So, I REALLY wanted to like this place and went back and forth on whether or not I should give a negative review. I am new to the area and needed to find my new nail place. I specifically chose Onyx for three reasons:
1- Positive Yelp reviews
2- Instagram worthy client photos
3- Late appointment hours
I work during the week in San Mateo, as well as, on the weekends so my availability is very limited to say the least. I was so excited to see that I could get a fill at 7pm and booked my appointment through Yelp roughly a week ahead of time (requesting a specific technician). Day of I called to confirm and they asked if I could come in at 6:30pm which I was able to make as traffic was minimal.
When I arrived, I was immediately greeted and the overall spa and nail area was very clean. I was offered water and my service began immediately. I was happy I didn't have to wait or get a different technician than requested.
It took roughly an hour to complete my fill and this is where my experience became cringeworthy. She asked how I wanted my nails and I showed her a picture, she said okay but had a strange look on her face (I assumed she just didn't like the color). Not once was I told the design was too complicated or there wasn't enough time. I picked out my color in polish and as I went to wash my hands I heard the other technician mention on the sly something along the lines of "what about/are you going to do gel". I come back and gel is out (gut told me upsell but I went along with the mindset of they are the professionals). I sit down and then these negative space stickers are placed on my nails, painted over with gel and then cured. When pulled off, they made the gel leave these rough lines and there we spots where the gel went under the sticker as it wasn't laid evenly. It was back and forth with this, then free-handing then "I should have just used polish, the gel is making the lines bleed". Really? I requested polish, you switched to gel.
It is now 8:15/8:30 and her next client/family comes in and I begin to feel awkward that I've been there so long. Once the gel polish was fully on she sent me to the other technician for topcoat (I'm falling asleep at this point as I have been up since 5am) and says "wait, are you okay with these?".
This is where I messed up. I should have said " No I am not". But I didn't, I was uncomfortable that I was there so late, and there was already a person behind me. I was exhausted and just could not fathom staying there for another 10 minutes let alone an hour for more polish. Instead, I do a half-assed glance and say sure as I'm only thinking about getting home.
I left at 8:40pm and when I got home and REALLY looked at them did I realize what a train wreck they were. The length was not even, acrylic was higher in some parts and lower in others, lumps of acrylic under my nails and the gel polish/design was just... just awful.
I called my sister and begged her to try, do anything, and fix them (she is not a nail technician but owns a "gelish kit"). She was able to come by at 9pm last night to file them down, even out the length and put a legit coat of gel on them until I can get them "fixed". I was beside myself thinking I'd have to go into my work with those nails.
Now, I know I should have said I was not happy at the time, and tried to get in at a later date (which is part of the reason why I was conflicted on giving a negative review). But, this technician knew on nail #1 it wasn't going to work out and proceeded to continue. I'm not sure if she was tired, didn't think I would become a regular client or what. But I will not be coming back, which is disappointing. I REALLY REALLY wanted to make this my new place read more