We’ve heard of men never cheating on their barbers, often travelling to great lengths to see the only person they trust with their hairline, my relationship with my nail technician is exactly the same.

 

I truly believe in the power of a fresh set. And with the right nail tech by your side, I’d like to think *anything* is possible. Here are five of my favourite Joburg beauty salons and acrylic magicians.

 

Want to take your talons to the next level? Here are the Joburg beauty salons Foyin recommends.

 

 

1. Luxe Sculptured Nails

The vibe… is calm, cool and relaxing. With a clean and luxurious aesthetic, you’ll be welcomed with some music in the background and offered some tea or coffee upon arrival.

 

Best for… sculpted acrylic nails. Unlike most places that start with acrylic tips, Luxe uses sculpted acrylic for nail extensions which is a great way to grow out your nails.

 

Ask for… Tami Dlamini – the boss lady!

 

Expect to pay… R300 for plain sculpted tips. However, with gel polish and nail art, you can probably pay around R450 for a set.

 

2. The Nail Box by Samantha S

The vibe… is only for the opulent, darling! Samantha has a set-up that invites you to be your fanciest self.

 

Best for… incredible 3D nail art and hand-painted designs. If you want to bring your Pinterest dreams to life – look no further.

 

Ask for… Samantha.

 

Expect to pay… R500 – R550 for short to medium nails, and up to R700 for XL length acrylics. But her prices are all-inclusive so you can do as much nail art as you want (but you may need to pay a little extra for 3D charms and intricate hand-painted designs).

 

Recreate Megan Thee Stallion's 2022 Met Gala beauty look. Click here for Foyin's step-by-step tutorial.

 

 

3. The Nail Pimp

The vibe… is truly for the culture. Set up in Mo Piercings in Braamfontein, Naledi’s space is conducive to your nail creativity.

 

Best for… nail art, nail art and more nail art! Naledi is a nail technician but she’s actually a nail artist. Whether you want a city girl set or to explore different colours and 3D elements, you’ll always leave with something unique.

 

Ask for… Naledi Thabo.

 

Expect to pay… It ranges from R250 – R350 for your acrylic tips, with nail art ranging from R10 – R40 per nail depending on how intricate the nail art and embellishments are.

 

4. Ola Mighty Nails

The vibe… is pristine! His new studio and salon in Braamfontein make him a one-stop shop for all of your beauty needs.

 

Best for… the most exquisite set of baddie nails you’ll *ever* see. Another one of the Braam nail tech heavyweights with over 37 000 Instagram followers, Ola has solidified himself as one of the best nail techs in the city. His nails may be pricey but they’ll always be worth it.

 

Ask for… Ola himself.

 

Expect to pay… R400 for plain acrylic tips and R600 for sculpted nails – with approximately R30 per finger for nail art.

 

 

5. G Nailed It Nails

The vibe… is cute and intimate. Situated in Prism Business Park in the heart of Fourways, this space is perfectly set up for a relaxing visit to the nail salon.

 

Best for… classic acrylic sculpted designs as well as abstract nail art. But if you bring Gugu a challenge, she’ll always rise to it!

 

Ask for… Gugu.

 

Expect to pay… R400 – R500 for short-to-long sculpted tips, with nail art starting at R10 per finger, depending on the complexity.

 

Looking for a nude lipstick *just as good* as Velvet Teddy? Click here for five great alternatives!