Two o’ Clock on a Weekday Is the Best Time to Get a Manicure

Getting your nails done is widely accepted as a form of relaxation, but the truth can be anything but. Nail salons are frequently crowded, leading to wait times and rushed technicians, which makes it a surprisingly stressful experience. So here’s an obvious, albeit easy-enough solution: Leave work to get that manicure at 2 p.m.

Two o’clock on a weekday is when you actually want that therapeutic experience. The lunch rush has passed, and the after-work crowd won’t come through for another couple hours. Particularly for the introverts among us, a salon experience in which you aren’t shoulder-to-shoulder with others and hearing every detail of their mundane phone calls is precious. 

If you live or work in Lower Manhattan, one sure spot for the 2 p.m. getaway is Ree Spa (79 Warren St.). Inside, you’ll find a minimalist white interior, plush velvet chairs, tidy nail stations and talented techs who can do it all. Get a regular manicure or a gel or dip-powder treatment. For something extra-soothing, the spa offers pedicure services, skincare treatments and lash extensions. Sure, those take more time, but in a hybrid-work era where offices aren’t fully populated, it’s much easier to get away with a longer lunch break. Just saying. 

One final note: 2 p.m. is precisely the time of the workday that everyone could use a pick-me-up. Sure, you could get a coffee or light cocktail, but those joys are momentary. Manicures, on the other hand, last longer. It practically goes without saying, but if you’ve got a date or after-work plans, going into the evening with your nails done provides a nice confidence boost. 

photo: iStock