I've been coming to this salon for about two years and have spent a lot of money here, primarily…read moreseeing Kathy or Dona for Gel-X sets and pedicures. I kept giving this place chance after chance because it's close to home and I wanted to support a local business, but unfortunately the quality, pricing transparency, and overall professionalism have gone seriously downhill.
First, the pricing has become completely inconsistent. I've been getting my nails done consistently for over 12 years, so I understand standard pricing for Gel-X, nail art, removals, gel polish, etc. Somehow every visit the total increases by $15-$20, even when I'm requesting simpler designs. Sometimes I'll get intricate hand-painted art, and other times just a basic French set with a small charm. Even with more minimal services, the pricing continues to rise with no clear explanation.
What concerns me most is the lack of itemized receipts. I pay cash every time, and charges are just verbally added at checkout. I've been charged $15-$20 for Gel-X removal even when I'm getting a full new set and pedicure. Adding gel polish to a pedicure is another $20. Meanwhile, I recently paid about $5 for the same gel add-on at another salon. The pricing here feels inconsistent and not transparent.
The quality also does not match the cost. I've experienced:
- Hair cured into the nail from the brush
- Crooked or uneven shaping
- Overly wide nails that don't age well within a week
- Incomplete cuticle cleanup
- Lifting shortly after appointments
- Gel not fully removed before new applications
- Streaky polish and messy edges
- Peeling on toes within a day or two
At this price point, these issues shouldn't be recurring.
The atmosphere has also become uncomfortable at times. There have been moments where staff appear to argue over who will do my nails, and I've personally experienced comments about my appearance and belongings, including being called "Miss Rich Girl" or asked if I'm rich based on what I'm wearing. It feels unprofessional and uncomfortable when I'm simply there for a service.
During my last appointment, I also felt very uneasy by the interactions between staff while I was being serviced. The tone and laughter made it feel like I was being discussed in a negative way, which made the experience uncomfortable and difficult to ignore. I expect professionalism regardless of what language is being spoken, and customers should never feel disrespected while receiving a service.
Another major issue is loyalty. Despite a rewards program being advertised and my phone number being entered every visit, I've never received meaningful points, discounts, or rewards--even after two years of consistent spending.
What's frustrating is that I have tried to be a loyal and respectful customer. I've tipped well, brought gifts during holidays, and supported this business for a long time despite ongoing issues.
At this point, I can no longer justify the pricing or experience. When you're paying premium prices, you expect consistency, respect, and quality--and that has not been my experience here.
To be fair, I recently went to an independent nail artist in Santa Ana and the difference was immediate. She took her time, executed the design properly from inspiration photos, and delivered a cleaner, longer-lasting set at a lower price. That experience made it clear that the issue isn't my expectations--it's the inconsistency here.
I wanted to like this salon because of convenience, but I ultimately can't continue spending this kind of money for this level of service.
