Okay, I know what you’re thinking. “Another nail salon? Girl, puh-leez! There are a hundred of ‘em on every corner.” That may be true, but are you willing to lose a finger to fungus or marinate your precious toes in bacteria-filled water only to then get your cuticles cut with gnarly tools that are supposedly being disinfected in some neon blue liquid that’s been sitting there since before nail gels were discovered? Yeah, didn’t think so.

Well, now you don’t have to worry ’cause Nail Garden–which opened in Brentwood in January 2010–is one shop that’ll become your go-to spot because 1) It’s clean. Very clean. Not only do they use fresh tools every time, but their spa pedicure chairs have state-of-the-art plumbing that doesn’t reuse contaminated water  2) They don’t price gauge. Even though just about every celebrity (including Dustin Hoffman… random!) is already a customer at the Studio City, Burbank, and Sherman Oaks locations, you won’t be charged like you earn a six-figure income 3) It’s  owned by Reham and Fady Bastawros, a lovely husband & wife team who make everyone feel like a star 4) It’s comfortable–the heated massage chairs actually do a good job 5) You get complimentary cappuccino, lattes, tea and hot chocolate with any service!

Yes, Nail Garden is a veritable Eden–there’s even a huge living tree that branches out from the corner of the salon–that offers great manis, pedis, Minx nails, waxing and yes, nail gels (I had my first experience here), which is really just a thick nail polish that is then hardened and dried with UV light so it doesn’t chip and keeps its shine for at least two weeks!

*BONUS* If you go in and tell them you heard about Nail Garden on Marpop you’ll get 15% off your service! Woo hoo!

More info: www.facebook.com/nailgarden