Yeimi Arellano
CEO, nail technician & nail educator
Clients often let her choose the design.
- Nail design
- Gel-X
- Builder gel
- Nail art
Cala Studio and Academy
Nails, hair and head spa, finished by hand in Niantic, Connecticut.
Every set,
front and center.
Spotted yours? Pick it from the menu and we’ll make it happen.Before & after
From bare to signature.
Drag the line to see a set come together: almond shape, hand-painted detail, and gold accents placed one by one.
- 01 · Shape
- Soft almond, filed by hand.
- 02 · Color
- Cocoa, cream and tortoiseshell.
- 03 · Detail
- 3D flower and gold beads.
Reference photos. The studio’s own work is coming soon.
The menu
Prices as listed on Vagaro. Length, design and add-ons can change the final price.
Russian manicures with careful cuticle work, structure that lasts, and art drawn by hand.
Dry manicure, gel rubber base and premium gel polish.
Light, flexible soft-gel extensions that last.
A strong base that shapes and lengthens with a natural look.
- Builder gel fillfrom$79.76
- Acrylic full setfrom$101.03
- Acrylic fillfrom$90.40
With Yeimi, Yamilka, Valeria, Darileydi, Gabriela
Book nails on VagaroPrices updated October 2026
The visit
Book my visitAn hour that’s yours
What a visit to the studio looks like, from the first sip to the last coat.
Step 1
On arrival
Step 1
On arrival
A drink first
Choose from the handmade mocktail menu or a coffee, and something from the snack bar.
Step 2
5 min
Step 2
5 min
Bring your inspiration
Show us a photo or just a feeling. We help you pick the shape, color and finish.
Step 3
As long as it takes
Step 3
As long as it takes
Unhurried work
Careful prep, check-ins at every step, and a massage built into every pedicure.
Step 4
Weeks later
Step 4
Weeks later
Made to last
You leave with aftercare tips and a set that still looks new weeks later.
- Handmade mocktails
- Snack bar
- Massage with every pedicure
- No rush, no pressure
Recent sets
Fresh from the studio. Drag the row to send it spinning.
Fall for one? Tap it to see it up close.
The woman behind Cala
Yeimi Arellano started with a single chair and clients who followed her wherever she worked. Today Cala is a studio in Niantic built around the details: careful prep, a calm room and work that lasts.
The next step is teaching. As a nail educator, Yeimi will lead Cala Academy and pass on the same standards to a new generation of artists.
Book with the teamBook with your artist
Every artist at Cala trained to Yeimi’s standard: the same prep, the same care, the same finish. Choose the one who fits your style and your schedule.
Yeimi’s calendar fills up fast. Yamilka, Valeria, Darileydi and Gabriela often have sooner openings.
Drag the line or tap a photo to see her profile.
Yamilka Rosa
Licensed hairstylist & nail technician
Some clients have followed her for nine years.
- Builder gel
- Natural manicure
- Pedicure
- Hair
Valeria Pérez
Licensed hairstylist & nail technician
Clients call her thorough and talented, from extensions to head spa.
- Extensions
- Hair color
- Head spa
- Nails
Darileydi Ramírez
Nail technician
Clients rave about her cuticle work.
- Russian manicure
- Cuticle work
- Spa pedicure
Gabriela Cabrera
Nail technician
Clients praise her pedicures and the care she gives their hair.
- Manicure
- Gel polish
- Pedicure
Reviews
What Niantic is saying
“Yeimi, the owner, is the best. The whole team works with passion, and always with a smile. A 10 out of 10!”
“I followed these girls from New London. Seeing Yamilka every four weeks is the best money I spend on myself.”
“Yamilka’s pedicures and Yeimi’s nail art are top notch. A great addition to Niantic!”
“The best place to get your nails done! I love Yeimi and Yamilka. They’re truly passionate about nails.”
“Hands down the best: great service, quality, kindness, and the best at manicures and pedicures.”
“I finally found my salon. A handmade mocktail menu, a calm room, and nails I keep staring at.”
“I’ve followed Yamilka for about nine years. The care has never changed.”
“Years with Yeimi and never a set I didn’t love.”
“Everyone is so welcoming and genuinely kind. My nails always come out amazing.”
“I got my nails done for my wedding. The cleanest, prettiest, most relaxing salon I’ve been to. They exceeded every expectation.”
“Five years with Yeimi and Yamilka. They take their time, use quality products, and my nails still look new four weeks later.”
“An amazing experience with Valeria. My extensions look beautiful, natural and exactly how I wanted them.”
“A couple of years seeing Yeimi and Yamilka, and I wouldn’t go anywhere else. Relaxing, and always spotless.”
“At Posh Salon, we all go to the Cala girls. They’re the best.”
“Yamilka was so gentle with my builder gel fill and checked in with me at every step.”
“I’ve been coming since the start. It feels like catching up with friends.”
“Clean, welcoming and professional. Booking is easy and I always leave happy with my nails and toes.”
“Every time I get my toes done with Yamilka, I know they’ll be exactly how I like them.”
Learn from
these hands
Cala Academy
Learn the craft. Become precise., confident., in demand., your own boss.
In 2027 the studio opens its doors to students. Learn the techniques our clients come back for, in small hands-on groups, led by nail educator Yeimi Arellano and the artists who do them every day.
- Opens
- 2027
- Class size
- Small groups
- Format
- Hands-on, in the studio
- Languages
- English & Spanish
The path
Proposed program, final details coming soon.
- 1
Foundations
Nail anatomy, sanitation standards, tools and safe product use.
- 2
Russian manicure
E-file technique, cuticle work and prep that makes a set last.
- 3
Structure
Builder gel, Gel-X and apex placement, practiced on real clients.
- 4
Art & finish
French, chrome, animal print and hand-painted details, and how to photograph them.
- 5
Your clientele
Pricing, booking policies, client care and building a following online.
Before your visit
The questions clients ask us most. For anything else, message us on Instagram.
Message us on InstagramCala Studio · usually replies the same day
Online through Vagaro, any time of day. Choose your service and your artist, and you get a confirmation right away.
Please give us at least 24 hours’ notice. Late cancellations and no-shows are charged 50% of the service.
New clients, and clients with a history of no-shows, leave a deposit when booking. A card is required to hold every appointment.
Let us know as soon as you can. After 15 minutes we may need to reschedule so the next client isn’t kept waiting.
Yes, whenever there’s an open chair. Booking ahead is the surest way to get the time and artist you want.
Yes, free parking right at the studio: 377 Main St, Unit 103, Niantic.
Sí. The whole team works in English and Spanish.
Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, debit or cash. Affirm is available for services over $50.
In 2027. Join the waitlist on this page and you’ll hear first about dates, pricing and seats.
Visit
Closed nowCome say hi
377 Main St in Niantic, a few steps from the water, with free parking at the door.
Talk to us
Hours
- Tuesday9:30 am – 7 pm
- Wednesday9:30 am – 7 pm
- Thursday9:30 am – 7 pm
- Friday9:30 am – 7 pm
- Saturday9 am – 6 pm
- SundayClosed
- MondayClosed
Good to know
- Free parking
- Walk-ins when there’s an open chair
- Wi-Fi and snack bar
- English and Spanish
- Kid-friendly
We accept: Visa · Mastercard · Discover · American Express · Debit · Cash
24-hour notice to cancel or reschedule. Late cancellations and no-shows are charged 50% of the service.
377 Main St, Unit 103Niantic, CT 06357
Get directions