I can’t say enough how much I love this nail salon. I commute almost an hour and a half to come here and I consider it 100% worth it. The manicures are of the highest quality, and the gel designs are applied with careful attention to detail and accuracy. There are small things that make a huge difference in the overall experience, like the overall vibe, prosecco/ wine/ tea to drink, and very professional staff. It’s worth every penny! Read Less

Second visit to Paintbox today. I came in a second time because I was pleasantly surprised my manicure actually lasted the full two weeks. I was seen right on time, and I swear Paula gave me the best manicure of my life. If the paint lasts two weeks again, I'll definitely be going back Read Less

I went for the first time a couple weeks ago and walked out with week-old looking nails. Chastity started the polish so far from my cuticle that it just looked ridiculous. I have long nail beds and she actually made them look short. When I expressed my concern to the salon they said it's customary that they start far from the cuticle despite photos here on Yelp showing otherwise. I've been getting gel regularly for about 7 years now and have never had lifting because the polish was too close to the nail bed. (That was their claim). I also had a broken nail which she said she would fix with silk, but instead tried to fix it with the gel. Terrible solution. My nail and the gel tore farther into the center of my nail. Tossing my money out of the window and polishing my own nails would have been a more successful experience. Read Less

Got a really lovely manicure on Sunday afternoon. I had been wanting to get my nails done at Paintbox for quite a while, and they didn't disappoint! I love the design and quality of the manicure that I got and I'll definitely be back again. Hopefully not toooo soon, just because I could see this becoming a really expensive habit. :) Read Less

The studio itself isn't as good as its instagram account. The instruments are not sealed after desinfection, but just placed in an open multi use container.The quality of the manicure was not the best too: there was much skin left, I was cut on one finger and the gel polish was put in some places not in a nice round line near the nail edge. Won't go back. Read Less

Brittania is fabulous! I come to Paintbox often because I love the designs and the ambiance. One morning I came in for an appointment, but there was a mistake with the schedule and there were not enough artists. Paintbox rescheduled me for a free manicure with Brittania, and I'm so glad! She is lovely, kind, and a very talented nail artist. Highly recommend! Read Less

I really want to love this place and the whole experience is why I am giving it 3 stars (as opposed to 2), but its been only 10 days and my gel manicure is heavily chipped. For $68 (minus tax or tip, so more like in the $80's) I would have expected my nails to stay a bit longer in tact than only 10 days. I don't have a very manual job, so that cannot be a reason. My $25 corner nail spot usually even lasts me more than 2 weeks. It's honestly pretty disappointing and seems like a waste of money. The actual store has a wonderful atmosphere and my nail technician was extremely nice. My nails aren't super long or angular, so a lot of their designs aren't going to look good on that. Luckily my technician was very open with me about this and guided me in a nail design that would be accommodating. Read Less

Second time here. As always impressed with the nail designs and love my nails when I walk out. This time around the space seems a bit more worn. The space could use a face lift. Was disappointed I showed up early to pick my design (as recommended on the site) and I ended up waiting 45 minutes to have my nails done. The girls up front were either not having the best day or maybe just not as warm as I would expect from a high end salon.Regardless of the experience upfront, Tyrie was the best. She gave me an incredible manicure that I love. Read Less

I actually really enjoyed my experience at Paintbox, as the staff was friendly and I liked the design done on my nails. However, the manicurist was very rough with my nails and this caused my cuticles to bleed (picture attached). This happened on both hands and on every finger, which caused a lot of pain. I did really like the outcome of my nail design and as mentioned, the staff and location were lovely. Read Less

I arrived 10 minutes early for my appointment and after waiting till 15 minutes past my appointment time I asked how long it would take for my manicure to start to which they said soon. After 5 minutes they brought me to the back and sat me on a station. I was offered a drink upon my arrival but no one brought it so I asked for water again but still didn't get any. My manicure started 30 minutes after my appointment time. I chose the design "tonight's the night" with regular polish, which was one of the styles that their book recomended for regular polish. The nail tech said the color of the base polish was not the same as the foil that went over it and that the gel color was but I saw the color and was ok with it. After the foil was applied I noticed that it didn't stick to the polish that well, giving it an antique mirror look which was different than what was pictured in their book. When I asked the nail tech she said it was because the regular polish is not sticky enough. This information should have been given before I had my nails done. My nails look ok but it's very disappointing to pay $60 to get a manicure and not end up with the expected and advertised finished result. Read Less

