5 Underrated Salons in Downtown, Columbia SC Worth Trying
Updated 11 October 2026 · 30 salons in Downtown, Columbia SC considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This list covers beauty and salon businesses in and around Downtown Columbia SC that have a Google rating of 4.4 or higher but fewer than 400 reviews. They are ranked by rating and review volume, and 30 qualifying businesses were considered. It is aimed at people who want a nail, hair, or spa appointment at a smaller studio with a loyal client base. Each entry shows what reviewers mention, along with hours, address, and the attributes listed on Google. Check hours before you book, since several studios are closed on Mondays or Sundays.
#1
May Nail Salon & Spa
★ 5 (190 Google reviews)Nail salon
Representative photo, not of this business.
May Nail Salon & Spa is a nail salon on Devine Street with a 5 rating from 190 reviews. Reviewers mention pedicures, a clean and relaxing space, and technicians who take time with small details. Several say their nails still looked good more than a week later. The listing shows that appointments are recommended and walk-ins are accepted, plus wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, and toilet. It is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 am to 7 pm, and closed on Sunday.
Best for: Pedicures and long-lasting polish
- Address
- 2602 Devine St, Columbia, SC 29205, United States
- Hours
- Fri 9:30 am–7 pm; Mon 9:30 am–7 pm; Sat 9:30 am–7 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 9:30 am–7 pm; Tue 9:30 am–7 pm; Wed 9:30 am–7 pm
#2
OMBRÉ NAIL SPA
★ 5 (76 Google reviews)Nail salon
Representative photo, not of this business.
OMBRÉ NAIL SPA is a nail spa on Augusta Road in West Columbia with a 5 rating from 76 reviews. Reviewers mention careful nail and foot work, pleasant service, and regular clients who come back every month. The Google listing does not show any attributes, so accessibility and amenity details are not available from this listing. It is open every day, with Sunday hours from noon to 6 pm and weekday hours from 10 am to 7:30 pm.
Best for: Regular nail and foot appointments
- Address
- 2231 Augusta Rd, West Columbia, SC 29169, United States
- Hours
- Fri 10 am–7:30 pm; Mon 10 am–7:30 pm; Sat 10 am–7:30 pm; Sun 12–6 pm; Thu 10 am–7:30 pm; Tue 10 am–7:30 pm; Wed 10 am–7:30 pm
#3
Dolce vita hair studio
★ 5 (63 Google reviews)Hair salon
Representative photo, not of this business.
Dolce vita hair studio is a hair salon on Boyce Street with a 5 rating from 63 reviews. Reviewers mention color work, a curly cut for a child, and a beautiful, comfortable studio. One client who recently moved to the United States said she had relied on a childhood friend for her hair and found a trusted stylist here. The listing requires appointments and shows wheelchair-accessible parking and entrance. It is open Wednesday through Saturday, with shorter hours.
Best for: Color and curly cuts
- Address
- 2154 Boyce St, Columbia, SC 29207, United States
- Hours
- Fri 9 am–3 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 9 am–4 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 9 am–3:30 pm; Tue Closed; Wed 1–8 pm
#4
Elegance Beauty Salon & Spa
★ 5 (47 Google reviews)Hairdresser
Representative photo, not of this business.
Elegance Beauty Salon & Spa is a hairdresser on Gervais Street with a 5 rating from 47 reviews. Reviewers mention layered haircuts, keratin treatments, highlights and balayage, and a clean, well-organized space with friendly staff. The listing shows beverages, free parking lot and on-site parking, and wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, and toilet. It is open every day from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm.
Best for: Haircuts, keratin, and highlights
- Address
- 620 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States
- Hours
- daily 9:30 am–7:30 pm
#5
ALure Nails
★ 5 (24 Google reviews)Nail salon
Representative photo, not of this business.
ALure Nails is a nail salon on Calhoun Street in Columbia with a 5 rating from 24 reviews. Reviewers mention custom nail designs that the technician chose, a calm and bright space, and clients who keep booking with the same tech. The listing states that appointments are required, and it shows wheelchair-accessible parking, a restroom, and a free parking lot. It is open Tuesday through Friday and on Saturday morning, and closed on Monday and Sunday.
Best for: Custom nail designs
- Address
- 1022 Calhoun St Ste 300 A6, Columbia, SC 29201, United States
- Hours
- Fri 10 am–5:30 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 9 am–3 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 10 am–5:30 pm; Tue 10 am–5:30 pm; Wed 10 am–5:30 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 30 salons in Downtown, Columbia SC with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then rated 4.4 or higher on Google but with fewer than 400 reviews. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 11 October 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- For an early start, Dolce vita hair studio opens at 9 am.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated salon on this list?
May Nail Salon & Spa ranks first, with a Google rating of 5 from 190 reviews. OMBRÉ NAIL SPA is second at 5 from 76 reviews.
Which salons in Downtown, Columbia SC are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is Dolce vita hair studio, at 8 pm.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for Elegance Beauty Salon & Spa and ALure Nails.
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