First visit today and I just had the best pedicure ever! From a sleepy (literally!--almost all the workers were napping in various positions and spots when I walked in! hilarious!) nails place in a sketchy neighborhood! Odd, I know! So these are the reasons why I gave them 5 stars and prefer this place over the snooty high end spas: 1. No nonsense get right to work attitude 2. No chit chatting so I can relax in the awesome massage chair and drift off to my own power nap 3. They happily obliged me in using my personal cuticle nipper (I usually get attitudes from other places until I become a regular). I'm a germaphobe, and I try to remember my nipper wherever I get my nails done, but for this place I'd highly highly recommend that everyone bring ur own cuz I didn't see any sterilizing equipment (autoclave or UV lamps) or even bactericidal solutions. It's good practice no matter where u go to have ur own nipper though IMO. 4. They use a callus shaver (I feel safe about this because they use new disposable blade each time) and made my soles softer and smoother than they've been in over a decade! Some other places that I've seen offer this service charge an extra $10. Not here! 5. Use a salt scrub--again no extra charge! 6. The man who did my pedicure was meticulous with his work. He did my French pedicure by free hand painting of the white strips without having to correct with acetone brush--and my nails are perfectly and evenly painted! This is the only thing with extra charge of $5 compared to at least $8 at other places 7. Price: $20 for pedicure, $30 for mani&pedi. I don't think I've seen prices like that for years! So the minor cons: 1. No foot/leg massage 2. The shop is family run/operated so things are messy---don't expect the ambiance to be zen! Haha definitely not a spa! 3. No evidence of sterilization of instruments---again, bring ur own and u'll be fine! For what it is, this place is great! I'm planning on getting my pedicure there monthly now. And with their prices, I can even treat myself to dinner after! read more

I showed the inspo i wanted for nails and the nail tech kept telling me it was okay when it wasnt told her multiple times too, to fix. I showed what i got vs what i wanted. read more

Sam & Tina Nail Salon - This is how it came out... looks like dominos - Nail Salons Near Me - Hamden, Connecticut

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This place ruined my nails by ripping off the acrylic and made a hole in my nail bed. They will cut you and not acknowledge it. I went back because there was fungus growing under my nail after getting them done here when she went to remove it she basically just ripped my nail off and it was bleeder everywhere. I had been going to this shop for years providing good tips and a faithful customer but will never step foot in there again and I suggest you take your business elsewhere. Do not go here read more

Lets focus people. Don't come here and expect the spa treatment honey! You ain't getting it. But here are two reasons to give them a chance: 1. They got mad skills - I've only had the eyebrow service done (I don't trust them enough to do my nails) and they come out great each time (and I'm SUPER picky about my brows). They get my arch right every time and I appreciate how difficult that is to do (trust me, I've gone to my share of brow places). 2. Their cheap and close by - about $6 for eyebrows. So you know the reasons to make this your in-a-hurry eyebrow spot, here are some precautions to take: 1. Speak up - make sure they know exactly what you want before they touch your brows. Don't be shy! Everyone likes their eyebrows a certain way and unless you speak up their going to give you what they think looks good (not necessarily what you like). 2. Bring your own tools - Honestly, its gross that I've never seen them clean the brush or brow scissors between customers. I bring my own stuff and ask the tech to sanitize her hands in front of me. Luckily, they have always complied but the day they give me a little resistance I'll stop going. They may have all the skills in the world but its not worth it unless its sanitary. read more

I'm the kind of gal that splurges on a nail salon once a year, if at all. I usually would rather spend my money on cooler things. But given the good reviews and cheap price, I figured why not go for a mani and pedi. I'd say it was an okay experience, not great, but for that price I'll do it again. I also want to try the eyebrow waxing. PROS: -Great price: $30 for a manicure & pedicure. I got a great pedicure and okay manicure. But for that price I'll try my luck again! -Surprisingly good massage chairs. I got 50 minutes of stress relief during my pedicure, yay! -The woman who helped me was not chatty. That's important to me cause I just want to relax, not necessarily make new friends during a pedicure. CONS: -This is not a spa or classy experience by any stretch of the imagination. It's your everyday nail salon. Not the cleanest place I've ever seen, but also not filthy... just okay. -Ventilation is bad and while I was there, several employees ate their lunch in the main salon area. It didn't make the atmosphere any more pleasant. And... I worry about the health of the workers. TIPS: - You may want to bring your own tools (which I think another reviewer said is fine to do here). But also your own nail polish. They had a large selection of crappy brands, all disorganized. And a small selection of O.P.I. which is what I like best since it last so long, but judging from the bottle I picked they might not be so fresh, which makes the nail polish go on kind of goopy. - If you can, go during less busy hours (like a weekday morning). I went on a Monday, around lunchtime, and I got a 50 minute pedicure and a pretty relaxing experience. But my last half hour there, it started to get busier ... It's a loud clientele, the kind that will hold a conversation across the room. If you dislike that as much as I do, go earlier. That way you also get to soak your feet in a cleaner tub. read more

Stopped going here after I went one morning as soon as they opened and they were cleaning up from the previous night. I turned around and walked out never to return. read more