Best mani experience ever! Definitely a luxury/treat yo self splurge but totally worth it in my opinion. They offer you bubbly and to go through their look book which is full of the coolest, on trend designs. I had Shaun and Elena take care of me -- both were absolutely lovely! If you have natural nails and want nail art that's chic and editorial, this is THE place. Read Less

Amazing quality gel design manicure at a price that I can live with although I would obviously prefer cheaper but hey.. I want quality otherwise I’d go to any of the other 10000 nail places nearby. They are super sweet, Make your decision on what you want with your nails very simple and not overwhelming as they have a “menu” of their designs with color ideas, also great selection of beverages from teas, champagne/wine, espresso etc depending on the time of day and what you’re in the mood for lol love this place! Read Less

Absolutely loved this place and would absolutely come here again. I'm visiting New York and didn't get a chance to do my nails before I came but I'm so glad I got them done here because I couldn't be happier with how my nails turned out. This is super close to 11 howard so it's literally a walk away from my hotel. Ask for Helen-- she's quick and precise and she really really knows what she's doing. She didn't overly chat my ear off but it was nice talking to her and she would be quiet from concentrating on doing my nails (how all nail artists should be imo). Would rate this ten stars if I could! Decor and vibe is also on point Read Less

Basic Mood: Airy, Pleasant, & Architecturally Pleasing *They have a good music selection & aren't shy to pump up the volume/bass! Basics on the Crew: Most team members are attentive & steadfast in their objectives to finish each manicure within the allotted time slot (per appointment). This makes the experience slightly robotic & void of true interaction(s).Basically Saying: We've visited PaintBox once and feel as though it's a "Treat Yo Self" location. Some of their regulars are pretentious, in-turn they give you the Lindsay Lohan 'Mean Girls' stare...! That was the most uncomfortable portion of our experience. Each design is customizable by color which is a nice touch & not as evident when reviewing the menu online. *You'll be offered a complimentary beverage which is a luxurious addition to their services. (Choose the sparkling wine)Basic Enough to go?: Good for a gift/once in a while treat. *They do not offer pedicures which may be inconvenient for those of you wanting a full service. You'll have to book elsewhere to get your feet soaked & caressed. Basic Option: Gel Design Manicure (Hella Cute & long lasting) Read Less

Reason for visit: Gel designVisit date: October 13, 2017First time? Yes.You know me and my love for fancy manicures. I convinced my friend that the first stop on our New York vacation needed to be Paint Box; she agreed right away (that's true friendship, y'all!). We made appointments well in advance so we could have our pick of time. The studio is simple but super chic. Natural wood colors, hints of gold, and millennium pink furniture. They offer you wine, tea, coffee, and water upon check in and as you wait you can peruse their latest nail collection and relax in their waiting area. (Might I add they serve one of my favorite tea brands - Tea Forte. Yum!) The nail technicians are super sweet and they work with you to make sure you leave loving your nail designs. My nail artist was Tyrie - she is amazing. Super detail oriented and an all-around awesome person. My nails were ready for all the New York photos! Oh, and get this, there's also a photobooth for your hands, dubbed the "manicam." It'll even email you a copy of your manishoot. Read Less

The place is cute and clean and I got a free tote for arriving early. My nail tech was nice and knowledgeable but my gels only lasted a week the first time I thought it was a fluke so I came back but my gels came off and started peeling In 2 days I called them right away and sent pictures. All they said was they could give me a free service but I explained this was the second time and I just really wanted my money back. So if you want overpriced nails that don't last and are the same as everyone else go here Read Less

I have always wanted to go to Paintbox, and finally went to treat myself. My manicurist was super friendly, and I had a great time (it's an amazing experience!) but I am VERY unhappy with the quality. When I pay over $80 for a gel manicure (including tip), I expect my manicure to last longer than a week. Unfortunately, my manicure began chipping in five days, with a huge chip on day 7. The manicure looked amazing, but what's the point of going and spending that $$ if it's not going to last?? I might as well go to my corner nail salon - a less fun experience, but at least the manicure lasts 2 weeks and is a hell of a lot cheaper.I sent Paintbox an email asking about their guarantee, but have yet to receive a response. Not good! Read Less

