After coming back to the US, I learned the harsh way that UV Gel Nails are not done like they are in Japan. This was after a trip to Venetian Nails in the Pembroke Gardens Shopping Center in the city where I live. The receptionist was one of the nail techs. She disliked that I was a walk in, and it was evident in her hastening me to make a decision about which menu item to select. When I asked questions about the differences between UV Gel (like the ones I had on my fingers) and the acryllics, she couldn't explain them to me in English. She rushed me to select a color from the wall of nail polish, and prcoeeded to sit me at another station while she set up her own station.
I tried explaining how the previous nail tech in Japan removed the last set (by soaking them in nail polish remover foiling), and she promptly proceeded to electrically file the nails off. I thought I was getting UV gel fills, but she put on a whole new set of gel nails like they were acryllics.I had finally managed to grow my nails out to a decent length, and she filed them all down and superglued white tips on top of them. I couldn't believe it. She didn't bother talking me, the customer, but she chatting up a storm to the Asian nail tech beside her in a foreign language-- right in front of me.
When I tried asking questions about what she was doing, she didn't answer-- giving me the impression that she was either ignoring me or simply not understanding my English. At the time I had just returned from Japan, so I was speaking English slowly like I did with my previous students. Midway through, she said "go wash your hands in the sink." Being it was my first time to ever go to that salon, I had absolutely no idea where this sink she spoke of was. When I asked her where the sink was, she gave me a nasty look and pointed to the back of the salon.
Could she have bothered to walk me to it? No.
Could she have apologized and explained a little more clearly? No.
She just went about cleaning her station, so she could stand around and socialize with the other staff members. Though I asked for color, she gave me pink and whites.
Did she explain to me that if I wanted a color polish, that I couldn't have UV gels like I did in Japan? No.
She simply did the nails her way. Charged me $50.00 for a new complete set, and sent me on my way. Did I tip her? No. Neither she nor any of the other staff memebers there gave me any semblance of quality customer service. Will I ever go back there? I certainly hope not, and I hope that none of my friends or family will go there either, unless they intentionally way to have their nail butchered as a result of miscommunication and failed customer service. I thought I'd be bowled over since many celebrities go to their sister salon up north. I was so wrong. So much NO. Don't go there, I don't recommend it.
THAT BEING SAID---
My Mom introduced me to my nail tech, Lacy, who works at the salon where she gets her nails done. Lacy and Alina (my mom's NT), do fantastic work, which I want to show here. Not to brag, but they are awesome ladies! I guess the trauma was a good thing, as now I have found someone who knows what the heck they are doing!
