If you have lived in Dubai for a while, chances are you already have three things sorted: a decent landlord, a cleaner you would never share the number of and the beauty salon you trust. And if you haven't found the latter yet — or have just arrived and have no idea where to start — this list of salons should help.

One thing you will notice: quite a few names here have Slavic roots. What can we say — Slavic beauty service has set the bar particularly high, especially when it comes to nails: meticulous technique, serious attention to detail and, often, prices that aren't dramatically different from the alternatives.

Now to the important part: the salons. I am giving away years of carefully collected beauty intelligence for free here, so keep it somewhere safe.

There are those days — usually suspiciously close to payday — when you arrive at the salon and decide: today is the day. You have worked hard, you deserve it, and you are fully prepared to spend on yourself accordingly: nails, hair, lashes, all at once. And there are places in Dubai where you can do exactly that, all at the high end.

SOK Beauty

Location: Dubai Media City

The salon covers pretty much everything you could imagine: hair, nails, lashes, facials, massage and waxing, with hair colouring being one of its strongest suits. You know those viral before-and-after videos where the hair transformation looks almost suspiciously good? This is the territory.

But here comes the real life hack: you can have two or even three services done simultaneously. Probably not the most comfortable position your body will ever find itself in, but a proper time-saver for all the busy bees out there.

Price: A classic manicure costs 140 AED; a gel manicure is AED 240.

Nails Lab

Location: JLT and Business Bay

Don’t let the name confuse you. While Nails Lab was born as a haven for nails, it certainly didn’t stop there: hair, lashes and brows, waxing, facials, semi-permanent make-up, massage and body treatments are all on the list.

And the “Lab” part isn’t just a name. The space is literally designed with a laboratory aesthetic, with individual stations that give you a little more privacy instead of sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with the person next to you. Add complimentary tea and some genuinely good sweets to the already great service, and the whole experiment works rather well.

Price: A classic manicure costs 150 AED; a gel manicure is AED 250.

Its Beauty

Location: Dubai Marina, Business Bay, Internet City and DIFC

Its Beauty is another strong option if you want to get several things done in one visit: hair, brows, lashes, waxing and make-up are all on the menu. But nails are still where they really make their case. The salon even offers a 21-day manicure guarantee, which tells you they are pretty confident about what they are doing.

Personally, though, I have another reason to keep coming back: the movie selection. Someone clearly raided the best comfort-watch list on the internet and turned it into one of the salon’s unexpected strengths. A small detail, perhaps, but one that makes a long appointment considerably more enjoyable.

Price: A classic manicure costs 135 AED; a gel manicure is 250 AED.

Mon Poney

Location: Dubai Marina

One of those viral places where girls come to get everything done at once. But what regulars seem to love even more than the long list of services is how the place makes you feel: it turns a beauty appointment into a proper self-care day.

The pedicure chairs are cloud-soft, tea and dates are practically a non-negotiable part of every visit, and the salon stays open until 10 pm, making it a safe bet even after a long day at the office. A pretty good place to sit back, switch off and emerge ready to be the beauty of the city.

Price: A classic manicure costs 125 AED; a gel manicure is 285 AED.

Sometimes you just want your nails to rise and shine. You don’t care about brows, your lashes are doing perfectly fine. You just need nails. Please. Maybe with that trendy design you have had saved for weeks, maybe simply nude and perfectly neat. These are the places to consider — other services may be available, but nails are clearly the main event.

Arfi Nails

Location: Al Barsha and Jumeirah Gardens

All the basics we actually care about are covered: the nails are thin but durable, last comfortably until your next appointment and, crucially, don’t give you headaches in between. The technical side is just as solid — clean cuticle work, proper nail architecture and precise shaping. And if you arrive armed with a screenshot of something slightly ambitious, complicated designs are very much welcome.

A particularly safe bet if Dubai Marina and Business Bay — the usual nail-salon hotspots — simply aren’t convenient for you.

Price: A classic manicure costs 140 AED; a gel manicure is 270 AED.

liks nail

Location: Business Bay

A seven-day guarantee and up to 30 days of wear reported by regulars — quite a convincing combination for any nail salon. There are also more than 250 shades to choose from, so coming in with “I will just do nude” might not save you much decision-making time.

And when the Dubai weather allows, liks nail actually encourages you to spend some time on its terrace before or after your appointment. Chat, relax, have some tea and, naturally, organise a tiny photoshoot for your freshly done nails.

Price: A classic manicure costs 140 AED; a gel manicure is 240 AED.

PRO Nails

Location: Dubai Mall Zabeel and Business Bay

PRO Nails actually started as a nail studio specialising in Russian manicures and pedicures, before growing into what the brand now calls its own “beauty cave”. And the location only makes it better: do your shopping, grab your favourite coffee and finish the day with freshly done nails. Isn’t that the dream?

A quick note for the truly committed: the salon offers a yearly VIP membership, with discounts, gift vouchers and a complimentary blow-dry every month. It does come at a price and certainly isn’t for everyone, but if salon appointments already have a permanent spot in your calendar, the maths might actually work in your favour.

A good salon shouldn’t require a journey across half of Dubai. After a long working day, even with a car — and no taxi or Metro drama involved — that can feel like a mission. Sometimes the best salon is simply a really good one next to home.

We have already covered a few neighbourhoods above, but there are still some gaps on the map. So, here are the places to fill them.

Itsu Nails

Location: JVC and Arjan

Manicures and pedicures may be the main event, but hair, lashes, brows and waxing are all on the menu too. Another pleasant surprise is the price, which sits noticeably below some of the more central names on this list.

Open until 10 pm, it is exactly the kind of neighbourhood place you want after work: drive home, have a well-deserved cup of tea and finally get those nails sorted — without crossing half of Dubai to do it.

Price: A classic manicure costs 99 AED; a gel manicure is 150 AED.

The Nail Pavilion

Location: Al Barari and JLT

Okay, let’s be fair: JLT has quite a few salons to choose from, but Al Barari is another story. Living among all that greenery and those beautiful parks comes with a small price — you are not exactly around the corner from central Dubai. Luckily, beauty-wise, The Nail Pavilion has you covered.

There is also a home service option, with The Nail Pavilion offering treatments straight to your door, which makes the neighbourhood argument even stronger. After all, sometimes the closest salon is the one that comes directly to you.

Price: A classic manicure costs 95 AED; a gel manicure is 165 AED.

Kate White Salon

Location: Azizi Riviera and Dubai Marina

Everything you need for a good manicure is here, including proper hygiene, with tools kept in sealed individual pouches and opened in front of you.

And if you are looking for something a little different from the rest of this list, the Japanese manicure is worth your attention. It focuses on strengthening natural nails and bringing back their shine — particularly tempting if you fancy giving your nails a break from constant gel coatings.

Price: A classic manicure costs 130 AED; a gel manicure is 260 AED.