18 home-based nail salons in Singapore for the perfect mani-pedi

Located in the Ang Mo Kio neighbourhood, home-based manicurist @pinkcoconails’ versatility is great for the fickle-minded ones amongst us. Whether you like a rounded, stiletto, almond, square, squoval shape, or short nails, it seems like she has it all covered. Her usual classic gel manicures are priced at $35, but Chinese New Year surcharges ranging from S$10 to S$20 will be in effect from Jan 1 to Jan 21.

You know a nail artist is really legit when he or she has a qualification from JNEC (short for Japan Nailist Examination Center). While you will find most of these JNEC-certified manicurists in salons, nailist Tasha Chen holds a level 2 JNEC and works from her home-based salon @callinails that’s located in the Bartley (nearest is Taiseng MRT Station) neighbourhood. Like most Japanese nail salons, she works wonders with short nails, intricate drawings, minimalist, abstract designs, and muted, office-friendly colours. Chen charges $38 for a classic gel manicure, $48 for a classic gel pedicure.

Live in Bedok? You are in luck. The home-based nail salon, @nailogysg serves up super cute short nail designs as well as acrylic extensions that are perfect for the Lunar New Year festivities. Their classic gel manicures start at $38 while the sculptured acrylic extensions go at $55 (plus $8 to $25 Chinese New Year Surcharge from 23 December to 21 January).

Kimberlyn of @nailmachineservices has a knack for beautiful, delicate, and dainty illustrations in both short and longer nail shapes – and she has small dogs in the house to boot. Classic gel manicures cost $42 while Chinese New Year surcharges ranging from $8 to $20 will kick in from Dec 27 to Jan 19.

Helmed by 3 ladies, Christel, Vanessa, and Haelyn, the home-based nail salon @sugarcoatnails.sg located near Buangkok MRT station pulls off beautiful glitter, sparkles, and gel extensions in dreamy, pastel colours. An express gel manicure set costs $22 while an express Omakase nail set starts from $38.

Located opposite the Petir LRT station in the Bukit Panjang neighbourhood, home-based nail salon @nailnicorn is your go-to for over-the-top aurora and acrylic nails – think charms, dangling crystal embellishments, pearls, and dragons set on a glossy black or pearlescent white base. Prices range from $30 for a dainty set to $50 for a full-on fancy set of designs, $30 for extensions, and a $10 to $35 Chinese New Year surcharge with effect from Dec 24 to Jan 21.

If you are a fuss-free person who prefers fixed prices and no haggling, @jnails.sg located in Choa Chu Kang (temporarily in Bukit Batok) is for you. With all nail extensions fixed at $70 nett, you get to choose unlimited designs to draw or stick on – snakes, shattered glass, snowflake, gold rims, floral bridals, or umm, No-Face from the Studio Ghibli film, Spirited Away. A classic gel manicure starts from $25. Chinese New Year surcharges start from $10 to $30 from Jan 1 to Jan 21.

Some love for the west-siders! @Nail_byliz pens some downright beautiful floral illustrations on short to medium-length nails and pedicures. A classic gel manicure comes at $60 while a classic gel pedicure is priced at $70. Closer to Clementi MRT station is @flutterytips, a versatile and experienced manicurist who is no stranger to the westies nail fans.

Live in Hougang or Kovan? The home-based nail salon @beatificnails does everyday go-to nail designs in short to long squares, squovals, almonds, and lipstick shapes. A classic gel manicure is priced at a super affordable $28 (for a single colour). However, during this period, there will also be a Chinese New Year surcharge for all services that will start from $10 to $25 from Jan 1 to Jan 23.

Far out west in Jurong, there’s the versatile @nailxnailed who can pull off a minimalist set of nudes just as well as a set of ombre rainbow stiletto extensions. During the CNY period, there will be a surcharge for their services, so a Simple Unlimited Nail Art will cost you about $75, and an Unlimited Colour Extension set will cost you about $85.

