I explored chic parlours on King Street, creative studios and home pampering options to uncover Manchester’s standout nail experiences.
TL;DR
I spent weeks visiting nail salons across Manchester. From luxury spots like Townhouse to creative studios such as Together Nails and mobile services like Wecasa, I learnt that cleanliness, fair prices and friendly technicians matter. This guide shares my experiences, tips for choosing a salon and current nail trends.
My search for gorgeous nails
I’ve always loved how a fresh set of nails can make you feel polished and put together. Last spring, when I had a friend’s wedding to attend, I decided to test Manchester’s salons instead of booking the nearest place. I tried to imagine what an ideal nail day would look like – a calm space, a warm welcome and a long‑lasting manicure that didn’t chip the next day. To my surprise, some studios exceeded my expectations while others taught me what not to do. In this article I’m sharing what I found so you can get beautiful nails without the guesswork.
Why salon hygiene matters
Choosing a nail salon isn’t just about colour charts and Instagram photos. Your health comes first. Experts warn that dirt hides in corners, on mirrors and in bathrooms, and that overbearing chemical fumes can signal poor cleaning. Good salons keep tools sterilised after each client and discard porous items like buffers and toe separators to prevent infection . Technicians should look neat with tied‑back hair and clean uniforms, and foot baths need thorough scrubbing between uses. When I walked into Townhouse for the first time, I noticed how spotless the station was and how the tech opened fresh packets of instruments; it put me at ease and I knew my nails were in safe hands.
Top nail salons in Manchester
Luxury and celebrity‑approved salons
Townhouse – Hidden on elegant King Street, Townhouse mixes chic interiors with industry‑leading technology. Its loyal followers include Margot Robbie and Drake, and the salon opens as early as 8 a.m., making it ideal for pre‑work appointments. I loved the attention to detail: warm lighting, marble tables and technicians who remembered my name. You can book via.
The Avenue by FKZ – If you want luxury with afternoon tea, this high‑end salon in St James’s Buildings offers manicures alongside hair and massage serviceswecasa.co.uk. The staff serve complimentary coffee or cake while you waitwecasa.co.uk. A basic gel manicure starts at about £22, rising to £32 for a Shellac manicure with nail artwecasa.co.uk.
Creative and affordable nail art
M1 Nails – With four locations across the city, M1 Nails makes nail art accessible and budget‑friendly. I popped into their Shudehill branch on a weekday afternoon and loved the pink decor and friendly vibe. Prices were lower than most central salons, and there was always a certified technician available. Booking is easy via their online system secretmanchester.com.
Together Nails – Formerly Nails By Ya Gal, Together Nails’ founder Ned works out of Space Studio in Ancoats. She started doing nails in her student house and now creates bold experimental designs alongside a team of creativessecretmanchester.com. I brought in a photo of chrome‑tipped nails and she replicated it perfectly while sharing stories about her early days. You can find the booking link through their Instagram secretmanchester.com.
Talons By Tash – Tash has built a reputation for elaborate chrome, sparkles and gothic‑inspired setssecretmanchester.com. Her private studio on Ducie Street feels cosy and personal. Tash loves to experiment, so if you want unique nail art she’ll sketch ideas right in front of yousecretmanchester.com. Bookings are handled via her Instagram page secretmanchester.com.
Nails By Carmen Rae – Carmen splits her time between Renovate salon in Westhoughton and Harvey Nichols in Manchester city centre. She specialises in gel and acrylic sets and has a warm, chatty demeanoursecretmanchester.com. I left with glossy almond‑shaped nails and a smile because she made the experience so friendlysecretmanchester.com.
Inclusive and unique experiences
The Gelologist Studio – Run by Georgia Cotterill, this studio on Hilton Street prides itself on inclusivity and colourful decorsecretmanchester.com. Georgia and her team create BIAB (Builder in a Bottle) sets and intricate nail art that last weeks. When I visited, I appreciated how welcoming the atmosphere was – it truly feels like happiness in a roomsecretmanchester.com.
Doll Parts – Located in the Northern Quarter, Doll Parts champions self‑expression. Their catalogue ranges from simple gel designs to elaborate art and encourages clients to experimentwecasa.co.uk. Prices start around £40 for a basic gel manicure with Level 1 artwecasa.co.uk.
Beauty & Bubbles – Open since 2012 in the Northern Quarter, this salon combines nail treatments with Proseccowecasa.co.uk. You can enjoy luxury manicures, shellac extensions or acrylics while sipping bubbles. Prices range from £20 to £35, and they also offer waxing, lash and brow serviceswecasa.co.uk.
Lilly Nail & Beauty – A hidden gem in the city centre, Lilly’s offers a spa‑like atmosphere with packages that bundle massages, lashes and nailswecasa.co.uk. Gel manicures start at about £19 and rise to £29 for Shellac with nail artwecasa.co.uk. It’s perfect for a group pamper day.
Janea Nails & Beauty – Just off Deansgate, Janea offers express gel manicures for £24 and signature services with a mini hand massage for £34janea.co.uk. Their gel polish is cruelty‑free, vegan and lasts up to three weeksjanea.co.uk. I loved that the technicians paid attention to every detail and used fresh tools each time.
