BY FAR, THE WORST EXPERIENCE EVER. the older woman was rude and indifferent to the pain she was inflicting while she was "cleaning" the varnish excess, she was digging her finger nail way to far into mine and the paint was cured on top of my skin, I asked her to help me and she blamed me because my finger nails were to short. Well, if you are a professional in the first place, you would've been able to handle it like a professional right? That's it, i rather spend a bit more money and have a pleasant experience and will trybto forget this trauma to my nails. Close that place down! read more

Don't go to this nail salon they did a horrible job of my pedicure I don't even think they cut my nails because my nails still felt pretty long after they did my pedicure and The woman there yesterday I went to the mall and she came running out at me and harassing me saying that she was going to call the police on me because I didn't pay for my pedicure the last time these people at Kelly nails need sensitivity training for people that have disabilities and a person with disabilities and sometimes I have trouble with my money I wouldn't recommend this salon read more

Well I went there and paid for 4 sets of nails next day 1 all her nails came off another one 2 of her nails came off and the 4th person they all chipped never again Just 1 set is good thank full they mine read more

I went to Cali Nails some time ago, and they did a fairly good job. However, the day after having them done, I woke up to an infection on ALL of my fingertips! They were red all the way around the nail bed, and on the opposite, fleshy side too. I should mention too, that it was painful! I was horrified, so I went to the doctor. He said that since I've never had this problem before, when I've had my nails done elsewhere, it was an infection, not an allergy of any kind. I took my antibiotics like a good girl, and the infection healed & went away, but not before the skin on the tips of my fingers all peeled off! In short, I will never go there again. Also, I don't mean this to be racist, but when one is running a business that involves dealing with the public, it would be great if at least a few of the staff could speak The language of wherever the set up business! I'm sorry I couldn't leave a better review. P.S. Bella Nails in the Departure Bay area is awesome! read more

I really appreciated the male tech who did my daughters nails and was incredible and meticulous. He did a great job and was very detail oriented. The woman, who I assume is the owner, did my nails and did a horrible job. She used the drill to buff and buffed so deep almost to my flesh in the middle of my one of my nails. I left very disappointed, they were messy and gummy with sharp edges! I fully recommend the male tech but not anyone else. read more

I had my nails done at Cali Nails last month - 4 of the nails literally came off after 10 days! I had a "FILL" done last week cost $67.00!!! I told her the nails came off last time, her answer was to come in every two to three weeks!!! I went home - 5 days later one nail broke, so I went in to get it fixed. They charged me ANOTHER $5.00 for the nail! SO THEY DO NOT GUARANTEE their work and DO NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS!!!! read more

Ok, so there isn't an option here for a negative star, and if there were, I'd give it -5. Stopped in here today with my daughter to treat her to a manicure. Bunch of girls sitting around not busy , so we were ushered in. I sat down, and immediately noticed how dirty the place was. An old nasty towel placed over the of at the manicure station , not a clean fresh one.. ugh. Next the girl sits down, doesn't even say hello or look at me. She just starts to work on my nails. My nails are short to begin with, and she asks what shape I want. I said doesn't matter just make them all even and clean. I say, how are you today? Trying to start some sort of convo. She didn't even look at me and said, ok. Didn't ask me how I am or even look at me.. so I think, oh well she's not a friendly one. But , for a spa service business , not good. She cleans my nails barely pushed back the cuticle and after she was done cutting the cuticle, my fingers look worse than before. She spent all of 10 mins on the actual manicure part. I had to tell her a couple of times that there were still bits of cuticle hanging off then she cackles to her comworker in a foreign language leaving me feeling like they are dissing me. Next the massage, which is the part I look forward to the most. I didn't have polish, because my nails are too short. The massage was her putting a small amount of lotion on the top of my hands. No rub, no nothing. She puts the clear coat on , tells me to stick my hands under the table in the dryer and walks away without a word. So I sit there, feeling like the manicure I was looking forward to was very lacking. I look at my nails and you can see the scratches on my nails under the clear coat from the file. My nails looked horrible. I wAs pissed but sat there waiting for my daughter to finish. She was still getting her massage from her girl. I got up and went to pay and mine cost 20 and hers 25. The girl who did my nails didn't look at me once when I paid, and didn't say thank you. She didn't get a tip. Worst nail place I've ever been to in my life. I should have refused to pay. But this is my payback. Rude employees. Brutal service . Never go here ! read more

