Crystal's Durham nail salon review

As a long time connaisseur of Durham nail salons, I thought I’d save others the trouble by posting my experiences. Here are the few I can remember off the top of my head:

Great

1. Allure Nail Spa (2608 Erwin Rd, same building as TGI Friday’s). This one wins in my book. Not only do the nail technicians do a great job, the spa is clean with lovely decor and super high quality massage chairs. Great value for your money. Extra plus: They are open on Sundays!
2. Luxury Nail Spa (2816 Erwin Rd, near Nosh) This one would have been the overall winner were they not closed on Sundays. Luxury is one of the nicer salons I’ve been to in Durham in terms of lovely decor, clean and pleasant environment. They also have the most extensive list of spa treatments – try the hot stone pedicure!
3. Nail 1st (105 W NC Highway 54, next to Harris Teeter at 54/Fayetteville) The technicians here seem to truly care about your nails and take their time to do a good job.
   

Good

• Hollywood Nails (inside Southpoint Mall, next to JC Penney). This used to be my favorite nail salon in Durham until they hired a certain very lude, creepy man who makes inappropriate comments toward the customers. If you can avoid this guy, the salon is awesome. They do a much more careful, thoughtful job on your nails than most of the other places. Hint: The bad guy is the fattest and youngest of the three men who work there.
• Elegant Nail (2200 W Main St, in Erwin Square)
• Lee Day Spa (3519 Witherspoon Blvd near DSW shoes off 15/501) Don’t confuse this one with Lees Spa Nails near Southpoint Mall. Very nice people, good prices.
  

Eh, whatever

• Avalon Nail Salon (outside at Southpoint Mall, near movie theater). Nice but a bit too expensive and almost always too busy.
• Malibu Nails (1129 Weaver Dairy Rd. in Chapel Hill)
• Rose Nails (800 E. Franklin St. in Chapel Hill)
• Lee Spa Nails (6815 Fayetteville Rd, across from Streets at Southpoint)

Avoid

• Solar Nails (Fayetteville Rd. across from Streets at Southpoint) Abusive management, technicians all in a rush, and they don’t ask you to pay before they polish.
• Bella Trio Salon (5826 Fayetteville Rd.) Very expensive, poor value. I had a bad experience where nail technician munched on her McDonalds lunch and had long, loud, inappropriate conversation with other salon employees, all during my manicure.
• KD Nails and Tanning (1821 Hillandale Rd). Horrible technique, creepy people.
• Diva Nails (off MLK Dr, near Kroger). Nail tech did a fine job, and the manicure was reasonably priced ($12), but I really disliked the atmosphere. It was pretty dirty and trashy looking when I was there, though maybe it’s because they seem to be in the middle of remodeling…? I don’t think I would go back.