Lulu’s Nail Spa

First of all, ignore the review that says the address is wrong. The address is correct. However, if you try to get directions through Unilocal’s mobile app, it takes you to somewhere on California. It tricked me. That’s not the business’s fault, and I have already notified Unilocal.So beware…
Anyway… On to the review. Lulu’ s is a clean salon, with 2 mani and 2 pedi stations. Hai, the owner, was very nice, friendly and accommodating. As a busy mom, it’s hard to plan ahead for some alone time, so I was lucky when she was able to give me a same day appt. I recommend calling ahead to make an appt for the upcoming holiday season since at the moment she is the only person there.
She cut and shaped my nails exactly the way I wanted. I accidently bumped one of my nails on something before the polish had dried, and she fixed it right away. There were no bubbles on any of my nails. You’d think that would be a no brainer, but I’ve been to too many nail salons where I’ve had bubbles in my polish, and indifferent nail technicians that did not care enough to catch or fix their mistakes, to take this point for granted. She even gave me tips on how to make my nail polish last longer if I were to paint them myself at home. She’s very easy to talk to, which made the time go by pleasantly fast. And she never tried to upsell me on any additional services.
I was super satisfied with my entire experience. I will definitely be coming back.

If I could give her 10 stars I would. I am very particular when it comes to my nails and I have tried almost every single nail salon in Burlingame and lulu’s is the BEST! Easy to get an appointment, you’re the only one there so it’s peaceful and calm, she does a top notch Mani and pedi and pays attention to detail! It’s clean (duh!) and bonus points for touching up all my nails when I came in to fix just one…

I have been coming to Lulu’s Nail Spa for a number of years. This is the most professional salon I have ever been in. Hei pays attention to the health of your nails, not just the polish. If you are looking for something that could potentially damage your nails… do not come here. She has extremely high standards, and my nails have never been so healthy.

I came here during my lunch break for a manicure. The technician was very friendly and did nice job of my nails. She soaked my nails in soothing water, cut my cuticles, file my nails, applied my favorite polish and then massage my hands with a nice scented lotion. The massage felt nice. She even gave me a neck massage. I would definitely go back to her since I work close by.

I had made a last minute appointment, for a full set and a pedicure. the reason I used to come here is service. I had asked for a full set and pedicure went there at 2:30pm not only does she not do full sets she said she can recommend me to the people across the street I asked her if they are clean and she gave me well no wth, Why would you refer me to them? very disappointed with her degrading comments and her attitude

This Nail Salon is not a typical nail salon. It is more of a Spa experience. You walk in the door and it smells so good like aroma therapy. Hui is the owner, she is a one person shop so it’s nice and quiet and never has clients over lapped. She is very professional. She is very friendly and speaks to all her clients with the upmost respect. She always asks what colors you like and if your unsure she always helps you pick out a color that’s in season or what she thinks is nice. She carries OPI, Essie, Shellac colors and more.
She goes out of her way to make your experience relaxing. I have seen a lot of manicurist since I’ve been getting my nails done for about 16 years and she is hands down the best at everything. You will never need to ask her to fix anything! She see’s bubbles on her own and she will fix it! If a piece of cotton is stuck to your polish she will redo it. She never skips a step! Her polish never leaves streaks and always looks perfect. Their are some salons that get polish on the skin and when you ask them to fix it, they say it will come off with water! Hui does your nails so when you leave you can go out to dinner right after or anywhere and you don’t need cuticle oil because she uses high end lotions. She gives lovely relaxing massages during mani and pedi.
I recommend this shop to a bride on her big day, it’s that nice :-)) My personal favorite is her pedicures! For 7 years I have been getting pedicures from her and anytime I’m out of town and pop in somewhere else or lulu nails isn’t open for example later at night or on Sunday’s I always have to dislike my pedicure until I see Hui :-)) 5 stars is well deserved for this nail shop!
Also a tip and a nice gesture, she dies not have a loud phone next to her! She keeps her cell phone on low ring tone and won’t stop in the middle to answer if she is doing polish. She is very particular in her work and takes pride in her work. I love this shop and the environment and I always smell so good when I leave. Love love love this shop. No one can leave your nails looking so beautiful like Hui. I have sent friends, co-​workers, and family to her. If you haven’t had this experience yet it’s a MUST. I will come here as long as she stay’s open!!!

