I don't usually leave negative reviews, but I've been thinking about this experience for a while…read moreand felt it was important to share.
I visited on March 13 as a walk-in. First, I want to say the ambience of the salon is beautiful. It's quiet, relaxing, organized, and I felt welcomed when I walked in.
However, my experience during the service was concerning.
I was initially helped by a male technician whose name I didn't catch. Before starting, he was scraping the table with what looked like a blade tool rather than properly sanitizing it, and he did not wash his hands afterward. His hands also appeared to have some kind of dye or residue on them. As someone with a background in cosmetology, this stood out to me.
I had a previous builder gel set with only small remnants left. Instead of soaking or properly filing it down, he used an acrylic tip to pry the remaining product off. This was painful and can be damaging to the nail bed. I would have had no issue waiting for a proper soak-off, so I'm not sure why that method was used.
I was then switched to a female technician who completed my service. She was kind and had great customer service, and I appreciated her efforts to be gentle after I told her my nail beds were sensitive. Unfortunately, the cuticle work resulted in multiple cuts. Six out of my ten fingers were cut and bleeding.
At a certain point during the service, I found myself constantly looking at the clock and paying attention to where I was in the process because I was in so much pain and just wanted to get out of the chair. That is not something I've ever experienced before when getting my nails done.
After leaving, my hands were in significant pain for several days. Even basic tasks like driving, typing, or doing dishes were uncomfortable. I ultimately had to see a doctor due to irritation around my cuticles and was given antibacterial ointment. This is the first time I have ever had to seek medical care after a manicure or pedicure, which was very concerning to me.
Now, even after healing, I can still see the scarring And marks around my cuticles from the cuts. I usually receive a lot of compliments on my nails, even when I get something simple, but now when I look at my nails all I can see are the scabs and scarring from the cuts. it honestly makes me not want to show my nails at all, which is disappointing because i'm getting my nails done is something I truly enjoy.
In terms of the final result, I did like the shape initially, although the edges were very sharp. However, within a few hours, I noticed issues with the quality. There was product chipping from underneath the acrylic, almost like excess polish left under the nail, and the acrylic itself began to chip as well. The polish also appeared uneven on some nails.
Another note for first-time clients: there is no visible pricing board, but pamphlets are available near the front, so I recommend grabbing one to review pricing beforehand.
I paid about $65 for the set and tipped 20% because I understand industry standards and the technician was kind. However, the overall experience felt rushed and transactional, and being passed between technicians was not something I enjoyed.
I also noticed a difference in how the male technician interacted with another client who came in after me. He was much more engaged and conversational with her, which made my experience feel less welcoming in comparison.
This experience ultimately solidified my decision to return to my private nail technician, even though they are over three hours away. I would rather pay more and travel farther for quality work and a safe experience than risk going through this again, especially after needing medical attention.
I recently moved to Sacramento and have been trying different salons, but this experience unfortunately left a lasting impression. I've been getting my nails done for over 10 years and have a background in cosmetology, and I've never experienced this level of pain or injury during a service.
I really wanted to support this small local business, but due to the pain, nail damage, and overall experience, I would not return.