Let’s bring ourselves back to the far east. Dear Pasir Ris-ians, you’ve got a pro in your midst. Home-based nail artist, @studdedkitty, holds a level 3 JNEC qualification. Her designs are reminiscent of upscale Japanese nail salons – cute, short, pastel and translucent, subtle, and office-friendly, with intricate illustrations and drawings. A gel manicure starts from $50. Expect a $15 to $25 Chinese New Year surcharge from Jan 6 to Jan 20.

Located near Haw Par Villa MRT station (Circle Line), self-taught nail tech, @bakednails.sg, does extensions in stiletto, almond, and ballerina shapes. Chains, charms, foil, neons, metallics, ribbons, and a whole crystal teddy bear on your nails? We say this is not for the faint-hearted. A classic gel manicure extension set with a mystery design (up to manicurist) is priced at $88, subject to $15 to $38 Chinese New Year surcharges from Dec 27 to Jan 21.

Citizens of Punggol, you’re spoilt for choice with so many nailists living in your hood, namely @teddyhomenails at Sumang Walk, @beautiquenails_sg at Edgedale Plains, and @thenailosaurus near Samudera LRT. We love @thenailosaurus’ 3D nail art, office-approved short nail art, and the minimalist take on Jackson Pollock’s splash paint style. The latter’s classic gel manicure with a mystery design starts from $98.

If you love yourself some dreamy Japanese and fashionable Korean nail colours, pay @poodle.nail.house along Anchorvale Crescent a visit. A classic gel manicure will set you back by $35, but expect a $10 to $25 surcharge this CNY from Jan 1 to Jan 21. Further down along Compassvale Crescent, you will find @missyounails who can pull off any whims and fancies of your liking – a simple solid pastel colour, a subtle mix of marbles, Paris Hilton-style crystal embellishments, or cute Halloween illustrations.

Live in Sembawang? You’ve got the nail extensions-loving @ooriginails in your midst. Whether you have short or long nails, expect a dramatic suite of designs in the likes of metallics, ultra-high gloss blacks, speckled gold foil, gothic illustrations, or Louis Vuitton logos. A classic gel manicure is set at $20, while unlimited gel extensions will cost you $50 nett. Otherwise, look to @bunzynails along Sembawang Drive for some super cute pastel stilettos, and almost-perfect solid-colour manicures. A classic gel manicure will cost you $38, with a surcharge starting from $8 to $20 from Jan 3 to Jan 21.

If you live in Tiong Bahru, you need to know @okkonails. Think Pinterest-worthy cutesy illustrations, nude nails with geometrical lime green french tips, marbled matte nails in beiges, gradient blue skies and white fluffy clouds, and line drawings on your nails. Prices start from $40 for a classic gel manicure, with no surcharges this Chinese New Year 2023. We say, hurry get yourself an appointment!

Woodlands seems to be a little haven for home-based nailists! If you live here, you’ve got yourselves @shiningnails, @nailfesta, @bnails_sg, and @hersnails – the latter of which we love for her 3D Hello Kitty charms, SQ girl-worthy perfect chilli red manicures, and a super subtle abstract leopard print in a nude palette.

Hello all you people living in the republic of Yishun, we know it’s expensive to Grab or Gojek anywhere from your little township. Thankfully, you no longer have to make a trip out of Yishun for your nail fix. Look to @cutetkels (cuticles, anyone?) along Yishun Ave 4 for a gentle yet thorough cuticle cleaning session followed by some stunning nail art and illustrations – florals, pastel colour blocking, marbling, graphic french tips, pearlescent finishes, crystal and pearl appliques, or chrome metallic colours. A classic gel manicure costs $20, subject to a $10 to $20 Chinese New Year 2023 surcharge from Jan 7 to Jan 21. Otherwise, you have @k_naillss located along Yishun Ring Road for cutesy illustrations!

This article was first published in Singapore Women’s Weekly. 

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