PURITY NAILS 21- MIDTOWN — Attraction in Atlanta

PLEASE READ IF YOU HAVE ECZEMA OR ANY TYPE OF SKIN CONDITION TO AVOID CHEMICAL BURN

DISCLAIMER: It has taken me a week to write this review but due to the owner leaving me on read when asking for a refund I will share my experience. I am not going to mention the name of the person who completed my service as I wholeheartedly believe her intentions were pure and she sincerely did a great job which is why I’m giving 2 stars. My issues are with the products that are used and proper protocol not being in place when handling chemical burns or skin reactions, which are the responsibility of the owner and management, not the technicians.

On October 11th I visited Purity Nails 21 as a first time customer to receive a pedicure and manicure. I have received many pedicures in my life and have never experienced a reaction as bad as I did here. Again, the technician who performed the service truly did not intend to hurt me and was not trained to ask or disclaim that products they use during a pedicure contain chemicals that may cause a reaction to those with skin conditions such as eczema. So when she put the callus remover gel on my foot, I experienced extreme discomfort and burning which I expressed to the technician. She rinsed the product off of my foot and noticed my skin had been burned with open sores on the side of my right foot. She immediately got her manager who instructed her to use a sugar scrub to get the rest of the product off of my foot. The technician apologized and expressed how this was her first time experiencing this. The manager did not ask if I was ok or check on me throughout the rest of my service. It wasn’t until I got home where I realized how severe the burn actually was. A 2nd degree chemical burn that has been a pain to deal with the past week. (SEE PICTURES) I sent an email the next day to the address listed on the website. After not receiving a response, I called and was able to get the owner Naomi who was kind and had no idea I had experienced a chemical burn. This tells me her manager did not bother to share the details which is concerning. To me that means no one really took it serious. She explained that having eczema does cause a higher risk of a reaction with the products they use for pedicures. I told her that I wanted to love the salon and how nice the technician was. She said she would notate my chart to receive free hot stones or a massage on my next visit and to send pics. I sent over pics to her and also provided updates throughout this past week as well. Again, no one reached out to me first just in good faith to see how I was doing. I’m not the one for confrontation so I just sucked it up as a lesson learned on my end. Well the cherry on top was the fact that in only 5 days my nails had completely chipped, lifted and peeled off. I used the dazzle dry polish that was expressed to last longer that their normal polish and compared to gel. I sent pictures to the owner as well and requested to be refunded considering everything that I experienced. The chemical burn alone should’ve been cause enough. She instead offered me a gel set and when I declined she did not respond or follow up with my refund request. This review isn’t to bash the salon but to make those aware of the risks that can happen for those with skin conditions. I unfortunately have been scarred from receiving any more pedicures and currently struggle with pain in that area since the incident. I hope this helps someone and in the event you do have a reaction, please advocate for a resolution before you leave. I wish I would’ve spoke up more to the manager...

I really wanted to like this place, due to the reviews and the non-toxic products. When I called to make an appt, the woman I spoke with was very nice. I originally asked for a gel polish without the manicure but she explained how the full manicure would be better to ensure the gel application is done well and stays longer. So I agreed to the manicure that's listed as a 45min process on their website, with an exfoliation, massage, crystals, hot towel, etc. I booked their first appt the next day and asked her if it'd be a problem to be in-and-out in 45mins to make it to another appt. She said, not a problem because the manicures are 45mins and to let my nail tech know before we start. Perfect, I thought. I got to my appt 5mins early and was pleased to see the salon was very clean. However, when I told the nail tech I had to leave within 50mins and if that would be okay, she threw me an attitude. I was so put off, I almost and should have left right then and there. She gave me colors to choose from (they have a very minimal selection, or at least what was offered to me) I picked a color and was told they were all out of that color, so I picked a similar color that was a light neutral color. She began to shape my nails, which were all over the place and the edges still frayed and uneven when she began to polish them. There was also no exfoliation, massage, crystals or hot towel like the online description. She put one coat on my pinky and asked if it looked good, which is a bit hard to answer when you know multiple colors change the final outcome. She began to paint and the color was TERRIBLE, like an orange see-through sherbet color, not at all the like the display. I explained I was unhappy with the process, she was nice about it and offered to paint another color over it, which I appreciated but was also shocking considering she already put 3 coats and a top coat on my nails. She did feel bad about the outcome as well, she knew the color wasn't what I wanted, but more importantly the edges were still jagged, I had to take the file myself and buff them out. So in 45mins, she filed my nails and painted them. She did ask if I wanted a light massage after the 45mins was up and the manicure was over, but I was so put off by the whole experience that I declined. Usually the exfoliation, massage, crystals, hot towel, etc would be done within the manicure experience, no offering a light massage after it's over. Ultimately, I had to go to another salon (Sugarcoat in Virginia Highlands w/ Anna) and have them remove the gel, reshape and repaint them for me later that day. She did a wonderful job and I was grateful to get them fixed at another place. First picture is what I left with at Purity, second picture is after...

I arrived 10 mins early to my appointment and when i walked in there was no front desk so the technician working closest to the desk to me they would be right with me. I had 4 different people come up to me asking if i had an appointment which i replied yes i was early. I guess one of them didnt hear me when i said yes i have an appointment because she came back to confront me with an attitude and said “WHAT DID U SAY WHEN I ASKED U IF U HAD AN APPOINTMENT” and i said: “i said yes i do” what???? Place seems unorganized. It was the end of the day so maybe just tired? i have no idea. When they sat me down the lady doing my pedi (same lady who had confronted me just mins early) seemed annoyed there was no hi, no greeting nothing just “sit here”. The pedicure was botched within 10 mins she was already staring on top coat? im no expert but 10 mins to do cuticle work, cut nails, file seems really fast. I was confused but decided to trust the process it was my first time here and i dont know how they do things. When she started doing the polish i noticed how bad she was painting them. It’s like if I had painted them myself or worse. The gel polish was so lumpy & when i tried saying something she said “i don't see it” ??? When i expressed i was not happy she said well i guess i can do another coat, why would i do another coat on a already lumpy polish? no im good. I asked Bella who when she heard the back and worth got close if she could finish my nails which she did. The original person working on me got upset and said “i asked you if you wanted another coat but instead you are on your phone” which i replied: I don't need another coat on already lumpy polish and i came here to relax & you are working on my feet not my hands so why cant i be on my phone?” Bella did a great job on my toes and making me feel welcomed she offered me some tea, made conversation & took her time unlike the person before her and for that 2 stars but will not be back, don’t recommend Idk how this place has the rating that it has. I don't know how something that is suppose to be relaxing can turn into an unwelcoming and uncomfortable experience. Going back to my loyal Les mains nail salon at the plaza next door to this place. I always get welcomed by their front receptionist, get great service and leave happy. This is what i get for giving toxic free a try. i’ll take the chemicals any day it means good and...