I am actually shocked that Lovely Nails has so many good reviews because my experiences here have been very disappointing.
A few years ago, my mom-in-law and I came here regularly for pedis together. We liked the massage chairs and the salon was convenient for both of us. Long story short, she got a pedicure for her trip to Mexico, and as she applied sunscreen a few days later, her pedi wiped off! So, we went elsewhere.
Last week, I needed a shellac manicure and regular pedi for a photo shoot, so I stopped by because Lovely is on my way home from work. Like I said, it's been a few years since I'd visited Lovely... I thought I'd give them another try. I came in about 5:00 and they were happy to take care of both my shellac mani and pedi at the same time. (In another salon I like, it takes them 45 minutes to do both, so I thought that getting both done at the same time was a great option!)
Weeell, they sat me in the side of the salon that doesn't have massage chairs... which wasn't really a big deal to me because I expected to be out of there in 45 minutes anyway. Then, one of the older ladies went to work on my feet. She was amazing and I really appreciated the extensive hot stone massage. No complaints there, only that the nail clipping wasn't the same on both feet (a little type A maybe?) AND that my pedi chipped a day later.
One thing I wondered was why the manicurist/owner hadn't started my mani yet. One more lady walked in after me and she got to work on her mani right away along with someone else who was there before me. She worked on 2 other women before getting around to me. Meanwhile, she piped up about her opinion a little too much about clients' color choices and sort of "vetoed" their ideas. I think my biggest complaint about Lovely is the owner.
When I picked my color, I chose a very pale pink for my hands and brighter pink for my toes. The owner began painting my fingernails with a medium Barbie pink color nowhere near what I had chosen, so I stopped her and explained. She said it would fade in the UV light, but I've never experienced that before with shellac. In talking with friends, they've said that fading can occur, so maybe there is some validity to that, but even so, I strongly believe it wouldn't have faded to a ballet pink. She painted the first coat in the Barbie pink, and then added a second coat in a lighter shade. The result was fine, but not what I had asked for. Hello... I'm paying you for a service and I know what I want. I am open minded for ideas and thoughts, but not outright changes without consulting me!
Anyhoo, after 2 coats and an hour and a half later, she was finished. Two coats? I think at other salons, it's been 3... although I guess I haven't been too concerned since they've been good... here, after my shellac, my paints were sheer! I could see the tips of my nails through the color. Ugh. That, and 2 days went by and my nails started peeling. Only a week later, and I was ready for a new mani. Normally, shellac lasts more than 2 weeks!
Not only would I not recommend this place to anyone, I actually tell people NOT to go here. When I've told friends about my experience, they have said that they have also heard that, too. Hence, this review! Try anywhere else. Your nails deserve better! :) read more