I tried to use a gift card I received for Christmas at a pretty well frequented nail salon in downtown Sycamore called Design Nails & Spa. I went to receive a pedicure this past Tuesday evening and am now on a 7 day treatment for MRSA per my primary care physician. I work at a hospital and already was fearful about the possible risk of infection, despite them using sanitary prepackaged tools they opened in front of me. They literally cut both my big toe nails (curved not square as necessary for pedicures to prevent an infection or ingrown toenail) all the way down into my nail bed and my left foot was bleeding. Not only that but the technician left before I was out of my chair and after requesting only a clear coat asked if I wanted color after he had already cut off a sizable portion of my large toenails. Not only was I not given a refund, but they downplayed the entire situation. They said what do you want us to do? The nail is already gone. They even called me after I left and had them take pictures in an attempt to rectify the situation in some way by offering me to come back in 3 weeks for a free pedicure. To be clear I would NEVER let them touch my feet again. I called the Health Department and they don't even investigate nail salons in the state of Illinois. You have to go through the state to make a report. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, always go to a reputable source that you know keeps updated licenses and truly cares about the health, integrity, sanitation and quality care of your body!!! Had I had a choice I would have gone to Alyssa at Lyss Laid It. Absolutely an unforgivable customer experience. Please save yourself the worry and possibility of infection or something worse and do not frequent this establishment. read more

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We wanted to give my daughter the princess treatment before we left for vacation so wanted to take her for a manicure (she's 3). They were so patient with her (even after she smudged her nails up because she was too excited). A great experience for her first time. I got acrylic French tips as well and my husband got a pedicure. Super happy with the experience. read more

Design Nails & Spa - Nail Salons Near Me - Sycamore, Illinois

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Clean, modern and friendly! I was so happy with my services. Pedicure with a long foot and leg massage in the very nice massage chairs and a no-chip manicure. They paid so much attention to detail and I absolutely love my nails! I will definitely be back! read more

While my dogs enjoyed their spa I decided to enjoy some pampering myself! While I enjoyed nature around Sycamore, I found this little gem. I believe it is very popular since people come and go very often. They all know each other, and they accepted me friendly. I walked in, after I parked on the street, they greeted me and show me where to wash hands, and after that to choose a color:) My decision was very quick, and lady, whose name is Lee I believe decided to help me out with my mani/pedi session. She was very quick, very gentle and very clean. I was soooo happy. I usually don't feel pleasant, but she was very gentle. And for change she followed my direction! I left this little spot very happy, and let me tell you that. I will come back again! read more

Design Nails & Spa - Easy week start:) - Nail Salons Near Me - Sycamore, Illinois

These guys are amazing, and very professional. I went in for my first (ever) acrylics w/gel polish and a picture of a specific design I would like at the beginning of last month, and holy cow, they made the EXACT design I had given them a picture of. I don't know about you, but when a nail place gets the picture of a design you would like on your nails dead on, that gives them an A+ on my book. Also to note, my nails lasted about a month before I went in for a filler.:):) Honorable mention- They were super attentive to what shape and length I'd like my nails, and double checked all along the way (which I find really nice:)) Each nail tech is awesome, attentive and personable.:) My one thing to note that wasn't as great, I had asked my nail tech before I had left the first time, how much it would be for a filler next time I came in. (mainly b/c I live in a bit of a fear from going to other nail spas in the past that would post one price on their website or what have you, but have you end up paying much more once it's all said and done, even after double checking pricing beforehand..oye) I was told $35 for a fill. When I went in the second time for a filler....it was a...bit...more....than $35 for the fill. * To this business's credit, it is listed on their Facebook page that acrylic gel fills are $35 +, and I honestly probably should have came in a bit sooner than almost 4 weeks after the initial appointment (outgrowth anyone? Haha). But other than that, this place is great. They really listen to you, and make sure what you have is what you want. read more

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Did a manicure and pedicure. The salon was clean but not ventilated and smelled terribly. After 1 week I had to go back to get one nail repaired. It was no chip and the polish came completely off. They did fox it for free. A couple days later 5 more came off. It was expensive and not worth it. Pedicure was fine. read more

Design Nails & Spa - Nails after one week. - Nail Salons Near Me - Sycamore, Illinois

Great experience! Went in for a fill and they fixed the messed up job from a place I went to in DeKalb. Fast, efficient, and great job! Going back here from now on. Nails looked great and they still do, two weeks later. read more

