Emerald Nails

I am so happy with my nails! I hate boring nails, they are creative and know what they are doing. Everyone was professional and great!

Where do I begin? Between the hot stone foot massage, long lasting gel manicures, and exceptional customer service, this salon is by far the best yet. I have been to the salon now 4 times, each time I have had someone different and I have been more than pleased each visit. One of the greatest things is how long my gel manicures last, my first time it lasted almost 4 weeks without any chipping or lifting. Thank you Jenny and your great staff!

I love my nails! They dealt with my changes to what I had originally asked for so well! I am coming back here for sure!

Are the reviews all real on this site? I find it hard to believe so many 5 stars… I have to say first that everyone was really nice at this salon. I enjoyed watching a movie while getting nails done. However it is small so chances of a walk in when it’s busy are slim. My mani/​pedi took forever. The girl clipped me a few times once to the point of bleeding that wouldn’t stop. I left with painful toes. I asked for short toe nails which I didn’t get. She didn’t really do much scrubbing on my feet just cleaning toes and some massage. Also the water was freezing cold the whole time for my feet. I had three different people working on me so tipping was difficult and confusing. They also charge 75 cents to use credit card just FYI.

It’s not the first time getting regular mani.
This is the first time to be disappointed on the very next day.
Even regular Mani usually lasts more than 1 day.
That’s what I’m saying.
I’m not trying to be mean. Honest opinion.
It’s up to you how you take customer’s opinion.
Unbelievable.

My favorite nail salon in RB and Poway, and I’ve been to most of them over the years! I haven’t wanted to review it because I don’t want the store to get crowded, but, it really is the best. The owners are so friendly and courteous, and the pedicures are the best.

I got a great gel manicure from Jenny at Emerald Nails! No problem getting in/​out with a lunchtime mid-​week appointment. Nice touch on being able to watch «Cupcake Wars» while you get your nails done :).

Found my new «go-​to» place to get my nails done! Love my nails and spectacular service. Everyone here makes you feel at home and comfortable, frequently checking in to see if they can provide anything else beyond basic services. Extremely friendly staff and you can tell they genuinely care about their clients.
I got a gel mani — they had a wide selection of colors. Jenny did a great job and I’m so in love with my nails! She also said they have a week guarantee in case the polish starts to lift. That’s never happened but I’ve never had a salon even mention a guarantee. Also everything is priced well!
Love it here and will definitely be back!!!

This is hands-​down (pun intended!) the best nail salon I’ve ever been to. The prices are reasonable and Jenny is incredibly knowledgeable. She knows all about what’s up with nails and how to keep them healthy.
She’s also created a lovely shop and is building a great community.
I just tried the SNS nail product for the first time — high hopes it’ll help make my nails stronger. My first gel manicure with them lasted 2.5 weeks without a SINGLE chip. Awesome — go check them out!

It’s been over a year since I started coming to this nail salon. I am picky and have never stayed anywhere longer than a few months.
I work with my hands and am very hard on my nails. They are constantly in water and chemicals. This is the ONLY salon where my nails (acrylic set with gel polish) lasts. They have never chipped, lifted or broke.
They are a SMALL family nail shop, which I love because I don’t feel like cattle being shuffled in and out in a half hour. They take their time rather than hurry you out to get the next buck.
Jenny goes above and beyond to give good customer service. She is always asking me if I want to try a new design, or asks me to send photos of new gel colors that she wants to pick up for the shop.
I am in the service industry and believe me, I know you can’t please everyone. However reading some of the negative reviews here is so upsetting. I don’t normally «stick up» for businesses, but I hate to see unreasonable people taking to Unilocal before even letting the business know there was an issue. I can attest that I have never seen the things these people are complaining about to be true. And I’m there A LOT.
Guess what? Sometimes you have to wait, some times a hand painted design is not exactly the same when duplicated and *gasp* there may be a mistake made sometimes. It’s nails. Let me repeat, nails.
If you want to complain about subpar service, go somewhere else. Please. Your reviews are not honest, they’re toxic and unnecessary.

