Palo Alto Central Nails

Love them. I went last minute and I’m extremely happy how Kim did my nails, she did it exactly like my girls back home in New York did them. Will definitely go back. I found my nail place.

First up — I’m happy to admit that my «mediocre» rating of this place is partly to do with my own naivety about nail bars, for which the proprietors can’t be blamed. But overall I have come away with the sense that this one isn’t good value for money. (Or that this is just the way of things in Palo Alto and next time I should try a different city.)
I went to Palo Alto Central Nails just before my wedding, with three other ladies in the bridal party. I thought I knew what I wanted, but the staff talked me into getting gel nails because they last longer (which I’m sure is true — I’d never had them before). My bridesmaid also agreed to be upsold, but we foolishly didn’t ask how much more it would cost — in short, the price doubled. We couldn’t believe it when we went to pay and the bill had mushroomed to $ 70 + tip per person for gels and a pedicure. The worst thing is that the bridesmaid’s gels had not been applied properly and started to peel off that very evening (it was too late to do anything on the eve of the wedding). Mine were great, though, and more or less stayed put for 4 weeks.
Something else I didn’t realize is that when they told me I «had» to go back to get the gels removed at a later date, I would be charged for that too (because I wasn’t having more gels). I thought it was part of the service. Rather than explaining the extra charge beforehand, the shop owner simply said «aren’t you going to pay?» bluntly to me as I prepared to leave, which was very awkward and embarrassing. Overall I paid $ 90 for gels and a pedicure. I’m not sure what the going rate is for this area, but I felt it was too much, especially when there’s a ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ chance the nails aren’t going to stay put. Next time, I’ll do my own.

I got a pedicure and manicure here this morning and they did a great job. Selection of nail polish was good, mostly OPI, and the prices were reasonable for the services considering the area. I will be returning for sure and will hopefully receive the same level of service next time around.

Very nice and calming folks. Relaxing place for a manicure and pedicure. Good selection of nail colors and magazines. No blaring televisions and music was relaxing. Would have loved tea or coffee but could have also asked. ;-)

Called on a whim on a Friday evening they were able to take me right away. Good value 45 mani pedi with paraffin and hot stone for the pedi and hot stone massage for the mani.
Impressed with the customer service and with the lady working on me. No multiple operators working on me i like that. I also like that she just let me relax with no forced conversation. Thank you for s nice end to the work week and relaxing kick off to a long weekend for me.

This place is becoming worse! I went there for manicure last Wednesday for gel mani, it’s only 4 days my nail has already chipped. My last gel mani lasted for 3 weeks from a different nail salon!
I used to go here a lot when they had better service, last Wednesday my daughter and I happened to be near California Ave so We decided to do our nails. My daughter did both mani and pedi, I did mani only. We paid $ 100 for the service, my daughter had to go back to fix her toe nail and my nail has chipped by the fourth day!
Will never go back there !

I like this nail salon! The prices are a bit high, but they have tons of colors of gel, and the ladies that work here are very nice. I recommend it.

What a hidden gem!
Came here after getting off early from work down the road for a pedicure, they were very accommodating. I made an appointment but they took a few walk ins while I was there. They had a pretty decent color selection, great massage chairs, a sanitary work station, and a fabulous foot massage. plus the foot dryers, those are always a bonus.
I would recommend making an appointment just because it’s pretty tiny and you wouldn’t want it too overcrowded.
The workers are nice, and quiet, which was enjoyable and relaxing.
All in all it was a good experience except for when she cut too far into my toenail/​toe. I said ouch and I wasn’t snipped again after that. My feet look fine as of now so I’ve only deducted one star. If in the vicinity and yearning for a pedicure I would probably come back!