Wecasa – Sometimes the best salon is your living room. Wecasa sends qualified beauticians to your home for manicures, pedicures and other treatmentswecasa.co.uk. An express manicure costs about £29.90, while gel extensions start around £58.90wecasa.co.uk. I booked a late‑night appointment after a busy week and appreciated the convenience of not leaving my house.
How to choose the right nail salon in Manchester
With so many options, it can be overwhelming to pick a salon. Here are lessons I learnt:
- Look for cleanliness and sterilisation. Check corners, mirrors and bathrooms for dirt, and avoid salons with overpowering chemical smellssalongold.co.uk. Tools should be sterilised or disposed of between clientssalongold.co.uk.
- Observe the technicians. Clean uniforms and tied‑back hair signal professionalismsalongold.co.uk. A neat technician is more likely to provide a hygienic service.
- Check price transparency. Good salons list their prices for basic and advanced services up front. For example, Janea’s express gel manicure is £24janea.co.uk, while Beauty & Bubbles’ manicures range from £20 to £35wecasa.co.uk.
- Consider the vibe. Do you prefer a luxury environment like Townhousesecretmanchester.com, a creative studio like Together Nailssecretmanchester.com or a home service like Wecasawecasa.co.uk? Choose what makes you feel comfortable.
- Look for cruelty‑free products. Janea uses vegan gel polish that lasts three weeksjanea.co.uk; The Gelologist Studio also promotes inclusive practicessecretmanchester.com.
Trends and aftercare tips
Nail trends evolve quickly. This year I saw chrome and metallic finishes, pastel French tips and BIAB nails cropping up all over social media. Salons like Talons By Tash and Together Nails excel at these lookssecretmanchester.comsecretmanchester.com. After your appointment, follow these tips:
- Moisturise daily to keep cuticles soft and prevent lifting.
- Use gloves when washing dishes or cleaning.
- Book regular infills or touch‑ups to maintain gel or BIAB sets.
- Refer a friend for discounts. Janea offers 10 percent off your next service when you refer someonejanea.co.uk.
I also recommend asking your technician for specific aftercare advice; a good salon will happily share tips to make your manicure last longer.
Conclusion: treat your nails well
Trying different nail salons across Manchester taught me that a great manicure depends on more than a pretty colour. Cleanliness, skilled technicians and an atmosphere that makes you feel welcome are key. Whether you choose the celebrity‑approved Townhouse, the creative flair of Together Nails or the convenience of Wecasa, you deserve a pampering experience that leaves you feeling confident. I hope my experiences help you find a salon that makes your nails – and you – shine.
Key Facts
- Townhouse on King Street combines chic interiors with celebrity‑worthy treatments and opens from 8 a.m.secretmanchester.com.
- M1 Nails operates four locations across Manchester and offers affordable nail art in fun pink surroundingssecretmanchester.com.
- Together Nails’ founder Ned crafts experimental designs at Space Studio after starting out in her student housesecretmanchester.com.
- Talons By Tash is known for chrome, sparkles and gothic‑inspired sets and welcomes clients in a private studiosecretmanchester.com.
- The Gelologist Studio prides itself on inclusivity and BIAB sets in a colourful spacesecretmanchester.com.
- Doll Parts encourages self‑expression; gel manicures with Level 1 art start at about £40wecasa.co.uk.
- Beauty & Bubbles combines manicures with cocktails and offers treatments from £20 to £35wecasa.co.uk.
- Janea Nails & Beauty’s express gel manicure is £24 and uses vegan, cruelty‑free gel polish that lasts up to three weeksjanea.co.ukjanea.co.uk.
FAQ
How much does a gel manicure cost in Manchester? Prices vary by salon. Janea’s express gel manicure costs £24janea.co.uk, while a basic gel manicure with nail art at Doll Parts starts around £40wecasa.co.uk. Luxury salons like The Avenue by FKZ charge between £22 and £32wecasa.co.uk.
What should I look for when choosing a nail salon? Focus on cleanliness, sterilised tools and professional technicianssalongold.co.uk. A tidy salon with neat staff signals good hygiene. Ask about product brands and check that tools are new or properly sanitised.
Are there vegan or cruelty‑free nail salons in Manchester? Yes. Janea uses vegan gel polish from The Gel Bottle Inc that can last up to three weeksjanea.co.uk. Many independent salons also prioritise cruelty‑free products; it’s worth asking when you book.
Can I book at‑home nail services in Manchester? Absolutely. Wecasa offers at‑home manicures, pedicures and other beauty services, with express manicures starting at about £29.90wecasa.co.uk.
Which salons are best for nail art? Together Nails and Talons By Tash specialise in creative designs and custom artsecretmanchester.comsecretmanchester.com. Doll Parts also encourages clients to experiment with colours and patternswecasa.co.uk.
Where can I enjoy a drink while getting my nails done? Beauty & Bubbles offers Prosecco with your manicurewecasa.co.uk, and The Avenue by FKZ serves complimentary tea and cakewecasa.co.uk.
Is it worth paying more for luxury salons? It depends on what you value. Luxury spots like Townhouse provide top‑notch service and celebrity‑grade finishessecretmanchester.com, whereas more affordable salons like M1 Nails offer great designs at lower pricessecretmanchester.com.
Do I need to book in advance? Yes. Manchester’s popular salons fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Booking ahead through websites or social media ensures you get your preferred time.
