Cocanails Upscale Salon — Attraction in Mableton

I’ve lived in Georgia since 2006 and embarrassed to say that I’ve spent thousands of dollars on services where the technicians and owners couldn’t have cared less about me or my money. That being said, I recently decided to spend my discretionary income into services by black-owned businesses and so I’ve been on the lookout for a black-owned business where I could get nail care. I looked for recommendations online and saw Cocanails. I called in the morning and they had an opening that afternoon at 1:30 pm which was phenomenal! They asked me to review the policies and procedures and took my deposit for services over the phone. I arrived alittle early (I received a call saying I could come earlier but I forgot to call back and let them know I was coming earlier) and I walked right in.

I was asked to place my phone on silent/do not disturb and leave it in my purse which I found odd (had I read through the reviews, I would’ve seen it) but I obliged. I then washed my hands, chose my nail color and sat down. I had no idea how happy I was going to be once I was done. We don’t think about how distracting technology can be - especially when we are supposed to be relaxing - and I’ll probably never go back to picking up my phone when I’m getting pampered again. I was able to get lost in the music, the water temperature, the ambiance and I was able to fully focus on the service itself. Since I’ve been in Atlanta (surrounding), I’ve encountered “luxury and upscale” nail salons but never had I experienced luxury where it didn’t equal pretentiousness. Never had I experienced upscale that was comfortable until yesterday. For the first time, I felt pampered and I didn’t feel uncomfortable. I enjoyed every bit of my pedicure and it was truly luxurious. From the products used to the way I was treated as a customer. The owner simply took the time so I would enjoy the service and ensuring I could focus on me was appreciated - simply put, I’ve found my new go-to salon. I can’t wait to go for a manicure too. I’ve already told my daughter that her next pedicure is on me and we are going to Cocanails, together. I’m so glad to have found a place where I fit. I’ll never question the cost because simply put, it’s worth it. Thank you Tamara (hope I spelled that right) for the best pedicure I’ve had in 16 years. You are phenomenal and definitely have a...

I really hurts me to do this but I have to stop letting displeasure placed on me that I paid way too much money on slide. My goal for myself was to support more black owned businesses so when I set up an appointment here I was really excited and expected nothing but the best. However when you get work this shoddy knowing that they are up against the other that keeps black people from prospering, it really makes me sad, furious and embarrassed.

I set up a full set at 10am, however because of how my morning started I arrived at 10:15 and notified them by voicemail that I would be late so that is totally my fault and I accept responsibility for it. However when I get a full set that starts at even 10:15, I shouldn't be leaving at ten minutes after 2pm. I had to push my schedule for the day back and luckily I had the feeling I wouldn't be able to make my doctor appointment at 1:30pm so I canceled before I went.

Too much of my day was spent there on top of the lazy work done by one of the "techs". I adore the color but it's just sad with the operation it was given. The surface is far from smooth, it's like an Irish hillside on beige. The edges are so irritatingly uneven, I've already decided that I'm taking this mess to another salon to get this fixed. She nicked me several times, bad enough to draw blood because for some reason, she decided to do the whole "clean up" process with a hand file. Tips and acrylic with a hand file. I feel like if she would have used a machine buffer this would have gone a whole lot better but instead she did this mostly by hand and as a result I have nothing but obvious poor workmanship, nails that don't feel right nor natural and rocky, uneven surfaces all over and still dead skin hanging off the sides of my cuticles.

It angers me that I have to get this fixed but what's even worse I paid my trust to this person and $127 for complete trash and all I want to do is rip these things off. I regret tipping her because I'm nice and this is hands down (no pun intended) the WORSE money I have spent in a long, long time.

My toes are nice though but that's not nearly...

I am so proud of the owner and technicians of this establishment. These ladies took extra measures to ensure that COVID-19 does not enter their environment in order to keep the clients and specialist safe. I will be back and I highly recommend them. I was lucky to get an appointment because they stay booked. That says a lot about their quality and professional service.

Quick Update (1.5 months later)

I’m back in town hoping to get my nails done at a black establishment but I was quickly disappointed when I called this morning inquiring about making an appointment for a dip for myself and a Babydoll manicured for my daughter.

After visiting their website in search of what I only know as a dip manicure, (I’ve only had this done once) I called to inquire if they provided that service.

The woman who answered the phone stated that they provide it but it’s called an S&S. Right after I told her I was unaware that it was also called and S&S, then inquired about the price she hung up on me. (Because we were on the phone I thought I could simply ask her instead of making her wait to flip screens back to their site.) (Call lasted 44sec)

I called right back asking why she hung up on me, she said that they “don’t do negative”. This woman made the rash assumption that because I did not know the names of a dip that I was being rude.

If the owner of this establishment cannot place her negative emotions aside to answer simple questions, she should not be running a business nor should she provide a phone number for customer service. The behavior of the woman who I spoke to was an absolute itch. I am highly disappointed and I will not do business with them in the future. Which is very disheartening because I want to support black owned business. Black businesses like this one who is outnumbered by other cannot afford to be disgusting to a potential or a returning client at any cost.

As much as I don’t want to patronize others. Their customer service on the phone is A+ just so they can get my money. Thank goodness that there are other black owned nail salons in the metro Atlanta area. Next...