Des Moines’s Top 10 Nail Salons & Nail Technicians
BESTSALONS.COM

Best Nail Salons in Des Moines
This BestSalons.com guide maps quality across Des Moines, from East Village towards Pappajohn Sculpture Park, and through the areas linked with Iowa State Capitol and Court Avenue District. When a city has choice, reputation alone is not always enough. Each name has to earn its place through more than visibility alone.
We assess more than surface level popularity. The key signals include reputation, service standards, technical ability, local relevance and the overall appointment experience. Those signals create a stronger guide for people who care about both the experience and the result.
From East Village to Pappajohn Sculpture Park, and through areas around Iowa State Capitol and Court Avenue District, the local context helps make the comparison more relevant. For visitors, residents and regular clients alike, the page gives a clearer view of what Des Moines has to offer. The aim is not to list every option, but to highlight the names most likely to deliver a booking that feels right.
Also in Des Moines: Hair Salons · Barber Shops · Beauty Salons · Hair Extensions · Spas & Wellness
Nail Salons in other cities: Detroit · Downey · Durham · El Cajon

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Oscar Nail Bar
160 Jordan Creek Pkwy Suite 140, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA

The Profile
Oscar Nail Bar occupies Suite 140 at 160 Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines and advertises professional manicure, pedicure, nail enhancements and waxing delivered in a healthy, hygienic environment. The salon presents services for both ladies and gentlemen and offers a kids combo option.
Complimentary beverages and online booking feature on the salon’s site, alongside e-gift cards and a published phone number. Business hours run Monday to Friday 9: 00am–8: 00pm, Saturday 9: 00am–7: 00pm and Sunday 11: 00am–5: 00pm, and contact is listed as (515) 225-6226.
Oscar Nail Bar emphasises consistent preparation and finishing at every appointment, saying the same standard applies whether a client books a simple tidy-up or a more involved nail-art session. The site stresses professional care and a hygienic atmosphere that supports predictable, long-wearing results for clients.
Why It Made the List and Why It’s Our Top Pick
Oscar Nail Bar tops the local list because its Jordan Creek Parkway location combines extended opening hours, a full range of manicure, pedicure and waxing services, and a clearly stated commitment to hygiene and consistent preparation, which together create predictable, durable results customers can rely on.
Good to Know
Located at 160 Jordan Creek Parkway Ste 140, Oscar Nail Bar accepts online bookings and sells e-gift cards; for specific technician requests or to confirm availability outside listed business hours.
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Gallery Nails and Spa
505 Euclid Ave #4, Des Moines, IA 50313, USA

The Profile
Gallery Nails and Spa delivers glossy, long-lasting nail finishes within a bright, welcoming salon environment; appointments are described in legacy profiles as both professional and personal, with an emphasis on considered, consistent application that keeps the final look polished yet natural.
Technicians at Gallery Nails and Spa focus on suitability as well as impact, tailoring colour and finish to each client’s preferences while keeping durability in mind; the salon’s approach aims to leave nails that look polished, calm and well judged after every visit.
Why It Made the List
Gallery Nails and Spa stands out for its professional, considered approach to colour and finish; technicians prioritise suitability, producing polished, long-lasting results that balance visual impact with a comfortable, natural feeling for daily wear, and they maintain that standard across routine maintenance appointments as well as full reworks, which keeps results consistent over time.
Good to Know
The salon operates from a bright, welcoming space where technicians discuss colour and finish choices before starting; if you have a specific design in mind, mention it during booking to ensure the appropriate timing and technician availability.
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Merle Hay Nails
3800 Merle Hay Rd #325, Des Moines, IA 50310, USA