The address on Unilocal is wrong

Small space, lovely service! Pedicure was awesome and fast she did a great job! For sure make an appointment! I will be back

After not being able to find a decent nail salon in SSF, I looked to Unilocal for a nail salon a little further from me and found LuLu’s.
The entire experience was fantastic. First, I didn’t realize it was so small and cozy and by appt only. I arrived as a walk– in but they took me anyway. It was, without a doubt, the most relaxing and pleasing pedicure I’ve ever received.
Hai worked on my feet so gently and delicately that I never winced in pain or jerked my foot like I have from typical salons when they’ve been a bit too rough or cut too much.
But Lulu’s is not typical. It is definitely more than what I usually spend, but I’ve realized for this kind of service and attention to detail, it’s completely worth it. They do not rush your pedicure, they massage your feet and legs with a scrub and the experience is incredibly relaxing.
I wasn’t aware it was cash only, but Hai will accept a check too which I thought was nice.
If you’re willing to spend a little more money, you won’t be sorry you had your nails done here. I don’t think I’ll go anywhere else from now on.

I love Lulus!
Downtown and in need of a manicure, I used the Unilocal app to find a nearby nail salon. I just moved back to the area, so I’m looking for a regular spot that is friendly, fun and fungus-​free.
This place definitely fit the bill!
Upon entering, Hai greeted me promptly. She was with someone but let me know she was almost done, and to go ahead and pick a color while i waited. Awesome! I expected a longer wait with no appointment, but I suppose since the weather is so up and down, people arent daring to bear their feet yet (aka, not quite in need of pedicures). Soon after she finished witb her (happy) client, I took a seat for a basic mani. Hai was a cute collection of polishes from different lines, including OPI, and I couldnt decide between a bright orange and a yellow (I want to be happy when I look at my nails, alright?!). She suggested I do all orange, with a single nail on each hand the pale yellow.
The entire manicure, Hai was extremely friendly and very easy to talk to. Sometimes I worry that when I go for a haircut or nails, the conversation will be forced and therefore really awkward since we both know we’re supposed to chat. Am I alone here? Anyways, I definitely didn’t feel that way with Hai. She treated me like an old friend, not like a random dollar sign walking through the door.
Hai thoroughly and evenly cut and filed all nails to perfection, and didn’t overclip my cuticles (hooray!). She did the warm, yes warm, lotion massage at the end. It definitely felt longer and more luxurious than at most nail salons.
And let’s be honest, we go just as much for the massage as the groomed nails.
The nails ended up looking amazing, hands smooth and I left a happy customer. I will definitely be back to visit Hai at Lulus.
Interesting note: man walked in at the end of my manicure. Turns out he found Lulus the same way! I hope he had as lovely of an experience as I did.
Lastly, they only take cash, but there’s a Wells Fargo atm across the street, and a BofA a few blocks down.

I had a great pedicure with Hai Le; she was personable, but also read me that I wanted to have some quiet time to enjoy the pedi-​chair and my own thoughts. The pedicure was wonderful — a good price given this is Burlingame, a great massage, and very gentle. I’ll be back for sure!

I highly recommend Lulu’s. I tried it for the first time on Saturday and was able to call last minute to book two pedicures for myself and a friend. Lulu’s was about to close, but Hai said she could stay late and take us both since the other girls had gone home. Hai was very friendly and worked quickly and efficiently. I will definitely return to Lulu’s.

Hai knows what it means to run a truly successful business… amazing customer care and attention to detail.
The nail salon is quiet and relaxing. I love the size because it means that I don’t have to listen to a loud party of other people. I can just relax in the delightful treatments and massages and let the day to day slip away.
The pedi chairs are some of the most comfortable ones I have ever experienced. I normally don’t like massages chairs because I find them not relaxing and too distracting but these are just perfect.
Hai cares about her clients and gives advice not based on a quick sell but on developing a long-​term relationship.
One note is that it is cash only, which I didn’t realize the first time. But Hai handled the situation with true professionalism and grace.
The massages are long and divine. I don’t feel like they are rushing to their next appointment but are instead, making sure that it’s a truly pleasurable experience.
Call ahead to make an appointment, this place is (rightly) in high demand.
It’s everything you could want in a nail salon and more.

