1/2 : I had a very disappointing experience at this salon and will not be returning.
I came in needing a regular manicure and an acrylic soak-off. I was quoted $28 for the manicure and an additional $10 for the soak-off, which I agreed to. However, instead of soaking my acrylics off, the technician began forcibly popping them off. During the removal process, one of my natural nails was damaged to the point that it bled because part of my actual nail came off with the acrylic.
I was never asked if I was okay with this removal method, nor was it the service I requested. If I had wanted my nails popped off, I could have done that myself at home.
I also asked for a very simple flower design with regular polish and was told that any design required gel polish, so I declined and proceeded with a basic manicure.
The most frustrating part came when it was time to pay. I was charged for both the manicure and the soak-off, despite never receiving the soak-off service I requested. I explained that I was willing to pay for the manicure but not for a soak-off that was never performed. Instead of addressing my concerns professionally, an employee loudly announced across the salon that I "didn't want to pay" and was "walking out," even though I was standing at the counter trying to pay for the services I actually received.
When I explained that my nail had been injured during removal, I was told that popping nails off is simply their removal process. The staff then attempted to explain what a soak-off was, despite the fact that I specifically requested one from the beginning.
What disappointed me most was not just the damage to my nail, but the lack of communication, professionalism, and customer service when I raised a legitimate concern. I left payment for the manicure and left the salon feeling disrespected and unheard.
Unfortunately, based on this experience, I will not be returning.
2/2 Replying back to owner :
Thank you for your response.
I appreciate that you took the time to review the footage and discuss the situation with your staff. However, there are a few points I would like to clarify.
My concern was never about being charged for "removal" versus "soak-off" based on wording. My concern is that I specifically requested a soak-off service and did not receive one. Instead, my acrylics were forcibly popped off without my consent or any discussion about alternative removal methods. Whether that is your salon's standard removal process or not, customers should be informed and given the opportunity to choose how their nails are removed, especially when different methods can affect the health of the natural nail.
You state that the technician was unaware that I was unhappy because I did not express it during the service. Unfortunately, when a customer places trust in a licensed professional, they may not immediately realize that the service being performed differs from what was requested until damage has already occurred. The fact that you acknowledge technicians should begin asking customers what removal service they prefer reinforces my concern that this communication should have happened from the start.
Regarding the injury, I understand that camera footage may not clearly capture the condition of a fingernail. The fact remains that my natural nail was damaged during the removal process. My review reflects my personal experience and the condition of my nail after the appointment.
As for the payment dispute, I never refused to pay for services I received. I was attempting to resolve a concern regarding a service that was requested but not performed as expected. Being publicly characterized as someone who "didn't want to pay" was embarrassing and contributed significantly to my negative experience.
I do appreciate your explanation regarding the flower design and understand why gel polish may have been necessary for that particular look. My dissatisfaction was never about the design itself but rather the removal process, the resulting damage to my nail, and how my concerns were handled afterward.
While I appreciate your response, it does not change my experience. My review was written honestly to reflect what occurred during my visit and why I chose not to return. read more