When I arrive at TIPS nail bar‘s soon-to-opened west-end location, I’m greeted with the biggest hug from celebrity nail artist and TIPS founder, Leanne Colley. Her enthusiasm is understandable: she is now the proud owner of not one, but two Pinterest-perfect nail bar locations in Toronto. 

The original TIPS location has been a favourite of ELLE editors and industry insiders for over a decade; lately, says Colley, it’s not unusual for all of their 16 chairs to be booked solid. It was time to expand. 

With help from interior designer Montana Labelle, the new location at Dundas and Dovercourt is modern, but warm. Tufted black leather chairs line the pedicure station, and TIPS’ signature dinner-like table for nail services is the focal point of the space. On the back wall hangs illustrations of well-manicured hands drawn by TIPS staffers with—what else—nail polish.  

Arguably the coolest feature is the mani-cam: built into the wall, the box-shaped space allows you to capture the perfect shot of your fresh manicure, then have it emailed to yourself. 

 

What makes TIPS an editor-favourite is the quality of their work. You can book an appointment with any of their nail artists and know you are in good hands. Whether you’re trying (and failing) to explain the perfect shade of nail polish you can’t quite remember the name of, or you want to recreate the intricate nail art you found on the depths of Instagram, they can all handle it.

The current TIPS team of 17 female nail experts will eventually need to grow to handle the expected business, says Colley, but longtime east-end guests can expect to see their favourite artists at the new location.

“Everyday we will have a familiar face working,” she told us. “We want our west-end clients to walk in and still be like, ‘It’s you, it’s TIPS!’ I am very particular about my team. It takes time and I am not going to rush.” Colley herself plans to split her time between the two locations, two days in the east end and three days in the west. 

 

TIPS Nail Bar opens its new west-end location to the public on April 24th, and will offer manicures and pedicures, as well as brow services and Dermalogica facials. Bookings are available now online at tipsnailbar.ca.