I actually didn't get anything done here -- I walked in, stayed for 5 minutes, and walked out. Here's why: 1. The place was DISGUSTING. Crap all over the floor, completely disorganized... I've never seen a business so filthy in my entire life. 2. Overcrowded. There must have been 10 people in front of me waiting for whatever services, and the place is only one tiny room. It was extremely cramped and uncomfortable. 3. I went in there mainly for eyebrows because I read a bunch of reviews about how good they do them there; I watched one woman get her eyebrows done (because they do it right in the middle of the room) and they looked waaaaay too thin and totally unnatural. As I looked around and inspected the eyebrows of the other women who were waiting, they were almost all like that. I prefer a more natural-looking arch so that my beauty doesn't look completely manufactured. 4. Bad part of town. So there it is. There are a lot of reviews about how good they are at what they do, and maybe that's true, but I felt filthy just breathing the air in that place. Needing to bring your own instruments to a place because it's THAT unhygenic is a dealbreaker for me personally. read more

If you are getting your eyebrows done... Tina is Great! Thats the only thing I go there for. Go in with your earphones in & zone out until its your turn to be serviced.The salon is a messy and can get pretty ratchet on some days. By "ratchet" I mean a hot mess!! I've seen kids running around like its a fun house and the owner Tina yelling at them. (by the way these are the customers kids). Also they need to get a number or "sign in system" going because I have seen people argue over who was next to get in the eyebrow chair! Women come in counting heads and questioning people like "you next?! " lmao I mean don't get me wrong, Tina can work a miracle on someones brows but sometimes I don't feel like putting up with all the hustle and bustle in there. If your looking for a relaxing & classy environment this is NOT it! I can roll with the punches as long as my eyebrows are going to look great! (try going around 4:00/5:00 when nobody is there) (If you MUST get your nails done there ask for Iris.) read more

I love this place. Yeah they're rushed and not the most polite but the quality of work and prices are amazing! Their pedicures are unmatched and the gel color is perfect. read more

Definitely not the fanciest place, but what a bargain! I got a really nice manicure for only $10. The color selection wasn't the greatest, but I can't complain with the prices. $20 for a pedicure; $30 for a mani/pedi. They also do eyebrow waxing for $6--I don't get mine done, but that seems like a bargain to me! Definitely a good place to go if you want to save some bucks. read more

Tina does a pretty good job on eyebrows. She's hard to beat for $6. I have pretty thick eyebrows and she took a little too much off. The shape is good, nice arch, just a little too thin. read more

I've had two manicures and pedicures here, and neither time was I impressed. It's good for a last-minute "hurrah," but there are definitely better places to go. I found that the shaving was sloppy and I still had bits of callus (kinda gross, sorry!) left. Maybe it was just an off-day. Don't expect spa-like decor or ambiance; this is a get in-get your service-and go type of place. Give it a try if you're in a bind. read more

I'm changing my review because I've gotten mediocre service the last two times I was there. I'm going to Lovely Nails in Hamden now!

I really enjoy the service they provide here! If you're looking for a cozy, fast, and cheap place this is it!! Tina is my go-to. She is very friendly and knows exactly what I'm looking for every time I visit. She and the others are very accommodating and make everything go smoothly. Best place I've been to in Hamden! I always recommend this place to my friends. Give this place a try! read more

Worst Gel nails EVER. Uneven and lumpy. The tech attempted to fix but looked worse than before. Very disappointed as I was referred by a friend. Opted to not risk getting my pedicure or eyebrows done. Headed to another shop to get corrected. Very disappointed. read more

Had it not been for Daniela's review I never would have stopped into Sam & Tina's to have my brows done. The shop is located in a tired little strip mall on Dixwell Avenue in Hamden. It certainly isn't fancy and is nothing to look at from the outside---or the inside for that matter. Still, Tina did a great job on my brows. I mentioned that I have sensitive skin and Tina used a calming gel after removing the wax. The waxing and hand tweezed shaping was great though the best part was the service was only $6! read more

Low end salon with high end services. Go to Sam and Tina's EXCELLENT eyebrow shaping by Tina for only $6 (do you realize how CHEAP that is?!?!) Even though I have the MOST sensitive skin on the planet, I never had a break out after her waxing (you have to request the sensitive skin wax.) Another woman there, Lee, gives the BEST pedicure EVER for only $20 (again, do you realize how CHEAP that is???) She uses a new blade for each customer and shaves the callouses right off your feet. (I know that sounds gross, but the result is the smoothest feet you've had since the time you were a baby.) These ladies take pride in their work, so if you can overlook the less than posh atmosphere you get a high end salon quality job for under $30 for both the eyebrows and the pedicure at Sam and Tina's. I don't bother with my nails because I wash dishes a lot and polish chips, and I don't like fake nails, so I can't speak for their manicures, but their pedicures and waxing are worth every penny. Tip generously--these people deserve it!!! read more

RE: Eyebrow Waxing: I was traveling around the country last year on sabbatical and went here to have my eyebrows done. This was--by far!--the best arch I've ever had. And I've had my share, from super expensive in NYC to average priced in Chicago, Detroit, Portland, OR, Indianapolis. And I am absolutely not being hyperbolic, here. I'm still amazed at how lovely my brows were. She's got the eye. Even two weeks later people in Atlanta were asking, "Who did your brows?" Amazing. And doubly so for such a rink-a-dink looking joint. read more

Been getting my eyebrows done at Sam and Tinas since I was 13, I'm 23 now. Not the nicest or most hygienic place but if you're looking for someone to shape your brows the RIGHT way, Tina can. I can get my eyebrows waxed here and not have to go back for a few months. She does tend to wax on the thinner side so you can ask her exactly how you want them. Btw I've never had a conversation with her. Hahaha but she knows what she's doing. read more

I don't really go to tina's for manicures or pedicures, but if u want ur eyebrows done....TINA IS THE BEST AROUND!!! She's no joke.