went here today for the first time. they cut my three times and my nails turned out mediocre

I had a pretty poor experience this last weekend at Crystal Nails. My mother in law and I went into their store around 430 on Saturday to get two pedicures and a manicure. As soon as we got into the salon we were told they were doing a money drop at the bank and requested we pay before our service. I didn't much mind this at first as I've worked in businesses that have had to do the same if there is some kind of deadline. I soon felt however that by the time I left, my "paying" upfront seemed to leave me no recourse for expressing my unsatisfactory experience. I was asked to pick a color from the polish wall and about maybe 30 seconds into looking I was approached by one of the ladies who asked what I wanted. I explained I was still looking. After making my selection and informing them of the service I was looking for, I was told the total was $86.00. Everything started going horribly wrong after sitting down in the salon chair. My finger nails are super sensitive and I've always HATED getting my nails shaved with the drill . Because of this I'm always a little anxious during that part of the process but as soon as it's over I'm able to relax. As my manicurist sat down to begin, I could IMMEDIATELY tell she was in a hurry to be done...and or super irritated to have another customer. She kept dropping items in her hast and when the drilling began kept yanking my hands towards her. I was prepared for the few minutes of shaving but for what ever reason, this manicurist kept going over and over and over my nails with the shaver. While she was drilling, she kept looking up and over her shoulder to talk to various other techs in the shop. I had no problem with her talking BUT while she was talking she seemed to forget to keep the drill moving and it would begin to burn my nail bed. I had to pull my hands away from her several times to stop the burning. The manicurists would spout a quick "sorry" before beginning her drilling again. Additionally, during one over the shoulder conversation, the drill left my nail and ended up on the side of my finger causing a little abrasion to the side of my finger. After the drilling, the manicurist started in on shaping. I had coffin shaped nails and though she never asked I assumed she would know based on the shape to keep them the same...that's on me for not speaking up earlier. After a second bout of drilling along the top of my nails she started in on the shaping. My manicurist again continued looking everywhere but my nails during conversation and at one point cut the side of another finger with the file! It started bleeding so I got up to wash my hands and grab some paper towels to keep the blood from getting anywhere unsafe. The manicurist immediately started explaining I had a hang nail but I 100% knew I didn't have a hang nail on the very tip of my finger. During the color application, my manicurist forgot the colors I wanted and on what fingers I was hoping to have the color on. I had asked for my ring finger to be a darker shape and matte. She added the color and put the normal gel shine. I reminded her of the matte color request and she hastily put in on my nail to dry. During the last few minutes of my service, my manicurist kept saying how she was sorry but I had a hang nail and that it looked just fine. I know this is long...sorry I was just super frustrated even a day later. I don't usually leave reviews and feel its sometimes unfair because reviews often seem over exaggerated but this experience was just so awful I had to share. I use to call this salon my home salon as it was the closest place to my house and had a great atmosphere but after a previous experience of their over use of the nail drill and their hasty jobs I moved on to another salon. This recent attempt to give this place a second chance just proves to me why I left in the first place. I can totally understand wanting to be done with your day and get customers in and out quickly but there has to be some kind of limit to the hastiness. The quality of your work shouldn't be forgotten with the need to be quick ESPECIALLY when you charge your customers $86 dollars for your service. read more

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This place has become my to-go place! I usually get my nails done with Kim, she does such a great, clean and detailed job! I was used to paying a lot more for the same work so paying about 30% less than what I payed before is a big plus! If you need your brows done Vicky is your gal! She does what you ask for never thins out or shapes without asking. They also recently remodeled the entire place and it looks great! :) read more

Crystal Nails - Nail date with daughter - Nail Salons Near Me - San Diego, California

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I waited forever I got there at 330 and left at 6! They put other people in front of me! And they cut my finger with nail filler and when I mentioned it he said I already had that cut it's okay but the whole time is was bleeding and burned when he poured alchoal on it.. read more

