Glosslab Review: Is the Unlimited Gel Manicure and Pedicure Membership Worth It?

I’m super excited to share this Glosslab review. When I heard about Glossslab, the start-up nail salon changing the nail game, I immediately booked an appointment. I had seen a friend post about a membership for unlimited gel manicures and pedicures. As a total gel manicure addict I knew I had to try it out. Unlimited gel manicures? Count me in. But of course I had to wonder: Is it too good to be true?

[UPDATED 9/29/21]

Glosslab Review: Is It Worth It?

How the Membership Works

The details of Glosslab’s membership are pretty simple: $135 for the month. Unlimited manicures and pedicures. Includes gel option for both manis and pedis. Gratuity for your nail technician is not included and you will automatically be charged 20% upon checking out.

[Note: The price has gone up quite a bit since I joined in 2019.]

The membership auto-renews every month, but you can cancel your membership at anytime before your next billing date. In other words — you’re not signing your soul away for an unlimited mani/pedi membership.

About Glosslab:

Glosslab is a technology-enabled nail, hygienic focused, salon designed to get you in and out as efficiently as possible. I’ve totally gone down the internet rabbit hole of reading all about the badass founder, Rachel Apfel Glass, and her journey to creating Glosslab.

So what does it mean to be a technology-enabled nail salon? This nail salon is totally cashless. Yup, that means no more hitting up the ATM to tip your nail technician. Instead you are automatically charged gratuity to your card.

Glosslab also uses an online booking system to schedule all appointments. Since I original joined they have since changed booking platforms. I personally have found it to be a bit glitchy on mobile.

How do you create an efficient, hygienic approach to manicures and pedicures? By going waterless. Yes… even the pedicures are water-free. Which apparently means it’s a more hygienic experience. Plus it wastes less water.

Glosslab currently has multiple locations in NYC including Flatiron, West Village, Tribeca, the Upper East Side — with more locations coming soon.

 

💅 What I Love About Glosslab💅

The price for unlimited services:

I’m pretty low maintenance when it comes to most beauty treatments. But nails? I like for my nails to always be done. But I hate doing them myself. I was not a fan of doing my own nail at all during lockdown.

As someone that always wants my nails to look polished and maintained, being able to get weekly manicures has been a DREAM. And as someone that’s barefoot for work teaching yoga I’m so thrilled to be able to get pedicures a few times a month whereas previously I’d only get once a month or so.

 

It’s quick! 

I thought I’d be all about the gel manicures when I first joined, but I’ve actually grown to prefer Dazzle Dry polishes. They dry in 5 minutes and stay chip-free for at least a week (even during weeks I’m doing things like flying trapeze).

A manicure and pedicure with Dazzle Dry only takes an hour. And then 5-minutes later I’m ready to go — and won’t mess it up immediately afterwards.

 

Appointments

Before joining Glosslab, I don’t think I ever made a nail appointment. I’d just walk in to my usual salon and hope for the best. I love being able to book an appointment ahead of time.

 

💅 What I Don’t Like About Glosslab💅

The whole experience feels a bit “no-frills” to me.

It’s very get in, get out, and you’re off on your merry way. If you’re looking for a super luxurious, spa-like, nail experience this is not that.

I’m personally okay with this: I don’t need a long, drawn out massage or to be waited on. But know that you’ll be moving your personal belongings from pedicure chair to manicure area, and then removing the separators from your toes after.

 

Sometimes the services feels a bit rushed and it shows

I also feel like the rushed nature of the experience meant I get nicked a lot more while having my cuticles cut and the tool used for buffing is bizarrely sharp and has left me with a gashes. Not that this never happens elsewhere, it’s just seems to happen more often.

 

Not the most comfortable manicure / pedicure experience.

I gotta say… the chairs both for manicure and pedicure are pretty uncomfortable.

For the pedicure portion you’re sitting on a typical living room chair. It’s an awkward angle when you’re lifting your foot up. I have tight hip flexors so maybe I’m extra sensitive to it, but it’s a far cry from the massage chairs at other salons.

The manicure happens on these high stools. I’m a klutz. High stools are a pain in the ass to me — I’m short and they leave my feet dangling. I’m not sure if there’s any reasoning why the manicure stations are set super high besides that maybe it looks cool and like a bar?

I find it super awkward, especially if you’ve just gotten a pedicure and you’re trying not to mess up your toe nails. I don’t need my manicure seat to be super fancy, but at least don’t want to feel like I’m going to fall off the chair for 30 minutes. And maybe this is just a problem I have as a total hot mess short human 😂 Who knows?!

 

All In All:

Despite a few “cons” I’m still obsessed and have been a member since early 2019. As with any review I write I want to be super honest and give you the full pictures. But overall it’s still a super positive experience.

For me the good (unlimited model and Dazzle Dry option) really outweigh any of the negatives. I’ve always seen getting my nails done as this necessary evil. I love the way my nails look when they are polished and well maintained. But I’ve always hated sitting around to get my nails done. The quick approach to manicures plus price make this membership well worth it for me at this time. I’m still saving money while getting my nails done more than I previously did.

Read to try it for yourself?
Get your first Glosslab manicure free here