If you’ve ever watched nail artists work their magic with ease and reckoned you could do it too, here’s your chance to put your skills to the test. At Equoriel in Queensway Shopping Centre, you can try your hand at creating your very own press-on nails, without having to splurge a fortune on an entire collection of nail polishes, tools, and decorations.
Freshly opened in October 2026, this new-to-Singapore concept is still a lesser-known gem. Anyone of any artistic ability is welcome, even people who know next to nothing about nail art.
Gel polish and pat gel selection at Equoriel.
Each 2-hour session is priced at $19.90 for a limited time for first-time customers, which is quite a steal compared to the usual price of $39.90. That’s a pretty affordable way to try your hand at nail art without investing in your own supplies.
Not to mention, $19.90 is a far cry from the prices we’re used to paying for a full set of manicures at nail salons in Singapore. You’ll walk away with a set of nails and a fun new experience under your belt, so we’d say that’s money well spent.
Stepping into Equoriel, we were welcomed by its cosy, coquette-inspired interiors, put together by owner Jane.
The cohesive pink-and-silver theme was pleasing to the eyes, and a little photo corner complete with a pretty setup and mini Christmas tree caught our attention. This is a cute spot to snap some photos of your press-on nails after the workshop.
There are 7 craft stations lined along the walls, and each of them comes with an adorable gingham-patterned stool as well as their own set of tools and materials, so you won’t have to share anything with other participants.
Every item you see in the shop has been thoughtfully chosen to make the nail art process as fuss-free as possible. From nail polish bottles with long, easy-to-grip handles to handy cotton wipe dispensers on the table, even the smallest details have been considered with beginners in mind.
Jane also shared with us that her goal is to make the experience easy for everyone, making this a fun craft activity you can enjoy with family or a group of friends.
Before you get started, you’ll need to arrive 10 minutes early for a fitting, where you can choose your preferred nail shape and length. And once Jane has got your nail sizes down, she makes the effort to save them, so you won’t have to get sized again on your next visit.
The session starts off with a 15-minute tour of all the tools you’ll be using and a demonstration of basic nail art skills by Jane, who was eager and meticulous in her explanations and work.
During this time, she also showed us how to use cat-eye gel polishes in different manoeuvres and did a rundown of the different polishes and pat gels available.
We were also shown their charm and sticker bar, with a bountiful of different bits and bobs to pick and choose from. All charms, including the premium ones in display cases, come with no additional cost, so you can have fun piling on as many as you like.
After the shop tour, we headed over to the shelves stocked with nail polishes and pat gel polishes to pick out the colours we’ll be using. Colour swatches are framed on the shelf for easy reference, and you’re advised to pick up a maximum of 3 gel polishes at any point in time, which you can switch out as you wish.
Following this, the fun of painting and designing begins. We recommend preparing some inspo pics or just winging it and letting your creative juices flow; you’ll have access to every tool you need, including gem pickers, tweezers, and lint-free wipes.
Jane will be around to guide you throughout the session. The polishes provided are also self-levelling, and the brushes are easy to grip, leaving no room for worry about shaky, unstable hands.
If you have your own charms you’re dying to wear on your nails, Equoriel welcomes you to bring them down and use them too. But don’t worry if you don’t, as there are plenty of options in their repertoire for you to be spoilt for choice with. They even have a basket containing seasonal charms and stickers.
For the upcoming Christmas season, we saw gingerbread man charms, gold stars, and Christmas tree stickers among the mix. If you don’t fancy seasonal nails, you’ll also be able to pick from the dozens of charms on the table, including glitters of different colours and Sanrio character charms.
After we were done with the fun, the final layer of top coat on the press-ons was applied and cured by Jane herself, who also filed down the little imperfections on the nails to ensure a perfect, long-lasting fit.
She then packed our press-on nails into a cute little bag along with a nail application kit.
In case you were wondering about hygiene, disposable gloves, surgical masks, and sanitised goggles are provided, along with single-use hand files at every station, so you won’t have to worry about sharing these tools with other participants. All gel polishes provided are also salon-quality, free of harsh chemicals.
Even the mandatory gloves are thick nitrile gloves, chosen with the intention of leaving no room for allergic reactions, and FYI, you’ll still be able to use your phone while wearing them.
After each session, all tools used by participants are also sanitised for the safety of subsequent customers.
At the end of your session, you’ll also be able to take mirror selfies with your new nails at the aesthetic digital camera-inspired mirror. We couldn’t resist snapping a few photos here as well.
BTW, don’t forget to snap a few photos of your completed press-on nails at the photo corner we mentioned above, so you can show off your artwork on the ‘gram.
Yes, and bookings are strongly encouraged as seats in the studio are limited to 7 at any point in time.
The nearest MRT station is Queenstown MRT on the East-West Line. From there, take Exit B or C and hop on Bus 51 or 195 to the Opp Queensway Shopping Centre bus stop. The bus ride takes approximately 5-10 minutes, followed by a short walk to the mall.
Alternatively, you can walk from Queenstown MRT to Queensway Shopping Centre in about 10-15 minutes.
Once you’re in the mall, take an escalator to Level 2, where you’ll be able to locate Equoriel at #02-17B.
Part of the fun of doing your own nails is getting to experiment with different designs. That’s what makes this DIY press-on nails workshop so appealing, especially when you get a custom set of nails for under $20 out of it. And unlike a typical manicure appointment where someone else does the work for you, you’ll get the satisfaction of creating something with your own hands.
So, if you’ve exhausted the usual cafe-hopping and shopping plans with your friends, you can switch things up with a friendly little nail art competition. Matching sets with your bestie, handmade gifts, nails that turn your personality into wearable art – the possibilities are endless.
For more activities to do in Singapore:
Photography by Ng Xiao Ning.
No downloads or complex tech jargon required.
Comes with unlimited charms and stickers.
There's a new spot to shop for your favourite furry footwear.
The wait is finally over.
More details on dates and ticket prices will be released at a later date.
Auditions are open till 30th November 2026.