WORST.THREADING.EVER. I have eyebrows that are very prominent on my face and grow like bushy black weeds, and I'd rather NOT have my brows threaded and look like an Amazon woman than step into this hell hole ever again. Not only is this place ghetto as heck but the woman seats you in a flippin wobbly ass office desk chair (likely was found in or around a dumpster behind the building) with your neck cricked back and takes her sweet time messing up your brows so you are left deformed and more sore than if you were involved in a multi-car collision. Funny how all of the reviews I've read state that they were charged about $10-$15 bucks, because when I went here the breezy charged me $18 stating that she was "giving me a deal because I'm trying to grow my brows out." Phuck that shit.* I've never paid more than $12 to get my eyebrows done, and they usually come out looking nicely shaped not completely phucked. Never have I ever stepped foot in a bigger monstrosity of a business than this place. This is a clear business model of what NOT to do, and I am baffled contemplating how this place is still in business. Please do yourself a favor and travel elsewhere for your threading needs. Might I suggest Beauty By Dolly in Mira Mesa? Most definitely worth the drive. *Excuse my foul language as it is vulgar, but in this instance I feel it is 100000% warranted. read more

I used to come here to get my eyebrows threaded and my nails done. I know better now. They never take appointments seriously and they are always telling you an inaccurate wait time. My sister and I were there once and they told us 15 minutes. After 30 minutes my sister started complaining. Then, they started talking to each other about my sister in Vietnamese! Guess what ladies? Vietnamese is not some super secret language that nobody knows. We know what you are saying and that is just rude! After getting our nails done and my eyebrows threaded (which were mostly waxed as other reviewer have pointed out), we paid and left telling them "Cam On, Zin Chao Ba" read more

Omg!!!! Vicky did my nails and added an extra touch! So cute omg. She was so sweet and so extra. Love everything about her service read more

Crystal Nails - Come to her!!! So cute - Nail Salons Near Me - San Diego, California

I've been going to Vickie for the past 4 year and she's ALWAYS hooked up my eyebrows. I've been threading my eyebrows for since 2001, first in LA then in San Francisco so I was pretty picky on choosing who touches my eyebrows. I was a little sketchy at first when I walked into the shop but Vickie knows what she is doing. All the ladies in there do an awesome job on mani/pedis too. The only reason that I didn't give the place 5 stars is because if you get there at the wrong time, you'll be waiting HELLA LONG for your eyebrows. And maybe it is in the ghetto, but it all depends on what you thing the GHETTO is... College and University? Yeah, maybe a little ghetto, but it's really not THAT bad =) read more

This place has got to be the most ghetto and filthy place ever. I needed my brows done and as i walked in, no one greeted me, instead yelled from distance "watchu need". I should have taken that as a cue and left. Absolutely no business decorum in there whatssoever. The lady who did my brows sat me in a wobbly chair and kept forcefully flipping my head from side to side, and wouldnt even ask what i wanted. She continued to stare at herself in the mirror and had this haughty attitude. And took her sweet time staring at her reflection as though she was hoping to see a beautiful woman standing there or something. She messed up my brows one was arched the other thin. I looked suprised. she overplucks, then threads, then waxes. seriously? I recommend if you love your eyebrows, and want to get it done somewhere clean and nice go somehwere else. her wax was filthy and her station was gross and so was she. Also she talks over you as though your not there. disgusting. don't ever go here. it's ghetto, dirty, rude service, and fluctuating prices. this place is not worth your money. thier wait time is so long, and they never stick to appointments at all. I never had my nails done here but it looks gross too. read more

First and foremost I will say this is the kind of "no-frills just business" type of salon a lot of women don't like. NO, they do not have massaging thrones, NO, they do not mind speaking a different language in front of you to make you extremely paranoid about that corn on your left toe and NO, they ARE going to give you a pedicure using a trash bag placed inside a homestyle footbath with utensils you probably already have. That said, these ladies are AMAZING. They are just purely good at what they do. They do nail art very well, and I can really appreciate how they take their time. Once, I came here and got a mani and pedi right before going to the gym (smart move, right?) Anyways, while at the gym some of the polish rubbed off of my big toe because of my socks and sneakers. I went back to the salon, expecting to have to pay, and they fixed it for free! How nice was that? I've been coming here off and on (I don't keep my nails done all the time) for about a year and a half and have always been pleased. Sometimes there is a little bit of a wait...and not to sound stuck up but there are some ghetto clientele in the building at times...but it is worth it for the price. As of now I've only had manicures and pedicures done at this shop, so I really can't speak on their threading or waxing abilities. read more

