Shopping & Style

Shopping & Style

Edited by Rachel LeWinter style@timeoutny.com

Top nail-art salons

When it comes to mesmerizing manicures and daring designs, these crafty spots can do it all.
! Delacqua Salon and Spa For highly detailed nail art, its worth the hour-long trip from midtown to this tri-level space. Sip gratis tea or coffee while one of the seven manicurists on hand prepares the nonacrylic LCN resin that she will apply to your natural nail bed. What starts as a honeylike liquid sets under a heat lamp to become hard, nonporous nails ($80 for LCN natural nail lengths, $100 for LCN tips). Once the canvas has been created, the technician will apply 3-D effects like gel flowers and crystals ($10 per nail), or hand-paint anything from abstract prints to amazingly lifelike renditions of iconic New York City sites ($5$10 per nail). 2027 86th St between 20th and 21st Aves, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn (718-266-1233, delacquasalon .com)Elizabeth Denton @ Spa martier Co-owner Yukie Natori oversees a staff of three technicians who have all trained at her Empire New York Nail School of Tokyo, and who can execute anything from a simple application of OPIs Shatter lacquer ($35) to manicures encrusted with precious stones ($80). The manicurists largely work with Bio Sculpture Gel, a soak-off brand that has more than 170 colors to choose from, to create free-form painted designs (from $5 per finger) and 3-D nail art (from $5 per finger). Mention TONY to receive 25 percent off all services through December 31. 1014 Second Ave between 53rd and 54th Sts (646-781-9758, spamartierny.com)Cristina Velocci # Sakura This Japanese chain is so sleek that a couple once walked in and asked to see a food menu. But the only thing the spa is serving is nail artand tons of it. Start with a basic manicure using solid-hued Calgel ($40) or regular lacquer ($12), and add on glitter ($3 per nail, $15 for gradation), free-form painted designs ($5$20 per nail), rhinestones (50$10 per gem), sticker decals ($3 each) and, if youre at the UES location, 3-D art ($5$10 per nail). Mention TONY to receive $5 off any Calgel treatment through September 7. 35 E 1st St between First and Second Aves (212-3879161) 1709 Second Ave between 88th and 89th Sts (212-722-1334) nailspasakura.com.Lauren Levinson $ Valley NYC Since opening in 2006, this salon has become known for its edgy nail creations, attracting celebrity clients (Katy Perry) and well-known designers (Betsey Johnson). The skilled technicians can create 3-D acrylic embellishments ($5$20 per nail), piercings ($7 per nail, which includes a reusable charm) and any custom design you can imagine ($3$20 per nail). Mention TONY to receive 10 percent off the Aztec manicure through Wednesday 7. 198 Elizabeth St between Prince and Spring Sts (212-274-8985, valleynyc .com)Rachel LeWinter % Jin Soon Natural Hand and Foot Spa A 20-year veteran of the nail business, Jin Soon Choi runs a trio of posh parlors in Manhattan. At all three locations, the specialists can embellish digits via Sally Hansen Nail Effects decals (full set $20) and rhinestones ($1$7 per nail), as well as hand-painted designs that employ shades from Zoya, Essie, CND and Kiss Brush ($1$10 per nail). 421 E 73rd St between First and York Aves (212-249-9144) 23 Jones St between Bleecker and W 4th Sts (212-229-1070) 56 E 4th St between Bowery and Second Ave (212-473-2047) jinsoon.comSarah Bruning 52 TimeOuTNewYOrk.COm August 25September 7, 2011

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Real python skin!

Shopping

ore artistic To see five m including manicures, Lady and Tomahawks ndition, the Tramp re imeout visit newyork.t s. .com/nail

From top: NYC skyline manicure, $150, at Delacqua Salon and Spa; Snakeskin manicure, $113 (normally $150), at Spa Martier; Ombre manicure, $65 (normally $70), at Sakura; Aztec manicure, $135 (normally $150), at Valley NYC; Fruit manicure, $40, at Jin Soon Natural Hand and Foot Spa.

PHOTOGRAPH, FROM TOP: KRISTA SCHLUETER, JOLIE RUBEN.

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