The Nail Bar Buckhead — Attraction in Atlanta

I’ve visited this salon 3-4 times. I’ve had mixed experiences so far. But what prompted me to write about it now was my most recent experience. I was told to take a seat in the chair at the technicians table as she took payment from her last customer. I sat at the table and noted the white towel in front of me from the previous customer. The technician came back, greeted me, and rearranged the towel in front of me. I asked her if that towel was used on the last customer. She did not respond but instead moved it out the way, got up from her chair, and got a new one. I am a germaphobe but regardless it was highly insulting that a supposedly upscale salon would not think enough of my humanity and provide a new towel without being asked.

Cleanliness: The salon's exterior may glitter, but my first visit raised a red flag when I had to ask for my chair to be wiped clean of dust and debris. Since then, I've observed only minimal sanitation efforts. Towels are replaced, and plastic liners in the pedicure spas are changed, but thorough sanitation of the stations seems neglected. And I’ve never seen one technician wash his or her hands. It's disappointing, especially considering the salon's diverse clientele. One would expect cleanliness to be paramount, but it appears profit is the priority.

Customer Services: The first time was a fairly good experience. The second time I ran late, but I called and kept them updated with my ETA. When I arrived, I was met by the face of the company, and older, feisty lady, who loud-talked me for being late and interrupted me when I tried explain to her that I had called several times to give an update. I even tried to show her a text from the technician that indicated my ETA, but she wouldn’t listen. Later, the technician told me that the older lady berated her for texting me. She said I got her in trouble because they’re not supposed to be communicating with the customers. I just came for a pedicure and was not trying to be involved in the internal drama. And before, I left I told the older lady that she should never loud talk me for no reason. She apologized and pleaded for a positive review. The audacity, I thought. I'm not a person sensitive about race relations because I know there are mainly good people in this world. But sometimes I wish I could be a fly on the wall to see if they handle all customers the same. I feel her aggression toward me didn’t fit the situation and if she was just reacting that way based off her perception of or past experiences with melanites (people of color).

Pricing: The salon's prices are on the higher side, reflecting its supposedly premium location. Ironically, as prices have climbed, the quality of service has declined.

Location: Buckhead is known or used to be known as an upscale location, but it is far from that now. Yes, luxury cars, people with LV bags and high-rise buildings surround it, but it is far from clean, and the quality has decreased. Everyone wants to look important, but it’s a facade of health and wealth. And the parking is challenging.

Quality of Service: Despite these issues, I've returned because the end results have generally pleased me. However, turnover due to internal strife has caused some of the more skilled technicians to leave.

Final Thoughts: The primary goal here seems to be maximizing profit swiftly for this salon, which isn't inherently wrong. However, it shouldn't compromise customer’s health. This salon could truly excel with improved sanitation practices. It's crucial that all service industries dealing with bodily fluids adhere to stringent hygiene standards. Unfortunately, these kinds of salons fall under the radar because these service providers are typically nonthreatening and peaceable people, but also because most people do not want to make time to hold these places accountable. If this was a hospital and the technician who tried to use a recycle towel on me was a nurse, this would be quickly reported. Regardless, we must demand quality that matches the price, especially when health...

The ambiance is nice, but the service is extremely disappointing. I have been a regular client for at least 4-5 months now. I’ve been getting my nails done by Sam. Sam’s service is great, but unfortunately the service from the lady at the front desk is extremely poor and disrespectful. Every two weeks I make an appointment, and every time I walk in the lady at the front desk has no knowledge of my appointment, even though 70% of the time she’s the one I made my appointment with over the phone. The time before last I came for my appointment, not only was my appointment not written down for the 4th time in a row (thankfully I also DM’d Sam on IG), but after my service was done, the same woman at the front almost pulled me out of the pedi chair because someone else was waiting to sit down. She literally tried to grab my purse out of my lap before I told her “absolutely not”. This last time I came in, I walked in because I needed two nails fixed (after only 6 days of having them): mine-you, I paid $125 for a fill in & designs on 4 of my nails & my toes polished (no pedi). The same woman at the front desk insisted I wait specifically on Sam to fix my two broken nails (while I watched 3 people who walked in after me get seated for nail services), after waiting over an hour, she said I could get my nails fixed by someone else because Sam was taking too long. I’d already asked her twice to seat me with someone else & she tried to act like she didn’t know what I was talking about. I immediately decided I would NEVER come back to the Nail Bar Buckhead. I drive from Tucker to Buckhead for poor and overpriced service, I think not. I’m not treated like a regular customer, and I feel the staff treats other clients differently based on what they look like. I didn’t even add everything, but these were definitely my...

Yesterday, January 27, at 7 PM, I visited this nail salon with my husband for a manicure and nail extensions. Initially, everything seemed ok, but then the technician accidentally cut me with a nail cutter, causing my finger to bleed—first on one hand and then on the other. At first, she acted as if she didn’t notice, so I had to insist that she disinfect the wound with alcohol. It took her about five minutes to do this. I then noticed blood on another finger of my other hand and had to request that she disinfect that finger as well. But she definitely wasn't in any rush to disinfect another finger either. If I hadn’t asked her to do this, she would have simply continued working without caring that she had cut me and caused me pain.

I would rather not have any nails than receive such poor service. I am genuinely concerned about potential infections or other issues since there was absolutely no hygiene practiced in the salon. The towels were dirty, and the tools looked like they had never been sterilized—no sanitization was done after each client.

Instruments must be sterilized after each client or provided new in sealed packaging. Some salons prioritize speed over hygiene, which poses a risk of transferring infections and diseases to clients. I don’t understand how such establishments are allowed to operate with a license. These places are a source of infection and should be shut down. I do not recommend them to anyone!

All this “amazing” manicure, nail extension, and French style, along with the cuts on two of my fingers, cost me $85. I'm not concerned about the price; I’m concerned about the dirtiness and the lack of sterilized instruments. I hope that I won't get infected with anything because of your anti-hygiene. It shouldn't be...