Ambiance Nail Spa — Attraction in Symmes Township

My usual nail tech (not at this location) didn't have availability for something I needed done last-minute, so I made the mistake of making an appointment at Ambiance. I'll give them that making the appointment was convenient, especially same-day. But that's where the compliments end.

I needed to have my acrylic nails removed and planned to have my nails cut down and a gel manicure applied. My acrylics had been on for close to 3 months with no lifting on my right hand (I'm left handed, and my left-hand acrylics were lifting in a few places).

When the appointment began, the tech filed the top layer of gel/acrylic off the top of my nails and left them to soak. They would soak for a bit, she'd file them down some more, and they'd soak a bit longer. Then, the tech got impatient and decided to rip what was left of my acrylics off with a nail extension, even though there still wasn't any lifting at that point, and took the top layer of my nails on my right hand off with it. Which hurt, a lot, by the way. She tried to tell me that the ACRYLICS damaged my nails this way, and not her ripping them off. Then she told me I couldn't have gel put over them because my nails were too injured, and insisted I had to get SNS instead. SNS is, of course, more expensive. I didn't feel like arguing anymore after we went back and forth for a few minutes, so I agreed.

At the end of my appointment, the technician told me my total would be $66 after the cash discount, which I later realized was more than what their website claims the service should have been. Plus she had the audacity to ask me if I'd be giving her all of my change as a tip! I was already spending more than I wanted to, and now I'll have to let my nails grow out completely before I can get acrylics applied again. I tipped $6 and left. Will not be back.

Update 8/19/2022: Sean at Ambiance responded to this review and I was asked to reach out. I emailed yesterday and explained the issues I experienced and that I had been over-charged, but he was unable to offer me anything besides 20% off my next service. I have already stated above that I will not be back to an Ambiance location, and I'm not sure how any additional services will restore the top layer of my nails or fix that I was overcharged. I still do not recommend anyone goes to an...

I am not a regular for leaving reviews at places, I realize that getting my nails done is a luxury service and I admire all the talent that goes into it. I’ve gone to about 4 different Ambiance’s, and each one I’ve had the same exact experience. This one specifically stood out to me and I will tell you why. I went into this location (Harpers point) for acrylic nails. Assuming by the look on my nail technicians face and “attitude”, they were not too pleased to be doing my nails today. As my nails were being done, in a rush I might add, I heard two words out of the nail technician. My nails were very uneven (which I did not notice until after the appointment and feeling embarrassed lol). Being an extrovert, I rarely have any awkward encounters as I can usually make light of any situation. I just felt as if I was a complete nuisance. As someone who has professionally provided a service similar, it’s at least polite to make sure your client is enjoying the service and to just check in during certain points. Now, this is not the first time this has happened at an Ambiance, I’ve had multiple occasions where I have been caught feeling like an inconvenience to a nail technician. These are just my experiences, and maybe I got a few bad apples. (4 of them to be exact lol) Giving the benefit of the doubt, it could have very much been a language barrier. Anyway, I just had to get my experience out there. I fully tipped the nail tech for the subpar service, however I will not be getting my nails done at an ambiance moving forward.

The image below is three nails that were not...

I have been going to the Harper’s Point location for over 7 years. I have never had a bad technician.

Mostly I get pedicures as my fingernails are crummy. Their eyebrow waxes are superb, and half the price of my hair salon. After a severe allergic reaction, almost 20 years ago, I had to stop wearing acrylic nails. It was not worth it to risk another allergic reaction so I just have lived with crummy nails. Recently I needed a real indulgence after dealing with aging parents and multiple hospitalizations of both of my parents. I scheduled my eyebrows which were so overgrown and the longest pedicure I could manage. (I love the massaging chairs). I wish I could remember the technician’s name. It was her first day working at the salon, although she had worked for a while in Florida and was new to Cincinnati. My eyebrows were great after she worked her magic. She had a little problem with overflowing the foot tub which is how I know it was her first day, but the pedicure was wonderful and my toes looked perfect as usual. She kept trying to talk me into a manicure not in a pushy way but in a way that made me laugh, but eventually I decided it would be part of pampering me, even if the polish would not last. As the time came for the polish, she recommended the gel polish. I agreed to the extra $20 since she said the polish would last 2 weeks. It has been 4 weeks and the polish just began chipping. My nails have grown. Not one nail has broken. That is unheard of for me. I think I have another indulgence since I love how...