Please do not visit Cali nail salon in Woodgrove Mall.  I went to the salon for a gel pedicure and a acarlic nail set. The nail technician I had was not friendly, hardly looked at me in the eye, and her technique was quite rough and sometimes painful. My gel polish on my toes is smudged which wasn'tfixed immediately. I didnt notice until the next day. The tech lacked care overall. I also wanted french fade acrylics, and she tried giving me natural polish and tried to say they were one in the same, which they aren't. I ended up with a 'chunky' tacky manicure very different than what I requested and way less than my expectations. It would be great if the nail technicians from this salon could keep up with current trends and styles, especially for the amount customers pay. I returned to the business to request a salon credit or refund and was told there were no refunds, there was no manager available to speak to, and all staff were rude, standoffish and unsympathetic or apologetic.  The nail technician that did my nails made a less than genuine attempt at offering to fix them, and told me to sit down and wait but she was already helping another client and I didn't want to take a chance and have her repeat the poor job she already had done.  I am not the first client who has been refused to refund, and the specialist has been reported to guest services at the mall as well as the Better Business Bureau.   They could not provide a policy on poor quality work. I will not be returning to the salon in the future. read more

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I had a really disappointing experience at this nail salon. The middle-aged woman who did my pedicure didn't do a good job at all. The gel polish was applied unevenly, the right sides of my toenails didn't even get polish on them, and I left with bits of polish all around the edges of my toes. I certainly won't be returning to this place. read more

Cali Nails - Right Foot - you can see the poorly applied polish, exposed edges of nail, smeared polish on toes - Nail Salons Near Me - Nanaimo, British Columbia

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Absolutely disgusting service. I went in for a fill a week ago (March 11) and asked for basic black shiny nails. As I was getting them done I told the lady that the UV light was not working and she shrugged it off and said it was dry. Spoiler alert- It wasn't. The polish was chunky and the application was ad as she missed 1/8th of my thumb when applying the polish. As I was in a rush, I paid for the service and left an appropriate tip. A fill was supposed to cost 25$, but I was somehow charged over $47 for basic black acrylics. The next day I noticed the polish was peeling due to it not getting cured in the UV light. This happened on two of my nails. In the days following TWO of my nails fell off leaving my actual nails to break. This was not due to strain on the nails, but due to not gluing them down properly. I went in for a refund today (March 18th) and was told that refunds were not given out and then they had the audacity to accuse me of purposely ripping off my nails. Never once was I offered even a slight apology. Incredibly upset as this nail service cost me $51.98 and I am left with 6 nails left. I wouldn't pay a dime to go back there. read more

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Wish I could give negative stars! Got a gift certificate for Christmas and used to get pedicures for my sister and I. I was very disappointed with the service and the final product, I could have done as good a job myself at home. She barely touched the callouses on my heels, which is the main reason I go for pedicures. Spent $42 each to have the 'esthetician' act like she didn't want to touch my calves! read more

I was charged $42 to get a fill in for my acrylic nails, basic coloured. On their services chart it is supposed to cost $25... I had previously asked how much it would theoretically cost for a custom painted design they quoted me $40-50 which I said was too high for me and I would just get a regular fill in. When my nails were finished they were not right, something with the chemicals made my nails spotted, when I pointed out the issue the lady seemed frustrated with me and redid the two worst nails. I later realized other nails are spotted too...She then charged me $42. When I came back to question why I was charged so much she chuckled at my questions and said that the service chart does not include cost for painting the nails (which doesn't make sense.) There is no indication for such an extra fee on the chart and in fact I was charged more than a full set of acrylic nails. I feel frustrated as I tried to resolve the issue with the business directly and will never come back. read more

I went there two days ago with my mom; I'm 17 and she's 52. We've both been to many nail salons together, and if I could give it negative stars as well, I would. We walked up to the counter, the lady was busy with another girl and told us to sit down and pick a colour. She started on my mothers nails right away, asked me what colour i wanted (i said 102 for all the nails except for the fourth nail on each hand, i wanted 161) and I literally waited 36 minutes before she even brought the nail polish out to begin on my nails. I wanted to get a new set, that's why i made the appointment, but i was told there's not enough time to do that and we needed to fill them instead (i already had my nails done 2 weeks prior, out of town, at a place that cares about/knows what they're doing.) So I just went with it, kind of disappointed. From the looks from the other customers, they weren't having a good time either. I watched a lady finish up on a girls nails, and did not clean up or sanitize her tools WHATSOEVER. Not even the nail file, nothing. Just waved me over without a word, worked hastily on my nails and filed them down to the point where it was excruciatingly painful. Looked at me maybe once the whole time, if at all. Did nothing with my cuticles, there were bits hanging off the side of the acrylics and i watched her try to pinch it off once, and when that failed she just left it there. Literally so rude, was clear as DAY that nobody in there cared at all about the work they were doing, or their customers for that matter. The price was low, yes, but not low enough because my mom and I both agreed afterwards that if we could go back in time, we'd have not gotten our nails done at all because it was such a bad job. It was really horrible, -infinity/10. Do not go there, honestly the worst nail place i have ever been to. read more