I used to love it, but I went yesterday for my appt (4/30/22)and the owner gave me a fill. It was very surreal how mean he was. I almost stood up halfway through and walked out. I should have, and regret not saying something then. He hit my fingers with the drill 3 separate times, causing me to jerk and tense up. Instead of apologizing(bc it happens, I get it, just say sorry like a normal human), he kept saying I was too tense and shaking his head, like he was in disbelief? Sir, of course I'm tense, YOU KEEP HURTING ME. And aside from that, I'm on a medication that makes me tense- i relax as much as i can, and no tech has made me feel like I'm making their job undoable bc of it before. I just stopped interacting with him entirely unless I had to. I felt like if I tried saying anything, I might cry bc I was upset and angry. The poor nail tech next to him made a couple nice comments clearly trying to diffuse the tension bc he was being such a jerk. Just don't go here if you're trying to have a good day. I went in happy and excited for a new design, and left feeling awful and defeated, and just went home instead of doing my other errands. Idk how to exactly put into words how embarrassed and small and unimportant he made me feel, but im never going back. The owner should not be interacting with customers. read more

I usually always come out loving my nails here, but yesterday was a bit of a different experience for me. I got a manicure and pedicure. Pedicure was fine, but when I went over to sit down to get my manicure(acrylics btw) done I happened to be treated by the manager, which I had no issue with but usually I had someone else do my nails so I trusted them more. The manager didn't clip my nails and went straight to gluing on the fakes. My nails needed to be trimmed because they were a bit long to me, but he still continued. He had his phone out next to him the entire time he was doing my nails looking at instructions on how to do acrylics. I THINK. He honestly didn't seem like he knew what he was doing so I assumed maybe he was a new employee that was still in training before finding out he was indeed the manager of the establishment. When he filed my nails he was TOO ROUGH and CUT ME multiple times then still continued to file as he saw I was bleeding He never apologized And he still left my nails looking crooked. It was very unsanitary and he kept tapping my hand to relax. Who would be relaxed when the person doing your nails is cutting deep into the side of your nails/skin and doesn't even apologize and yet still continues to file and make it worse? Don't get me wrong this place hasn't failed me until now and I'll still give them my business in the future, but I recommend not getting your acrylics done with the manager because he still seems to be learning and needs to be more gentle with his clients. Next time I come I will wait however long I need to get someone to do my nails and make my experience more enjoyable and get my moneys worth. read more

Design Nails & Spa - Can see through the acrylic my nails that he didn't trim - Nail Salons Near Me - Sycamore, Illinois

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I'm very picky with the thickness and shape of my nails, I have a hard time finding nice nail techs and I decided to come back here again, met Oliver and he gets it right every time! He's the best! Super happy with my nails. read more

Design Nails & Spa - Dip with design - Nail Salons Near Me - Sycamore, Illinois

I was a loyal customer this past year going every two to three weeks spending good money. a friend took my daughter yesterday that speaks the same language. the employees trash talked my daughter for her short chewed nails. she's 10, has anxiety and ADHD. absolutely ridiculous to trash talk a customer let alone a child for something they can't help. I paid $70 for her service. price isn't the issue the crappy treatment is. read more

I asked a friend and looked on Yelp for a local nail salon instead of driving to a salon I've been going to in Rockford and this one came with great ratings. However, I walked inside and the building immediately didn't seem clean. It was not clear who was going to do my nails as well. The guy who did my nails was also working on someone else so I'm not sure if someone called in or not? He also made a comment "your cuticles are awful!" I know they were but this was still rude. When I put my hand under the light to cure the gel the countertop was absolutely disgusting. It was clearly not cleaned and I was not comfortable putting my hands on the counter again. Every other salon I've been to has also done a hand massage and he put cuticle oil on my hands and said "rub it in and you're done." The manicure was also $40 which is the highest I have ever paid. I will continue to take my business to Rockford. The manicure itself looks nice but the service and experience is lacking. read more

Visiting from AZ. This place is great!! Nails look just like the picture. They are meticulous and ensure that your nails are perfect when you leave. I could NOT be happier! read more

Was in town for a wedding, picked no chip for feet and hands. The gal said she didn't have the color I picked for my feet...huh, isn't the same?? Ended up with a French pedicure and the color I chose for both, no chip, for my manicure. Less than a week later my fingernails are peeling! Obviously they can't fix them since I live out of state but the least they can do is offer a discount-but they refused! This place is more expensive than other great places and they don't care about their customers read more

