Absolutely insane that I'm writing this as I'm still processing the experience and am the literal last person to be negative about any service. Recently I started acrylics again after a yearlong hiatus to strengthen my nails. I used to get acrylics regularly every 3 weeks, and I can say in all confidence that I have never in my life had a more traumatic experience at a salon. Three weeks ago, I had a wonderful experience here, so I recommended a friend and I go back so I could get a fill.
Yesterday, after my friend's appointment had already started, I waited for someone in the chair for 25 mins (longer than expected but I'm always patient and didn't mind). Finally I was happy to see that the nail tech who did my manicure prior would also be doing my nails this time. I told her how I loved the ones I had, and I was looking to get something similar. She began filing them, which I thought was odd because they had not soaked yet to be removed and were very clearly still attached to my nails except my my thumb, which I told her had peeled up slightly. However, within a few seconds, the tech grabbed pliers and ripped the fake nail entirely off. I was stunned with shock and the actual pain, and visibly pulled my hands back instantly. When I explained that that her, she continued cutting and peeling the nails with the pliers. I began crying, and told her I was in a lot of pain and needed to soak them. Immediately she was defensive and blamed me for not notifying her that I wanted them soaked. I don't know much about nails--hence why I get them done--but I have plenty of previous experience to know what she did was just wrong. Especially when I both react in pain and actually tell her. I asked her to just please only soak them, because I was no longer interested in continuing the appointment--mostly because my fingers we throbbing and felt far too damaged for additional acrylics. After arguing with me that the soaking method would take longer and us both clearly being frustrated, she walked away and I sat there until another tech brought the materials to soak them 15 mins later. The most bizarre treatment came from my friend's nail tech surprisingly, who told her that I must just be uncomfortable with that specific nail tech (?) doing my nails, and I was acting irrational. He also blamed the person who did them before, which was entirely ironic because it was literally the same lady. When my friend addressed his comments and that in fact I was in pain from the tech's own wrongdoing and continued with the painful removal until I forcibly said to stop, he also left and could clearly be heard talking with my first nail tech in the back of the store.
After my nails soaked for an incredibly long time, another nail tech who previously tried to mediate the situation apologized, soaked and filed them off, and offered to do the nails I initially wanted to have done. Though I probably should have just left, after some convincing I obliged because it was too late to get an appointment elsewhere and unluckily wanted them done for a specific upcoming event 2 days later. He was really understanding of the situation and gentle with the damaged nails, and after more than 2.5 hours I got the intended result.
I can't believe I paid full price now, but I was really just drained and wanted to leave without any other problems. Very long story short, go at your own risk. I am so disappointed because I specifically recommended the salon previously and thought I had finally found the one I'd continue going to, but the situation was honestly more than frustrating, uncomfortable, and straight up demoralizing. Between the blatant gossiping and the actual pain and damage to my nails, I have never been made to feel worse by a business. read more