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Chicago's Five Best Spots for Cheap Manicures

By Izzy Grinspan
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Image via Subbotina Anna/Shutterstock
By Izzy Grinspan

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Sometimes our nails need some serious TLC, but more often than not, we just need a budget-friendly manicure to get our nails looking right. Here are five places in Chicago, from Lakeview to Bucktown, that are so affordable you'll become a regular.

Did we miss your favorite? Let us know in the comments, or drop an email to chicago@racked.com.—Lani Nguyen


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Spa Spot

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Spa Spot may look like the average no-frills salon, but their manicures are anything but average. Regular manicures include free paraffin wax and heated shoulder massage, and their nail techs are so good that their classic mani often looks like a gel manicure. Oh, and it's BYOB.
3125 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 868-0988
(773) 868-0988

Pearl's Nails

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Basic manicures are just $15 at either location of this salon (there's also one at 2735 N Lincoln Ave), and Monday through Wednesday, they both offer a $35 mani-pedi special. Recently voted "Best Nail Salon" in Chicago Mag's 2014 Reader Poll, the secret on Pearl's Nails is out. Regulars, before you get upset, it should be noted that they're planning a customer appreciation day with champagne, cupcakes and 50% off services for early September. Details will be posted to Pearl Nails' website and Facebook page later this week.
2676 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
(773) 348-0552
(773) 348-0552

Nail By Nail

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Just a couple blocks from the high end boutiques and designer shops, Nail by Nail is a nice break for your pocketbook. The salon offers reasonably priced services. Manicures are $15 every day of the week, and earlier in the week the salon offers specials like $38 for a mani-pedi, which are spa-like for the price of a regular service.
2041 N Damen, Chicago, IL
(773) 489-9000
(773) 489-9000

Huma Salon

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Conveniently located just steps away from the Western blue stop, Huma is an intimate salon owned by two sisters. Prices for all of their services are affordable, starting with $15 basic manicures. While they're are very welcoming and accept walk-ins, appointments are recommended for this small shop.
1909 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 252-9293
(773) 252-9293

Beauty Bar

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For just $15-20 at Beauty Bar, you get a manicure AND a martini. And these aren't your average manicures. These are nail art manicures featuring everything from David Bowie decals to intricate hand-drawn patterns. Beauty Bar resident manicurists are there every night of the week, and on first Fridays of the month, Chicago's most badass nail artists come in for Tipsy Love.
1444 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 226-7600
(312) 226-7600

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Spa Spot

3125 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
Spa Spot may look like the average no-frills salon, but their manicures are anything but average. Regular manicures include free paraffin wax and heated shoulder massage, and their nail techs are so good that their classic mani often looks like a gel manicure. Oh, and it's BYOB.
3125 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 868-0988
(773) 868-0988

Pearl's Nails

2676 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
Basic manicures are just $15 at either location of this salon (there's also one at 2735 N Lincoln Ave), and Monday through Wednesday, they both offer a $35 mani-pedi special. Recently voted "Best Nail Salon" in Chicago Mag's 2014 Reader Poll, the secret on Pearl's Nails is out. Regulars, before you get upset, it should be noted that they're planning a customer appreciation day with champagne, cupcakes and 50% off services for early September. Details will be posted to Pearl Nails' website and Facebook page later this week.
2676 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
(773) 348-0552
(773) 348-0552

Nail By Nail

2041 N Damen, Chicago, IL
Just a couple blocks from the high end boutiques and designer shops, Nail by Nail is a nice break for your pocketbook. The salon offers reasonably priced services. Manicures are $15 every day of the week, and earlier in the week the salon offers specials like $38 for a mani-pedi, which are spa-like for the price of a regular service.
2041 N Damen, Chicago, IL
(773) 489-9000
(773) 489-9000

Huma Salon

1909 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Conveniently located just steps away from the Western blue stop, Huma is an intimate salon owned by two sisters. Prices for all of their services are affordable, starting with $15 basic manicures. While they're are very welcoming and accept walk-ins, appointments are recommended for this small shop.
1909 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 252-9293
(773) 252-9293

Beauty Bar

1444 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
For just $15-20 at Beauty Bar, you get a manicure AND a martini. And these aren't your average manicures. These are nail art manicures featuring everything from David Bowie decals to intricate hand-drawn patterns. Beauty Bar resident manicurists are there every night of the week, and on first Fridays of the month, Chicago's most badass nail artists come in for Tipsy Love.
1444 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 226-7600
(312) 226-7600