ABOUT

Pink is proud at this nail salon and spa that is awash in the playful shade. Dashing Diva first gained fame for offering free cosmo cocktails with manicure bookings on Friday nights when it first opened its doors during the Sex & The City craze. Now the spas offer more pampering services like facials and massages.

AMBIENCE

 Technicians are clad in bright pink t-shirts, which alludes to the girl-tastic feel of the Dashing Diva name. While the 1800 square foot flagship spa opened on 8th Street in Greenwich village in 2003, other locations like this Upper East Side enclave have since opened as franchises – offering the same brand of indulgent “girl time” pampering with an extended list of manicure, pedicure and massage options. Bubblegum pink walls, gold furniture accents and gleaming mother of pearl tile make for a royal experience for Princesses both young and – er, “mature.” 

EXPERIENCE

Choose from the legendary Friday night cosmo manicure that is still the most-requested item, or perhaps the weekend bagels-and-coffee manicure is more your speed. Hygiene is prioritized at all locations, with a new file and buffer pad opened for each customer, and tools kept carefully disinfected. A classic manicure includes a heavenly massage with mint-scented cream, and you can pick from a full array of store-made polish shades that apply with a high shine finish and nary a bubble. The true expertise of the technicians is in gel and custom press-on nails, as well as Virtual Nails that are a less caustic alternative to acrylics. 

Mind-numbing massage specialties include swedish, shiatsu and deep tissue options in affordably priced $50 to $90 segments of 30 to 60 minutes that are worth a trip to the space alone. For those who crave body relaxation in addition to a manicure or pedicure, the 10 minute chair and foot reflexology massages are an excellent option. 

IN CROWD

Not surprisingly, this is a top destination (or pre-game hit) for girls’ night out or catch-up time. It’s also best to call before you decide to stop in, as all Dashing Diva locations are popular spots for private parties – for “girls” of all ages.

WALLET WATCH

Expect to pay a little more for basic services like a manicure ($18 here; often $8 less at neighboring spots), but the space is far cleaner and skills more professional and dependable than at comparable spas.

NEED TO KNOW

Dashing Diva Greenwich Village, 41 East 8th Street at University Place, New York, NY 10003, 212.375.1350

Dashing Diva Chelsea, 177 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011, 212.620.0200

Dashing Diva Upper East Side, 1341 2nd Avenue between 70th and 71st St, New York, NY 10021, 212.570.0770

Dashing Diva Upper West Side, 590 Columbus Avenue between 88th and 89th St, New York, NY 10021, 212.877.9052

Dashing Diva Upper West Side, 105 West 72nd Street, New York, NY 10023, 212.769.3939