I originally went to aloha nails but they were booked so I came here. Boy I am glad the other place was busy otherwise I wouldn’t have ever found this gem. It’s located in a small strip just pass the dealerships in Poway and it’s kind of hidden.
When I walked in, I was instantly greeted. It’s a smaller place and only had 1 other customer in there. They have 2 tables to do nails and about 4 – 5 massage chairs and a big screen to watch Netflix.
I ended up going with a basic pedicure which only cost $ 20. I forgot to get the name of my nail tech but she was the best I’ve ever had! She was nice and friendly and we had a very pleasant conversation. Yes they speak English well there. She was very thorough in what she was doing. My 30 min pedi turned into about 40 – 45 mins. I didn’t mind because I knew I was getting excellent work done. I even got a hot oil and stone massage! Everything was So good that I caught myself staring at my feet the rest of the day and having the same feeling as I did when I left the salon.
This is my new go to salon and I will be telling all my friends about this place.

I was contemplating on getting my nails done because:
1 — Every time I get them done they don’t last long (the polish starts to chip away after a week)
2 — It adds up!
. BUT! I am SO GLAD I decided to come here to get them done. Not only am I in LOVE with my nails, but I am excited to come back!
Experience.
Everyone here is welcoming and very sweet. I walked in without an appointment and was a little taken back because they had a full house. They said they could fit me in, in about 10 minutes. I was a bit skeptical because I was on a time crunch — so I was up front about it. I said I had to be out by a certain time and the owners checked with the rest of their staff to see if they could make it happen. Once they confirmed, I was still a bit nervous but figured, «I’m never in this area and they have close to perfect ratings with over 200 reviews — what do I have to lose?!» So I chose my color, looked on Unilocal to see what designs they had and waited patiently.
I was there for a mani/​pedi and they started with my pedi first. The experience was great. The hot stone part was pretty cool. My experience getting a mani was better than my pedi. The pedi was pretty basic to be honest — even with the upcharge for an add on service.
As for my mani — one nail tech helped prepped my nails and Jenny came to make them sparkle! She’s precise and her attention to detail is key! She’s a perfectionist so your nails will come out looking flawless.
Disclaimer:
I don’t get gels or acrylics. My nails are natural. With that said, they do not do designs on natural nails. Jenny mentioned she made an exception for me because I was a new customer. I don’t understand why they don’t — it’s been a week and a half and my nails still look GREAT! She was up front though and did say there is no guarantee for regular nail polish, which I appreciate. I don’t know of any salons that do any kind of guarantees to be honest.
As much as I’d love to give them 5 stars (because I am sooooo in love with my nails) — I have to kock a star off for the pedi and not being able to do nail art on natural nails. I’m not a fan of getting gel or acrylics so it’ll be interesting when I return to hear about what I need to do to have fun nail art next (.and what the cost difference is as well — because a standard mani/​pedi is pretty affordable!)
There are quite a few nail salons closer to me, but if I’m in the mood again to get my nails done I’d make the effort to go to Emerald since they aren’t that much further than the others. They are now my GO TO place for nails! YAY!

Emerald Nails is, by far, the best nail salon that I have ever been to. From my first visit, I was hooked. At most nail salons that I’ve been to in the past, the customer service was subpar, I found myself bored, and the quality of work was just average. My gel mani would start chipping within a week and a half. No one wants that. I was never consistent with getting my nails done on a regular basis because who wants to pay 30 bucks for a crappy manicure?
The salon is a family business and everyone is so freaking nice. I look forward to every visit (not only cause I’m gonna get a bomb gel mani) but because I get to catch up with friends. The quality of customer service is just as amazing as the quality of work they put into every mani and pedi. You can tell they genuinely want their customers to be happy.
I can’t speak more highly of Jenny. Her nail skills are on point! I can show her any picture I found on Pinterest and she can recreate it. Each mani that I have had has received so many compliments. She’s a perfectionist like me, which is why I think I like her so much. She treats everything she does like art — your nails are her canvas. And I swear to you, my gel manicures last a good 3 weeks. For the quality of work she provides, you would think you were paying double (but please, Jenny, don’t charge me double — I have a fixed budget!)
You guys. If you’re on Unilocal right now trying to figure out which nail salon to go to, flip-​flopping between one salon or another, just stop. CALL NOW (And I say call cause the place is intimate with only a few mani and pedi stations — make an appointment). It will be well worth it.

Amazing Place! Jenny the owner was super nice, professional and she did a great job. I’ll definitely come back.

