VS 
LOCATIONS:
- SAKURA: With 2 locations (one on the UES, one on the LES), you can definitely have your pick. In my experience, the UES location tends to have the more experienced nail technicians, but they rotate between the 2 locations, so I suggest “dating” your fave nail stylist.
- MARIE NAILS: One NYC location in Soho. This location only has 2 pedicure stations and 3 nail stations.
AMBIENCE:
- SAKURA: very “green” ambience. Both their salons are very tastefully decorated and furnished with a nod to the “asian” aesthetic — quite zen! They also tout a very “natural/healthy” vibe about them.
- MARIE NAILS: VERY bare minimum. Truthfully, it looked like they were in a rush to get that place open. No A/C yet, no wall decor. The interior has very little decor (if any at all).
SERVICE:
- SAKURA: I think the best differentiating factor would be to compare a “Spa” vs. a “Clinic”. Sakura is a nail spa. When you walk in, they ask you if you’d like some green tea. They offer comfortable seating while your nails dry. They use cuticle oils with essential oils, they give you a hand massage after your service is done.
- MARIE NAILS: For right now (and maybe this is because they just opened), this is very much a “get your service and roll out” kinda place. No tea, no scented cuticle oil, no hand massage with your service.
PRICING:
- SAKURA: $20 for removal
- MARIE NAILS: removal FREE (if done at Marie Nails)
- SAKURA: $40
- MARIE NAILS: $35
- JUST CLEAR CALGEL: $20
- SAKURA: $60
- MARIE NAILS: $40
- SAKURA: $60
- MARIE NAILS: $40
- SAKURA: Flat art starts at $1.50/nail, 3D art starts at $3/nail
- MARIE NAILS: Flat art starts at $3/nail, 3D art starts at $5/nail
- SAKURA: depends on size of stone: $0.50/$0.70/$1.00
- MARIE NAILS: 5 rhinestones for $3
** ANOTHER DIFFERENCE
When I have a Calgel design, I usually prefer to have a Biogel base coat because I’ve noticed that it prevents my designs from lifting. (I must be extra-rough on my hands!). But Marie Nails only has Calgel, so no Biogel base coat available. I’ll see how my recent Marie Nails design holds up…fingers crossed!
CONCLUSION
If you are debating between the two Calgel Nail Art spots — much like everything else in life — it really depends on what you’re looking for. I have really enjoyed my visits to Sakura, and I’ve found that as long as I make an appointment with someone whose handiwork I KNOW and TRUST, I am always super-happy there.
Now that I’ve been to Marie Nails also, I can also appreciate the fact that Sakura offers the full “experience”, with the hand massage, the aromatherapy cuticle oils, the tea…it’s truly the little things that all add up, especially when you can spend 2-3 hours for a single nail visit.
I DO love the fact that Marie Nails is SUPER-DUPER fast with their application (my last design only took 1.5 hours!!). While I haven’t been there enough to speak about the rest of their technicians, Sayo (the manager) is unbelievably experienced, fast and her work is impeccable (no bubbles, no heaviness).
OVERALL, Marie Nails is a little cheaper than Sakura. But if you’re going to get super fancy with crazy Flat or 3D Nail Art…it can actually be a little more expensive, depending on what you get. So if you’re going to be a standard “glitter gradation” or one-color calgel type of gal — Marie Nails will be the better bargain. But if you ARE going to get crazy with the art, Sakura might end up being a little cheaper.
Hope this post was somewhat helpful — and if there’s anything else you want to add & share…please do!! 
www.nailspasakura.com
www.marienails.com
There is a place called Valley in SOHO on Elizabeth Street. They also do calgel.
Would love to know what anyone thinks about Valley compared to these other. I am trying to find who has the best price and work.
Hey Tiffany,
As a business woman, I try to keep up with my homework and due diligence on the competition. I own Valley, and I can tell you that while we continue to offer Calgel Manicures for $45, we began offering Gelish manicures for $35 several months ago, and this hybrid gel (a combination of gel and polish) is a superior product to calgel. The celebrity nail technicians we consult with have all switched to using Gelish, as it has a thinner, more natural (less thick) finish, yet it lasts just as long as calgel. We are different from sakura and marie, and i do hope you give us a try so you can judge for yourself – i think you’ll be pleased. take care, nina
Thank you. Let us know if Marie Nails ever do a discount deal with you like you’ve had in the past with Sakura.
Thank you for the comparison you did. I had no idea there were other places in Manhattan that did calgel.
Thanks for this wonderful comparison Heather. Marie Nails has been my first foray into CalGel, but I definitely want to try Sakura one of these days!!
Thanks for reading, ladies! Looking forward to hearing your experiences at both places!
Good comparison! Too bad Marie Nails don’t have biogel as a base. After using a non-acetone nail polish remover to remove the top coat, mines started peeling. Don’t know if it was too much of the non-acetone or because it wasn’t baked in the UV light enough. Going to have to get a new set.
Totally off topic but do you know if I can apply colored nail polish on top of the clear calgel? I use nail polish that’s free of Toulene, Formaldehyde, DBP and Camphor if it even matters…
Hey d*ska! Yes, you can absolutely put regular nail polish over calgel! But if you want to remove it, you must use an acetone-free remover, otherwise the calgel will break down when you remove it.
Hope this helps!
Sent from my iPhone.
thanks a ton!
Sayo is amazing! She did my nails for a few years here in LA and I adore her. I am VERY rough on my nails as I do hair and makeup but they always held up! You’re lucky to have Marie Nails in NYC….even though they stole Sayo to open the shop
I love Marie Nails! They’ve just opened up a new location in Koreatown, CA. Yes, the decor is a bit mundane, but I’m sure the place will look phenomenal in a few more months. I was overly thrilled about the new location, since the original one (located in Beverly Hills) and their Hollywood shop have very limited parking. Out of all the nail shops I’ve visited throughout the years, I find Marie Nails to be the most experienced, clean, and creative of them all!
Thanks for sharing your experiences – I enjoy reading about them =)
Best,
Airica