The Profile
Merle Hay Nails is located, Suite 325 in Des Moines and positions itself as a sanctuary for nail and spa treatments, offering manicures, pedicures, waxing and a full menu of enhancements delivered by professional technicians.
The salon’s service list includes named pedicure packages such as Cosmospa and Serumspa, a variety of acrylic and SNS options and add-ons like essential oil treatments; business hours run Monday through Saturday 10am–8pm and Sunday from noon to 5pm, with contact number (515) 770-6866.
Why It Made the List
Merle Hay Nails distinguishes itself with an extensive service menu and clearly listed add-ons and prices for many treatments which makes it straightforward to plan appointments; the combination of high-quality products and attentive workmanship supports personalised results and longer treatments such as Apress Gel X and Dip-With-Tips are available on request.
Good to Know
If you want a specific treatment prepare to mention the listed prices, for example a Shellac Manicure is shown at $37 to reserve longer slots or consult about custom designs and add-ons.
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Salon Spa W
400 E Locust St #2, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA

The Profile
Salon Spa W sits in Des Moines’ East Village just two blocks west of the state capitol, combining a full salon and spa menu that includes haircuts, colour, balayage, Olaplex and keratin hair-smoothing treatments as well as on-site bridal services.
The salon uses Aveda and Ultraceuticals products, offers VoMor hair extensions and thermal straightening, and provides complimentary make-up touch-ups for guests, reflecting a full-service approach that spans hair, skin, nails and bridal planning from consultation to on-site execution.
Why It Made the List
A standout merit is Salon Spa W’s combination of advanced salon techniques and a dedicated bridal team; their press recognition and specialized services such as Olaplex, keratin smoothing, VoMor extensions and on-site bridal planning make the salon a one-stop destination for event preparations.
Good to Know
Salon Spa W lists and address 400 East Locust Ste 2; check availability for bridal or extension work well in advance, and expect consultations to arrange Olaplex or extension services.
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Sunny Nails
1905 Ingersoll Ave ste 102, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA

The Profile
Sunny Nails operates in Suite L102 in Des Moines and maintains an online booking system alongside a phone line; the salon lists multiple technicians by name and asks clients to call for specific technician or group bookings.
Services include a wide range of manicure, dip and acrylic options with listed durations such as Fullset regular or shellac at around 60 minutes, spa and deluxe pedicure tiers and add-ons from chrome to paraffin, allowing technicians to schedule appropriate time for each service.
Why It Made the List
Sunny Nails’ defining strength is its technician-specific approach and clear service timings which helps clients choose a named technician and reserve accurate appointment lengths for fullset, fill or pedicure treatments, avoiding surprises and improving the flow of group or back-to-back bookings.
Good to Know
Call Sunny Nails at 515-369-1417 if you want a particular technician or are booking multiple clients; the booking screen notes specific technician names and shows service durations so you can plan how much time to allow.
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Creative Nail Spa
101 Jordan Creek Pkwy Suite 11235, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA

The Profile
Creative Nail Spa is located at 101 Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines on the lower level opposite Von Maur and H&M, and it markets organic and result-driven treatments such as gel manicures, dipping powder and acrylics alongside signature spa pedicure options.
The salon highlights sanitation, staff sanitise and disinfect reusable tools in accordance with state regulations and dispose of tools that cannot be disinfected, and its pedicure chairs are described as noiseless and pipe-less for a cleaner soak experience.
Why It Made the List
Creative Nail Spa’s standout advantage is its combined focus on organic product options and strict sanitation practices, paired with noiseless, pipe-less pedicure chairs that reduce water circulation concerns, an arrangement aimed at comfort and hygiene for clients seeking modern pedicure conditions.
Good to Know
Find Creative Nail Spa on the lower level of Jordan Creek Parkway near Von Maur and H&M; business hours are Monday–Saturday 10am–7pm and Sunday 11am–6pm, and reservations are recommended for weekend slots.
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US Nails
2909 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312, USA

