The Nail Studio
Nail salon in Elk River, MN
The Nail Studio is a solo salon that Heather Opay opened as a micro-salon in summer 2025 at 200 5th St NW, Suite N, in Elk River. The salon calls itself a small suite with close attention to detail.
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The Nail Studio is a solo salon that Heather Opay opened as a micro-salon in summer 2025 at 200 5th St NW, Suite N, in Elk River. The salon calls itself a small suite with close attention to detail.
The work centers on gel over natural nails. The salon does not do full sets, dip or acrylic. Services are prescriptive and tailored to each client's nails, with hard or soft gel chosen by nail length, type and condition. The Structured Gel Manicure is the salon's most booked service, and the salon also offers art levels that range from a few accent nails to detailed art on every nail. Extra time is built into services so work is not rushed.
Appointments are required, and online booking opens on a rolling two-month window with a new month released on the 25th. Larger events such as galas and weddings can be arranged outside that window by contacting the salon. According to the contact page, the salon is open Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 6 and Friday from 7:30 to 2, with extra hours possible for an added fee. The phone line is text only. The salon accepts bank and credit cards, cash and Venmo, but not Cash App or checks.
Hygiene follows Minnesota Board of Cosmetology rules. Files and buffers are single-use, and metal tools are washed, placed in an ultrasonic bath, disinfected for the manufacturer's set time and stored dry in a closed cupboard. The salon does not use autoclave sterilization. The owner also offers business-building and skills courses for licensed nail professionals.
Protects natural nail health while adding support, with services shaped to each client's individual nails.
A small suite where the owner gives each appointment close attention.
Services
Final prices may vary.
Gel manicures and a high end manicure without gel, from a $45 service to the $115 Structured Gel Manicure (75 minutes) and a $130 new client service (90 minutes). The Gel Polish Manicure at $85 is not taking new clients.
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High end manicure without gel $45
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Gel polish $85
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Structured Gel Manicure $115
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New client $130
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Mid Art $123
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All Art $132
Essential ($55) and Complete ($75) pedicures with gel polish, filing and massage. Both are not taking new clients, and toe polish changes are offered to current clients only.
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Essential pedicure $55
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Complete pedicure $75
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Polish change toes Price at booking
Repairs free within the first week after an appointment and a small variable charge after that, with an added fee to recreate any art nail. Each repair takes about 30 minutes.
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Nail fix within a week Free
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Nail repair after a week Price at booking
Removal of artificial nails starting at $30, taking about 45 minutes. Removing another technician's work may take longer and cost more.
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Removal of artificial nails $30
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Extra time/Art went too long $23
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Removal Artificial Alone $30+
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After a week Nail repair Price at booking
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High End Manicure $45
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Gel Polish Manicure $85
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Structured Gel with Midrange Art $123
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Structured Gel-PM Peak time $130
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Structured Gel with All Art $132
Photos
Meet the team
Team members listed on their website. Individual roles, credentials, and current employment have not been independently verified.thenailstudio.biz (opens in a new tab)
- Highlights
- The Structured Gel Manicure, which the salon says is its most booked service, includes Russian cuticle work and a gel overlay customized to the nails
- Gel is applied over natural nails only; no full sets, dip or acrylic
- Art options run from one accent nail per hand to detailed hand-painted, chrome, foil and 3D art on all nails
- Extra time is given to each service so the work is not rushed
- Single-use files and buffers and a documented disinfection routine for metal tools
- Business-building and skills courses for licensed nail professionals
- Good for
- gel manicure clients who want natural nails
- nail art
- clients needing a repair within a week of a visit
- appointments after 3 PM
- event bookings such as galas and weddings
- clients who prefer text messaging to phone calls
- Treats
- nail repair
- artificial nail removal
- natural nail support
- nail art
- hand and nail maintenance every few weeks
- Techniques
- gel overlay
- Russian cuticle work
- structured gel
- hard and soft gel
- e-file manicuring
- hand-painted and stamped art
- isolated chrome
- foil art
- 3D art
- electric filing