I came in with an inspo photo for a summer lemon and stripe Gel-X set, and unfortunately, this was not a good experience.
During the removal of my previous Gel-X set, the first nail tech (male) drilled my nail to the point that I literally SCREAMED in PAIN. Thankfully, I didn't bleed, but my nail was sore afterward. He did apologize and was nice throughout the appointment, which I appreciate, but being hurt like that during a nail service is simply not okay. Removal should never be so aggressive that a client is screaming in pain.
He also wasn't able to do the design I requested. The manager/owner took my phone with the inspo photo and asked around until another nail tech, Taliyah (apologies if I misspelled her name), was able to take over. I was told it would be "a few minutes," and I had absolutely NO problem waiting for her. Since I was a walk-in, I completely understood that I might need to wait and would have much rather waited for someone who was comfortable doing the design correctly from the beginning.
What I don't understand is why the original nail tech guy continued attempting the designs in the meantime when it had already been established that he couldn't do what I was asking for. I get if it was a way for him to pass time. But the stripes were crooked, and he attempted a glitter lemon that looked nothing like the lemon in my reference photo. I came in with a clear reference photo, so I was confused as to why something completely different was being attempted rather than simply waiting for Taliyah.
By the time Taliyah took over, I basically had her redo EVERYTHING! Not just the 3D lemon designs on my ring fingers, but the previous work as well. I shouldn't have needed a second nail tech to redo almost an entire service in order to leave with something close to what I originally requested.
Thankfully, Taliyah did a much better job and saved the set. I appreciate her taking the time to fix everything and make sure I was satisfied with the final result. She deserves full credit for how my nails ultimately turned out.
I also specifically stated that my tip was for Taliyah, so if the owner/manager is reading this, please make sure that the tip goes directly to HER! She is the one who ultimately redid the work and is the reason I left with nails I was satisfied with.
I understand that not every nail tech specializes in every type of nail art, and I have no issue with someone being honest about what they can and cannot do. What I do have an issue with is continuing to attempt a design after it was already determined that another tech needed to take over, especially when that work then had to be redone. I did not mind waiting for Taliyah. I would have preferred to wait rather than have work done that would ultimately need to be corrected.
Unfortunately, despite Taliyah doing her best to turn the appointment around, the overall experience, especially the PAINFUL removal and having most of the work REDONE, was disappointing enough that I would not return to this salon. read more