The Best Nail Art Salons In Los Angeles

Nail art: it's everywhere you look. From disco-balls to jingle bells, there's nothing you can't turn into a miniature work of art on your fingertips. While most salons can airbrush a few decorative flowers onto your tips without batting a lash, these are the go-to nail salons with artists ready to transform your nails into Instagrammable works of art.

Photo courtesy of Candy Paint
Candy Paint LA

Hidden inside the Melody Ehsani store on Fairfax, Candy Paint is a bright, fun, fashion-forward salon for street-wise babes. Upon entering, you're asked to select a candy (your manicure) in addition to "toppings"—if that includes sprinkles, fierce-in house artists will find a way to make it happen, though they usually work with Swarovskis and studs. If you can't commit to a glitzy mani, they also offer nail wraps courtesy of a collaboration with NCLA, which are a low-maintenance way to get your nails noticed.

Candy Paint LA (inside the Melody Ehsani Store) is located at 424 ½ N. Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles; (323) 272-3930

CHI Nail Bar & Organic Spa

Located just off Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, CHI Nail Bar's vibe is luxe yet accessible. Manicure stations feature white bubble chairs and a street view; the pedicure bar in the back offers up a soft sense of tranquility. Nail techs specialize in gel manicures and artists can hand-paint any design you can come up with: browse their Instagram feed on their in-house iPads or thumb through Japanese 3D Nail Art design books for inspiration. With so many different types of glitter and 3D charms to choose from, it's no wonder Katy Perry is a fan.

CHI Nail Bar & Organic Spa is located at 9390 Little Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills; (310) 858-8803

esNail

In 2003, esNail opened up in Tokyo, Japan, deriving their name from the initials of "elegant satisfaction." They brought their signature style of high-fashion Japanese 3D Nail art to LA in 2012, and ever since, there's been a line out the door. If you want rhinestones, studs, gradation, glitter, lace appliqués, or all of the above, the artists will find a way to make a version that fits your nails. Be warned though: when all is said is done, your manicure can run as high as $130.

esNail is located at 8384 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles; 323-655-5800

MARS the Salon

Another salon concept that originated in Tokyo, MARS the Salon offers up next-level pampering: private rooms, leather chairs, and flat screen TVs are all mainstays. You can get a basic manicure here, but the nail art is what you came for: they can design anything you can think of, whether it's a print from a dress you saw in a store window or Lady Gaga-esque creation.

MARS the Salon is located at 606 Westmount Dr., West Hollywood; (310) 652-0930

Photo courtesy of Kleur
KLEUR

Less salon and more art collective, KLEUR only does nail art: no acrylics, manicures, or messes. If you want to try the trend without the commitment or the high price point, they can paint your design over a regular or a gel manicure starting at $4 per nail. Choose from their pre-selected designs or bring in your own - artists Nikko Gray, Jaeme Estera, & Nita Darling all have each been painting tiny masterpieces on nails for over 5 years. Bonus: They're also available for house calls.

KLEUR @ Space Fifteen Twenty is located at 1520 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles; (213) 986-6245

Photo courtesy of So Hot Right Nail
So Hot Right NailBelinda Fountain, the creative force behind So Hot Right Nail, works out of a private studio in Silverlake that she shares with tattoo artist husband Todd Townsend - he inks, she nails. Considered a "microartist" by clients, she specializes in handpainted gel manicures - the crazier, the better. A basic manicure with nail art starts at $35 (prices vary depending on how complex your design is), which is a steal as you're getting a one-on-one private session with one of the best nail artists in the city.

So Hot Right Now is located in a private studio in Silverlake; contact either enail@sohotrightnail.com or (310) 621-4204

Bliss Spa, W HOLLYWOOD

If hand-painted nail art and 3D appliqués seem like too much work, head over to Bliss for their $55 Minx manicure. Minx manicures are pre-designed nail wraps that are heat transferred onto your nails, which means you can only get as creative as the wraps let you. The good news: with an infinite amount of wraps to choose from, no downtime and no chipping, it's an easy way to keep your nails on-trend. Even better: You can fake a glitter manicure without the mess or hassle of removing a glitter manicure.

Bliss (Inside the W Hotel) is located at 6250 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood; (877) 862-5477