The Profile
US Nails is represented online with a Facebook presence and is described in legacy summaries as delivering glossy, long-lasting nail finishes within a professional, personal appointment style that emphasises suitability and durability across services. The salon balances careful consultation with finishing details so results are easy to live with between visits.
Appointments are handled with attention to polish longevity and application quality, with the overall approach framed around dependable results rather than experimental trends, making it a solid option when clients prioritise wear and upkeep, and technicians focus on finishes that require minimal at-home adjustment.
Why It Made the List
US Nails’ primary merit lies in producing polished, long-wearing finishes through careful application and finishing; for clients seeking dependable maintenance across regular appointments, the salon’s steady focus on polish longevity is an explicit practical advantage that makes at-home upkeep simpler and schedules easier to plan.
Good to Know
Contact via the salon’s Facebook page for current hours, technician availability and last-minute updates; messaging the page is the common way to confirm walk-in capacity and appointment changes.
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B Nails
520 SW 9th St UNIT 112, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA

The Profile
B Nails shows an online footprint via social listings and is commonly described in local summaries as delivering well-finished, professionally handled manicures and pedicures focused on clean application and attention to surface finish. Technicians aim for dependable polish longevity while maintaining a straightforward, efficient appointment flow for regular clients.
The salon’s appointments are oriented to practical results rather than elaborate trend work, which suits clients who prefer tidy, long-wearing finishes and concise appointment times while retaining professional standards across basic enhancements and pedicure options, and technicians typically prioritise efficient removal and preparation steps to protect natural nail health.
Why It Made the List
B Nails’ notable merit is the emphasis technicians place on meticulous preparation and attention to surface details; that approach yields clean edges and a neat finish, which appeals to clients who prioritise long-term nail appearance and consistent care routines.
Good to Know
B Nails lists contact and updates on social platforms; if you need a specific finish or quick turnaround mention it when booking so technicians can reserve necessary time and products.
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Lvnails
2355 E University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317, USA

The Profile
Lvnails in Des Moines presents as a bright, welcoming salon where appointments focus on delivering polished, dependable finishes; the team emphasises careful application and finishing to make results easy to live with between visits. The setting feels professional without fuss, and technicians routinely recommend modest at-home maintenance to extend polish life and support nail health.
Lvnails structures appointments to balance attention to detail with efficient scheduling, offering manicures and pedicures aimed at longevity while keeping sessions streamlined for regular maintenance and quick polish changes. Technicians discuss simple home-care steps during the visit, and the salon’s social listings indicate messaging as the usual way to check availability and request specific timings.
Why It Made the List
Lvnails' steady delivery of polished, long-wearing finishes and its practical, no-frills atmosphere suit clients who prioritise consistent maintenance without extended appointment times; technicians focus on tidy edges and durable application, and they routinely advise specific at-home steps and recommended return intervals so results require minimal mid-cycle attention.
Good to Know
Lvnails' Facebook page shows current opening times and is the usual way to message the team about appointment availability; during in-salon consultations technicians outline recommended at-home care products and the typical return interval to help maximise polish lifespan between visits.
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The Beauty Collective
2201 E University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317, USA

The Profile
The Beauty Collective is a women-owned nail and spa business located at 2201 E University Avenue in Des Moines; the salon operates extended morning-to-evening hours on weekdays and keeps Saturday hours even later for convenience. They emphasise empowerment and community alongside professional nail, waxing and facial services.
All nail and pedicure services at The Beauty Collective include gel polish by default, and the salon makes Buy Now, Pay Later options available in-person for larger bookings, a feature aimed at smoothing payments for bridal parties and events; clients should note card payments add a processing fee as stated.
Why It Made the List
The Beauty Collective’s distinctive merit is its women-owned ethos combined with practical policies, every nail and pedicure service includes gel polish, and the salon offers Buy Now, Pay Later for larger bookings, which supports flexible planning for events and groups.
Good to Know
Address 2201 E University Ave; business hours run early mornings to evenings Monday–Friday with late Saturday openings. Note the salon’s 48-hour cancellation policy and a card processing fee on payments.
