Dear Milano Nail Spa Management/ Brian,
I am writing to submit a formal grievance regarding the treatment my family and I received at your Meyerland location on September 5, 2026. This visit was especially important to me because I was celebrating my birthday with my family. Unfortunately, what should have been an enjoyable experience became upsetting, uncomfortable, and disrespectful.
My nail technician was Kayleen. I explained to her that this was my first time getting an overlay and that I had questions about the service and different types of nail art. As a first-time customer, I expected my questions to be answered patiently and professionally. Kayleen did not take the time to properly explain the overlay service, the different types of nail art, or my options. She was short, rushed, and rude when responding to my questions.
Additionally, Kayleen was very rough while working on my nails. My nails continued to hurt for several days following my appointment. This was concerning because a professional nail service should not leave a customer experiencing unnecessary pain days afterward.
Mimi performed my pedicure. When she asked what color I wanted on my toes, I stated that **I wanted the same color that was on my nails**. Kayleen then informed me that it would cost an additional $15 to have that same color on my toes. I politely declined and said, "No, thank you."
Immediately after I declined the additional $15 charge, **Kayleen aggressively grabbed the nail polish** and began speaking to Mimi in another language. Mimi responded to her while I was sitting directly in front of them. Both employees had communicated with me in English. This exchange began immediately after I declined to spend the additional money, and their demeanor and behavior toward me changed.
A similar situation occurred during my pedicure. Mimi asked whether I wanted to pay extra for a solution to remove the calluses from my feet. I again politely said, "No, thank you." Following my response, Mimi again began speaking with Kayleen in another language, and their demeanor toward me changed after I declined another additional service.
Customers have the right to decline optional upgrades without being embarrassed, pressured, disrespected, or treated differently because they choose not to spend additional money.
When I checked out, I asked to speak with the manager, Brian. The young man working at the front desk informed me that Brian was at another location and that I could speak with the assistant manager, **Wen/Wren (name spelling uncertain)**.
As I attempted to address my concerns, the assistant manager did not acknowledge or address my complaint. She looked toward me, turned her head, frowned, and walked away while I was explaining what had occurred to the front-desk employee. As an assistant manager, she did not demonstrate appropriate customer service or management responsibility when a paying customer was attempting to report a complaint.
There was another part of this experience that concerned me greatly. While I was explaining my complaint at the front desk, I observed another customer, who was not Black, complaining about how her nails had been done. Her concerns were addressed calmly, respectfully, and attentively. In contrast, my family and I are Black, and our concerns were not handled with that same level of respect, attention, or care.
I cannot state what was in the minds of individual employees; however, I can state what I personally witnessed: a non-Black customer's complaint was handled respectfully while my complaint was not. This difference in treatment raises a serious concern about whether race or bias played a role in the way my family and I were treated. I am requesting that Milano Nail Spa management take this concern seriously and investigate the incident.
I also want to recognize the employees who provided excellent service. Lylyy was wonderful while doing my disabled mother's nails. She treated my mother with kindness and respect. Holly was also professional, respectful, and provided great service while doing my niece's nails. Their conduct demonstrated the level read more