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Essential Nail Spa

Essential Nail Spa

Nail salon in Chicago, IL

Rated 4.8 out of 5 (102 on Google Maps) (opens in a new tab) Closed now

Essential Nail Spa is a family-owned salon on North Clark Street in Lincoln Park, operating since 2005. Visits are by appointment only, and clients can book online with any available technician or request a specific one. Manicures and pedicures can be booked separately to find more openings.

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About

Essential Nail Spa is a family-owned salon on North Clark Street in Lincoln Park, operating since 2005. Visits are by appointment only, and clients can book online with any available technician or request a specific one. Manicures and pedicures can be booked separately to find more openings.

The salon describes its focus as natural nail care and expert gel work. It avoids harsh chemicals, blades and nail drills, and says it aims to be open about the products it uses.

Services are performed by Bio-Certified Technicians and Apprentice Technicians. Apprentices are trained and supported by the Bio-Certified team.

The gel range includes Gelish, a soft gel system suited to short to medium nails, and Bio-Sculpture, a soft gel system the salon describes as hypoallergenic. Builder, formerly called Structured Bio, is a thicker gel for clients who want to keep their natural length while working with weak nails or low breaks. For clients who prefer not to use UV curing, Dazzle Dry is a quick-drying lacquer.

Avoids harsh chemicals, blades and nail drills, and aims to be transparent about the products used.

Services

Final prices may vary.

Gel manicures using Gelish, Bio-Sculpture or Builder, priced by whether an Apprentice or Bio-Certified Technician does the service.

  • Non-Chip Manicure (NCM) Apprentice Technician $45
  • Non-Chip Manicure (NCM) Bio-Certified Technician $50
  • NCM +Bio-Sculpture Apprentice Technician $55
  • NCM +Bio-Sculpture Bio-Certified Technician $60
  • Builder NCM (previously NCM+Structured Bio) Apprentice Technician $65
  • Builder NCM (previously NCM+Structured Bio) Bio-Certified Technician $70
  • Non-Chip Manicure (NCM) $45–$50
  • NCM + Bio-Sculpture $55–$60
  • Builder NCM (previously NCM+Structured Bio) $65–$70

Express, Spa and Essential manicures in regular polish, with the higher tiers adding a hand scrub and a hot towel or paraffin treatment.

  • Express Manicure $25
  • Spa Manicure $30
  • Essential Manicure $40

Four levels of nail art that can be added to gel services, from simple designs up to detailed hand-painted sets.

  • Level 1 Art add-on $10
  • Level 2 Art add-on $20
  • Level 3 Art add-on $30
  • Level 4 Art add-on $40
  • Level 1 Art $10
  • Level 2 Art $20

Polish changes on hands or toes, and gel soak-off removal, which can cost more depending on the product being removed.

  • Polish Change Hands or Toes $20
  • Soak Off ONLY $20+

A gel pedicure with callus removal and a seasonal scrub, where the salon states the polish lasts four to six weeks.

  • Non-Chip Pedicure $70

Express, Spa and Essential pedicures in regular polish, ranging from shaping and massage to salt scrubs, callus removal and paraffin.

  • Express Pedicure $40
  • Spa Pedicure $50
  • Essential Pedicure $60

Photos

  • Pale yellow nails with hand-painted blueberry designs
  • Peach and pastel aura gradient nails on a client holding a purple bag
  • Red swirl stripes over silver glitter holiday nails
  • Group photo of staff and guests at the salon's 20th birthday party
  • Mauve nails with gold chrome stripe accents
  • Navy and purple aura nails with a soft glow
  • Assorted fall shades including burgundy, orange, green and floral white nails
  • Leopard print nails on pink-nude base
  • Milky nude nails held over a burgundy handbag
  • Cobalt blue nails with negative space and crystal accents
  • Silver cat-eye nails with red rhinestone dots
  • Red French tip manicure on hands wearing a diamond ring

Meet the team

Team members listed on their website. Individual roles, credentials, and current employment have not been independently verified.essential-nail-sp… (opens in a new tab)

Highlights
  • Gel manicure options in Gelish, Bio-Sculpture and Builder, each with a salon-stated wear time
  • Four levels of nail art, with Levels 3 and 4 bookable only with Nicole
  • Dazzle Dry lacquer that dries quickly without UV curing
  • Complimentary gel repairs within 10 days of the appointment
  • Essential Pedicure includes callus removal, a customized salt scrub, a CBD mint mask and paraffin
  • A valid credit card is required to reserve, with 24 hours notice for cancellations
Good for
  • first gel manicure
  • clients who want to keep natural nail length
  • weak or low-breaking nails
  • nail art
  • pedicures with a scrub and massage
  • clients who prefer regular polish without UV curing
  • clients who want to book a specific technician
Treats
  • weak nails
  • natural nail growth
  • nail art designs
  • chip-free manicure wear
  • gel removal
  • callus care
Techniques
  • soft gel application
  • soak-off removal
  • Bio-Sculpture base coat
  • callus removal
  • customized salt scrub
  • hot towel treatment
  • paraffin wax treatment
  • cuticle care and massage
  • hand-painted nail art
  • 3D elements, charms and textures on nail art

Products & treatments

  • Gelish
  • Bio-Sculpture
  • Builder (previously Structured Bio)
  • Dazzle Dry
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