This is one of the worst nail salons I've been too in San Diego. The gal (Helen) did a horrible job filling my nails. The top of my nail looks like a dirt road. NOT SMOOTH OR EVEN AT ALL. She also left the underside of my tips very rough.. The price was low but it goes without saying YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. Low prices shouldn't mean low quality but at the Salon that is exactly what it means. I'm sorry I gave her a tip at all. read more

WORST EXPERIENCE EVER!!!! Wanted to get my nails done, I did not go in there to get yelled at by the owner especially when never once did I raise my voice or be disrespectful. Lady kept messing up on my nails and I was there over three hours. Owner flips out and starts yelling at me for absolutely no reason with my 4 year old standing right there!!!!! read more

Crystal Nails - This is seriously how the were going to finish off my nails... - Nail Salons Near Me - San Diego, California

The owner did my nails and I was satisfied with how they came out. She was very welcoming and I loved her energy.

Best experience I had at a nail salon in years. Vicky the manager has a great personality. She does the best eyebrows in San Diego hands down. Also Ling did a great job on my nails she was friendly and very patient with me. Thank you Vicky for executing my nail shape!! Found my new nail salon. Also may I add how clean the shop is come get the best service from Crystal nails. You will not be disappointed read more

Hands down Vikki is the bomb! I've been in search for a new nail tech and I have found her! She made me feel so comfortable with her, she took her time and she was amazing! I loved everything about her. Thank you Vicki for working me into your busy schedule and doing my nails. Let me rephrase the nail tech part, because she is more than just a nail tech, shes a cosmetologist with lots of experience and knows her shit! Thanks again! Can't wait to be back! read more

Vicky is the Best Wax & Eyebrow threader in SD!! Affordable, no long wait times and central, the shop is near everything!

My new spot. Lindsey did my nails and just new her shit! Stayed past closing to finish and gave a discount with me being a noobie. Friendly vibe and phenomenal service / products! read more

Crystal Nails - The outcome ! In love and feeling ferocious. - Nail Salons Near Me - San Diego, California

I have been coming here since high school! I've been a loyal customer since 2004 And whenever I come I have a wonderful experience! Thank you Vicky for spending time on my eyebrows making them perfect! And thank you Tina for doing my nails !and thank You for giving me the $10 to buy pizza across the street when I forgot my wallet that one time thank you read more

I always go here to get my eye brows done and Vicky always does an amazing job , she never fails to mess up my eye brows so I went to get my nails done for the first time ever and Linda did my nails , she did exactly what I asked for with no mess ups , I showed her the picture and she executed. Best place to get your nails and eyebrows done, very nice workers they always make sure your satisfied and that it's the style you want. read more

Crystal Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - San Diego, California

I love this place. The owner is very honest about nail care and prices are fair. She does the legwork for her customers by comparing different techniques on each of her hands to be able to give customers answers that she knows is true from experience. I wouldn't go anywhere else. read more

I've been a loyal customer here for 5 years. Only to he my EYEBROWS- THREADED by Vicki.... Nobody can get my eyebrows on "fleek" like her!! I seriously mean it! I've tried other threading salons at the malls - from Mission Valley, Horton Plaza, & Plaza Bonita and walk out of there looking like "homie the clown" from the comedy show In Living Color. Don't get threading at the mall! Go see Vicki at Crystal's Nails. I can guarantee that you'll be happy with the outcome of Vicki's threading skills. She's amazing (da' bomb in da' business)!! read more

I come here very often . They are very friendly & always willing to fix whatever their mistake is . Affordable . read more

Crystal Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - San Diego, California

