Profile

The best part of this nondescript third-floor nail salon is how cheap it is. But when a price is lowered this far, so are some standards of decorum. Not for the modest, the waxing room is often left open to reveal stations shielded by makeshift blue curtains—fine, if you're in for threading; less so, if you're having a $20 Brazilian. The only ambient sounds to distract you from your fear of exposure are a creaky wood floor and the splash of feet in pedicure footbaths resembling ground-level kitchen sinks. Judging by the stacks of personalized instrument cases, this salon's clientele knows sometimes you have to take care of yourself. That includes allowing extra time post-mani and -pedi, since there are no drying stations, simply quick-dry finishing sprays. — Mary Burke