Everyone was nice. It would be best to make an appointment or you might have to wait for minute. The thing that would not bring me back there until they took care of the ventilation of all of the fumes. It was a bit too much for me. Other than that, they did a good job. read more

I love this nail salon! Every time I've gone they do an amazing job! They always see my vision with whatever it may be that I'm wanting done to my nails! My favorite place to go to get my nails done in the dekalb area for sure! read more

DISGUSTING ATTITUDES, TACKY TECHNIQUE!! I was only going to get two nail fixed after spending $50 for a color change and rhinestone design on three nails, two days previously. Since they take walk-ins, I thought maybe I can go back in and get my nails fixed and be done. They told to come back in two hours because they were busy with clients . So two hours later, I return and the old guy, rudely ask me "What do you need?" I politely responded that he asked of me to return later for a nail fix. Rudely he direct me to go wash my hands. I mean, just disgusting attitude from the beginning. So as he begin to work my nails he said I will be charged $10 to get it fixed because it's more than one nail and because I only got a color change the last time I was there. Two of the other workers are hovering over us, disregarding the 6 feet, speaking among the nail tech who was working on me in their language and looking at me (talking crap). I still remained polite but I will NEVER IN LIFE let them provide their TACKY service to me again. TWO THUMBS DOWN. read more

I love this nail salon. It's my first time here and I love it. I came in for a fill with no idea what color I wanted. They said they can do anything so I found a picture and they didn't have one of the colors so they mixed it!! They have a huge assortment of no chip colors and dipping powders. The atmosphere is so calming. And I ended up having more time then I thought so and I asked for a pedicure they said of course!! My nails look amazing and now my toes do too!! I highly recommend this nail salon! I now have a nail salon I love and will definitely be coming to again!! read more

Went in for a simple pedicure because I was in dire need! They had a wide selection of polish colors to choose from and were very prompt. I was very pleased with the final result, but nail tech wasn't very attentive at the end. I would definitely still go back in the future. read more

Made an appointment at 5:30, still sitting waiting to get in a seat at 6:30. They are seating walk-ins before appointments. No extra seating either. People are sitting in employees pedicure chairs waiting to get their nails done read more

I go here every three weeks and have always had a great experience. I make my appt, they're always on time for my appointment, and friendly and professional. Always a great experience ! read more

This place is absolutely amazing! Everyone is so sweet, nice, and caring here! They take their time and make sure that you're comfortable and you feel welcome. Whenever I get pedicures and manicures, I ALWAYS, go here! However, one time I was getting a pedicure for my birthday and they gave me an ingrown toenail, this caused me to be in A LOT of pain for a month to a month in a half! I've gone to USA Nails for pedicures and they don't give me ingrown toenails; however I would love to go to Design Nails and Spa, but i'm scared to get another ingrown toenail. read more

i have gone to this salon a total of 3 times for myself, and watched a friend get her nails done once. i will NOT ever return to this location. I went in the first time to get a full set, my nails looked good leaving there, however i went back a week and half later to get a fill, the lady who did them couldn't fill my nails because the previous lady didn't put my tips on correctly so she had to redo 6 of my nails (this was on a wednesday), the following tuesday i had three more tips off, which i called and asked them to fix, and they did without charge..however, i made an appointment for the fix and was pretty much told it was my fault and i needed to be more careful with my nails (i work from home & go to school). i won't go back for the simple fact that 9/10 of my nails had to be replaced in less than a three weeks of having them done, unfriendly service & clearly not the most detailed when it comes to their work. read more

Two of us had an appointment that was set up three days prior. We waited 50 minutes before we were told which chairs we could go to for our pedicure/manicures. The water was cold and nothing additional was added. We told them that the water was cold so they drained some of it and replaced it but it was still not warm. Once the technicians began, the whole process was way too fast. It was not because they were good at what they do. Very little time spent on either of our pedicures. Many customers walked in without appointments while we were waiting and they were told to come back in 15 minutes. One was actually completed before we were done. The no chip manicure did not last two days! Yes, I know they would fix it but I do not plan to return to this salon. The salon seems popular to my surprise. They did not offer us water to drink, the ambiance is very unprofessional, color selections are poor and the salon is not very clean. We still tipped 20% and did not complain while we were there out of respect for the other patrons, but we will not return. read more