I decided on Lazio Nails today after noting their high ratings. I haven't had my nails done in a nail shop for decades. I went in today with long heathy natural nails, my summer usual, to find out if I could get them overlaid with something to keep them from breaking off as the humidity drops for winter. I've never had this done before and came in clueless, with lots of questions about the different ways to accomplish my goal and what maintenance is involved with each option.
Now usually if I am going to treat myself to a beauty service like this (massage, spa treatment) I'll go to the nicest establishment I can afford because I realize I am a client with high expectations of customer service and product, and I thoroughly believe we get what we pay for, and expect no less--especially because I carefully choose wherever I go after much research! Usually I nail it! This day however, was no such victory despite admittedly leaving with better nails than I walked in with.
Today I spent $63.00 on a "SNS French Manicure" with a technician who wasn't even going to involve me in the selection of my own color and was visibly very put off when I asked if I could be. Her response: "This is the shade most people want."
Seriously? Can you imagine if hair salons operated like this? You go to a salon, sit down without a hello, and someone just starts coloring your hair "whatever shade is popular" without asking what you like? Why is this acceptable?
She actually huffed when I couldn't name what *specific shade* of pink I wanted (so she didn't have to show me the jars)--this after telling her I'd never had a dip manicure before. When she brought out the jars she didn't want to open them so I could see the color. I should've realized I was going to leave unhappy at this point, and politely left. Stupid girl when will I ever learn?! Sigh.
She literally couldn't have cared any less if I was comfortable. No attempt at polite conversation. She had no concern that I was happy, thirsty (other techs offered their clients bottled water) or liking her work. The tech next to us asked her customer what she thought, if she liked it as they shaped, color dipped, etc. My tech explained *nothing* as she worked taking an otherwise fascinating process and tainting it with obvious desire to be somewhere else.
I had to ask her if my manicure included trimming cuticles, as she had skipped it. She messed up the finishing steps necessitating over 30 minutes of correction, then when one didn't set right tried to blame me for it, insisting I must have touched it. Um, nope. Still as a mannequin in that dryer! It was the fuzz from the paper towel she used to wipe off her finishing mistake that marred the finish. If she had ever used her station light while working she may have caught her silly mistake. Oops.
I took the opportunity to look at my nails and observed one hand where the white tips looked nice, clean lines, while the other looked more like a practice hand, blurry uneven borders between the pink and white. I also noticed how thick they were! Way thicker than the acrylic sets I remember from high school. Not natural looking. From far away they look nice, but up close they look like a DIY job.
I didn't want to tip even $1.00 (she had done nothing to actually deserve it beyond living in the USA where we tip by default) but THIS was the part of my visit she cared very much about, hovering over the register like a vulture waiting for me to pay, practically holding out her hand and tapping her foot as I got my change!
Unbelievable. It was at this point the manager (I presume) noticed her "artistry" and offered to fix it but I was out of time. I politely declined.
Final Thoughts:
In the end my happiness is my own responsibility.
I should've left immediately after sitting down with her and noting her unpleasant disposition. I *chose* to stay and proceed, so it's on me.
We all have choices as consumers. Let's just say I had a pushover moment so you don't have to! LOL. Please remember we vote with our feet! read more