Two stars to one, thanks to the rude response to my honest customer review. Rebuttal:
Emerald: We are sadden by your review and wished you would have been able to enjoy our service much more like everyone else.
Carli: I wish that too.
E: no nail salons guarantee the lasting time for pedicure.
C: I’ve never needed a guarantee because professional pedicures from any decent salon always last at least two weeks on me, usually longer. I did them myself after I took off the half of it that was left and they lasted far longer, up until I went in for a new pedicure yesterday, actually, and it still wasn’t bad. It’s about prep and the quality of top coat. I shouldn’t have to tell you that.
E: Your «shoddy pedicure» is $ 20. that amount includes service on a new spa chair with disposal bag, 30 minutes relaxing, plus hot stone massage and complimentary drinks in a hygienic, relaxing environment.
C: That’s basically the same as what comes with any other pedicure, aside from the stones? I would hope it’s hygienic. I don’t go to a nail salon for a massage, I can get an amazing full massage for $ 20, $ 25 with hot stones, not far from you. I go to have professional looking nails, the other stuff is nice, but not if my nails aren’t done well. I NEVER complained about the price. But it was $ 26, with tip it was $ 31. Which would have been fine if it were professional. This is not about me being cheap.
E: we do not understand why you gave us such a horrific feedback that far from the truth. I am the one that did the design for you that day. You got informed by me that every design we do is different prices and you agreed.
C: Yes, I said that you did it. I checked the prices before making an appointment and saw $ 2+ for designs. I’m used to 5, but that’s what YOUR SITE said. Since I didn’t want anything elaborate, I assumed I wouldn’t have an additional charge. Once I was in the chair already getting a pedicure you told me that it’s per toe and the price varies. That put me in the awkward position of just saying, «ok.» Even so, I didn’t think you’d charge more than 4, especially with the way it came out, and 6 wasn’t said until the end. Far from the truth? I posted a clear photo from your chair that shows what I said was true. The right design is far larger, ridiculously so, and the second toenail was jagged. I don’t know what else to say. Symmetry and attention to detail matter, but I guess not to you.
E: You showed me the photo and I did exactly what you asked for. We never try to up-​sale to our clients anything except if you personally asked for it. The whole time I was doing the designs for you, I affirmed that I did check with you more than a hundred times to see if everything was okay.
C: You asked what type of design I wanted and I suggested a bow. You seemed hesitant to know what to do, so I looked at some designs on my phone and chose a simple petite one. It came out well on the left, but when the right didn’t match I assumed you could see that and just didn’t want to fix it. I shouldn’t have to tell you, it is apparent by looking. Again, as I said, you made me feel awkward, and more than a hundred times, really?! You did not ask me a hundred times. And you accuse me of being far from the truth? Lol! Maybe once you asked if I liked it. It felt rude to say I didn’t, especially when you went on about how great you thought it was. I only personally asked for it because you asked what I wanted. It was two colors, a bow and a line, I don’t understand what a basic design would be if not that.
E: gave us tips when you left.
C: Yep, I’m a decent human being and tipped you, you’re welcome.
E: when you were here tried to negotiated our service prices and now compare a couple of dollar differences on our design cost, that at the same time hurts our feeling. We totally understand that you come from a different area and might be not familiar with the pricing we charge.
C: What?! I never tried to negotiate anything! Completely made up! I was a little annoyed when you told me the real cost of the designs because it wasn’t as advertised, but I didn’t even say anything! I am familiar with standard pricing, but thanks for being condescending and showing your true colors. I am also familiar with professional work and this was not that. If I were trying to get you to come down on price, why would I tip? That’s nonsensical.
E: When we do a design we always spend more time, waiting for the design dry completely before we put the first top coat and finally the second one just to make sure it stayed on you a lot longer.
C: Like everywhere? It also didn’t stay on.
E: We do not do nails for cheap, especially we DO NOT do designs for free, we work hard for our quality services and provide quality products.
C: Again trying to make this about me being cheap rather than unhappy. Shameful. Would never expect QUALITY work for free.
E: your service with us was 2 months ago (and you left us a review today).
C: It was on ⁹⁄₂₁.

I’m very happy to have found Emerald Nails. It was a 25 minute drive for me, but well worth it due to the welcoming nature of the salon and friendliness of the employees. I got almond-​shaped acrylics and am so happy with the result! I happened to be the only customer in the salon on a Sunday afternoon so they put on a movie for me. It was a very relaxing experience and I will definitely be back. They really do treat customers like family members. Thanks Emerald Nails!

