Nail File

Even if they aren’t regularly manicured and pedicured in their home countries, many Shanghai expats quickly fall into the habit of having their nails ‘done’ here. As with everything, there are different levels of price, quality and hygiene in the city’s nail salons, so we’ve put together a round-up of the best places to go for your fingers and toes.

Mani-pedis can be a great way to spend some ‘me’ time, but they are also a great excuse to get together for a gossip session with friends. Helen’s Nail Spa’s Nanchang branch (120 Nanchang Lu, near Yandang Lu. Tel: 5383 8957) can accommodate up to eight people on their two large couches downstairs. Some English is spoken and their OPI nail colours more often than not last for a whole week (which is quite impressive for Shanghai). A manicure and pedicure at Helen’s will set you back RMB 200.

Diva Life (Ruijin Er Lu, near Taikang Lu. Tel: 5465 7291. Web: www.mydivalife.com) offers a variety of ‘Spa Party’ options for groups who wish to beautify in bulk. Their lounge area seats between 12 and 15 people and they can also organise food and beverages if you really want to make a day of it. The surroundings are really lovely here, and the quality of the treatments is also very high, a manicure and pedicure costs RMB 250.

If you are looking for a relaxing solo experience, a big draw at Glamour Nail Salon (208 Nanyang Lu, near Tongren Lu. Tel: 6279 0170) is the massaging chairs – perfect for kicking back and zoning out while the lovely staff attend to your hands and feet. There is also a large, flat-screen TV on the wall, which plays new release movies and TV shows to keep you entertained, a consistently good stock of recent international women’s magazines and a selection of complimentary beverages. Prices depend on the kind of polish you choose (and whether you want to include their specialty rhinestone additions), but the average OPI manicure and pedicure is around RMB 200.

For a serene nail experience on the eastern side of the river, you can’t go past Apsara’s Pudong branch on the border of Century Park (290 Jinyan Lu, near Jingxiu Lu. Tel: 5059 0301. Web: www.apsara.com.cn). The upstairs location feels bizarrely quiet for Shanghai and it’s easy to lose yourself in the void as you look down through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the activity below. Leaving this pleasant cocoon of pampering to throw yourself back into the daily grind is the only difficulty you will encounter here, with English-speaking staff, a great selection of OPI colours and comfy chairs for nestling into. A manicure and pedicure costs RMB 260 and if you’re feeling like really pampering yourself you can spring for the deluxe versions, which include ‘Royal’ hand and foot spas for a total of RMB 560.

If budget is more of a consideration, try Perfect Nails (92 Xinhua Lu, near Fanyu Lu. Tel: 6281 7880). This bustling salon has a plethora of loyal customers who keep coming back for RMB 25 manicures and RMB 75 pedicures. Don’t pop by this place if you are in a hurry, they are not known for their speed, but they do a good job and the location in the leafy French Concession makes it the perfect place to spend a few hours, watching the world roll past.