I have to keep looking up the name of this place because I just know it as Vicki's nail salon on University. I was introduced to Vicki's Salon when I was about 10yrs old, my mom took us down to the "ghetto" to get our nails and eyebrows done right for less. I learned a valuable life lesson during those girls outings: sometimes the best kept secrets are where you'd least expect them to be. Ghetto--maybe, but you will not get shot while you're patronizing this shop so don't worry about that. It's not that bad. Time--You've got to get in good with Vicki to get that good in and out treatment ;) Other than that, just block out 2-3 hrs of your day...call it your ME TIME and go during off peak hours (weekdays, early -- perfect if you're an SDSU student between classes) or grab a good book and prepare to sit and wait with the crowds. Don't let them skip you though! If you want people to be on your time and keep appointments there are plenty of pricier salons who would love to take you on as a customer. Language Barrier--There might be one person you don't understand, but everyone else is very easy to understand. They will start speaking in their native language if they don't strike up a conversation with you. But this is America --every immigrant & immigrant's descendant has a right to speak their native language. Go back to reading your book/magazine because most likely they're not talking about you..unless you're That Girl. Results--They do a great job! If you don't like what you see, speak up and politely ask them to fix it. Simple. They're awesome! Don't forget to tip them! Whatever you have, shows appreciation and makes you a valued customer for next time. read more

Vicky is the bomb! Eyebrows stay on point thanks to her! Love you Vicky! She the BEST. Wax and threading.

I won't come back again! They do crappy work.. and they don't clean there equipment!! Yuck!! The lady who does eyebrows ( I think she's the owner) was doing someone's eyebrows and stop to use the tweezers to clean under her dirty nail then kept plucking the customers eyebrow.. read more

Vicki is the best at doing eyebrows. Literally the only lady i trust with brows. As for the nails, I don't think I'm ever going to pay for mani and pedi because the service is done very poorly. Customer service is not that great. I got my hands and toes done (french) it did not last for not even 2 days. The lady that did my nails was rushing and I don't recommend you get your nails done but I do for the eyebrows because Vicki is the Best! read more

Bad customer service!! As soon as I walked in they told me to pick out my color once I did it they told me to sit down once the lady was gonna start someone else walked in they were talking the main lady doing my nails told me to get up and to wait for an hour ! Bc she was gonna take the other lady first ! Plus only 2 Ladys doing nails !!! Never again ! I was going to give it a chance i rather drive to diva nails in chula ! read more

This was so worth a lil drive Vicki did a great job on my eyebrows/ lip I will suggest you go during the week. She says it can be really busy for her during the weekend. Good looking out Vicki! Looking forward to our next visit. My skin will no longer breakout thanks to this unique procedure. read more

Vicky is the ONLY person I will let touch my eyebrows. I get my eyebrows threaded by her every 2 weeks. I used to live in close proximity to the salon, which was convenient...but, I have since moved about 20 miles north and I STlLL make the commute to go see her. Vicky is also very sweet and funny! Nancy is by far THE BEST nail tech for pedicures. She takes her time and is quite the perfectionist. She always makes my feet feel so refreshed and pretty. read more

I love this place! Vicki does it all, Eyebrows on Fleek! She did my nails today! My daughter and granddaughter also.... read more

Crystal Nails - Vicky does a great job! My Daughter and Granddaughter got their nail done today! - Nail Salons Near Me - San Diego, California

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My daughter and I come here primarily for eyebrow threading and waxing. Always leave happy and gets us in out as fast as they can. Great job on pedicures too. Plenty of parking outside too. read more

When you read the reviews believe them! Only let VICKY touch your eyebrows. This lady started off by wiping my eyebrows off then proceeded to wipe off my damn cheek for what idek! She wiped off my make-up which was strike 1. Then she went on to wax them & smh one was round the other was straight how it should've been. All said & done I have wax all over my face & uneven brows with countless extra hairs left over. So now I have to go home to fix them myself, & wasted $10 for nothing since I didn't have time to wait on the infamous Vicky to come in at 12 when the shop opened at 10. I only stopped in because I was in the area & had been here once before years ago. read more

Went to this place as a recommendation from my hair lady. FIRST of all this place is in the GHETTO and I'm not exaggerating. The Asian lady who does threading has some long ass nails and is not so pleasant. She moves your head around like its a rag doll when she threads. SECOND she SUCKS at threading. The first time I went she did wax and threading on my brows. I told her to just clean them up and she messed up my beautiful shape I got from the threader I went to in LA. She charged me $10. Second time i went i though i would try her 1 more time..Mistake. I asked her to do just threading and it still look like crap. She charger me $12 this time. I hate going to places that charge you different prices every time you go..so unprofessional. Luckily ill NEVER go here again. Do to BEAUTYBYDOLLY in Mira Mesa to get threading done by REAL threading professionals. read more