I’m a nail snob, have been polishing since I was a kid so I’m extremely particular when I do go to the shop lol… In Palo Alto visiting family and missed my appt. back home in Los Angeles… STEPHANIE IS FABULOUS! Explained everything my nails needed to grow back without breaking/​chipping. Took her time with my gel set and nail repair (thumb nail broke all the way down to the meat was bleeding & painful), wasn’t rushing to get to the next client… Got me in & out, same day appt. (Within 10 minutes actually). Thanks again, will come back whenever I’m in town

Clean place, nice stuff, great job with pedi and manicure. Tried it out because my friend recommended it and definitely loved it. It lasted very long time and will definitely return.

This place is great, it is easy to get in and out without feeling rushed and get a good quality mani/​pedi. The ladies are polite and great prices.

Nothing out of the ordinary, but it’s my neighborhood nail place and I feel like it deserves props. Five stars for dependability and being a clean, respectful place. They are gentle with my nails and nailbeds, and always give a great gel manicure. Keep it up!

I’ve lived in Palo Alto for the past year and a half, and have checked out nearly a dozen nail salons in the area. Palo Alto Central Nails keeps me coming back for a myriad of reasons. I like the pleasant-​mannered staff, and more importantly their work. Another reviewer said her manicure was the work of a perfectionist, and I totally agree. I can’t stop looking at my nails! Honestly the basic manicure is still going strong (chip free) after two and even three weeks. The hot stone massage with lavender lotion is relaxing, and something I look forward to. This salon is by far my favorite on California Ave, and in Palo Alto.

Got a basic manicure (no massage) and it was one of the poorest I’ve ever received. My previous nail color wasn’t fully taken off, even getting traces of it on my skin and not taking that off either. $ 12 is an average price for a pretty commonplace service, so I know what to expect and yet was still disappointed. May have been my manicurist as my sister’s nails looked much better – easy to compare as we used the same color. Will not return.

It hard to leave a star when they are not even opened yet.
So the two stars are only because I really like this place.
My time is very valuable, I don’t have time to wait for them to open. It’s 10:15 now
So I guess off to another nail salon.

Fantastic pedicure– they do a hot stone leg/​foot massage which is really great! The place is small but I was able to walk-​in on a Saturday afternoon. Good location and great service! Will come back again!

I’ve been coming here for a few months and every time get someone amazing. I usually get acrylics. This place does them so thin and smooth that no one can tell they aren’t my real nails. Reasonably priced and fast. Best place in Palo Alto.

I’ve been here a few times to get my eyebrows done. I’ve had a few good experiences but this place is VERY inconsistent that I’ve decided not to go back.
On my last visit, they literally did my eyebrows out in the open in front of everyone. It was humiliating. They usually pluck the stray hairs and look over their work. The lady did not do this at all. She did her typical 5 waxing areas and then wiped oil on my forehead. Did not even offer to give me a mirror to see the shit job that she had done. Thanks for nothing!
They charge $ 10 a waxing session, so I guess you get what you pay for.
I’d much rather pay more and get a consistent experience.

I was a little worried that I wouldn’t get great treatment here based on other reviews about being rushed. But my step-​mom and I just had a wonderful experience. I got a gel manicure and regular pedicure. They both look fantastic and Sara took her time with me and was very friendly.
The massage was great! The atmosphere was very quiet, but I never felt awkward about it, just relaxed. The gel manicure is $ 35 and the pedicure is $ 30 I believe. I definitely plan on coming back to Central Nails for another manicure treat!

I used to say 5-​stars, but my most recent visit lowers that!
They do a great job, I will give them that. Hot stone massages are GREAT.
In the past the massage was always longer and the services were something they were considerate about!
This last time I felt like they were extremely rushed, I was just a number, they had to squeeze in so many people while I waited for that next step and man was it HOT in there! I made an appointment by the way!
For the first time since I started going, my toe nails started chipping the next week. My acrylics were filed slightly crocked on the sides, so I’ll have to wait for them to grow out so they can even back out. It was the quickest fill I’ve experienced in my life.
So hopefully they will return to their former glory soon! I used to go to them at least once per month. And I went back after moving further away for work and was unpleasantly surprised.