I went in to get gel nails 2 days ago (Gel powder.).. Not happy with my experience at all!! The girl was so rough even though she could tell that I was in pain. My fingers were throbbing all night afterwards and even the next day.. I have had my nails done many times and had never been in pain like this before. It was almost like she had sanded my nails too much and was hard on my cuticals too... Also, it's been 2 days and the edges are already lifting/ cracking. I am going to have to get them fixed in the next couple of days. :( read more

Cali Nails - 2 days after gel application. - Nail Salons Near Me - Nanaimo, British Columbia

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For some reason got charged $52.50 for a set of acrylic nails when their price chart says $35... terrible rushed job, pretty bad quality and not great service in general. Something gross under my nail polish as well which the guy ignored and is now stuck under there read more

My trip to Cali Nails for a Pedi was not worth it. I came in first thing on a Saturday, no wait, that was great but that was the end of it. The fellow that did my pedicure was nice but not very experienced. I was given a chair and while he was doing my pedicure two ladies came in and wanted a seat together. They were very loud and obnoxious and making a scene in the waiting room, so to appease "the Real Housewives of Nanaimo" i was rushed out of my chair, and had my toes painted while sitting on a chair, with the dude crouched over on the floor. Needless to say the paint job is terrible, I could have done better painting them myself in the dark!!!! This business is only about, get em in get em out. To pay over 40 dollars to be treated like cattle, not worth it. read more

WORST NAIL SALON EVER. The salon is not clean at all. The workers there are extremely rude, and unfriendly. The cleanliness of the store I would rate of zero out of five, and they do not understand English. I went to get a nail removal, and I've gone previously because the prices are cheaper and even though the service is bad I still put up with it to get a better price, but this time they charged me one dollar less (24 for removal) than the other store in the mall that has way better customer service. They didn't have a strong enough tool to remove my acrylic nails, and my lady left me to go do a pedicure for someone else, so It ended up taking over an hour for one removal. On top of this, whatever product they used to soak my nails in caused my hands to get white and scaly up to my wrists, and after asking the manager of the store three times for help saying excuse me, she still ignored me no matter how loud I was. Finally one of the other workers came back to tend to me, and I tried to tell her how much it was hurting and she shoved my hand back in the horrible solution... On top of that, she threw a dirty glove onto a paper towel that she was using and I figured she would've thrown it out and gotten a new paper towel to use on my nails, but she use the dirty glove paper towel after touching cash on my hands still. The store is absolutely terrible, zero out of 10 would not recommend do not go! read more

I came back home after living out of town for a while and needed one nail put on in a pinch after it feel off, easy enough. I have been there once before and being a nail tech myself said I'd never go back after the hack job of a fill I got! Against my better judgement I went back for the one nail to be replaced and was appalled by the practices I witnessed. Not only did the area in general look rather unkempt but she used the unsanitized dremil on my real nail but she used an already used file. If that wasn't enough to ruin the experience she couldn't even properly size or shape the nail to match my other finger. Even after comparing them several times!!! Ladies Do NOT go and spend your hard earned money at this establishment. You will receive a terrible, unsanitary, and incorrectly executed job. Getting your nails done is supposed to be enjoyable and relaxing my experience was everything but that! read more

They are RACIST ! They refused to do the color i desired on my toes (clear pinkish) because she claims the color is not nice on my black skin! I mentioned this is what i want tho but she plain refused to do it saying my nails are not nice amd its black so it will not be nice! What a joke! The audacity ! Ive never heard such a thing! She did not say this once but several time and kept saying it loudly in the whole store! We argued over this and then i left! Horrible !!! read more

terrible nail job . No refunds . Horrible business practices. First time getting nails done and was heartbroken. They charged $47 plus change for crap service. On the price menu it said $35 for the nails . We wont be back . read more

What a disappointment. Definitely the worst manicure experience I've ever had. The employee who served me was very rude and rough. He was not friendly or helpful. The manicure is sub-par, and the awful treatment by the employee was enough to make me never return. Pay a little extra and go ANYWHERE else! read more