AWFUL! Bad service! Dirty. In NY I pay half of what they charge and get better service, as well as in a cleaner salon. I went in on a thursday around 12ish and was relieved when I saw they weren't busy. (I have come here other days and they were always really busy with over an hour wait.) Anyways I sat in a broken computer chair and leaned back as she almost waxed my eyebrows off. She didn't even remember me repeatedly telling her THREAD. Half way through my first eyebrow some chick walks in, and Vicky? says "Oh! she was here first.. I have to finish her nails" SO what am I going to do..... walk out of the place with half of my eyebrow done, No. So now I have to wait atleast 15mins for her to finish some girl's nail, who came in after me. When she finally gets back to me -honestly- I was kind of scared, as she was more involved with chatting with the people around me rather than doing my eyebrows. She wasn't even talking to me, the person's eyebrow she was doing! Anyways when she finally finished it, it seemed like she didn't even do much to my eyebrows! I friggen wasted $10.. to come home and try and pluck 'em myself. Ridiculous! very disgusted by their service! read more

I used to come here to get my eyebrows threaded during college and so I've continued to come here. What the heck was I thinking?!? The wait is always soooooo long, Vicki is rude at times and she varies her prices all the time. They never seem to stick to appt times either. I admit that she does a decent job at threading, but she tosses your head around like a rag doll. Invest your money and time at a better place to get your eyebrows done. read more

Vicky will hook your eyebrows up! Traditional services nail and waxing salon with traditional Vietnamese ladies that do an excellent job on your manicure, pedicure, and waxing needs. They offer threading here at a very reasonable price (under $10). They are closed on Sundays and close at 7 during the week. This place is packed on Fridays and Saturdays so try to schedule your beauty needs around those busy times. This is not a sit down, chat kinda spa. Get in, get pretty, move on. read more

Came in for stiletto nails and came out looking like bride of chunky nails. I asked for a design and they didn't understand what I wanted. Ugh read more

GHETTO. Seriously. They use little plastic tubs for pedicures, have a broken office chair for waxing, poor ventilation & not enough chairs. The lady that did my "pedicure" in the little tub of water & soap soaked my feet, cleaned my toes a little bit than left me with one foot in the water for 7 minutes to touch some lady's hands & add a top coat on her acrylics without washing her hands first. I'm sorry but if I was that lady getting her nails done I'd be disgusted. The lady that did my nails didn't take her time, rushed through it and did my french pedi a little crooked. One star because she fixed it. The threading here is a joke. Vicky (who is the owner) just waxes the majority of your eyebrows off, than "threads" a tiiiiiiiny bit. Not that it makes a difference anyways. She did whatever she wanted, didnt even ask me if I liked them than sent me away. On top of that they overcharged me a few dollars. I didnt care anymore because I just wanted to get the f' out of the overpacked, poorly ventilated nail shop. I wouldn't even call it a salon. Nothing is relaxing about the place. I've been to alot of cheaper places that have quality---- something this place lacks. I had a massive headache after getting out of the shop because of the strong chemical smells. Not only that I came out wasting an hour an a half of my life, 30 dollars poorer with a sucky eyebrow "thread" and french pedicure. I only tipped because the lady looked seriously overworked. read more

Lower than my expectations! I got a fill and a pedi. The paint job and art work on the pedi were good but when she brought a bucket out for me to put my feet in I was taken aback. The fill was terrible! The girl could see I wanted rounded nails and I reiterated that her, but she cut them too short and made them witch like. After telling her "rounded not pointy" the 3rd time I had to shape them myself. She then proceeded to do a horrible paint job; polish was all over my hands. Before my nails could dry all the way they told me to leave and to just "be careful". Needless to say my nails were jacked up before I got to the car and I had to repaint them myself. Never going back. On the plus side everyone who got their eyebrows done looked very nice. read more

Super unprofessional. I used to go to Vicky all the time for my eyebrows and she never fails to talk on the phone WHILE waxing/threading my eyebrows. This morning my sister and I waited 45 minutes and right before we were about to go up she says she has to make a phone call. Mind you that was the fourth one she made during our time there. Never going here again. They do nails/toes here just fine, but don't get your eyebrows done here. read more