Buyer beware!! Paintbox has a pleathorea of rules: - they only do designs they have in store, so if you don't like what they have with the colors they selected for the styles they won't service you - they only book appts on the half hour, so if you run late they won't accommodate you - if you have any type of gel on your nail that they don't use, they will refuse to service you and kick you out. After following all of these rules, I missed the last one. I was kicked out of the salon with a curt "sorry, but not sorry" attitude and then cost me 1 hour wasted time and an unnecessary $20 cab ride to a real salon that does do nails. Better options: Valley nails Bisou Nails *** also, they are not listed on the better business beaureau and they don't give you their real company info on website so if you want to complain about this lack of service you can't. Shady shady... Read Less

So apparently, if you don't select exactly what they offer, they kick you out of the salon with a "well it's on our website". To help others: They only do their own styles, so not real artists. If you have a hard gel, they refuse to work on youFor $75+ tip, (or in my case, nothing) doesn't seem worth it. Valley nails is so much better and friendlier. Read Less

Not a fan of this salon. As a high end nail salon that only does manicures and you can only pick designs from a menu, I expected better. A lot of the designs consist of "negative space" and the designs are primarily blocks/lines of color. Their menu lacks variety and fun that more women are looking for at a nail salon.They only have appointments on the hour and they offer you a beverage (prosecco, wine, water, coffee) when you arrive.Manicures here are $70 and don't last. The quality of the gel at this salon is simply terrible. I picked the "In Full Bloom" design, with is a clear base, pale triangle, and smaller vibrant color triangle. I chose a lavender and a fuchsia. They store their polish in a backroom and have you pick colors for a menu, which doesn't even contain most of their colors. You have to describe what you're looking for to the technician and then she retrieves a few options.My technician pushed the table too close to me (I was against a wall) and I couldn't move and I kept bumping knees with her. It didn't seem to bother her, but I was uncomfortable with the proximity. But she did a good job on my nails so I didn't say anything.Unfortunately one gel nail completely popped off while I was folding laundry only SIX DAYS after I got them done. I was so devastated and I called first thing at 10AM the next day for a touch up. I emailed them a picture and they were very sweet to schedule me in for a same day fix for free.A few days later, another nail popped off. At that point, it was almost the two weeks warranty so I didn't think they would fix it for me. Sigh.I've gotten gel done at several salons and I've never had the gel lift within two weeks. And to have two nails lift from one place? Definitely not good quality gel.TDLR: expensive gel that doesn't last but good customer service Read Less

Pros:- Beautiful space (high ceilings, pretty furniture)- Exceptional service (everyone is always so friendly!)- Best nail salon for a girl's day out (Free prosecco, spacious bench seats that let you feel like you and your friend have the whole place to yourself, and there's a photo booth)- Cool concept (choose a design from their seasonal look book. Be prepared to get compliments after!)Cons:- Variable nail artists (I've been here 4x and only one of the nail artists, Tiffany, has really impressed me. Not everyone has the skill/attention-to-detail that she does)- Limited designs (The downside to their concept is that you have to select from their lookbook, so don't come here if you have a specific design in mind)- Quality of gel (The gels last about 2 weeks, which isn't bad, but when I go to my other favorite nail salon, Akiko Nails, which uses Japanese gel polish, my manis can last up to 4 weeks!)In the end, though, I always have such a blast here and I continue to come every time I feel like I deserve a little treat. Read Less

This is a great place. Mostly very professional and the salon is pretty. I do think the prices are very expensive and it's one of those "treat yourself" days. Downside is that they are always booked on the times you need. The designs are a bit simple for the price but I like the soft gel. I've never really gotten gel before and my nails don't look murdered after this. I would go back, they have great cold brew too! Ha. I would advise the manicurists to be a little more precise with their work no matter how simple the design. One time the girl kept complaining how vanity projects was awful and they are the best and then I noticed later on that she didn't lay the colors on my nail well. The second time another girl laid the little beads on my nail unevenly. It's all simple which makes these mistakes more disappointing. $80 isn't chump change. Read Less

Anyone that knows me will tell you that I have to go to Paintbox to get my fix once a month.  The designs change seasonally and they are fantastic.  I get compliments on my nails all the time, and the gel really does last for a while. The senior nail artists are the best (just ask on the phone) and I always go to Cindy.  She's so fun and always does an amazing job, making sure that I'm happy with the final product.  Her line work can't be beat.  Also the great tunes and champagne doesn't hurt! :) Read Less

I love my nails! I booked an appointment with Elena. She is very knowledgeable and has a pleasant personality. She pointed out some of the problems I have with nails and gave me couples of tips how to take care of them. I had manicure for 27 days! amazing! But when I came back it was hard to take the gel off. So it's better to take them off after 2 weeks as recommend. Definitely recommend this place! Read Less

