Great Nails Techs, Unprofessional Management
Both of the techs that I have worked with have been wonderful! I included a set of the nails I got done last year for reference -- they were so cool!
That said, the last time I booked an appointment here, it got a little out of hand. I booked the same service I did the last time. I knew the inspiration pictures were more detailed than last time, so I told the tech I would be happy to bump up to a higher tier and/or do something simpler if needed. When I showed my inspiration to the nail tech, she (very reasonably) set expectation that the level of detail was not something she could do at the time, and suggested that I either get a different style of nail art or reschedule for a different date with another artist if I wanted that exact design. I told her that I was totally fine doing a simpler design, I was just looking to get something in those colors / the general inspiration for a concert I was attending this weekend. I asked her what would be possible to do instead. We pulled up the picture of the previous set I'd gotten done there; she said that some of those designs would be within her ability and we could do them with the colors for the inspo pic, which I thought was a great idea!
At that point, though, the owner Hanh (who was not at the salon) called her and asked to speak with me. She seemed very upset and very loudly (in the full salon room) told me that I either needed to choose a different design or leave. The nail tech had sent her the inspiration photos to see if there was another person working there who could do it -- while this was a very kind thought, I want to be clear that I did not ask her to do this. I assured the owner that I was working with the tech to choose a different design and apologized for any stress I may have caused. She just said "you can give the phone back now" and refused to speak any further.
While I appreciate that Hanh was trying to advocate for an employee, I felt that her response was both unnecessary and unprofessional. I was, up to the point of the phone call, very willing to work with the stylist to come up with a simpler design. However, after the phone call I apologized to the tech and said I thought I needed to go home instead. I was not comfortable giving my money to someone who chose to yell at me over speakerphone in a crowded room -- just because (at least from my perspective) the inspiration photos I pulled up were too detailed for her, even though I had already offered to go with a simpler design.
I'm leaving Honey Nails 3 stars because my experience of the salon has been mixed.
The nail techs are very talented and kind and they do a wonderful job. If it were just for them, I would happily go back. If I could give a review just for them, it would be five stars.
However, I cannot personally give a five star review to, or continue to spend my money at, a business run by someone who approached me with disrespect without listening to my willingness to change direction and move forward with a simpler design.
EDIT after owner response: I sincerely apologize for any stress I may have caused.I repeatedly stated at the salon that I was happy to move forward with a different design and did not want to cause an issue. I absolutely took no for an answer and when Hanh called the nail tech was bringing out polish for another design. I was not at all frustrated by their inability to replicate the design, I just left because of the rude phone call. I also would have been happy to share the inspiration photos ahead of time had there been an option to do so on the booking form. The nail tech said to me that she was fine with the situation because she knew I was willing to get my nails done anyway, and apologized to me for the phone call before I left. I deeply appreciate the staff but I stand by my review. I feel that the response from the owner misrepresents both my character and the situation, but there is nothing I can do here to change that so I am choosing to move on. Thank you and have a lovely weekend. read more