This place is fast. But dirty. I like coming here if I need a quick fast manicure but I wish they could work on their cleanliness.  I got an eyebrow wax and they dipped the same stick back in! It grossed me out. But as far as nails go... it gets the job done Read Less

This is my "nail home".When you get basically the same style of pointy black nail every time the quality and shape become more important to you. These guys nail it. My stubby kid fingers look elegant and witchy, just the way I like them, by the time I'm finished at this salon. Sing (Sunny) is my buddy and we have fun chatting while my digits get pretty. 5 stars! Read Less

Helen's is San Mateo's best kept secret!! Not only does she have the best customer service around she is truly one of a kind. This is an owner occupied business and everybody should give her a shot.She is super busy so keep that in mind when making an appointment high high demand. I will definitely be back Read Less

I am so disappointed with this nail salon...first off...I think Helen is a very nice and funny lady. I started coming here and had my nails done by an excellent Nail Tech named Wei....My last visit was not so great...My pedicure was done by a nice young girl who I seriously doubt has any credentials...The girl was sweet but her pedicure was horrible. She cut me, didn't trim the cuticle, didn't scrub or provide any foot massage and the shape was crooked on my big toes. I asked Wei to fix it for me and finish my pedicure because I was not happy with it at all. I was not rude but she clearly did not like me complaining so she began talking about me in Vietnamese. So rude and unprofessional. So....I did not come back for a while because I just decided it was better to cool off and try some different salons. Now here comes today.....my son is getting married the next day so I call in the morning to make an appointment in the afternoon thinking that I will give this one more try and I am pressed for time....I walk in and Wei rolls her eyes and immediately starts talking about me in Vietnamese. Now, I would have normally just walked out but I was stuck because the wedding is the next day and its too late to go anywhere else at this time so I act kind, don't let her know that I know some Vietnamese and I understand some of what she is saying and just let her do my nails why she talks about me. She does my nails horrible (on purpose I suspect) and gives me back to the same young girl who did not know how to do pedicures last time. The girl got better I will admit but the painting of my toes was a joke. As one point, I took the polish and colored the last coat myself. I go to pay and Helen charges me some made up polish removal fee on top of my regular bill. I pay and leave absolutely no tip...I kindly lean over and tell Helen that she might want to let Wei know that I know some Vietnamese.....Helen says...."Oh you do??"....and I walk out!! Bottom line...I will NEVER....EVER go back to this unprofessional establishment.... Read Less

Helen's Beauty Salon is my all-time favorite salon to go to in the Bay Area!! The quality of ALL their services is wonderful, the women that work at the salon are amazing and so friendly, and the salon is always super clean! I also love that they have such a huge selection of nail polish colors to choose from, as well as gel colors too!!! I also want to point out that the comment written below by Megha is completely false! I was actually present at the salon on the day that she was there. I actually had a nail appointment with the owner Helen (my favorite!!) and she was not able to do my nails that day, due to the fact that this woman (Megha) was being so difficult, rude and pretty disrespectful. At the time, I actually had no idea what was going on and why Helen was not able to do my nails. Once Helen and the customer (Megha) came out of the spa room to the front, I looked over and actually noticed the woman's eyelashes and how amazing they looked!! She then responded back to me : "yes, I like my lashes. I am really happy with them!" So when I read her review, I was very shocked to see that she is putting completely false information out there about Helen & her services. Since I was present at the salon on this day and witnessed everything, I had to state what I saw with my own two eyes and heard with my own two ears, which is my truth: the truth. In the past 14 years of coming to this Salon and being a loyal customer, I have NEVER once experienced anything but professionalism by all the employees, being satisfied with all my services and a super positive environment! It's no wonder I have been sooooo loyal to Helen's Beauty Salon in San Mateo ! & I will continue to frequent this business as long as I am living in the Bay..... :)Ladies (& men), look no further! This place is THE BEST!!! Read Less

I have been coming to Helen's on and off for 12 years. I tried to find places closer to my house but always end up coming back to Helen's and this time I won't even try to go elsewhere. Fantastic nail color selection, designs, my nails never lift, and great pedicures. I have gotten my eyebrows microbladed here and LOVE them, and my daughter has gotten her lashes done. Everything is hygienic and they take all the time needed to do it right.On top of this, prices are super reasonable. Pedicures you can get with a massage or without (it's cheaper). Helen, Sonny, and Wei are all great and you are welcomed with open arms when you arrive. They will remember stuff about you and your family. I feel so at home here. Read Less