Terrible! I decided to get my nails done while I was visiting the Island with my boyfriend. I wanted a shellac manicure - I have had shellac done many times before. They did a terrible job!! The shellac wasn't completely dried onto my nail and came off like clay once I left. Also the polish was put on uneven, the sides were jagged...all around a BAD BAD job! I went back and asked for either a refund or for them to redo it. The very rude lady offered my $5 back! I just paid $38 to have my nails done. $5 wouldn't even cover the acetone I would need to remove the polish from my nails! I let them redo it but asked for a different person as the one who originally did my nails obviously did not know what they were doing. They re did the polish but I am still not satisfied. I would never go here again. Over price, under qualified and all around poor. If I could give zero stars I would. read more

I've never had a bad experience here. Always beautiful results at the best prices. The convenient location is great for last minute walk in appointments. I've never been turned away. read more

This was the worst experience I have ever had! The staff was rude and discourteous, speaking and laughing in another language knowing we couldn't understand them. Asked for a set of acrylic nails and ended up getting gel nailpolish which I ended up just letting them paint as they did not understand when I tried to tell them again that I wanted false nails. Before I even left the mall the colour was coming off my nails. Now, two days later, half the colour is already gone. I also witnessed the staff giving three different price quotes which seem dependent on what the customer was wearing. I will definitely never be going back to Cali nails. read more

I stopped in because I needed a couple of damaged nails patched up. This place is about 4 feet wide, so you're pretty much sitting *in* the mall to get your manicure, with all the noise and bustle around you. The pedicure chairs are behind partially frosted glass but still - not a relaxing atmosphere at all. All I wanted was a basic french manicure, so I figured what the hell, let's get it over with. The manicurist I got ignored a couple of direct questions from myself, spent the entire time talking to the manicurist directly beside her (who was also ignoring his client) - in a foreign language, so I couldn't even join in. Felt very very assembly line-ish. Final job was very 'meh'. The lotion they use smells far too strongly, the water they soak your hands in is too cold and I can't even swear that she'd put any soap in there, and although I chose the 'expensive' version of my manicure, I somehow still didn't get a hand massage as part of the deal. She also walked away from me without a word and proceeded to clean a bunch of stations while my nails were drying. Not one word to me about "please wait" or "this will take such_and_such minutes" - I could have been a pair of disembodied hands, for all she took notice of the rest of me. And when she was done, she asked what color of nail polish I wanted - for a *french manicure*! At this point I just wanted to get out and go, as I had another place I had to be in a certain time, so I just told her a color and went with it. Final result: bubbles in the polish, and polish does not go all the way down and across the nail. Looks okay and it was only $20 but I'd prefer to spend more and get more. For reference's sake, let me just describe the only other place I ever went to for manicures; there used to be a place in this same mall that gave superb manicures, in a private room with very soothing music, and the manicurist was very good at taking cues from you as to whether you wanted to converse or just sit and daydream while she worked. Warm, bubble-filled hand bath, full hand and arm massage with a quality lotion, and nails that look spectacular; plus I walked out feeling relaxed and refreshed. I wish I could remember the name of *that* place, because I'd love to look around and see if it just changed locations. Bottom line: You get what you pay for. read more

I went to this nail salon because: this year as a Christmas present for my friends we all got our nails done here. We only went there because it was fast and only $20. The nails job was very "meh-ish" and the service could have been better. It was not at all relaxing but the girl did give me a hand massage. Agreeing with the other review, I got ignored by the manicurist a few times to. She also went off to do someone else's nails without saying a word to me while mine were drying. The manicure probably lasted for about 2-3 days being very careful with them. As I said before this is a very mediocre job. I would only recommend this if you are on a budget and need a quick job done. read more

I will go back again. I think the other lady who wrote a review could have noticed that it isn't a 'private' or 'relaxing' setting before she even went into the store. It isn't a spa, true. But, it's very good prices...REALLY good. I had my gel nails removed and a manicure and it came to $16. True, they speak another language and there was a definite language barrier, but at least there was no pressure to chat the whole time either! She was friendly, and smiled. My nails look good. If you want to pay alot of money and relax, don't go there. If you want nice looking nails and pay as little as you can...go there. I know I am only going to go to this place in the future. read more

The massage chairs are nice, as are the lower-leg massages done by the pedicurists. However, after my first visit, when I saw and heard my pedicurist demonstrating derogatory body language and laughing while speaking (I think) Chinese to the other pedicurists, I took a (Caucasian) friend back with me who is fluent in several Asian languages. She confirmed for me that the pedicurists do in fact make derogatory remarks about the customers constantly, laughing at them and mocking them. So, no, I won't be going back. read more

