Services received:
*Gel nail polish removal
*Gel manicure
I was on my way to another nail salon in middleburg but that salon only opens by appointment. So I went to try T&J. I'm new to the middleburg area, so although this shop looked very outdated, I overlooked it.
The woman that did my nails was relatively friendly and she was the only one present at the time. The first odd thing that happened was the gel removal. I've never had someone soak my nails in a bowl of acetone. The bowl of acetone was also dirty and had something black floating in it. Usually nail technicians soak small pieces of cotton swab and wrap each nail in foil. Then you wait 10min and it comes off easily.
I sat for only about 2min with my nails soaking and she just proceeded to grind away and file at the gel polish. I didn't question it--as she kept repeating she was in the business for the 16-20yrs. (Side note: she kept making unsolicited remarks like this through out the service, in addition to insulting other nail technicians. One comment was that my nails were filed the wrong way, she assumed it was whoever did my nails last, but little did she know, I actually filed them. I file my nails about a week and a half after a manicure for maintenance and I happened to like the shape?! However, I just played it off as ignorance, nodded and said "Oh ok.")
She had to soak my nails 2 or 3 times in the acetone to get the gel off but didn't even manage to get all of it off. I still have pieces white nail polish at the ends of a couple of my nails. Again, I just ignored it. She says she knows what she's doing, maybe she will fix it.
Filing ensued and good grief it was like she thought my nails were made of wood. She sliced my ring finger twice (see picture). And while using the buffer to get off more residue, she scrapped mt skin several times (see picture). Scrapping my skin off instead of the old polish?? Also, she either didn't notice or just ignored the fact that this all happened. I can't tell. My nails werent shaped bad but had a lot of nail hanging off at the ends that she didn't smooth out.
To my fault completely, I let her continue and she put on 3 layers of bubblebath opi gel polish. It wasnt that bad, I can live with it. One of my nails has a bit of polish that leaked back to the cuticle (see picture of cut middle finger). But again, i) I can live with it.
Also note that I was never told wash my hands during the process, she just kept dipping my hand in the same bowl of water that she used to clean off my dead skin and acetone. None of her tools were packaged/didn't appear to be sanitized.
She charged me $35, about average for gel manicure. Although she likes to go on about how her prices are the cheapest. I tipped 20% ($7) and I'm kicking myself for it. I should have waited to go back home to do my nails.
Now my fingers are sore, and being a server constantly washing your hands doesn't really feel good. In addition I have to wear bandages on a few spots because the cuts feel like tiny bruises, if anything touches them it's cringy--even washing dishes at home.
I know i essentially did this to my self but I felt almost manipulated into believing I was getting a good service. The town is small out there and people talk so I was almost afraid to say anything but look at me now on yelp!
I wish I could get a refund but they only accept cash and didn't give me a receipt.
Final thoughts, use extreme caution when going here. I know this woman wasn't the owner but I will not be going back and hope my nails aren't damaged. Also don't be me and let someone do this to you! read more