GRABBERZ

Grabberz is a nail studio on North Lincoln Avenue in Chicago, owned by nail technician Elizabeth Jackson. Its services cover extensions in three materials, natural nail overlays, a basic gel manicure, custom nail art, soak offs and repairs. The studio is open Tuesday and Wednesday from noon to 10 PM, Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday from noon to 6 PM, and is closed on Mondays and Thursdays.

For length, acrylic full sets use Valentino acrylic powder and monomer along with Young Nails (EMA) products, and take 120 minutes or more. Gel X extensions use a pre-shaped soft gel tip for a natural look that lasts, and take 90 minutes or more. Polygel extensions combine acrylic and hard gel for strength and take 120 minutes or more. Prices for each are set by length: acrylic full sets from $75, Gel X from $90 and polygel from $90, with the top lengths costing more.

For natural nails that do not need length, the soft gel overlay uses ORLY products to strengthen the nail without extending it, and takes 90 minutes or more. The Japanese gel overlay is also for natural nails only and adds strength and stability, starting at $95. The No Chip Manicure is a basic gel manicure with base coat, color and topcoat; it does not add extension or strength, starts at $60 and takes 60 minutes or more.

Nail art is organized in four tiers: basic designs use one technique per nail, intermediate designs layer two techniques across 5 to 10 nails, advanced designs use three layers, and extreme designs use four or more layers on at least five nails, including sculpted 3D charms, piercings and bracelet nails. Freestyle by Grabberz is a custom service for original artwork, starting at $100 and taking 240 minutes; it requires a $35 deposit and must be arranged by direct message before booking. Full Service by Grabberz starts at $100, takes 120 minutes or more, and is for returning clients only. Its price depends on appointment length rather than design tier, and intermediate designs are the default if unsure.

Payment is accepted by cash, card and Apple Pay, with cash preferred. Clients get a 15-minute grace period for late arrivals and should let the salon know if they are running late. Appointments not kept after that window may be cancelled or changed. Cancelling less than 48 hours ahead forfeits the deposit and charges 50% of the service, with the deposit applied to that fee. Rescheduling inside 48 hours without rebooking within three days forfeits the deposit and requires a new one. No-shows are not allowed. Clients who need a soak off are asked to book it along with an extension or overlay service. Nail repair for chips and replaced charms is 60 minutes and must be arranged by direct message. Questions about designs or services can be sent by Instagram direct message.

Design-led and custom: nail art is built around each client's own vision, with the four design tiers guiding complexity and the product choice matched to whether the client wants length or only strength.