ViVi Nail Spa (St John’s Wood)

This was my first time going to Vivi Nail Spa in St John’s Wood. The salon is very pretty and nicely decorated. I loved the color scheme which made it look upscale yet comfortable. They have a huge variety of colors and options available such as regular polish, shellac, powder dip, biogel and acrylic. I opted for the BioGel on my fingernails since I had never had it before and my nails were becoming weak from regular gel polish.

I had one person work on my toenails and another on my fingernails at the same time. I appreciated the time management. I made an appointment in advance so that probably helped as well. Both my manicurist and pedicurist did a quick job and one nail has begun peeling off less than a week later. Not too thrilled with that for the price I paid. I would return to have them redo it but I don’t live in the area. This is the least amount of time any polish has lasted but extra disappointing for a biogel.

I was however, impressed with their cuticle work as I have very thin cuticles and it’s not an easy task to trim them without cutting me but both did a brilliant job. The pedicurist did a wonderful job with my calluses as well. My feet are very smooth and though I’m ticklish, I only flinched and giggled once. And I have bunions but that didn’t deter my nail tech. I witnessed the basins being thoroughly cleaned which I was glad to see.

The biogel application was interesting as an actual paintbrush was used along with the curing process so nails are dry when the manicure is done. There aren’t as many color options with biogel but I found coral, my favorite color and then I was lucky to find a similar color in regular polish for my toenails. They really look the same as if they are the same color. unfortunately the biogel already peeled so I don’t know that I’d get it again.

They are much more expensive than any other nail salon I’ve been to. You’re paying for the upscale area and the newness of the modern salon.

I also felt that when it got busy that I was forgotten. I did not receive help putting on my shoes after my toenails dried like at other salons and it was awkward when I wanted to leave since all of the nail techs were working on other customers (and they don’t have a dedicated receptionist). I realize they got busy with walk-ins but there has to be a better way of dealing with these things when it gets busy. Maybe a part-time employee during busy hours to help out?

I had my nails done here this week and was so impressed with everything. The salon is beautiful, the staff professional, the service excellent, and my nails look amazing. I felt so comfortable also as they have taken all the necessary steps to ensure they are Covid-19 safe. They had glass screens up where I had my manicure, staff were wearing masks, there was antibacterial hand gel everywhere and everything was so clean. Would highly recommend this nail salon to everyone.

Dip powder extension done, very flat and not exactly what i ask for, 50£ very overpriced. The lady who was doing my nails was not having a good day, not smiling and pretty dry. The staff speak between themselves in an asian language which is pretty rude in front of customers.

Best manicure I’ve had since leaving New York. They r have terrific selection of high quality polish, staff know what they’re doing and it’s spotlessly clean.

I have been going to ViVi for around 4 years and normally it is pretty reliable, but last time I went they cut into my cuticles quite badly making them bleed and now 3 days later the skin around my nail bed is dry and peeling (pictured), leaving my hands looking worse than before I had the manicure.

If you are a black woman, avoid this nail salon. Its very unfortunate and not only the experience of my own but those I know. The service in here is very different based on your demographic. Its unacceptable that the quality of service should differ. I would not recommend.

Had a manicure with gel polish done for a wedding last week. I chose the Hailey Bieber Chromic effect colour and the lady didn't disappoint! Very friendly staff! Still after 10 days no chips or cracks!

Fantastic job doing my bio gel manicure..coming in for my bio gel pedicure (I'm sure it'll be amazing). Super comfortable environment and love staff! Very respectful and kind.

Editing this review as now I went to get my toes done and this time the young lad did my toes. Cuticle work on the feet was decent but then came the bio-gel and that's when he decided to cut corners as there's a bump on my toe from the bio-gel that want sorted and fixed then and there. The shaping of the toes weren't that great either. I'd recommend the maturer woman for bio-gel and cuticle work. If you're doing a basic pedi then the young lad does a decent job. Will have to ring them up and ask for a Bio gel removal for my feet as I'm not content with it and I was charged £54 for the bio-gel and pedi as well as £6 for the equipment which is just too much for not a perfect job. Will update further to notify of any service updates.

Further updates: service on the phone was excellent and I'll be getting my feet done again today. So will provide updates afterwards. Will be back here without a doubt if this goes well.

Update: I went back in and she did a fab job (the one that did my mani bio-gel). Definitely would recommend her. Didn't catch her name but you can tell she's the professional one there. Unfortunately they didn't have the colour bio-gel I initially had on so we had to settle for shellac for the colour (Wish I would've known earlier as I would've been able to come back later). However, nonetheless, she was lovely about it. And i'm happy with it!