I called ahead and spoke with Rick to make an appointment for a fill-in and pedicure. I arrived early to choose my polish and explain exactly what I wanted: a simple acrylic fill with a cat-eye polish effect. I even showed a reference photo to make sure there was no confusion.
I was hoping to see Mimi (who I'd seen during a prior visit), but I was booked with Rachel instead. I explained to Rachel that I already had acrylic on my nails and just needed a fill. I told her we'd apply the polish I selected, then use a magnetic polish on top, and finally use the magnet to create the cat-eye effect--which is the standard process. Instead of following that, Rachel removed the acrylic and began applying dip powder, without ever confirming or asking if I was okay with the change.
When I voiced my concern during the appointment, Rick (one of the owners) stepped in. But instead of correcting the process or starting over, he simply chiseled down Rachel's work just enough to lay more product over it. He didn't reshape the nails or fix the structure--he just layered more dip powder on top of an already flawed base. The result was a bulky, uneven set of nails with poor shaping and a dull, lumpy finish.
(See attached photo) - the dip was applied far too thick, especially around the cuticles, with some nails wider or longer than others. The product didn't follow the natural shape of my nail bed, and the final result looked rushed and unrefined. The polish had a foggy, inconsistent surface and did not give the sleek glass-like cat-eye look I wanted.
I called the salon the very next morning as soon as they opened, and Kim (the other owner) told me to come back in to have it fixed. Since Mimi only works Saturdays, I booked a 1:30 PM appointment with her that same day.
Mimi was incredible. She immediately understood the issue, soaked off the incorrect dip set, applied acrylic overlay as originally requested, and repaired two broken nails with tip extensions. She then used the proper cat-eye polish technique, giving me exactly the look I had asked for from the beginning.
(See second set of photos attached) - you can clearly see the difference. Mimi's work is sleek, smooth, and perfectly shaped. The product sits flush with my natural nails, the cuticle work is clean, and the finish is glossy and elegant. The length and shape are consistent, and the polish is applied evenly, with a true cat-eye effect.
Despite finally getting the result I wanted, Kim initially attempted to charge me $55 for the fix--saying it covered the acrylic and cat-eye polish. I reminded her that I was only back because they had applied a product I never asked for (dip powder) and delivered a set I was completely unhappy with. After going back and forth, she said she was "doing me a favor" by reducing the charge to $15, which she claimed was just for removing the dip and reapplying the acrylic.
Even though I didn't agree with the charge--especially since I was fixing their mistake--I ended up paying the $15 just to avoid further conflict. That was on top of the $154.95 I had already paid the day before for a service I never asked for and didn't want.
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Receipts and Transparency:
To make matters worse, the receipts weren't clear at all. The first day, I was charged $154.95 with vague line items like "set" and "additional charge," with no explanation of what those charges meant. The second day, I received a handwritten receipt after the service, showing charges that were never discussed beforehand. The way it was handled felt disorganized, dismissive, and unprofessional--especially since I was being charged to fix a mistake that was never mine.
Visual and Quality Comparison:
The difference between the first set and Mimi's corrected set is night and day.
The original set (Rachel and Rick) was:
Bulky, uneven, and lumpy
Poorly shaped with thick product at the cuticle
Lacking smooth blending or shine
Inconsistent in length and width
Built over a poorly prepped foundation with no reshaping
Mimi's set is:
Sleek, clean, and natural-looking
Evenly shaped and contoured to my nails
Smooth surface with a professional finish
Glossy, consistent, and exactly like the reference photo I provided
While I'm still frustrated with how the overall situation was handled--from the poor service and miscommunication to being charged to fix their mistake--I have to say, Mimi was the absolute highlight of the experience. She was not only talented, but also kind, professional, and easy to talk to. If I ever decide to return to this salon, it would be for and because of Mimi. Her work, her energy, and the care she puts into her craft are the only reasons I would consider going back. read more