When my best friend’s boyfriend called me on a mission—take her for a manicure before his proposal—I knew there was no room for error. Her nails had to be flawless for that all-important ring photo.

So, l searched high and low for Wellington’s best nail salons. I want salons that have expert technicians, deliver perfect finishes, and provide a pampering experience that my best friend would love.

And since I’m a girl’s girl who’s not one to gatekeep, I’m sharing my shortlist for anyone else struggling to find good salons. Here are the best nail salons in Wellington!

1. Olivia Nail Lounge – Willis Street

Olivia Nail Lounge immediately caught my attention because of its wide range of nail services. Aside from manicures and pedicures, their nail techs also do gel extensions, dipping powder, and acrylic. They even have BIAB (builder gel) available for more durable nail art.

I also appreciate that it offers other beauty services besides nail care, such as lash extensions, waxing, and tinting. It makes it easier for customers to get most of their beauty needs in one place.

But what really secured their spot on the list are their friendly and capable nail technicians who follow instructions very well. Many clients I talked to praised their technicians for perfectly executing their vision and even the changes they requested during the session.

When I got my nails done, I really understood what those clients meant. I only told them I wanted pink and white nails, and they could do whatever they wanted with the design. They did flowers, which turned out to look really sophisticated.

The only drawback is that their pricing fluctuates with the seasons, sometimes without prior notice. 

Definitely an amazing experience

“I recently visited this salon for a lash appointment and I had an amazing experience! The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the service was top-notch. I was particularly impressed with Olivia and Helly, who did an exceptional job on my lashes. They were attentive, professional, and made sure I was comfortable throughout the entire process. I was thrilled with the final result and received so many compliments on my lashes afterward. I would definitely recommend this salon to anyone looking for a quality lash service, and I will definitely be back again. Thank you so much for such a great experience!” 

-Cris B., Google Reviews

This nail salon is a must

“It felt like the appointment was a little bit rushed, but they may have been short a nail artist or something, or maybe just my perception? Regardless, it did not affect the execution. The finished nail look is definitely the vibe i was after, and I am super happy. Since the style I got is pretty simple it sort puts on display whether it’s been done well. Was also happy that when I requested a part of it a certain way the artist pointed out the issue with doing it the way I wanted and made a suggestion which still achieved the natural-ish nail look I was after. Will definitely be heading back to this nail salon 😊”

-Alexandria Johnson, Google Reviews

2. Envyour Beauty

Envyour Beauty has built a strong reputation for delivering beautifully done nails that often catch the attention of friends and family. In fact, I found out about them after seeing the work they did for my friend.

What stood out during my visit was their extensive nail care service packages. They have a total of 14 nail service packages (the most on this list), each including at least three services. For example, their manicure and spa pedicure with gel polish package is a fantastic deal. 

These packages are cheaper than buying the services individually, which helps clients looking for a comprehensive service save money.

Their beauty services, particularly eyelash extensions, also stand out. The customers I interviewed had nothing but praise for the technicians, and after seeing their work firsthand, I understand the hype. The lashes looked natural yet striking.

Another feature I like is their shorter service option. For instance, you can shorten a two-hour session to just one hour for a small NZ$25 fee. I think it’s a great option for busy people, though I can see how the fee can be a bit off-putting to some.

I’m just not a big fan of its non-refundable initial payment policy. If you cancel your appointment, you lose 50% of the payment for lash extensions and 20% for nail care services (ouch).

Nice and understanding nail technician

“The beautiful lady i had was very nice and understanding. She cared if she was hurting me also. The experience was so calm, and my nails i have are just what i wanted and are exactly like my reference photo! She took her time perfecting her craft, and im amazed by the outcome. The only negative about my nails is that my nail tech has filed too much off the sides. However, next time i go, I’ll ask her to file less. Great experience. Ps, for those wondering, nails were $110 (SNS extensions with ombre).” 

-kittxy, Google Reviews

My go-to nail salon in Wellington

“I went here for the first time to get an SNS manicure. The staff were quick, efficient, and very skilled. Nails came out looking absolutely stunning. Really pleased with the outcome and service for the price. I then went back to get them removed after a few weeks. I was a bit anxious as the place I went to previously left my nails very scuffed, thin and brittle after the removal process. But the person who removed them did so extremely carefully, and my natural nails came out of it strong and with basically no scratches or scuffs. Environment is nice. Very impressed – will be my go-to manicure place from now on.”

-Faith Mitchell, Google Reviews

3. Queen Beauty Salon

Queen Beauty Salon is a nail boutique with a friendly atmosphere, which I genuinely felt during my visit. You can book a solo or a group appointment with your friends, whichever you prefer.

They have attentive people in every department. From their customer service staff to nail technicians, communication was smooth and professional. Many of the customers I spoke with echoed this sentiment.

