Juve Beauty Lounge — Attraction in Village of Friendship Heights

I just had a bizarre experience at this salon. I don't think it's necessarily a bad place, but I'll share my experience in case it serves others.

Here's what happened: when I asked to try on the nail polish colors I was considering, the nail technician (manager?) acted annoyed and said, "that's why we have the books." When I pushed back to explain that the colors look different in the books than on my nails, he said, "fine, you can pick three to try." I picked three for my toes and two for my fingers, and when I tested one of the colors on my nails, I showed him how different it looked on me than in the book, to help him understand what I meant. He became irate and said, "just decide, you've been here before, and you're painting your nails on my chair."

THIS WAS MY FIRST TIME AT THIS SALON so I was very confused by his comment. I said, "no, this is my first time here, and I'm happy to test the colors another way - would you like to paint it on me instead? I don't mind." And HE INSISTED THAT I HAD BEEN THERE BEFORE. It was the weirdest gaslighting ever. I asked, "are you confusing me with someone else, is that why you're talking to me this way? I don't understand" and he continued to insist that I'd been there before, and then threatened to call the police if I didn't leave. He told me to go to a salon down the street, Varnish Lane. He then said, as if to make it all better, that I didn't have to pay for the service. What service? He'd completed 2/3 of a pedicure. I just calmly explained that I had booked a service that wasn't complete, that I didn't have time to go to another salon, and I asked for him to come up with a different solution; and that I still didn't understand what the problem was. I said I was happy to limit the number of colors I tried on if that was the issue, and he said, "fine, but I don't want to service you, one of the women will." And he had another technician take over.

The other technician was polite and accommodating, but as she started painting my nails I felt increasingly uneasy with giving money to a business that treated me this way. I called Varnish Lane, and asked them if they had a limit to how many nail polish colors I could try before picking. They said, "of course not" and laughed. I explained to them that I was at a nail salon that begrudgingly allowed me to try the colors, limited me to three, and then tried to kick me out when I pushed back. Varnish Lane staff validated the bizarreness of this behavior and booked me for an appointment for the next day.

I asked the woman who had taken over to stop painting my nails, and I tried to insist on at least tipping her, but she declined, and she apologized for the man's behavior. She is the reason I'm giving this place two stars instead of one. I'm guessing I would have had a fine experience here if she'd been my technician from the start.

For me, a manicure/pedicure is not a regular treatment - it's a treat - and part of the fun is picking my colors. I don't need the staff to treat me exceptionally, but I do need a basic level of respect. I was hopeful about this place based on reviews, and I'm disappointed in the experience. Still, better to know how this business is capable of treating its customers so I don't spend money there. I hope that whatever was eating away at this man to cause him to treat me this way...

I loved everything about my first experience. From Ly meeting me outside because I was lost, the offer of a beverage, the music, the atmosphere, to the customer service..... this salon is amazing. My nail technician, Yulissa, was exceptional in everything even the conversation. This certainly will not be my last visit. (Thanks to the great Google reviews, because I'm glad I went on May 13th!)

EDIT #1 on August 21st: After only one day a nail chipped of the polish and also the gel topcoats. I called to express my disappointment to which I was offered a free service or a refund by Kevin (the owner it seemed). I chose the refund as this place isn't convenient for me and I wouldn't know when I'd return. Here it is three months later, several phone conversations with Kevin repeatedly saying the same thing, and still no return. I'm not satisfied with how my business has been handled and I'm not inclined to try to return if this isn't eventually resolved as stated by Kevin.

EDIT #2 on August 25th: After discussing my options with my bank, I called Kevin back. He assured me that my refund was given on his end and didn't understand why his merchant hadn't processed it through. Upon a healthy dialogue, the best outcome was for a check to be mailed to me today. I'll post results after next week's mail delivery. (Some of my reluctance to patronize this company...

I'll start this by saying they have a somewhat limited color selection compared to some other nail salons, but every color they do have that I'm aware of comes in regular, gel and dip. I always get the dip nails with gel nail art. It's somewhat rare to find a place that does nail art on dip nails. I've had very good luck with shaping of the free edge of my nail, as well as consistently thin and natural looking shape of the nail itself on top of my regular nail. They last very well. The salon itself is well maintained and comfortable. Their website is easy to use, and while I always make a reservation because I tend to get a lot of services at once, while I'm in the shop there tends to be a fairly even mix of walk-ins and other people with reservations. My son has had children's manicures or pedicures here several times, and even gel polish once or twice. They work well with children and did not make a big deal about the fact that he is a boy. The waxing is better than average, though I will say that if I only wanted waxing services I'd probably go to a place that specialized more in that. They're fast though, and my skin tends to not get irritated which speaks to...