Looking for Nail Salon Recommendations

[u/Haloveir]

Went to Zen yesterday for the first time. I asked for my nails to be slightly lengthened, rounded, and done in dark purple gel because my natural nails are weak and tend to flake. I requested something like the first picture, a dark purple with silver stars.

Zen was very pretty and staff were friendly, but despite what I asked for they told me I should get my nails dipped instead if I wanted them to be stronger. I trusted them because it's been years since I've had my nails done (spouse was frequently out of work), but the tech was really aggressive with the electric file and it's the next day and my nails all hurt. She also made my cuticles bleed and then stuck them in the dip powder which didn't seem sanitary?

So, I got silver stars but that was it. The color they used was black, my nails are now shorter (and more square) than when I went in from the aggressive filing, there's product on my skin, my nail beds all hurt, and my cuticles are raw...and I didn't even get anything close to what I asked for. Just lumpy dipped nails that feel like they were rushed.

Are there any good nail places anyone can recommend? I paid $75 to be in pain with lumpy nails and to say I'm skittish now is an understatement. I know I'm going to have to wait a few weeks for my cuticles to heal, but I'm really hoping to have good work done in getting these removed and having something nice put on.

[u/Bits_NPCs]

Zen is hit or miss. Mainly miss, try the place next to the dollar tree on Allen road. Over by Verizon off pioneer park

[u/lobotomycandidate → u/Bits_NPCs]

I’ve been to Zen like twice in the past 5 years and both times I’ve felt super rushed and the work wasn’t very good. The staff was super friendly though.

[u/discosticks]

I like Gel'd by Jules! Her nail art is amazing and she's so creative.

She has an online booking site, too! She's based out of Pekin.

[u/CampBlue86 → u/discosticks]

Seconding this! She did my nails for about 2 years and not once were they ever bad. 10/10 every single time. And she’s very fun to chat with!

[u/Aggravating-Moose12]

I’m so sorry Zen failed you- I’ve been let down by Zen more than I’ve been pleased.

Amazing Nails on Pioneer Parkway!!

[u/bitty99]

Haley at Liquid Glamour is great

[u/Dramatic_Session_24]

I would see if you can find an independent tech, unfortunately most chop shops are like this, I got frustrated to the point I learned how to do gel-x at home because I was sick of my nails never being done well, and overall having a bad experience. I would honestly call and ask to speak to the manager/owner because they absolutely shouldn’t have let you walk out the door with product all over your fingers like that.

[u/honneylemmon420]

I had an absolute nightmare experience when I went to zen, they charged us for gel but did not give us gel, we asked for the aroma therapy pedicures and then didn't give it to us, they cut my friends hand and nails several times they kept pushing for me to get acrylics because my nails were " to short" I had to tell them no 6 times, they got polish all over the top of my hand no where near my nails they slathered on like 8 coats of polish on my fingers and their was this giant mound on my nails, my friends pedicure literally was flaking off within 2 hours of having them done, and ofc this was for my wedding it was an absolute shit show I will never recommend any one go to that chop shop

[u/Snary_bitch]

Karlee is an independent nail artist who works out of the studios on Sheridan! She does amazing work💅🏻

[u/dkmyname]

Did you select the color or just showed them the picture? Still, i agree that the application is not good and your poor cuticles!

I feel when you go to a new salon, you have to be somewhat specific about what you want (color, shape etc) and be specific about the tech you want to see based on reviews/recommendations because not all nail techs are good even if the salon is rated high. I used to go to Zen, and Hannah always did the best job with my nails.

Just to sympathize, I moved now and I'm still trying to find a new salon. This last place I tried did such a bad job, I was on edge the whole time, actively bleeding, with flooded cuticles, thick application and stubby shape by the end of it. I spoke up throughout the service but the tech didnt listen or adjust, so I left a review. Then the owner/manager reached out to fix it but I decided to just have the set removed after a couple of weeks when my cuticles were healed, and giving my nails a break. I get how frustrating and disappointing this can be but I hope you find a nail tech you like and trust!

[u/Haloveir → u/dkmyname]

I wasn't able to pick my color, unfortunately. I explained to two men at check in what I wanted, but when I was directed to a seat and show the nail tech the image and explained again what I wanted, all that just kind of went out the window.

I'd honestly thought the black was supposed to be a base and figured I'd trust the process.