I got my eyelashes extension from here and it was my biggest mistake.  She is not at all a good eyelash technician. She was soft spoken lady but that doesn't help me in getting job done. I explained how I want my lashes to look like, so it will look natural and manageable. But at the first she does not have proper eye pad she used some cello tape to stick my lower lashes also my eyes were burning all the time. She did a very very lousy job, she asked me to hold a small fan in hand if I feel irritation because of glue. And I know this process supposed to be pain free process. But she did a terrible job and my eyes was getting irritation all the time and I had continues tears and she kept saying it happens sometimes it will be fine.  After treatment my kept feeling watery eyes. Next day I visited doctor and took off my lashes. I would recommend not to mess up with your health and beauty here. I called them and told this situation and their response was even worse. I wasted my money, time, energy, eye health and beauty. Read Less

My go - to place !!! My sister discovered Helens Beauty Salon about two months ago and I fell in love !!! I myself am a nail technician but hate doing my own acrylics - I came here to get my nails done for my baby shower with my mom and sister ! And it worked out great ! Got exactly what I wanted . Being pregnant my nails have grown longer faster so today I came in again 2 weeks after my first time and got them done again ... yes 2 weeks - not because they're lifting at all but I have a huge OCD issue where i can't have a color the same for too long and I got them shorter and just what I wanted ! Came in at 10am was out by 10:43 am ! Fast quick in and out ! I am happy very very happy ! Highly recommend this place !! Read Less

Got my eye lashes done here. And she ended up gluing my eyes shut it was the scariest experience ever. Then she Cut open them so my bottom lashes got trimmed. Then all my bottom lashes were glued to the top so they were poking my eyes . So then she had to pull those out of the top lashes and then I had bald spots. So she told me to come back because this is taking too long. When I came back I only had about 30 minutes and she still didn't finish. So the next time I could come it was about four days later and at first she was like you can't come a week later but I had already paid and I wanted these lashes fixed and it was the only day I could come. So she acted like she was doing me a favor and she fix them sort of she just added a lot more lashes and they were kind of crisscross cause I had no other lashes left to glue on. So I had these very thick lashes and the worst part was that you could see all the glue so then when you wear make up they get Dusty. Need this to say I wouldn't go back here I'm like yeah even have one lash left! Read Less

I used Nudgit and Helen accepted the request. When I entered I was greeted friendly. I came with my own side and they offered me ice for my drink to keep it cold. I had a regular mani-pedi. They engaged me in conversation. It was an overall pleasant experience. Strong possibility I will go back. Read Less

I've bin going to Helens for more than three years and today was the last.  Yes they have cheap prices , and it's because they give cheap service.  Don't make an appointment because they don't follow their appointments. You can get there early or on time and they will start working on other people.after the third time I've had enough  never going there again . Read Less

The people working there are super nice and friendly, but the type of work they do sucks. The way they do your pedi is painful. They have an advertising special outside their business for a mani and pedi and and apparently that doesn't include a foot massage (so beware). I ended up paying extra for a "foot massage" that was more of a 30 sec foot rub. What they used to rub my feet left my feet feeling dry and weird. My mani was also super bad also. It was done so quick and it was also painful. The whole thing took about 3mins. Read Less

The big highlight is the prices! Very reasonable, but along with that you don't get any massage. Which is okay if you really just want your nails done, but if you want a relaxing atmosphere it's not the first place that comes to mind. Definitely the best customer service I have had in a while which makes up for the lack of massaging. Plus if  you are not happy in anyway they will fix anything you need. It's super important to them that you are happy! Read Less

My go to place !! I have recommended this place to many of my friend and family and they all love the results . Ive bin going to helen and sunny for about a year now . i go in every two weeks to get a mani-pedi shellac polish . i pay a really good price because i am a regular customer . Iv never had a problem with this place . i call when im on my way to the salon and they always have time for me :) Ill never go anywhere else because when i do im never happy with the price or jog , Hellen and sunny are the best !! Read Less

Awesome!! My gel manicure lasted for almost 4 weeks and they have so many color choices to choose from. Not to mention Helen is so sweet and fun to talk to. They also have a reward stamp card if you spend $35+ I love this place!!! Read Less

Not the nail salon it once was. Appointments aren't kept. Helen tries to sell you everything from skin care to insurance. It's not a hair salon, you never find a stylist there. It's barely a nail place anymore. Read Less

This is the worse place to get your nails done I searched yelp to find a good nail salon n found this one n I thought I was choosing the right one based in the reviews here.... The bitch who did my nails got mad just because I didn't want to get the gel polish!!! So she started being rude and rough with my nails she hurt me and almost made me bleed and she did the worse nail job the I've ever gotten in my life..... When I left I was mad and disappointed.... I'm never going back there again nor would I recommend it to anyone. Read Less

Don't go here....Unless you want your hair choped up and looking just about every color of the rainbow except the one you want. The F-ing woman RITA proceeded to tell me that it was basically my fault because I shouldn't try to bleach my hair - HOW DARE SHE! She is an old woman with no clue how to run a business and worst of all she as a bad attitude as if her client should bow to her. I think not! Don't go here you have been warned!Read Less