Diamond & Nails Spa — Attraction in Tampa

I had gotten my nails done here once before, and even raved to my friends about it, but this past time I was severely taken advantage of. I got a gel manicure, which left my nails very brittle and bendy. In less than a week, four to five of my nails were broken. This has never happened to me before, especially not with gel. I called the salon on the phone to see if anything could be done, and they told me to come in so they could take a look. When I came in, the woman that did my nails, Katia, even commented on how broken they were. She and another woman asked me if I wanted to redo all of them with acrylic for $45, which I declined since it was basically the same as getting a new set, or if I just wanted them to fix the three most broken ones. I opted for this, and she went ahead and fixed only one. I asked her if anything could be done about the other two broken ones, and she did not answer, but just started to fix them as well. I appreciated her fixing them, and was even planning to tip her for what she did, but I was surprised when she took me to the front to ring me up. I was even more surprised to see that she was charging me THIRTY DOLLARS for the nails. I have never seen a nail salon charge to fix nails that they had performed incorrectly, especially so soon after they had been done. I contested the price, half in shock, but they insisted, telling me that it was displayed on the wall that a fixed nail was $10 each, which I still did not see when I turned to look at the price list. With this logic, fixing five nails is more expensive than getting a brand new set. They claimed that part of the price is for the "special gel" that she used, but when they initially mentioned the gel, they certainly made it seem that they would add it on as a courtesy since the nails were not done correctly the first time. The entire time, they had me under the impression that the fixing would be free, which makes sense since it typically is at any nail salon you go to, especially so soon after they're done and especially since it was a mistake they made themselves. I feel completely taken advantage of, and am disappointed that I ever thought so highly of them. I would strongly advise not to go here, because if your nails are done incorrectly or poorly, you will end up paying almost double for their mistake. I can tell they are close with some of their more frequent clientele, who are probably leaving the bulk of good reviews, but as someone that came in only once before and does not speak very fluent Spanish, I did feel a bit uncomfortable. I also know that the $10 a nail was untrue, because I understood, with my limited Spanish, when Katia asked the woman next to her what to charge me (the woman said $25, but Katia then told her she was thinking $30 - I did not realize that they were talking about me because I thought that price would be outrageous just to fix three nails). What I had thought was kindness turned out to be deceit, and I believe it is plain wrong to treat...

I had a horrible experience on may 24th at 3 pm. I’ve been a loyal customer for a year, but this made me not come back. I went to get a short fill coming from a medium length. I got a very simple design from apart all the previous nails I got done with. But I was overcharged so much. A short fill is $65. I wad charged $110. I understand I was coming from a medium length but that is just outrageous. One of the most difficult sets I had from the nails before this was the same price and it was all 3D gel flowers plus like 10 different nail colors. I feel as I was ripped off. I was on time to my appointment and Roxy didn’t show up 30-45 min after. I waited the whole time. She didn’t file down the length. She cut it short and then shaped it. She also complained that she used color acrylic. She did not. Color acrylic is like red or blue. Not a natural base. She was making many excuses of why the price is $110 but it does not add up. She was saying that she spent a lot of time on it, but I’m paying her for the service, not the labor. This isn’t a car mechanic place. During my nail appointment, I had to speak in English and Spanish at the best of my capabilities so there is proper communication with a different client and the nail techs. Roxy did not know how to do the cherry blossom flowers (line art). I had to teach her how to do it. She told me she could not do sharp almond or stiletto for short nails. I’ve gotten it done at other nail salons before and there wasn’t any issue over there. She had trouble doing the branches of the tree. She kept making it curvy when everyone knows branches are rigid. The manager said she will investigate my complaint but 3 weeks have been passed with no answer. I was doing the utmost than a regular client would. I was teaching my own nail tech as well as trying to communicate in 2 different languages with other clients. It’s been barely 3 weeks. At barely the 2 week mark, the top coat is chipping, the pearl fell off, and nails lifting. Also, the acrylic is like concaving under my nails so it is so thick under. I did pay the $110 but that is the last time that salon was gonna see me ever again. I was ripped off and overcharged. No apology could ever get me going back to that...

Update 05-24-23: I just found out that my tech, Shirley, is no longer there. I have referred my sister and my boss here. I have been lucky to see everyone's work and comparisons. I have to say, losing Shirley was not it. I don't know the details, but I know exceptional work when I see it. She was worth fighting and compromising for. I am so sad. I moved here 9 months ago and I had finally found a salon I liked just to start all over again. 😩

This was my first time at Diamonds Nails and Spa. I sat with Shirley to remove old dip, fix a nail, do an acrylic overlay, design, and a pedicure on old work. When I tell you that Shirley is talented, that is an understatement. She is meticulous and very detailed. She has great knowledge and takes pride in her work. Before she put anything on my cleaned up nails, I couldn't believe how great and healthy they looked. What she did was magical. Besides Shirley's amazing work, she is a kind person and easy to talk to. I believe I have found my permanent nail tech.

As for the location, I love that there are more than enough slots for parking. It is in a Dominican focused plaza. The salon is small, but I feel that they could cater to individuals in wheelchairs in certain areas of the salon. They have a bathroom in the back with the only public sink I could see.

I only have 2 complaints. First, when I got a pedicure, they did not put the linings in the pedicure chairs where the water went. Most salons put a lining for hygienic purposes, and the lack of one felt a little yucky to me. Second, some employees are too loud. It may be just my thoughts on how a nail appointment should go, but it should be relaxing for the most part. Some clients disregarded the sign to stay off your phone during your nail appointment. During my entire pedicure, I had a girl next to me talking about drugs, astrology, and at one point ensenuating sexual things. Her tech was also on the phone. That's 2 loud conversations in my ear during my entire pedicure. It was disappointing.

However, I will be going back. I dont think i should base my techs' work on things outside of her control. That's a...