Level Up Nail Salon, a locally-owned nail care business with established locations in Lafayette and Walnut Creek, plans to open its third salon in Rockridge. The shop will be bringing its full range of nail care and beauty services to 5915 College once construction and final inspections are complete—with a tentative opening date of November 15.
For founder Zhibek, choosing Rockridge was an easy decision.
“I’ve always loved Rockridge. It’s such a beautiful neighborhood, with wonderful local businesses, great restaurants, and a genuine sense of community,” says Zhibek. “When we began looking for a location for our third salon, Rockridge just felt right. I think Level Up will be a wonderful fit here, and we’re so excited to become part of the neighborhood.”
Beauty Meets Artistry and Personal Care
Level Up specializes in European nail techniques, including Russian-style e-file manicures and pedicures, hard gel manicures, nail extensions, and intricate, custom nail art. The salon also offers brow shaping and tinting, as well as brow and lash lamination.
The salon uses premium-quality products and non-toxic nail polishes to deliver professional-looking beautiful nails with long-lasting results.
Known for its meticulous attention to detail, the salon places equal importance on client comfort and a high standard of cleanliness and safety. Every tool undergoes a three-step sterilization process (including hospital-level sterilization using a professional autoclave).
The salon also carefully selects premium-quality, safe, non-toxic nail polishes from leading brands and trusted suppliers in the United States, Europe, and Kazakhstan. By combining high-quality products with skilled techniques, Level Up aims to deliver beautiful, durable results that clients can enjoy for weeks.
“Our goal is to create a place where every client feels comfortable, welcomed, and cared for,” says Zhibek. “We want people to leave not only loving their nails, but also feeling happy, relaxed, and a little more confident. We truly believe that great service is about so much more than the final result. It’s about the entire experience.”
Each manicure appointment takes approximately 1.5 hours, allowing the technicians to focus on precision, detail, and quality. Clients can enjoy their manicures for up to four weeks—one of the reasons Level Up has built a loyal following at its existing locations.
Manicure prices start at $60 and vary depending on the experience level of the nail technician and the complexity of the design. The salon offers different pricing levels to reflect each master's experience and the time and artistry involved in creating custom looks.
A Story of Passion and Empowerment
Behind Level Up is a personal story of creativity, determination, and a belief in the power of women supporting women.
Photo on left: The Level Up team at a this year’s Halloween team-building celebration for the salon's anniversary. Photo on right: Zhibek Suleimenova, co-founder of Level Up, holding the Best Nail Salon award at the Walnut Creek Chamber awards, October 29, 2026.
All Level Up nail technicians are highly trained, experienced professionals who share a passion for their craft and a commitment to providing exceptional service.
Zhibek, a nail technician herself for more than seven years, has built Level Up around her love of beauty, art, and helping others discover their talents. As an immigrant who came to the United States to build a future of her own, she envisioned more than simply opening a successful salon. Over the years, she has personally trained and mentored numerous women, helping them develop their skills, discover their potential, and build rewarding careers in the beauty industry.
“Some of the women I’ve trained started with very little experience, and today they’re incredibly talented professionals building their own careers. Seeing their growth makes me so happy and proud,”she says. “For me, Level Up has always been about more than nails. It’s about women supporting women,” says Zhibek.”
The shop will be open 9am–7pm, 7 days a week. For more information, visit www.levelupnails.us.
