R Concept Nails & Spa — Attraction in Town of Hempstead

Avoid This Salon at All Costs I rarely leave reviews but I have to share this.

Experience #1 – February 2024

I first came to this salon for its grand opening, excited to try a new spot before my vacation to Florida. I needed my acrylics removed and a new set applied. From the start, the manager working with me was incredibly rude—short with his responses and aggressively moving my hands. I tried to brush it off and just get through the appointment.

I sat soaking my nails for 45 minutes—an unusually long time for acrylic removal. When he finally began applying my new set, his handling became even more aggressive. I have carpal tunnel and repeatedly told him he was hurting me, but he dismissed my concerns. Still, I tried to remain polite and let him finish.

As he shaped my nails, I specifically told him I didn’t want them too short. He insisted, "It’s okay, just wait for the finished product." When he was done, my acrylics were so short that they looked like my natural nails. I was incredibly upset—this was not what I had asked for, and I was about to go on vacation.

I tried to explain my dissatisfaction, but he became visibly frustrated, cutting me off and dismissing my concerns. I was so overwhelmed that I was in tears when I paid. After leaving, I called my fiancé, who had to step in and speak with them. They agreed to fix my nails, but I refused to go back to the same man. My fiance had to come back with me and sit with me due to how uneasy I was. Fortunately, another technician did a great job, but the entire experience was one of the worst I’ve ever had at a nail salon.

Experience #2 – February 2025

A year later, I had completely forgotten about this salon—until my friends and I unknowingly walked back in while treating our friend to a birthday nail day.

We got two manicures and two pedicures. Since my polish was still intact, I requested only a callus removal—stating this four or five times. I had a different technician who was nice but we had a hard time communicating. He kept questioning me, asking if I was getting a pedicure. I repeatedly clarified, "No, just callus removal." He said the words "just callus" and proceeded to remove it. He did it well and I got up.

Then, I got up and went to my friend who was getting her acrylics done. She turned to me and whispered, "This man is so mean." That’s when I looked up and recognized him. This was the same manager that gave me the worst nail experience last year. Had I realized sooner that this was the same salon from last year, I would have NEVER brought my friends here.

I sat next to my friend and watched as he was just as rude and aggressive with her as he had been with me. He dropped her hand whenever she turned around to talk to us and spoke to her curtly. I understand that he needs to do his job but there is a professional and respectful way to communicate that.

When it was time to pay, the manager was at the register. I told him I had only gotten a callus treatment. He again immediately got defensive, raising his voice in front of everyone and insisting I had a full pedicure. He cut me off repeatedly, refusing to let me explain.

I pointed to the pricing list right behind him, clearly showing a separate charge for callus treatment. He still refused to listen and forced me to pay $40 for a pedicure I didn’t receive. This isn’t even about the money—it’s about basic customer respect. Each time I’ve interacted with this man, he has been aggressive, dismissive, and completely unprofessional. I have paid every time despite the terrible experiences.

What’s worse is that when I checked the salon’s reviews, I noticed a pattern—any negative experiences are belittled and twisted in favor of the business. I was confused by their high rating until I saw flyers inside the salon offering free merchandise in exchange for 5-star reviews.

I genuinely feel bad for the other employees who do great work—but this man will be the downfall of this business.

I cannot believe a year later this employee has not changed. I never want anyone else to have...

HORRIBLE. I didn’t even make it through the door to this place!

Let me start off by saying I’ve never given a yelp review before and I’ve never reviewed a nail salon in my entire life I am the type of woman that even if she sees a hair or a bug in her food, she’ll remove it and not say anything to the waiter or waitress . I also work in the service industry. I should’ve read the reviews before even calling this place. It’s so sad to see that even the owner would come back and fight with reviews even online with clients instead of taking accountability for his actions and how he disrespect client even on the Internet . What a coward.

I called a week ago making an appointment to just get a manicure. A little background of my self I’m a full working mom of two and this is my first time in months trying to get a manicure. I figured why not this place. Horrible idea! Since I am a hard-working mama too and I forget my schedule. I kindly call today just as a reminder to see if my appointment was set for a certain time. I just wanted to kind friendly reminder and that’s the only reason why I called this morning. The owner or the guy on the phone answers rudely and is very disrespectful sounds pissed and says you must write this down in the future and I begin to apologize saying that I’m sorry that I have such a busy schedule and I forgot to write in my calendar that is the reason for this call and I’m just simply kindly calling so that I don’t miss my appointment. The guy proceeds to lecture me and stating how I have to write things down and making me feel really bad for even just calling. Based on his attitude and his actions, I decided I called back and canceled my appointment. It’s so unfortunate that even just one phone call that clients can run away. I truly recommend for the owner or the person answering the phone to seek help because this attitude and disrespect the outside world even though he preaches about peace on his reviews he does not apply to himself.

Whatever is going on in his personal life does not need to reflect his business. Hopefully his employees don’t feel the same way about him.

I did not get the manicure, but I needed for today as a mama two little ones, working hard. I think I deserve a little bit more respect than what I was given today. You have to give people grace, and you can’t be mean to them for it. Please look in the mirror and watch your own action before you start losing your business. I also see why it’s so empty too. Please don’t comment back on this. If you have no nice words to say back to me on this review do not say anything at all . This is just a friendly reminder maybe just change your behavior and your action so that the world can be a...

I am writing this with deep disappointment about the service I received today. What I experienced felt like clear and unacceptable differential treatment based on race.

When I entered the salon, the staff barely acknowledged me and gave me a dismissive look while they were warmly greeting and attending to other customers of a different race who arrived after me.

The most telling moment was when I asked about a specific design. I was told abruptly that it was "too complicated" and "would be very expensive," in a tone that suggested I couldn't afford it. However, just minutes later, I overheard another customer (who was not Black) asking about a similarly complex design, and the same staff member enthusiastically assured her it was "no problem" and quoted a price that was lower than what I was implied.

This discrepancy in price and attitude was impossible to ignore. I felt humiliated and unfairly judged based on my appearance. Whether this was intentional or not, the impact was the sameI felt discriminated against.

A business should make every customer feel welcome and valued. This salon failed profoundly in that regard. I will not be returning and I caution other people of color to be aware of how they might be...