Definitely found my regular nail spot! The reviews are legit — job well done by Hai. (Plus she seems to be a genuinely sweet person.)
I chose white polish (which is a pretty tricky color to use), but Hai did an excellent job! My nails were so smooth and the manicure lasted 5 days before chipping. Typically for me manicures last 2 – 3 days before chipping (I’m rough on my hands and wash them often).
*Make sure to call for an appointment. Because she is doing this solo & has children she is not open all day everyday.

I’ve been coming to Hai for about 3 months only and she is great. So sweet, and her salon is clean, quaint and very relaxing. She’s the best nail technician I have ever been too, based on a few things:
1. how long it lasts: pedicure — did mine with her on feb 10 (22 days ago) and they are still going strong, no chips, just my natural grow out; mani — usually lasts me 5 – 7 days and I always seem to chip after 1 (I’m a nurse). I just painted my own nails and there is a chip after day 2. and they don’t look NEARLY as good.
2. attention to detail/​my preferences: she never trims my cuticles unless there is a spot that needs it and I didn’t even have to ask. it seems her policy on that matches mine. (my cuticles always tear after too much clipping! and most of the time when I ask, they still do it). she is very meticulous and does a really smooth job
3. how much nail bed she leaves: very little. I hate when I pay good money for a manicure and there’s already a weeks worth of grow out! gross. just like when that happens with my hair color (see my review for a great colorist in Burlingame, she does not do that :)
other touches: she is super sweet, plays beautiful relaxing piano music, has warm neck warmers upon arrival (instant sigh of relaxation). Also just learned that she does shellac which is great for a vacation. I can’t do it regularly, my nails are not fans of repeated applications.
to note: cash or checks and call for an appointment. she’s very flexible and I’ve never had trouble.
I almost don’t want to give up a good neighborhood secret!

It’s time for me to venture out and find a new nail salon that fulfills my needs. I’ve been getting my nails done here for a year and a half. One star subtracted: It is great that Hai operates alone and at times will have her assistant helping her but it also is difficult if you operate alone. Don’t get me wrong, she is very accomodating and will take me in as her first customer as early as 8:30 on a Saturday! But as a parent my Saturdays are filled with running errands, attending a birthday party, and doing house chores that it’s getting more difficult for me to carve out some time to have some «me» time. I’m not sure if Hai is open on Sundays, I never asked but definitely you need an appt and since she’s operates solo, I just find it difficult to make an appt at the time I want.
Another star subtracted: I have to agree with Jazzy I. — one time I had to use Hai’s restroom, and although the front part of her salon is neat and clean, her toilet was not. I know I probably shouldn’t judge her by the look of a toilet but I am anyways. Her toilet had a ring of dirt around it. That to me just says a lot about a person’s hygiene. I was thinking exactly how Jazzy I. was thinking: «It makes a customer wonder the cleanliness of the tools used.» Again, I’ve been going to Hai for a year and a half and thank god I didn’t catch anything from her instruments b/​c I never saw Hai open tools from a package. She always seem to pull out her tools from a plastic rectangular container. My biggest concern is my health and practice safety.
Another star subtracted: I am not sure if it was concidence but day 2 after getting a pedi, I noticed a chipped nail on my big toe. I was dumbfounded how this could happen!!! I have noticed at my most recent visits that the past 3 – 4 months, my pedi session would last 20 minutes. It seemed hurried the way she worked on my nails. And I noticed the nail polish would begin to chip after the first week. And this is a pedi — my feet aren’t exposed as much as my hands.
One last star subtracted: I also have noticed that Hai and I do not seem to connect like we used to. Making appts over the phone were always so pleasant and I always looked forward to hearing her sweet and friendly voice but recently her tone seems like whatever towards me. I don’t take it personally but to me this tells me, with the above mentioned and to top off that our vibe is dwindling, it is time for me to move on.
NOTE: Form of payment has now changed from accepting credit cards to only accepting cash and checks. EEEEK! (Come prepared with cash or/​and don’t forget to bring your check book!!!)
Thank you for servicing my needs Lulu Nail Spa. Good luck in all your endeavors and may your business continue to thrive through this struggling economy.

