Polished Nail Spa

Flawless nails? Look no further! I’ve been coming to Polished Nails in Berkeley for a couple of years now, and they never disappoint. The spa has a warm, bubbly energy, with lots of regulars coming and going, and everyone does excellent work. My nail artist, Tran, is a true master. She’s attentive to every detail and always keeps my hands looking beautiful. I typically get a dip manicure with nail art, something that can look chunky if not done correctly. But Tran’s work is flawless: my nails stay thin and last for weeks. Her nail art is exquisite and endlessly creative. She never ceases to amaze me, and I get compliments everywhere I go. I couldn’t recommend Polished Nails—or Tran—more highly. 10 stars!

This was my first time. I got an appointment at 2 and they took me at 2:25. It was very busy with the holiday season I imagine. Ahn Le did my nails, looked at my idea and gave me her opinion, really good ideas for tones and distribution of accents. I think the base nude color was slightly off. The shaping was okay a couple nails were a little crooked. Paid 65+ tip. I liked the experience, I am sure I will come back.

==== 2-week update ==== I am SHOCKED that my nails still have not lifted or chipped at all, and it’s been 18 days since I got them done. I wash my hands a LOT, do the dishes, shower daily, and have even went to the beach and in the ocean, and they’re still in amazing condition. Seriously do yourself a favor and get your nails done by Trianna/Kha, because she works magic on your nails! ==== 1-week update ==== Nail are still in amazing condition, no lifting (photos included). ASK FOR TRIANNA/KHA for your manicures! ==== original review, the day of the manicure ==== Amazing prep work, attention to detail, wonderfully friendly people! I’ve been coming here for a little under 3 years, and I won’t go anywhere else because of how great the service is and how much care and detail they put into their work. I usually schedule appointments over the phone, but when I’ve walked in, they were always able to take me within 30 minutes. For manicures, I always ask for Trianna/Kha!!!! I usually do a full set of acrylics with gel and design, and she always amazes me with her skill! She is incredibly detailed and takes her time prepping my nails so that they last a long time. I needed to get my nails done at the last minute before leaving for a trip, and she came into the salon on her day off to work with me. We stayed way past closing time, and she still took her time to make sure the prep and the artwork was perfect and made sure that I was happy with her work. The prep and design were IMMACULATE! (See the picture and video.) For pedicures, I typically work with whoever is available. They’ve always done a great job cleaning my toes and feet and make sure to get off all the dead skin and cuticles. I’ve gotten a pedicure from Nancy in the past, and she’s always such a joy to work with.

I have finally found my go-to nail salon. After being deeply disappointed by my last gel-X cat-eye set in Berkeley, I had no expectations going in. I came in just to try it out, and it ended up far exceeding anything I had in mind. Lee did my nails and she was incredibly kind, patient, and friendly. The process felt quick, about 30-45 minutes. She was very particular about matching the reference photo and even suggested subtle ways to elevate the look. The gems were not part of the original reference, but they tied the entire set together beautifully. Extensions can easily end up looking chunky, but the skill here made them look elegant and slender. Beyond the quality of work, the atmosphere of the salon was also lively and very sociable. Wait times can be long, but it is absolutely worth it.

Phenomenal service every time. Tran always works with me to design my nails and always does a flawless job. If I show her a couple photos of the vibe I want she goes off of it to create a masterpiece. She’s incredibly talented, as are all the nail techs in the salon, and they’re all warm and kind. Great price point as well. Highly recommend! These photos are 2 weeks growth

Very careful and detailed. Asked a lot of questions to make sure they came out the way I wanted! My nail tech was also very friendly, and exceeded my expectations. I've been coming for 2 ish years now, and always have done a great job! I can't find all pictures but here are some.

I’ve gotten 6 acrylic sets from this salon and one overlay. The sets each lasted a month with no lifting which is amazing. I’ve never experienced that before (keep in mind this may also be due to the shorter length). It speaks volumes for the quality of the sets! I appreciate how they make recommendations for my natural nail upkeep and accommodate my requests for the style of french tip I prefer. I don’t think many nail shops can give you a nail tech finish so I’m happy I’ve found that here. I love how they can shape the nails the sharp square style that I want. I think the price is super reasonable as well. When asking for a soak off ensure your hands soak long enough to ensure comfortably when removing the acrylic. I would recommend coming here when you have a free schedule as the wait time for walk ins can vary 0-1hr and there may be an extended wait time even if you have an appointment. Overall would recommend they do great work.