Getting your nails done is a great way to spend an afternoon, alone or with friends. It’s also essential for special occasions, like weddings and proms. It’s great to leave with your nails looking and feeling awesome, but just as important is the experience you have while your at the salon.

A great nail salon offers professional and friendly service that makes you feel right at home for your entire stay. And, comfort is key: the atmosphere, aesthetic, and appeal of the salon has to be expertly crafted.

Ottawa is home to some amazing nail salons that double as a day at the spa. Here are the best 4 Nail Salons and Nail Spas in Ottawa to book in at for your monthly manicure.

Crazy Nails (Bank Street)

Crazy Nails is a trendy, colourful, and fun nail salon in Ottawa on Bank Street that offers an incredible range of services. They do amazing nail work, including manicures and pedicures, shellac nails (and shellac nail removal), acrylic nails, 3D nail design, and more.

Their trendy salon on Bank Street is super fun with bright pink walls and an amazing atmosphere. They offer a relaxing and upscale experience, complete with complimentary food and drinks in their waiting lounge. They are committed to great service, and their team is super friendly and experts at what they do.

This Ottawa nail spot offers pedicures, massages, lashes, and waxing on top of your nail services, making it a one-stop-shop. This is a great choice for anyone looking to spend an afternoon getting pampered in downtown Ottawa.

Holtz Spa (Byward Market)

If you’re in the Byward Market Area of Ottawa’s Downtown and are looking for a superb salon experience for a manicure or pedicure, Holtz Spa is your best choice. Holtz works directly with the Chateau Laurier as their official Spa Provider: they offer an incredible and luxurious experience in their 5-Star Spa that is both elegant and tranquil.

Holtz Spa is a Spa Retreat, so on top of offering a full range of Spa Services (facials, massages), they also offer Manicures and Pedicures, but no artificial nails or nail removals.

All of their Manicures and Pedicures focus on total hand care, and are complete with hand/feet massage and exfoliation/moisturizing. If you are new to Ottawa (or Canada), they offer a Canadian Maple Manicure. The main ingredient for moisture and massage oil including, of course, real Canadian Maple (which smells great).

Holtz is one of Ottawa’s most high-end spas, and their manicure and pedicure experience is no exception. They are right in the Byward Market, just a stone’s throw from the market building, the Canal, the Chateau Laurier, and the Rideau Center.

Glorious Nails (Lansdowne)

A few blocks away the bustling Lansdowne Area (a great spot for lunch, too) is Glorious Nails, a relaxing and trendy spot that offers a broad range of services, including artificial nails, Bio Gel, and carry both Nugenesis and OPI. Glorious Nails is service-oriented, their nail technicians are amazing at what they do, and aim to make sure you have the best experience possible.

Their service is fast, efficient, and clean – they have upscale amenities and offer a great environment for your regular trip to the nail salon.

Nail Bar Ottawa

Friendly staff, great location, and the best pedicure chairs you have ever seen are three major takeaways from Nail Bar Ottawa. This salon, located in Ottawa’s downtown on Slater, offers a beautiful white aesthetic and a luxury experience to suite.

They specialize in dip on luxury natural nails, which look amazing and last up to three weeks with no chips or lifts.

Ottawa Nail Salons: Costs, Tips, & Helpful Information

How much does it cost to get your nails done in Ottawa? Of course, the cost varies from salon to salon. Higher end salons and spas will charge a bit more for their service because they offer a luxury atmosphere with better amenities. But, it should be noted that this is not an indication of the quality or cleanliness of their service.

Regular manicures and pedicures in Ottawa will start at about $30, and can go up to around $80, depending on the full extent of the service. If you are using enhanced polishes, like BioGel, the service can cost anywhere from $40 to $60.

Artificial nails in Ottawa will start at about $40 (Shellac Nails in Ottawa) or $50 (Acrylic Nails in Ottawa).

Pedicures in Ottawa start at about $45 and can go up to $199 for luxury treatments that include massage, aromatherapy, and more.

Ottawa Nail Salon Etiquette: Tipping

Tipping is expected for salon services in Ottawa, just like servers. The standard is about 15 – 20%, with 20% indicating great or exceptional service. A tip on tipping: use cash to tip if you can (post-pandemic restrictions) and pay for the actual service before you begin. This prevents possible chipping and smudging of your nails by using the machine right after your nails are done (been there, done that!). So come with some cash in anticipation of tipping.

Common Questions and Concerns

Showing Up With Nails Done

Nail technicians don’t mind if you show up with some old polish already on your nails. In fact, it is expected for regular clients who use non-ship products like Bio Gel. But, if you have full shellac or acrylic nails, there is a fee for removal. Whatever you do, don’t pick away your old polish before coming in! This can severely damage your nails and rip away the top layer.

Pedicure Problems

Technicians have seen it all when it comes to feet. Don’t stress about shaving beforehand or clipping your nails. They would prefer if you came in with your toenails a bit grown out, because they can properly trim them. According to salon gurus, post people don’t properly trim their toenails.

Technicians (pedicurists) are trained on where to touch your feet to minimize ticklishness, it’s true! So don’t worry about your ticklish feet. They won’t be a problem. And, if you do experience some discomfort (in the way of tickles), make sure to let your technician know, and they can be extra careful in making sure to hit the least ticklish points on your feet.

Salon Etiquette: What Not To Do

There’s only a few things that are poor etiquette when it comes to getting your nails done.

Talking On Your Cellphone

People come to the salon to relax. While chatter between technicians and friends is totally expected, talking on your cell phone while others are also getting their nails done is a huge pet peeve for nail technicians.

Changing Colours

There is nothing wrong with changing your mind on the colour you want after seeing it applied, but don’t wait till all nails have been painted to do so. Technicians don’t mind if you make a change, but again, let them know after one or two nails are done.

Making Appointments

A really great practice (for you) is to make your next appointment before you leave. A lot of salons fill up fast, but love regulars, and hate having to ‘squeeze people in’. They want your trip to the salon to be relaxing and worry free. So, its good practice to book in early.