Luxury Nails & Spa of Cookeville — Attraction in Cookeville

I always saw this nail spa every time I went to get groceries at Publix. I kept telling myself I'd go get a pedicure before/after a store trip... one of these days... Well, my friends, that day was this morning!

Although their posted hours were set to open at 9 am CST, they had their 'Open' sign on at least 5 minutes before then. I walked in without an appointment, was immediately greeted with a smile and hello, and was promptly sat down in a comfortable chair with everything prepped and ready. A nail tech came to help me virtually simultaneously, helping to get my chair situated and offered me the pricing menu and nail color book. I got the 'deluxe pedicure', $45, which I'd say is pretty typical for a slightly more 'upscale' nail salon (not the absolute cheapest, but not the most expensive - but you got so much for the money! Read more to see why!).

I'm not usually one to suffer through awkward conversations when I just want to veg out for ~30 min - 1hr, and the lady was respectful of that and quietly and thoroughly worked away at my feet (In the past, I've had some experiences that if you don't prompt more conversation, they do a rush job to get you out of the door, not here though!). And I mean that. She was thorough!!

That's honestly the only thing I can say (and it's really nothing bad - just poor planning on my part);. I went in thinking a pedicure would only take 30-45 min, as that is what I am used to, as I had another appointment at 10 am. I went in 9:10am. She spent a whole hour scrubbing, massaging, and primping my feet and lower legs. She was doing such an amazing job and I was thoroughly relaxed enough I did not say anything to her, and ended up missing my appointment (no biggie, but just forewarning - leave enough time for relaxing!!). Further, most nail places when they massage the legs, they are a little too rough (I have sensitive lower legs for some reason), but this lady was perfectly firm, providing muscle relaxation without causing me pain and without me having to say anything!

Another thing I'd like to point out that differentiated this location from most other nail places I've been to was the pre-packaged goods and tech they had. For example, I'm used to most places having the pre-fabbed jars of suspiciously colored chemicals, scrubs, lotions, etc. Given, it's never bothered me, but at Luxury Nails & Spa - Cookeville, TN, they had packaged salts, scrubs, masks, and lotions travel-sized/individual-use packages opened for each new customer, making each customer feel special and clean! I saw they had an actual miniature autoclave in the corner (I'm a scientific researcher - so I knew one when I saw it! Most other places have glorified microwaves for 'sterilizing' and warming up the heated-towels). They had a miniature paint bottle mixer (kind of like what they have at home improvement stores but for nail polish .

Update- I left this review when i got my nails done May 18, 2024. It is now May 24, 2024 and my gel polish is already lifted so much that its getting caught on my hair and I'm having my nails redone. Less than a week of wear and I work a desk job. This shows how they rushed through my nails and I have less than a week of wear.

I've been here multiple times. I will say after this experience I will be trying a new salon. They are always busy which is great, a good salon is always busy and usually I leave satisfied after a manicure & pedicure. I always pay for a higher pedicure because I love the detox soaks. After waiting 20 minutes the man who painted my toes did not listen to me at all. I wanted a design he said okay but just painted my toes top coat then gestured for me a chair.....Okay I'll deal with no design on my toes no big deal. Then I waited for a nail tech to be available. I've cut back on acrylic and powder to make my nails healthier, I wanted gel polish and a design. The lady who did my nails filed then started polishing.....no cuticle clean up, cut, or anything just polish. I said I wanted my ring finger nude with a design and showed her the picture she nodded and said okay but then proceeded to paint all my nails the same color, again it is just nails I'll be okay no big deal I'll deal with it....but I won't deal with half my nail not painted. I pointed it out to her and she touched it up and made the polish uneven. Then I pointed it out again and she attempted to correct it and before checking she put clear coat on top. She was just rushing to get done...I said I would like a design on my ring finger again and she hollered for someone else. She got up and went to do someone's pedicure. Thu came over and I pointed out the polish that was uneven and the side of my nails that were missed. She said oh I'll fix it. She buffed the top coat off and touched up the polish. She did a small design and it looks a lot better. I more appreciated her being kind. The lady who originally painted my nails came up and spoke to Thu in a different language so I couldn't understand but obviously it was about her redoing my nails. As I was leaving the other woman was speaking to another next to her and they both watched me as I paid and left. I feel that was a horrible experience and poor service when my...

I will never be going back here. I got there and was given no direction at all, the man could barely understand me, nor could I understand him. When I sat down he didn't ask me if I wanted a design, but instead said "you don't want a design right?" I tried to tell him that I DID in fact want a design, but he didn't seem to understand that. He asked me to pick a color and I told him I had a picture on my phone of what I wanted. When he saw the picture, he let out an exasperated sigh and rolled his eyes. This is completely unprofessional, even if you are not a fan of my design choice. It was a few solid colors with a striped accent nail. He once again told me to pick a color, and I pointed to the picture and said "can you do this?" to which he replied that he doesn't do designs and told me to pick a color. This was upsetting especially since I had told him when I first arrived that I wanted a design. After struggling to communicate with him for so long, and being so frustrated, I finally just chose one color and scrapped my picture idea. As he was drilling he cut my thumb and it bled. After almost being completely finished, he finally asked how I wanted them shaped. I told him rounded, and they ended up being weirdly pointy and uneven. In the end I paid $30 for nails that weren't what I asked for, were oddly shaped, and that I had to jump through hoops to get across what I wanted because no one there could communicate with me very well. Not to mention these nails were for my engagement photos. Not sure what I am going to do now, other than avoid this place...