Vivian’s Nails

When you walk into this place the very strong smell of enamel and other chemicals is overpowering — this is very unhealthy. They must have a poor ventilation system. I gave the excuse to come back save they were extremely busy. I drove one mile north to Top Spa Nails at 145 Skokie Blvd. In Wilmette (across from Baker’s Square). Wow! The difference is night and Day.
Once you try Top Spa Nails, you will no longer tolerate compromising your breathing and health like you did at Vivian’s.
Vivian’s is only $ 5 less than Top Spa Nails on Pedicures but Top Spa Nails has Mani/​Pedi Special for $ 35.
Vivian’s should visit Top Spa Nails to see what it really means to provide a clean, healthy, environment not just for the customers but the workers too.

I have gotten manicures here before and they did a good job. Yesterday I went in for a no-​chip, and right away I didn’t like the way it looked but I had already been there for an hour and a half and didn’t want to spend more time there. Then last night 3 of my nails peeled off. I came in today and got all of them taken off because I knew if I got 3 fixed today I would have to come back tomorrow and get 3 more fixed and its just not worth the time. The problem isn’t with the technicians, it’s the cheap no chip polish they use. This has never happened to me with OPI. The technician yesterday and today were very nice and tried to do what they could to make me happy, unfortunately they couldn’t go and buy new polish and that was all that would make me happy, aside from a refund. Again my review is in no way a reflection of the staff and I would go there for manicures just not for no-​chip.

So I fixed my nails on Sunday and then the nail just fell off and I went back the second day and they made me pay 3dollars for just a small part fall off that’s not really far. they don’t have really good service and they talk in a different language on you

Clean, quick, skilled, reasonably priced, efficient. Got a mani/​pedi today for $ 32. Love this place!

Stop! This place is terrible. The owner, Steve, is rude and combative. The nail techs are subpar with the exception of Tina. Tina did a great job. She takes her time and really knows how to shape acrylics. She’s too good to be working at a place like this. I’ve been here a few times, and at first I was satisfied, but after my last experience I won’t be spending my time or money here. They don’t respect you, your time, or money. If you want bad service and overall subpar nails this is the place for you.

For my first visit I was pretty disappointed. My niece always raved about the place and when I went in with my two daughters they were not kid friendly. My toddler goes with me to my usual place and they are always very accommodating. One lady questioned me getting a manicure because of my child being with me. Being a working mother this is not only relaxation time but also bonding time. I will never come back again and didn’t even get to have my manicure done! I was looking forward to trying the polish that changed colors outdoors. So much for that! :-(

I just moved back to Wilmette from Arizona and needed to find a place that does acrylic nails. I used to come to Vivians with my mom many years ago and after checking Unilocal decided to give it a try again.
I’ve gone 4 or 5 times already and am very satisfied with the service. I have gone mostly to Steve (he’s funny!) and he does a great job and is very meticulous. The price is right and you can usually get in right away (if you’re not a complete meany to them, people are so rude sometimes). Clean environment and usually easy to park. The only thing that I would say is that I’m not loving their colors… they have a lot of the same ones but overall I would recommend this place!

Great service! My girlfriend got her nails done for her graduation, and they were beautiful. Pics coming soon!

I’ve been going to Vivian’s for years. Ann is the best at no-​chip.

I have been a customer at Vivian’s Nails for almost 10 years.
I have had my nails done by everyone that works there at one time or another and I have never been disappointed!
They are super affordable too.
I am no frills when it comes to my nail experience by I am VERY picky about how my nails are done, Vivian’s Nails is perfect for me!

I have been a customer for eight years and even though I live far, I make the effort to drive to Vivian’s every other week. I have been to numerous salons and I have never seen better service anywhere else. My nails are always flawless when I leave here. The wonderful ladies and men who work here are really picky about offering quality service.
The salon is newly renovated and very clean. Everybody is really good but Ann is my favorite.
I have a Spa Nail City right by my house but every time I go there, I not only pay MORE, but I’m always sorry I went everytime I look down at my nails.
Vivian’s service has never been matched, and trust me, I got my nails done every other week, so I’ve been to many other places. They are exceptional!

The good news is that my no chip manicure is still going strong 12 days after I got it, and my nails do look truly lovely. I liked that Vivian’s paints the nail color onto fake nails so you can see what it will look like (no chip polishes are in opaque white bottles, and the sticker color is rarely the same as the polish color).
Here were my concerns, and the reason I gave three stars
1. As my nails were being done, it looked like the instruments might not have been freshly sanitized. I wasn’t sure, and I should have spoken up, but I didn’t.
2. I was spacing out and when I spaced back in, the manicurist was using a blunt metal instrument to scrape down my nail and get rid of the cuticle. I thought I remembered reading that this is a no-​no, and the last place I got a manicure didn’t do it. But they’d already started, and I wasn’t sure so I let it happen. When I got home I looked it up… sure enough this is a great way to get an infection. I have not *phew* but still… it seemed odd.
3. While the guy who did my nails was super nice and fit me in on a busy day when they short staffed, as my hands sat in the ultraviolet light to let the polish harden, he took out a nail clippers and started cutting his nails (clippings flying towards me). I don’t even like it when they cut my own nails… I mean it has to be done, but it squicks me out… so when he was cutting his, I got a little nauseas.
If I could give a 3.5 — I would, but I felt it was more A-​ok rather than Yea I’m a fan.

