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Boston's Best Shellac Manicures

Shellac manicures are the hot new thing when it comes to nails. A few coats of this specialized nail polish, a 10-second set time, and you've got glossy colorful nails that won't chip, fade or smudge for weeks. The polish itself should last a month and still look as good as when it was freshly done, but after 14 days enough new nail growth occurs that most people will drop by the salon to get their nails redone. Not all Shellac manicures are created equal, however. If done by an inexperienced manicurist you won't get the great looking, long lasting results that you expect from your Shellac manicure at Boston's best Shellac salons.
Fingernails
(Photo credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/GettyImages)

Town's Nails & Skin Salon
99 Charles St.
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 248-0690
www.newbury-st.com

Price: from $25

Located below street level, down a small cramped flight of stairs, Town's Nails & Salon is probably not where you'd expect to get one of the best manicures of your life. Once inside the salon you'll find modern equipment, a chic, comfortable atmosphere and the friendliest staff you can imagine -- not to mention the best and most affordable manicure imaginable. The staff takes its time to apply your Shellac manicure correctly and give you results that last.

Related: Boston's Best Spray Tans

Fingernails
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

City Nails & Spa
1260 Washington St.
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 988-8189

Price: from $55

City Nails & Spa has a lot going for it. A bright, clean, comfortable location with easy parking and a knowledgeable staff that will go out of its way to give you the best manicure possible. The thing that brings most clients back again and again is the selection of nail polish colors. Whether you're looking for traditional polish, gel or Shellac, City Nails & Spa might just have the largest selection of colors and brands to choose from in the city of Boston.

rubys salon
(Photo Credit: Ruby's Salon)

Ruby Nails
333 Massachusetts Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 859-0067
www.facebook.com/

Price: from $25

There are a lot of places in Boston to get a Shellac manicure ranging from basic to decent to great. Ruby Nails stands out among them because it is the go-to place for nail art. If you love the wild prints, swirls and color combos you're seeing in fashion magazines and online but could never figure out how to do them yourself, Ruby Nails is the place for you. Bring a picture, bring an idea or let the nail technician go wild; you will be sure to get a unique and impeccable piece of wearable art. The prices for nail art and Shellac manicures, or both together, are extremely affordable.

Fingernails
(Photo by Ian Waldie/Getty Images)

Mia's Nail Salon
168 Newbury St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 424-6440

Price: from $50

Don't go into Mia's Nail Salon expecting a huge day spa-like experience. The shop is small, making an appointment necessary, and it's pretty basic as far as fancy pedicure chairs and equipment goes. Whatever Mia's Nail Salon lacks in space, it more than makes up for in experience and service. Nail technicians have been known to mix colors to get you the exact shade of Shellac you want. They are friendly, too, putting you instantly as ease through the duration of your treatment. Parking, as always on Newbury Street, can be tough or expensive, but Mia's Nail Salon is easily reachable by train.

Related: Boston's Best Day Spas

Fingernails
(Photo by Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images)

Teke Nails
82 Charles St.
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 720-2662

Price: from $30

Teke Nails offers a wide range of services including Shellac and gel manicures. You'll find it offers some of the most affordable prices in Boston for its Shellac manicures. One of the nicest things about this nail salon is the ease in getting in to have your treatment done. While appointments may be made, most of the time you'll be able to pop in without one and immediately get your manicure done. Teke Nails has a quiet relaxing atmosphere and friendly staff.

Renee Mallett is the author of several books about art, culture, and New England. She was the owner and director of an art gallery and has written about arts and entertainment on a national level for several print and online journals. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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