Wow! A gel manicure and pedicure with Emerald Nails was just plain lovely. My mother was in town for the weekend and I called on Saturday to see if they could fit us in for two pedicures. They were very accommodating considering I wanted to make an appointment last minute and we ended up getting manicures as well.
I typically go to Aloha Nails and when they didn’t answer their phone on Saturday I went searching for another nail salon. Emerald Nails is a hidden gem. They are a small boutique nail salon so make sure you call ahead to see if they can fit you in but oh my goodness, the experience is phenomenal. Jenny (the owner) and her husband are extremely friendly and personable. Genuinely good people. The salon is clean and warm, they play nice music, they have a flat screen TV, they offer you a beverage, they have a nail menu with a lot of options and very reasonable prices, they also offer waxing and private parties.
The atmosphere was very warm and personal and the service was unparalleled. Apart from a spa at a 5 star hotel, you really can’t beat it. I think I found my new «secret» nail spot.

Have you ever walked out of a nail salon and felt like you made friends? Kinda weird and random right?! But seriously that’s how I felt! This adorable shop is tucked away on poway road and owned by a family. Jenny and Darryl are husband and wife. Mai and Danny are the parentals and Katie is a family friend.
What I love LOVE LOVE about this place. They aren’t talking to each other in their language and alienating the customers. Everyone was talking to each other. even the customers. I learned that people from all over SD come here from San Marcos to Chula Vista! A husband even hung out while his wife got her nails done because he liked the owners so much. Now that says a lot!
Everything is very sanitary. Plastic wraps in the bowls changed after every client. Sealed sanitized instruments (a MUST)!! Nails done to perfection. What more can you ask for?!
This place is legit. Do you make an appointment because they can get busy. And Unilocalers let’s get them 100 reviews by their 1 year anniversary 11÷14÷15!

Where to start! Jenny is simply the best. Upon my first visit, I knew I will be coming back. I was in town with my sister to visit San Diego and decided to get a mani/​pedi. So glad i found Emerald Nails on Unilocal!Yes, Jenny deserves five stars as she’s as good as it gets! She is a perfectionist and it completely shows in her work. Jenny is not like ‘the other’ nail salons around. She doesn’t rush the service, she is very professional and she really takes her time. I have been to plenty of nail salons and am so lucky to have found her in a nearby city. Her work is phenomenal, she made my hands and feet look stunning. Her personality is such that it makes you feel comfortable immediately. She always goes the extra mile to accommodate you. She will give you a wonderful hand/​foot massage during your services. Jenny’s massages will definitely make you feeling refreshed and relaxed.
Thanks Jenny!!!
This was an amazing experience and that is an understatement. Love this woman and her talent. A must go to her lovely salon if you really care about how your hands and feet look. I know we are all busy doing a million things, but it is best to pre book your appointment. Its worth a little bit of a wait. I assure you!

Best experience I have EVER received at a nail salon… or possibly any business where customer service is key.
Friendly, relaxed, and easy to communicate with. I knew I was in for a unique nail salon experience from the very first phone chat when the owner returned my missed call immediately even though I hadn’t left a message.
The experience was stellar from the start. I arrived half an hour before closing, and the owner Jenny walked me through the rack of nail polish colors and then offered me a drink. Usually you’re told to pick a color and grab your seat, which is standard efficient nail salon protocol, but here I felt extra welcome and not rushed.
For $ 20, I received a spa pedicure in a remote control massage chair. The process was around 40 minutes and included hot oil and hot stone massage. I don’t think you can beat that price for all these services included. Also, I’m used to awkwardness with my nail stylists who usually don’t talk to you much or have limited English. My stylist Mai was friendly and communicative — no awkwardness or difficulties and very pleasant!
No high pressure up selling either! They invite you to check out their prices online on their Facebook page, and that’s it!
What’s incredible is that if you have a service that is $ 30 or more, you get a complimentary glass of wine (ID required for ages 21 and up). The owner, who talked to me a few times during my service, said it’s a light and refreshing 6% alcoholic drink. Their spa mani and pedi combo is $ 31 and so it comes with free wine!
I hesitate to deviate from my regular nail salon in Encinitas which I love, but I was in Poway already and noticed that Emerald Nails had incredible Unilocal reviews. I’m so glad, because Emerald Nails absolutely is a gem and I will be back!
TIP: 50 cent fee to use your credit card… and I recommend grabbing a slice of New York pizza next door after at Coney Island Pizza