Ugh so disappointed… again. I normally go to Nail Lacquer Salon in the West Loop, they are amazing and their staff really takes care of you. I always walk out of there with an amazing mani/​pedi that last a long time. But sometimes I’m lazy so I go to Vivian’s since it’s closer to where I live. I gave Vivian’s three chances and now I know for sure they are not worth my time or money even if it’s two minutes away from my house. Today, I walked in there to get a quick polish change. The lady started to file my nails and when she was done, I looked at my nails only to be horrified of what she had done. My nails were filed crooked and jagged. I was so confused. I couldn’t understand how someone who’s been working as a nail technician for a while wasn’t capable of filing straight. I asked her politely if she could re-​file them, she pulled my hand harshly as if I had said or done something offensive to her. After she re-​filed my nails, my nails were so short and STILL crooked. I gave up and just walked out. The manager tried to stop me and fix the situation himself but at that point I was so fed up, I didn’t want anything to do with them. I’m glad I didn’t let that lady touch my nails any more than she did. So horrifying.
It’s so hard to find decent honest nail salons nowadays. I just want a nice manicure!

I’ve been to Vivian’s nails twice now, and have been very pleased with my no chip manicure both times! The first time I got them done, it lasted over two weeks without any chipping at all! They have a huge selection of colors to choose from, which I also appreciate.
There were a couples things that led me to mark Vivian’s down to 3 stars. 1) the atmosphere is not ideal, pretty ugly actually. Very white walls and somewhat dirty appearance. 2) I had to wait half an hour when I had made a reservation two days in advance! 3) my friend who came with me did not have as great of a technician as mine was. Her cuticles were bleeding and very sore after her manicure was complete. :(
I think I’ll be back, but only if I’m guaranteed an appointment with Chi, because she’s the best!

The cleanliness really lacks in this establishment. Id recommend going someplace else.

Reasonably priced and great service!
Came here for a pedicure and my toes look amazing! The young girl did an amazing job.
The salon is very clean and plenty of colors to choose from. I will definitely come back here.
Pedicure $ 23
Manicure $ 12

LOVE this place. Everyone here is so nice and accommodating. One time I had a last minute event with 5 girls who needed no chips and pedicures they took all of us 10 minutes to closing time. I know I’m horrible, but we had no choice, and we tipped heavily, and I promise I’ll always come back! Especially since i had a horrible experience at Lee’s nails on Touhy, I’ll never be disloyal to Vivian’s again! If you’re someone who is particular about your nails, this is the place for you! They listen to everything you tell them, they are consistent and very reasonably priced!

They keep me coming back!
This place is not near my home at all. However, they are close to my mom and grandma’s house and I always make sure to come here when I can.
I am one who is always getting hangnails and they do a great job with trimming the excess skin and cleaning cuticles. I’ve been to all of the technicians and I feel that Long and Chi are the ones I prefer the most due to their meticulous work. However I was never displeased with any of the technicians. Steve always says hello and asks about my mom, who comes with me once in awhile.
They get 4 stars instead of 5 because I feel that their prices are not the best, and also they sometimes overbook. Even after trying many other places, I always find myself coming back here.

I love this place. I’ve been going here for 8 years now. Its very affordable! $ 12 for a manicure and $ 32 for a mani pedi, you can’t beat that!
My go to girl is Chi. She doesn’t rush and she does a very good job. I always call ahead to make sure she is there. If you make an appointment make sure you are ON TIME if you’re not there they will just move on to the next walk in the next 5 – 10 minutes. Even if you do have an appointment anticipate 15 minutes wait time just because they fall behind sometimes trying to keep up with walkins (which isnt a bad thing because you don’t want thwm to rush on your nails!). I do have to warn you that the owner (an older man) can come off very rude, but to be perfectly honest it is a cultural thing. Which lwads me to another thing is that most of them don’t speak alot of English so it can be difficult to make small talk with them. But other than that they understand your needs nail wise.
Overall their technicians are nice, they’re clean and disinfect their tools and it’s affordable prices.

I was getting ready for leave for another business trip and thought I need to have a decent mani-​pedi before I get on that plane.
I walked in about 30 minutes to closing time. Yea, I know, I’m a horrible person. It wasn’t my fault. I searched on Unilocal for a location that I could visit whilst in Skokie. Some place showed up but I couldn’t find it and instead, as I was driving around, I noticed Vivian’s from the road so I pulled in.
They took me right away even though every chair seemed full with someone getting a service.
Ernie started on my pedicure and since they were so closed to closing, Lan started on the manicure. I felt like a star. They were so attentive and made sure that I was more than satisfied with how it looked on my nails.
French mani-​pedi for $ 40. Thank you, I’ll be back. How’s next Friday with my sisters?