Update (9/4/22):
Went back to the salon on Sunday right at 11 and informed the techs that were there why I was there and one stated she'd have to call Ashley to verify; which I had no problem with. I actually spoke with Ashley and realized she'd actually scheduled my appointment for Tuesday at 10 and I informed her I wouldn't be in VA on Tuesday, so I'd need to cancel and I'd try another salon. She immediately apologized, stated everyone there now was busy with appointments and said I could come back later in the day and asked to speak back with her tech. I returned the phone to the tech, ran out to my car and came back thinking that I'd be informed of the time I could return later in the day. Nope, I'm guessing they thought I left. I stood at the counter for 21 minutes before a tech walks in (thankfully he acknowledged me) and asks what was going on. I explained the situation and he immediately took me to station 2 where he proceeded to remove what excess I couldn't the day before and redid my nails; exactly like the picture. Updated to 4 stars because of the customer service received from him (I do regret not getting his name) & Ashley; removed a star from the opening nails techs lack of acknowledgement while I waited 21 minutes.
Original post (9/3/22):
Called the day before (Friday) to schedule an appointment for 10:15 on Saturday; informing them by phone, what I wanted done. Arrived the next day around 10:05 and was greeted; I advised we (my mother and I) had an appointment at 10:15 and we were asked what we wanted done (yet, this information was provided the day before). We were told which pedicure chairs to sit in and I was asked by Sam if I was ticklish, which I replied no and she acknowledged that, stating she'd make sure she really scrubbed and quite frankly, it was the most lackluster pedicure I've ever had.
Appointment was set for a manicure / pedicure and I had a picture of the exact manicure I wanted. It was suggested I get dip powder and the method (dip powder, gel, regular polish) wasn't much of a concern as long as it resembled the picture. I usually keep my nails very short but had been growing them out for a few weeks & tips were applied; did all of my nails need them, no but for the sake of uniformity, all nails received them. I was told by Sam because I had a natural arch it was harder for the nail to adhere with the glue. I should have taken this as the first sign but didn't. She continued through the dip process and I knew pretty quickly that what I wanted wasn't happening. I told Sam no less than four times that I wanted the nails cut down, showed her how short and she said she'd cut above that and file the rest. Original shape was to be almond and I left with coffin (if you want to call it that because she'd already cut the tips for the almond shape) because her almond and my almond were not the same; stating my picture showed oval.
During the filing process she said she wished I'd said something sooner and she wouldn't have made the tips so long (I did say something from the beginning that I didn't want them long). She kept saying it usually doesn't take this long but because of the tips, the shape, etc. that's why it was taking as long as it was. I've had acrylic overlays for years before and I've done my own dip powder and she's correct, it shouldn't have taken her 3 hours for what I had done; including a gel pedicure which had to be a applied "precisely" because the white would show streaks. I knew Sam wouldn't be able to do the original design I wanted and settled on lines, telling her do abstract lines; one per nail in varying directions. She starts and makes four lines, stating she didn't like it and she'd do the lines she wanted. Wipes it off and the next line was thick and curved. I reminded her straight abstract lines and she proceeded to do another curved one so I finally said no lines, I'd just settle on the dip color so I was reimbursed $5 from the tip I provided since I wasn't getting my desired design so they wouldn't have to refund my card because they were so busy.
I've never left a salon absolutely devastated. I actually wouldn't consider it a true manicure as there was no cuticle work, I didn't even wash my hands after but did have some cuticle oil applied. I had other errands to run and called back to speak with a manager. Spoke with Ashley (the manager) and informed her that had it not been mentioned that they were so busy, I would have said something before I left (I also didn't want to spend any more time there). Ashley stated I could come back that day (Saturday) or by Monday and she'd redo them with the design. I really wish I'd taken a picture but didn't have the heart to. I eventually came home and used my own nail drill to file them down to the desired length and then spent the evening soaking off the dip powder because I was so disappointed.
Giving two stars for Ashley's response and hopefully I'll be able to update to a higher rating. read more