Got a fabulous gel manicure from Elena. She was friendly, thorough and sweet. I loved that once I chose a color, she still brought a few in the same family and swatched them on me so that I would be happy with my choice. My nails look great, including an accent nail on each ring finger.I do think it's a little pricey for what it is, but I would go back for the ambiance and would specifically ask for Elena. Read Less

I stumbled upon paintbox through instagram and was impressed by the simplicity of their designs. I typically get a solid gel color or just a simple mani. However, since my birthday was coming up I wanted to treat myself with something different. This nail salon is by appointment ONLY and they make sure of it. They have all times of the day because they have so many nail technicians, I made an appointment online but you can also call. I asked my nail technician when is the busiest day she said Wednesday's and Thursday's during the late evening when everyone gets out of work. So the day comes, I go in on a Tuesday at 3pm. Immediately as i walked in i see the young lady smiling at me asking if i had an appointment. She later on asked if I had ever been there and gave me a book with some nail designs, colors, and nail shapes. They change designs by the season so you'll never see something twice. Within two minutes they were ready for me and I was seated with a nail tech named Nichole. She was very kind and sweet to me and my friend. She asked if I wanted a beverage, they offer water, sparkling water, and champagne. Once it was done  she told me I can use the nail cam so I can post on social media, which I thought was so cool. In the end I paid $70 for a gel design mani which I knew was a little much but if you want to change your routine why not! I would come again and would recommend this place to my friends. Read Less

This was my first time to Paintibox. Customer service was great and the salon was clean but the quality of work was awful. The gel polish bubbled and warped as the day went on. Also the cutical situation was super armature. See for yourself. This pic is the same day I got the manicure. Their helpfulness in resolving this issue has been minimal. I have to wait 4 days for an opening and even then I have to do it on my lunch break. Read Less

Ehhhhh.Paintbox is a great concept and everyone there was nice. But for $70 I'm expecting more. My nail tech was fine- not too friendly, but I don't mind that. But my design was crooked and when I made note to her of it, she said 'no one will notice'-- I mean I noticed? Instead of offering to fix it she told me that these things happen, even though I was clearly unhappy with the product.Won't come back just because I get better $30 gel near the office. I think paintbox could be great, but to pay $70 for a manicure and not be happy with it isn't a great business model. Ladies at the front were very nice. Read Less

I was hesitant to come here because of mixed reviews but I have no regrets from my experience and will be back the next time I'm in NYC. Krissy was my nail stylist and did an impeccable job with my gel design, was so friendly, and let me play around with testing colors. You are not rushed when you come here so it's very relaxing. It's pricy but certainly money well spent if you want a long-lasting beautiful manicure and top notch service. I'm almost 3 weeks in with my manicure and have seen zero peeling or chipping. I know they don't recommend keeping the gel on for more than 2 weeks but I love the design so much I can't remove it. Read Less

5 stars to the nail techs/artists, I've been happy with my gel design every time2 stars to the women at the front desk/customer service, or lack of customer serviceThe atmosphere and final product are almost worth the $80 manicure, but the women who are checking you in are more often than not rude. I understand that removing a gel manicure may add some time to an appointment, but come on like 5 minutes AND you're charging for it. This hasn't happened to me personally, but it's occurred with a guest of mine and I've seen other people turned away because they had gel on their nails when they walked in. Also, the women are accusatory to everyone who walks in like having gel on your nails is such a crime.  That's definitely an area that needs to be worked on. Read Less

Paint box is for the experience. I love treating myself to a gel design manicure. It always steps up how I feel and elevates my look. The technicians/artists are cool, the space has a cool vibe, and you're greeted with an invitation to have coffee, tea, wine or prosecco. Same day appointments or even next day appointments are hard to come by so plan ahead. If you know you can only get manicures on weekend, book ahead!Manicures typically last name 2-3 weeks...3 weeks (sometimes 4) if I am diligent about using cuticle oil to preserve the mani.It's pricey but worth it if you take good care of your nails. Read Less

This place is pricey for a manicure but they've nailed the VIP environment and the designs are great. Also, I like any place that offers a glass of wine or sparkling water upon arrival. The nail artist who did my manicure was really friendly and talented. I would have given Paintbox 5 stars except my gel manicure chipped 5 days in and there was no unusual strain put on the nails. Would have liked to see it last longer for the cost. But overall I think they have the best designs in the city. Read Less

