner loves the challenge…

I used to LOVE Himal Nails, I’ve been going there for about six years. Now that it’s under new management I dread going back just to get my eyebrows done. Añu does such a great job threading eyebrows but all the other ladies that did great manicures/​pedicures are no longer there except for her. The new manager does not have as much experience doing manicures and does not do a satisfactory job. The place is always understaffed, and the women working there don’t talk and laugh with one another like they used to. It’s no longer a happy place to go to. I don’t come here as frequently as I used to, now I just come to get my eyebrows threaded by Añu.

I LOVED my experience at this place! All of the ladies are extremely sweet, and I am beyond pleased with my nails. I love the fact that the nail tech doesn’t use drills, and does everything manually. I will definitely be back.

Abby is a wonderful owner with a great staff. Although the space isn’t completely up to par, their manicures and pedicures have always been on point each time I’ve been there. I go there every 2 weeks and it’s a little hole in the wall spot I like to keep to myself! They are all very attentive and lovely people to talk to.

Good to see the place going under new management. It needs a lot of love and nurtured but I believe in Abiola. She’s the best. I can see a positive change in the near future for this establishment more power to you and keep at it one day your dreams will become reality girl. Wish you the best of luck.

This place used to be awesome. Cheap manicures done well and really nice staff. It’s under new management recently and it seems like the place has lost the life it used to have. I am a regular, and I’ve had a couple of experiences lately where I felt rushed/​was turned away at the door 30 minutes before closing time because there were other people waiting ahead of me. Which is understandable if you are apologetic, but the new manager was not. Overall I want the place to do well because there are some really nice ladies that work there, but the new mgmt needs to realize those employees are the reason they have a 4 star rating on Unilocal and bump back up the level of service.

This place needs a major face lift– it looks ok when you step in, but once you take a seat, all the flaws pop out– stains on the ceiling, floors peeling off, just an overall unclean feel (should have run). They also play upbeat music– not a relaxing vibe at all.
I’m seriously shocked at how sub par this salon is. And I say this with much regret, since the lady who did my nails was so sweet. Unfortunately, it seems like nobody thought her how to properly do nails, since she did such a crappy job on mine (sad face).
My nails were very short to begin with, and she cut them much shorter and unevenly! She splashed a huge amount of nail polish so now it’s very thick, took forever to dry, and doesn’t look good. She hurried the process and was hurried even more by the lady who seems to be in charge. She even put a lot of nail polish on my cuticles, and didn’t clean them (and left a lot of skin with nail polish, despite her best efforts…)
Overall, NOT worth the low price. I could have done a much better job myself, and I’m not even good at doing my nails!

Glad to see the great level of service again. The management has changed and you can tell that Abiola, the new owner/​manager, wants to keep the high level. The place had a bit of a makeover too, giving it a nicer cleaner look.
Some of the old technicians are still here, including Añu, who is my regular and personal favorite. I’m willing to give the new revamped Himal the benefit of the doubt bc so far I’ve been very pleased.

Great mani/​pedi. Place is clean, fast and very professional. Most importantly everyone is nice and fun. Makes experience more enjoyable and zen. Definitely recommend. Good music too. :)

One star for the convenient location.
One star for the friendly customer service.
One star for all the technicians actually talking English the whole time.
I came in and decided to get a $ 15 regular pedicure, just to clean up my toes. The chair I sat in was broken for the massage aspect that I was hoping for. I pressed every button and nothing happened. Great.
Not too much selection of colors, and they all looked old and used up. I found a summer Essie color that looked new; hopefully it’ll stay. I was told to «wait one second» like alot of other Unilocalers have commented, while a girl came in to have her eyebrows done. She left the water running and her follow technician actually noticed last minute just before the water was about to overflow, she turned it off. By the time she was ready to work on me, the water was lukewarm; I let it go.
While I was there, I did have a great foot massage by the owner, which wasn’t rushed, so that was a great plus. However, when I got home to more carefully inspect my toes, I saw that she painted over my cuticles. Why? It was sloppy, and I was annoyed. It didn’t look as bad while I was there, but close up, it’s really as if I did it myself! Let’s see if they’ll survive the beach tomorrow.

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT. There is a new owner, Abiola.
Prasand (previous owner/​manager) is gone. She was a great technician and lots of fun (although I understand that was not everyone’s experience).
Yes, things are different. But you can tell the new owner is very focused and determined. Taking over a business is not an easy task. I am willing to give Abiola the benefit of the doubt, and look forward to visiting these sweet ladies again in the future.
No change in rating at this time.
GOOD LUCK!

I wish I could say I love this place !
The depressed Nepali lady who started on my nails was so sweet and delicate. But then a newby mama took over and it was downhill from there. She slopped the gel varnish on and didn’t seal my coat with alcohol before making me prod the top coat with my finger to check it was «smooth enough» … No massage, terrible décor, while another gentleman customer beside me had a terrible pedi by a woman with no English whatsoever.
I tipped generously to quash the feeling of guilt that comes with knowing I will never come again and this place will close soon as the area gentrifies…
I am peeling the goo off now as I speak. I had my gel mani yesterday for 40 bucks. That’s how bad it was.

We went intending for only me to get a manicure. My boyfriend got a manicure and then we both got 10 minute back massages. The women who work here are very kind, and persuasive.
I was not intending to spend as much money as I did though, I really only wanted a manicure even in retrospect and not a massage. I think I need to be better at saying no. They were just so sweet! Manicure looked great and lasted awhile.

It’s a dive salon with cheap prices and sweet technicians. Two stars for that.
I wasn’t wild about the technique, though. The manicure hurt, especially when the lady filed my nails with the stone file. Ouch! Even the massage hurt – and I can take deep tissue/​trigger point therapy like a champ.
I also asked for an American manicure which is just like the French Manicure, but I asked for off-​white tips. Considering I walked in with an American manicure, I wanted to walk out with something just like it, but you know, more manicured. Tell me why I walked out with a cloudy mess of all-​white nails.
I hate writing reviews that give less than 3 or 4-​star ratings, especially when the ladies were so sweet, but I have to give my honest assessment. I would try this place again and hope for an improved rating after providing super-​clear instructions.

I’m the kind of girl who likes a good dive bar– this is like a great dive salon! It’s clean but not luxurious, and the service is excellent. The ladies made me feel right at home, we laughed a lot, and I got a lovely gel mani and spa pedi, plus a 10 minute massage for $ 45.
I also let them know I had to leave in one hour and they did my mani while I was in the pedicure chair (which I love bc of the massager).
I just moved to NY and this will be my go-​to salon. Back home I went to a ‘prettier’ salon, but it was also twice as expensive with only one tech I really liked.
Give them a shot!

Got a mani-​pedi and a 10 minute back massage and it was splendid! 30 + tax and tip.
My mani and pedi looks flawless and the customer service was great. Both my ladies were super nice and super flattering (Leo here so flatter away!) I’ve been here in the past and each time the service was great.
Unfortunately, I don’t live in the area and was just having lunch close by but whenever I’m close and need a mani-​pedi in the future, I will be running to Himal!