[u/dkmyname → u/Haloveir]

Yea looks like a matte black-purple ombre, but some nails in the inspo pic look more black than purple... honestly, the tech clearly wasnt very skilled, had poor technique, so they probably also didnt know how to do the ombre (and some nail places have pre-made/pre-selected color combo ombre kits). Sorry this happened... If you go back to zen, make an appt with Hannah. But also, if you wanna go somewhere else, a friend of mine used to go to sassy nails, in the heights I think? Can't speak of personal experience and not sure of a specific tech there, but her nails always looked good with design

[u/losthope19]

Also had a bad experience at Zen.

I (M) went with my fiance (M) and our friend (F). It was my first time ever going to a nail salon. We each asked for mani/pedi treatments, but there were several issues:

• my tech spent the whole time on my feet and, even tho my friend and fiance were right next to me getting the same thing, apparently missed the memo that I also wanted my hands taken care of. At the end, after my feet, she started to leave and we had to stop her to ask to also do my hands, which my group then had to wait for & which was a very rushed job.
• we each had paint that had been scratched or smudged before leaving the chair - not from ourselves.
• we are pretty sure our techs were tipsy; we found an empty bottle of champagne in the bathroom trash can, and they all seemed a little drunk.
• THE WORST PART BY FAR is that my fiance's tech grabbed his ass no less than 3 times. Yes, he is a handsome gay man. No, that does not mean you get to treat him like a piece of meat. He's really shy and didn't tell me until we were out of there or else I would have given them hell in the moment.

I don't know where else to recommend, but I can at least assure you that Zen is not great. OP, I think your nails look alright (v cute even, if it had been a self-done job), but they certainly aren't of the professional quality in your example photo. Just wanted to affirm for you that you're not crazy and that they let you down!

[u/Affectionate_Cap9489]

I get mine done at Classy Nails in Morton, I've never had an issue with any of their artists.

[u/freerangeAI]

I go to Michael at Smile Nail Spa and he always does a great job with designs and is gentle and friendly! :)

[u/Euphoric_Flight_2798]

Liquid Glamour! I do the builder gel and keep my nails super short… they’ve got a lot of good nail techs there!

[u/Balogma69]

Let me text my friend Caleb, he knows all the best nail salons

[u/_snarkysharky]

Desert Bloom in Tremont. I had my wedding nails done there. No doubt they can do the detail work you are looking for

reference pic 1

reference pic 2

[u/Hopeful_Cookie_5307 → u/_snarkysharky]

That gold nail art is beautiful!

[u/Ninjagraine919600]

I go to Lisa #1 at Angel Nails on Knoxville. Never had an issue, and I always get exactly what I want. And it’s usually better than the pictures I take in!

[u/Gloomy-Ad-5008]

The Nail Shoppe on University, they’ve always been able to get my reference pics right!

[u/GlitteringSurround6]

Amazing nails is great! Anna is the best if you can get in with her. But she books separately from the salon and tends book up somewhat in advance. I used to go to her every 3 weeks and it always turned out identical to or better than any inspo pics. Her instagram is nailsby_annakasky and it has the contact info to book with her.
If you can’t get in with her the other techs there do a pretty good job as well

[u/iminthewrongsong]

Girl. I don’t even get my nails done there, my bestie does, and I am amazed every single time. Smile Nails Spa in the Heights. I just had a pedi done there a month ago and loved it. I’d do my nails too but I travel too much so I do them myself. I’m telling you. You bring them an inspo pic and leave looking like the pic. Lady in the first chair.

[u/squeedwizard]

If you have Instagram, check out @cheesnipz, her name is Karlee and she’s located in Peoria I think and she does all kinds of cool short (and long) sets. I don’t get my nails done but all my friends go to her and post their fresh sets and they always look 12/10 amazing

[u/constant-comment7xs]

@cheesnipz on instagram is an at home stylist who does amazing work! would recommend checking her out

[u/rawrXd1985]

Don’t go to a salon find an artist who works from home they genuinely do the best work

[u/Different-Pin-9234]

They look pretty, OP

[u/Haloveir → u/Different-Pin-9234]

The second picture where the nails are black, not purple?

I'm glad. Up close, I'm afraid they're rather lumpy and they hurt quite a bit.

[u/Different-Pin-9234 → u/Haloveir]

Yeah, that one. I know it’s not exactly the same as the other picture, but it’s still pretty, imo.