Frequently Asked Questions

We have two locations:

Downtown Plano: 1017 N Central Expy, Suite 107, Plano, TX 75075

Addison / North Dallas: 4485 Trinity Mills Rd, Suite 135, Dallas, TX 75287

A Russian manicure is a detailed dry technique focused on precise cuticle work and a clean finish. Our nail artists work carefully with the natural nail and select appropriate products for each service. As with any manicure, proper technique and maintenance matter for nail health.

Both hard gel and builder gel can be used to add structure and strength to natural nails. The choice depends on your nail condition, length, and desired result; your nail artist can recommend the best option. We do not offer acrylic, dip powder, Gel-X, or polygel services.

Our Smart Pedicure is a dry, waterless pedicure focused on detailed nail and foot care. Depending on the service you select, you can choose gel polish, regular polish, or no polish.

Yes. Our Full Combo service allows two nail artists to perform your manicure and pedicure simultaneously. If you prefer one nail artist to perform the services one after the other, book separate appointments. Nail extensions are not included in Full Combo.

A traditional manicure often includes soaking the hands in water and pushing back or trimming the cuticles. A Russian manicure is performed dry, using specialized tools and fine e-file bits to carefully clean the cuticle area and refine the nail surface. The focus is on precise preparation, a neat nail contour, and an even, long-lasting finish. Results and safety depend on the nail artist’s training, technique, and your nail condition. Learn more about our Russian manicure.

A conventional pedicure often uses a water soak, manual foot filing, and polish. Our dry Russian and Smart Pedicure is waterless and uses specialized tools and abrasive discs for controlled nail, cuticle, heel, and callus care. We focus on precise treatment of dry or rough areas while preserving healthy skin. Depending on your chosen service, you can finish with gel polish, regular polish, or no polish. Explore our Smart Pedicure.

Hard gel is a light-cured nail enhancement material that creates a strong, structured overlay on natural nails. It helps reinforce the nail and maintain its shape and length. Hard gel generally needs to be filed down for removal rather than soaked off. Our nail artists select the structure and thickness based on your natural nails.

Builder gel is a thicker gel used to build a supportive structure over the natural nail. It can help create a smooth apex and strengthen a manicure without the look of a bulky coating. Builder gels vary by formula; some are soak-off and others are file-off. At ByKris Beauty Lab, we choose the product according to your nail condition and desired result.

We specialize in hard gel and builder gel because they give our nail artists precise control over the shape, structure, and thickness of an overlay while supporting our detailed dry manicure technique. We prefer this approach for maintaining a natural-looking result. No enhancement material is automatically harmless or inherently safer for every person: damage is often linked to aggressive preparation, improper application or removal, overfiling, or allergic reactions. Acrylic, dip powder, and gel systems all have potential risks, so careful technique and appropriate maintenance matter more than a blanket claim that one material cannot damage natural nails. We do not offer acrylic or dip powder services.

When professionally applied and maintained, a gel overlay can help protect the natural nail from everyday mechanical stress. However, any enhancement can cause damage if the natural nail is overfiled, the product is lifted or pulled off, or removal is done incorrectly. We focus on careful preparation, controlled product removal, and regular maintenance. Let your nail artist know about sensitivity, lifting, or any changes to your nails.

Our Downtown Plano studio uses an autoclave and sterilization pouches for reusable instruments. Our Addison / North Dallas studio uses a dry-heat sterilizer with kraft sterilization bags. Both locations use single-use nail files for each client. Our nail artists also maintain clean work areas and follow instrument cleaning and sanitation procedures between appointments. Read more about our equipment and process on the Hygiene & Sanitation page.

Yes. ByKris Beauty Lab operates in salon suites rather than a traditional walk-in nail salon. Appointments are scheduled in advance for a more personalized experience.

We recommend scheduling your next manicure every 3–4 weeks and your next pedicure every 5–6 weeks. The ideal interval can vary depending on nail growth, daily activities, and the condition of your nails and skin.

Hard gel and builder gel manicures with color start at $75 with a Junior Nail Artist, $85 with a Senior Nail Artist, and $95 with a Top Master. Clean manicures without polish start at $55; clean Smart Pedicures start at $85; and pedicures with gel color start at $105. A “+” or “from” price means the final total may vary by nail artist, nail length, design, or other add-ons. The booking menu shows the current options and prices.

Builder gel can last approximately 4–5 weeks, depending on nail growth, lifestyle, and aftercare. We recommend maintenance every 3–4 weeks to keep the nail structure balanced and reduce the risk of lifting or breakage.

Book through our online booking page. Select Downtown Plano or Addison / North Dallas, your service, nail artist, and available time. We are by appointment only and do not accept walk-ins. A 50% deposit is required to secure an appointment.

Both Downtown Plano and Addison / North Dallas list appointment hours Monday–Sunday, 9:00 AM–9:00 PM. Actual Sunday openings depend on the nail artists scheduled at each studio. Availability varies by nail artist, so please check online booking for current openings. Appointments depend on each nail artist’s availability. Check our online booking page to see open time slots at either location.

Yes. We offer nail extensions and repairs, and selected nail artists offer nail art and designs, including French manicure. We also welcome men for clean manicures and pedicures without polish. Please choose the appropriate service and, for nail art, the design add-on when booking. Extensions are not offered to children under 14.

Ideally, we recommend arriving with clean, product-free nails so your nail artist can focus on your new manicure. If that is not possible, yes, we can remove existing acrylic or dip powder. When booking your appointment, please select the Removal add-on so we can allow enough time for the service. Removal of material applied outside our studio is an additional charge. If your existing material was applied at ByKris Beauty Lab, removal is complimentary for returning clients.

Appointment length depends on the service, the nail artist’s experience level, and any extras such as removal or nail art. For example, a Russian manicure with a solid color may take approximately 2 hours 30 minutes with a Junior Nail Artist, up to 2 hours with a Senior Nail Artist, or 1 hour 15–30 minutes with a Top Master. These are estimates; the time reserved for your specific appointment is shown during booking. Our simultaneous Full Combo lets two nail artists work on your hands and feet at the same time.

Gel manicure wear varies with nail growth, daily activity, and aftercare. We generally recommend manicure maintenance every 3–4 weeks and pedicure maintenance every 5–6 weeks. Avoid waiting too long between appointments.

Please contact us as soon as possible if you expect to arrive late. We will do our best to accommodate you within your originally scheduled appointment time, but we cannot guarantee the full service. We may need to limit the service to what can safely be completed in the remaining time so that subsequent appointments are not delayed.

Please reschedule more than 24 hours before your appointment. A 50% deposit is required to secure your booking. For cancellations, changes within 24 hours, or no-shows, the deposit may be forfeited under the booking policy. We do not automatically charge the remaining 50% as a no-show penalty. Review the terms displayed during online booking.