The Good.
$ 25 for a pedicure. Not sure if «Spa Pedicure» (where the chair massages your back while you soak your feet) is more expensive. Nice colors. Long lasting wear. Still sparkly and shiny on my feet. It’s been three weeks already.
A one person nail technician store which I highly suggest you make an appointment first.
***just wished she used tools that are packaged and sterilized as I saw tools supplies inside the bathroom unwashed in the sink. It makes a customer wonder the cleanliness of the tools used.
Parking– Metered which can be a pain.

There are few businesses that make you feel so satisfied and comfortable, there is never a reason to look around. Hai runs a business like that.
First, she is very good at what she does. My pedi will look almost perfect even after 4 weeks. My hands will look cared for for well over a week, even if I don’t put any lotion on. The nail polish lasts longer and I am pretty rough with manual work, including gardening. When she hires additional people, she is very picky and she trains them, too, so they can provide the same style of service.
Second, her personality is great. She is very professional and kind at the same time. I’ve been going to her about once a month for I think well over a year now. Rarely, mishaps happen, like the previous client won’t come in time. I’ve never been more than 15 min late out of my appointment. Usually, she will do something nice for you like a hot lotion massage as a token of her appreciation for even a small problem like that.
Also, her English is great and she is a very intelligent woman. So, we often chat about a bunch of interesting things. Our ideal lifestyles are similar, even though we are both busy and can’t always be perfect. So, it is nice to share, I like her friendship. She has a calm, soothing manner of talking, which I find very relaxing on the mind. I was very tired one day though and she was very understanding. So, if you are the kind who doesn’t like to talk, you don’t need to worry.
The smaller scale of the salon lends itself to occasions like bridal showers, bachelorette parties, too, where you could have some appetizers, some drinks and take turns getting your nails done. I would recommend her to anyone without hesitation.

No wonder Hai gets such GREAT reviews!
I booked Hai day before NYE for a mani on NYE as last minute decision to get nails done. luckily she said there was an 11am apt opened. so i went on NYE and she was with a client. i told her i had appt and she looked in her books and said OMG. i remember you calling but i think i double booked! she had me pick a color and take a seat. she was almost done with her earlier client. she kept saying she will be there in one second but i only sat down for like a minute. very cute. 5 min later, she was ready for me. as soon as i soaked my hands in the water, in walks her other 11am appt. she apologized profusely to her «regular client» and told her she can start on her in :30. asked if she can come back then? luckily, regular client said NO PROBLEM.
Hai kept apologizing and saying how she never double books but she just dropped the ball. I kept telling her it was OK since she was working on me already, her first-​time client.
I looked around and indeed, it is a very dainty place. 3 pedicure massage chairs and 2 manicure tables. I didn’t see any other manicurists/​helpers either. Asked Hai if she worked on her own and she said yes. She will only take appointments and no walk-​ins. Since she works by herself, she schedules every client to the precise minute so there is no lag time in between for clients to wait. Hard thing to do.
But what makes Hai different form the other nail salons would be her attitude and her willingness to be make her clients feel more intimate in a small environmental setting where it is just manicurist and customer. Not like hoards of people flying into you making you turn left and right while one does feet and one does hands. She makes you feel right at home.
I also didn’t know she doesn’t accept credit cards. So bring cash! I told her I didn’t have cash and if I can come back to give to her. She said NO PROBLEM AT ALL. She seemed very trusting even though I was her first-​time customer. To this day, I still haven’t gone back to pay her yet as I told her I’ll pay her on my next appt. I haven’t received a phone call from her chasing for payment. I’m about to make my next appointment. :)

Likes: had a mani/​pedi here for the first time and I liked it. Place looks comfortable and clean, I like the pink wall and decorations, and the ladies were very nice and friendly
Dislikes: slight mistake on the nailpolish on my toes but I let it slide cause I was in a rush