Their strongest point is their vast choice of Signature Nail Systems (SNS) nail services. With 17 different dip powder manicure services—the most on this list—they offer an unparalleled variety for SNS lovers.

Beyond their SNS offerings, I was really impressed with their nail art designs. One of my friends opted for a set featuring different characters and designs on each finger, and the level of detail was incredible. 

The only downside is the occasional long wait times. Although I didn’t experience it during my visit, some of the customers I talked to complained about waiting 20 minutes before getting serviced.

Highly Recommended

“Amazing experience. Staff were friendly and attentive. The salon was really clean and they took me without a booking which was great. The lady painting my nails had great attention to detail and I felt like she was focused on doing a great job, not rushing etc. Someone else came in while I was there and they were happy to help on the spot sorting out a wee problem with her nail art – great to see how accommodating they were. A great wee spot in the CBD, really happy I decided to stop in!” 

-Shonelle Williams, Google Reviews

Excellent service and friendly staff

“It was my first time at this salon. Got SNS extensions from Anju, and she was amazing! I’m not used to getting my nails done, so I didn’t know exactly how to describe what I wanted, but Anju was so patient with me and managed to create exactly what I wanted! I love these nails! When I was done, another lady who works there was constantly making sure that I was 100% happy with the results, and double checked to see if she noticed any imperfections before I left. Amazing services, and friendly staff! Will definitely be going here regularly 😊”

-Angel Cardno, Google Reviews

4. Nail’d It

Nail’d It stood out for how affordable their services are. In fact, they have the cheapest services on the list. 

Combine that with the relaxing atmosphere they bring to their customers, they are one of the greats.

If you are a fashionista who always wants a trendy nail design, this is the perfect salon to visit because it offers several nail art options. Do you want to know how many? 17 services! How cool is that?

The most affordable design is the cat eyes effect, for only NZ$15. You can also have nail art of your choice on at least two fingers. For 10 fingers, they offer level 1 up to level 4 options, and I love how shiny and simple it is (it really fits a minimalist person like me).

It’s just that they require a 50% initial deposit, the highest on this list. Minus that, they definitely nail their jobs always.

Top-notch nail salon in town

“I recently visited NAIL’D IT and had an incredible experience! From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was welcoming and relaxing. The staff was friendly and professional, and they made sure to listen to exactly what I wanted for my manicure. The attention to detail was amazing – my nails look flawless, and the polish has lasted longer than any other salon I’ve been to! The salon itself was spotless, and I could tell that they take great pride in maintaining a clean and hygienic environment. I’ll definitely be coming back for my next appointment. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for top-notch nail services!” 

-vy eilavy, Google Reviews

Thank you so much Mimi

“I have had my nails done by Mimi for a while now. She is excellent at what she does. I have not had any of her nail art done but have seen many of her finished clients and it is amazing, the detail! Mimi has also done lash lifts for me and these are great too. Her new space in Lambton Square is just gorgeous and very clean and welcoming. I had a pedicure done by Tiền and that was a very relaxing experience. Would definitely recommend!”

-Fiona Martin, Google Reviews

5. Wellington Glamour

Glamour Wellington is a no initial payment and well-maintained nail salon. They are one of the few salons in Wellington that have no initial deposit, which I really love. 

I really love that they’re not just a nail salon for women but also for men. They offer more than enough nail and non-nail services for men, such as MAN-i-CURE treatment and Men’s Facial. The icing on the cake is the 10% discount for gentlemen’s second appointment.

Another great thing about them is how they keep a hygienic and comfortable working environment for themselves and their customers. Out of all the five salons on the list that I visited, I can say that they are the cleanest.

The only negative thing I can think of about them is their expensive nail care services. A basic combined manicure and pedicure service for them can go up to NZ$110. Some of the clients I talked to, though, said the quality is well worth the price.

Very highly recommend

“It was my first time at Wellington Glamour. It is truly hard to make one location your favourite one. I got a pedicure after a long long time and I liked it so much that I went back for a manicure the next week. The ambience was amazing. I felt royal while getting a pedicure sitting on a throne. I learnt a lot about nail self care which I was keen on and also had funny chats with the staff but overall, I felt relaxed, got the much needed pampering and loved the colour choices and designs on my nails. The great plus point was, they are open till 6. So highly recommend this place. Out of all the places I have visited I truly liked this place so much more and will surely become a regular 👏🏼.” 

-Joanna Paul, Google Reviews

Absolutely a 5-star nail salon

“Quite possibly the best place I go to for added self-care, and exceptional customer service. I enjoy the calm vibes and wonderful conversations – and of course the incredible products and mahi done on my nails, toes and face! 5 stars year round”

-Simply Sian, Google Reviews

---