Helen Nails

I think my experiences may reflect the specific person not the place but it was not great. I feel terrible removing points for this, but my person both times I’ve gone really did not speak any English and I think being able to communicate what you want is important (even if it’s just that the water is too hot, e.g.). Also, just not very friendly and the 60 sec ish shoulder massage I got was PAINFUL and definitely the worst massage of any length I’ve ever gotten. I’d skip that part.

I love Helen Nails. I recommend making an appointment as the salon is small. Helen is great and I book with her as she does a reverse French manicure on my nails. The manicure lasts forever. Prices are affordable. Salon is clean.

Helen and her husband Tony are absolutely amazing!!! We made a reservation for three of us and it was awesome! Hidden Gem of Arlington for sure.
PS– my sister said Tony did the best French mani ever!

Very friendly and hospitable. They were also accommodating to my 6yr old daughter who says «it was so relaxing»

I went in early on a Saturday afternoon and did not have to wait at all. I just had my eyebrows waxed. Helen did a great job, and took a lot of care to make my brows look nice. The price is also very good.

Helen Nails was a last minute change for our bridal shower. They happily accommodated our party of 6 and got our mani/​pedi all done and us out the door within 2 hours. Later Helen called to say we overpaid and ask us to return to get the money back. Not only are they professional (our nails look great) but also incredible nice and honest! We returned and got gift certificates instead! Such establishments need supporting.

Okay, so I love that there are obviously planted reviews, with locations like Hong Kong.
But honestly, this is just a little business trying to make it. The English of the woman who did my manicure was poor, the manicure not that much better. The polish did last a long, long time though.
But she was so sweet, and her husband came by to ask if I would like bottled water, or he could get me anything. During the promotion, the price was a great deal, so I crazy over-​tipped. When I did so, the manicurist was sooo appreciative.
I would never get my nails done here for a special event, but if you want kind people, look no further.

Helen was great! Very clean environment, cute, and quaint inside! I was on a tight schedule yesterday morning, and she made sure to do exactly what was asked within the time I had! I got a gel manicure? And she shaped them PERFECT! I am not picky about much except the shape of them, and she nailed it. Thanks Helen ! I’ll be back for sure !!

This my first time going to this salon. Ascetically the salon isn’t much to look at but that doesn’t really matter in the long run. I came in for a mani/​pedi and was immediately sat down despite it being a holiday weekend.
You know that thing that salons do when they are trying to pump out as many people as possible so they do your mani while your in the pedi chair? Hate that. My mani was rushed and a bit sloppy because of it and already chipped my pedi an hour after I left the salon.
I’m hoping this was an outlier visit and will try it out again. But a little disappointed since it got such great reviews.

My husband and I had appointments and Helen took other clients before us so I would have been kept waiting one hour.
After 15 mins of waiting We left and will not go back.
I canceled all my future appointments.

My friend and I went here to get our nails done before we went back to college. I got a mani pedi for 28 because there was a 20% off deal going on so it is normally 35. My friend’s mani was 10 with the deal 12 normally. Pedicures by themselves are normally 25.
I think that the prices are pretty cheap and they spend a lot of time on you and try to make you feel comfortable. In my pedicure I got a sea salt scrub, leg massage, some lotion on my legs, and a callous scrub. They were very concerned about making me feel comfortable.
My nails are super sensitive and thin so I asked them to just shape them and not really cut the nails because they were shorter than I like them when I walked in. That is the only reason I docked them a star, she cut my nails a bit more than I would have liked, however there was one nail that I had broken at the very bottom and she was very careful and gentle with it.
I will definitely come back.

I really can’t say how much I love Helen’s nails. The manicures and pedicures are consistently wonderful, and I always find myself staring at my nails for WAY too long after I leave. Helen and her staff are incredibly kind, and the prices are reasonable! Just be sure to make an appointment in the evenings and weekends since it does get busy.

Decent place– small, but clean — only 3 pedi stations and 3 mani stations. Staff are pleasant and thorough, but treatments are very slow! My pedi took 1hr 10 mins, and a polish change took 30 minutes (NOT a full mani). I probably won’t go back.

Please don’t go to this salon. I came in last Saturday for a fill not only was the salon the size of a closet but I lost 3 nails in 3 days!!!
I went back to EZ Nails and I was extremely pleased with my pedi and fill absolutely beautiful. And a week and half later there all still on including the tiny rhinestones. Not to mention I found out that Helen worked at EZ Nails and she only did manicures never fills now I know why. If you want the best go to EZ Nails!!!

Update: I just got back from getting a mani/​pedi and I’m so happy with the results! Also, the best pedicure I think I’ve ever gotten! The massages that they do are so nice. Love this place!
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Went here on a early Friday afternoon and had a great experience. I got a regular manicure and the woman doing my nails was very thorough even when 3 people came in without appointments. There were also two times where the nail polish was either too thick or got damaged and instead of finding a quick fix, she took of the polish entirely and redid it.
My only con is that there are definitely not enough tables or pedicure seats. They get a lot of customers and will definitely have returning clients, including me.

I enjoy every time being here. Although they are ALWAYS busy, they pay attention to details and give u 100% of what you ask for. Calling ahead to make appointment is suggested. Thumbs up to Helen and her manicurists. This is my fixed spot for nails.

Just had a pedicure at Helen Nails and thought they did an excellent job! Great value for what you get. Will definitely be returning!

Stopped in at 345 after work and was able to be seen right away. I had Helens husband, he was extremely nice and did an amazing job. Took his time and made sure my nails were perfect. Only 28 $ for a full set.

Take it from someone who has walked up and down Mass Ave a gajillion times, Helen Nails blows their competition out of the water (and there’s a lot of ‘em). Their cozy little shop has tons of personality and is very well kept. It is a little small — there’s only three pedicure chairs and three work tables, but it’s quality over quantity.
Coming from Florida, the cold weather definitely weakened my nails a bit and they were in pretty terrible shape. Helen was having a $ 30 mani/​pedi special going on, so I took advantage of it. When I arrived, both Helen and Winnie were very welcoming. Since I was the only one there, they worked on me at the same time and they did a great job! Helen cleaned up my nails and cuticles and made my hands look human again; the hand massage was pretty nice too. The design I asked for also looked okay; it was simple and pretty — not the best I’ve ever seen, but nice. Winnie did a great job on my spa pedicure; they felt relaxed and brand new when she was done with them.
Their tools and materials were all very clean; they sterilized all their tools and used one-​time use nail files, buffers, and pumice stones. It’s not always necessary to use those kinds of materials, but as a nail technician/​specialist, that’s something I appreciate. Price-​wise, they’re fair and reasonable.
So, all in all, I’ll definitely be back!

Helen saved me from a bind. It’s a day before spring break and every salon I called around Harvard Square area is completely booked and back logged. Helen actually called me back when a space opened up. She is super nice and accommodating. The nails look great and the location is clean, relaxing and pink. The massage chair is absolutely awesome too!