I just finished having a regular pedicure & shellac manicure with Leena at Cali Nails. Service was great and the job was very well done (good shape, even color, fast). I will definitely be coming back here for my next mani/pedi. read more

Was NOT impressed with this place at all. I had booked an appt earlier in the day for two people for a pedicure. Showed up for my appointment and they had just let two people who had not booked an appointment go ahead of us and we had to wait a half hour. SO why even book an appointment. They were rude and the service was poor and the pedicure took only 20 minutes. Will definitely not go back. read more

I went to Cali Nails last night before work..therre were 3 staff members sitting around when I walked up to the counter. NOT ONE of them said a word to me, let alone crack a smile. Now, I am aware that english is not their first language (they are Vietnamese, I believe), but REGARDLESS of that fact, if you are a buisiness owner/operator, and you are in Canada, serving people who speak english, you can't tell me that they don't know how to smile and say, "Hi, how are you today?" Its called Customer Service, people! I have worked in the restaurant industry for nine years, and when you are a waitress, serving customers, you better damn-well aknowledging your customers with a smile, or they will be taking their buisiness elsewhere. Anywho, I told the lady I would like a polish change, and she pointed to the chair (no smile). So I sat down at the desk, and a differant lady pointed to the nail polish display and said "Colour." So there I sat for the next 20 minutes, listening to the ladies speak to eachother in their native language the entire time. She left me to sit and dry my nails while she went to the staff room, and several minutes later, she walked past me, and I asked if they are almost dry, because I have to leave for work. She said, "Ya. Dry" (no smile) and so I got up, paid, and left. Its one thing to choose to not speak to your clients in english, ok, so their english is not that great. But just a smile? It was like they didn't even want to be there at all. I felt super uncomforatable, and I will not be going back to Cali Nails. The lesson of the day: A smile won't kill you. read more

i have never done this before, however i was so appalled, not only with the nail job, but with the customer service, that, i had to write this. The lady that did my nails did not speak to me the whole hour i was there, neither did she, or the man that was there, greet my with a smile and a hello. I will never return there, and rest assured i will let all know. read more

I was not impressed with this Nail salon, I found them abrupt, Did not bother to try to speak English at all, the old man that did my nails possibly the owner, hurt me with the drill several times but did not say sorry once. They charged more than they said on the menu. I did not find them very hygienic at all. will not recommend and will not go back read more

It was very expensive for what we got...and we realized that they did not open new nail files for us or nail buffers, but instead used old ones. Pedicure was done okay...polish not applied right to edges and some spots were thicker than others. Disappointed and would not return. read more

If I could rate this place with no stars I would. As I am new to Nanaimo, I thought I would give this place a try. I came in and sat down and a very rushed man named Anthony came running in smelling like cigarette smoke. He told me I couldn't get the design that I wanted because he was in a rush. While doing my nails he was making me feel absolutely uncomfortable the entire time. He made inappropriate comments about sex and kept staring at me. Afterwards I was very excited to leave and never come back. However, I came home and my freshly painted shellac was all peeling off. I went back to the store the following day after work and asked them kindly for a refund due to the horrible quality of products they used. They refused and looked at my like I was ridiculous. The promptly said "no refunds" after mumbling to each other in another language. They removed the Polish and repainted it with a different brand. It still chipped. How is this place in business? The quality of their products are the cheapest! They don't even have brand name shellacs or gels? Extremely awful customer device. read more

Terrible. I had a shellac polish change and it cost $31!! They didn't have the colour I chose off the colour wheel and just stared at me when I seemed disappointed. I brought a clear, simple photo of the half moon nail design I wanted. I asked my nail tech if she had ever done half moon design before and she said yes, I showed her the photo and she still said yes; the results proved otherwise. She applied the polish in the wrong order, she couldn't create a half moon shape (half a circle) on the base of my nail so she tried to just do a straight line at the bottom of my nail. I corrected her when she showed me the first nail and told her "please make it round" and showed her the photo again, this time leaving it on the table so she could keep an eye on it. She still couldn't make the correct shape, she showed her two coworkers and they snickered and just shrugged at her terrible handiwork. After correcting her twice I gave up. The polish was a disaster; there was polish on my skin, under my cuticles, she hardly filed them at all and I had to reshape them when I got home. She used old, tattered nail files and buffing blocks on my nails. The whole ordeal took over an hour (FOR A POLISH CHANGE!!) and she charged me way too much, a polish change shouldn't be more than $20, maybe $25 for a french or nail art. I watched them accept cash payments from other clients and not ring them through the cash register, just pocket the cash... Not clean Not honest Not worth the time or money read more