One of my favourite self care activities is to go out to one of the local nail salons to get my nails done. For me this has always been an activity I do with friends and family, so of course I naturally carried on this self care ritual when I went to university. When studying at university is feeling a bit tough and stressful, one of the things I will do is treat myself by having gel nails done. Luckily for me, Huddersfield has a growing scene of independent salons for you to choose from, with plenty scattered through its high street and across the town; so let’s take a closer look at what Huddersfield has to offer!
Lily nails
This local salon is only 15 minutes away from the main Huddersfield University campus so is perfect for those of us who enjoy a quiet and relaxing atmosphere. Lily Nails salon is nestled down a lovely small old fashioned alleyway off the busy main high street, which if you had not seen before may take you a few extra minutes to find or a quick google maps search. When you arrive the staff are very friendly and will greet you, however once you are with your technician, they are not very chatty. Sometimes I actually prefer this but it is something to consider if you are wanting a more talkative session or someone to assist you more with decision making. However, This is the perfect salon for those who prefer that quieter space without the pressure there for conversation.
Cleanliness and hygiene is well respected in this salon, as when you arrive you will wash your hands before you even meet your nail technician, showing just how much they value hygiene. If you are wanting a simple minimalistic finish to your nails, then this is definiatly one to consider as from experience this salon is not the one I would recommend for you if you wanted more inticate nail art creations. If you are someone who wants nail art please be mindful that they may not be able to give you what you want therefore one of the other nail salons would probably be better suited for you. Another thing to consider for this salon is that it is best to pay in cash because otherwise you have to pay via bank transfer, which is a bit more complicated then our go to method of contactless pay.
Top nails spa
If you are wanting a salon that does some of the best local acrylic nail art then Top Nails Spa is the salon for you. It is well known for its amazing creations and is the place that will create art to match your pinterest board dreams! Top nails spa has won awards for being one of the top 3 nail salons in Huddersfield, and their social media shows you why. Whether you are wanting short french tip acrylics or a nail set covered with bows and gems, this salon will be able to accommodate your wishes, making it very popular among locals. The pricing is budget friendly, which is perfect for students, and you are able to walk in for an appointment making it ideal for a last minute self care activity. While this salon is in town, depending on where you live you may find that it is a bit of a walk away. The walk to the salon from the Queensgate campus is around 25 minutes, so if you are not much of a walker then do consider an uber or a different salon might be right for you, depending on your budget and personal walking distance preference.
Project 505 Hair & Nails
A local favourite is Project 505 hair & nails salon, with countless reviews raving about its good service and friendly atmosphere. Many customers have become loyal regulars who trust the staff to deliver high quality results for their nails. This salon is the furthest out of the 3, with it being a half hour walk from the university main campus. Also, the project 505 salon offers other services with it being a nail salon, which makes it the perfect place for a pamper session as you could get your hair and nails done all in one go!
I would recommend this salon to those of you who prefer that friendly chit chat vibe of a salon. Reviews cannot stop talking about the friendly and welcoming atmosphere of this salon so it definitely seems like a salon worth visiting! Project 505 hair & nails seems like the place to go if you want to pamper yourself ahead of a special occasion. This salon is perfect for those who wish for a more personable salon experience with a guarantee for high quality results. However compared to the previous salons, this one does require you to book in advance, which is something to consider as a student who may have a busy and inflexible calendar.
From budget friendly walk in salons to those with a more personalised service, Huddersfield has plenty to offer! Depending on what you are looking for there will be a salon to meet your needs, whether it’s a quick drop in gel nail appointment or a pamper before a big event, there will be a salon for you. It is a bonus that most of the salons in Huddersfield are independent stores, so you get to support local businesses to thrive during a time where society is leaning more towards bigger chains. With so many local salons available, there will be one perfect for you.
Hi my name is Lucy and i currently study speech and language therapy at the University of Huddersfield. In my spare time I love to stay active by going on walks in the surrounding countryside or going to the gym. I also love to learn new things in my free time and I am currently learning Spanish and how to play chess.