Chipped after a couple days. Don't expect your nails to look like their Instagram. The nail artist painted uneven, sloppy, thick lines. Went with my friend. She had the same experience.Way too expensive for sub par nail art. Read Less

Amazing job beautiful salon!! Came in for my bday with my friend to get our nails done and they did a fabulous job. I love that you can choose your design from a book. They are so talented here. I also loved that they offer cocktails thats always a plus!! Read Less

I am in love with this place! The interior is a modern decor dream, service is impeccable, the only downside is my gel manicure begun peeling after 3 days, but the designs are worth it. You get to choose from a seasonal design book where even color combinations are suggested. If it was up to me I would've never left. Helen was my nail technician and got me out of the salon within the time frame I needed to be out by. There's also a camera to capture your nail art. I'll definitely be back. Read Less

I made my first appointment online about 10 days beforehand. I was so excited for my first paintbox manicure as the price for a gel design is steep at $68. Since I'm leaving on my honeymoon tomorrow,  I wanted to have a special treat for myself. I had a 1pm appointment for a gel design manicure. I arrived at 1245pm. On the confirmation email, it says people who arrive 15 min early get a special something, but there was no mention of When I arrived I was asked what I would like to drink and was promptly given a flute of prosecco. She took my jacket and hung it which was a classy touch My appointment didn't begin until 130. The receptionist did apologize to me and offered a discount for the wait which I very much appreciated. The ambience is beautiful and definitely that of a high end nail salon. Anyway, the tech, Elena, was super sweet and enjoyable. Not too chatty just the right amount. She helped me pick between a few designs and the manicure turned out amazing.  I went with a nude base and copper/pink foils on the tips. I'm so happy with the results. Now I'm Honeymoon ready :) Read Less

I can count the number of times I've had gel nails in my lifetime on one hand, so it's a rare occasion for me.  However when I do go, Paintbox is my default studio.  A friend who is addicted to this place introduced it to me and a group of girlfriends a few years ago and we made it into a group date.  I've since returned a couple times when I felt like I deserved some pampering.The main draw here is the pretty selection of designs! You pick a design from their seasonal lookbook and then choose your preferred colors.  There are small tweaks you can make to the design, but you generally have to go along with what they offer.  The technicians are all super skilled and fun to chat with while you're getting your nails done.  An added perk is the champagne they offer during your appointment. I've definitely walked away a bit tipsy after a nail session here. Worth the splurge, I'd say!Be sure to arrive early though, as I've had an appointment cancelled for being late while coming from work and it was sad watching my friends get their nails done without me! Read Less

Yes it's on the pricy side but it's a nice treat for a special occasion. Came here to get my nails done before a wedding I was in. Was a little disappointed they couldn't do the style I wanted because it was only available in gel (I really don't like gel) but I was still very happy with the results. More importantly the bride approved. Read Less

I don't understand why people go here when Marie Nails exists. Paintbox is overhyped and overpriced... I went in for a gel today because my usual place (Marie Nails) was booked. Firstly their selection of gel colors is very limited and the colors are totally misrepresented because they are printed on paper so you don't get a realistic idea of what it would look like on a nail. I made the mistake of choosing "Are you shore", which looked like a sandy beige brown on paper. It turned out grey on my nails...And not a cute grey. Just a very ugly dead looking grey. These are my holiday nails and I hate them. Their technique was nothing special. Marie Nails uses paint brushes to apply the gel, Paintbox uses the brush that comes with the bottle, which makes the nails so much thicker than they should be. I got a solid color and an accent nail with a little gold embellishment and it cost $68. It hurt having to pay that bill. For that price I could have gotten a design on all 10 nails at my usual spot. Although the atmosphere was nice, I won't be coming back to this place. Read Less

Loved paintbox. I'm obsessed with nails and nail designs so always wanted to go. Went on my birthday and had a lot of fun. Service was great they have a book you look at with designs to choose from - I'd recommend looking online before you go because it can be overwhelming. They offer you complementary water champagne or coffee which is a classy touch. If you're go, do gel so your design lasts longer - worth it than worrying about ruining it in a week. My technician Amy was super friendly and talked me through what designs I was thinking. Fun experience overall especially to go for special occasion or with friends. Only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is prices. I get it but $90 for a manicure is pretty outlandish. I'd probably go all the time if the prices were more competitive but glad I did it once for a special occasion! Read Less