LAVO Nail Lounge — Attraction in Woodbridge Township

July 14 , 2022: My appointment was on June 27, 2019. Note that this review was originally posted on July 2, 2019 so I'm unclear why all of a sudden it's showing as new. I'm also unclear why the salon is saying no one named Kathy worked there. So many people came by to see her during my appointment, chit chat with her or just said hi from across the room that I definitely got her name right. In any case, definitely never went back and no question I never will especially now they're trying to call a past customer a liar. (see attached photo) Downgraded to 1 star.

Below is the original post from July 2, 2019: I work nearby and needed to get a pedi and tips before I left for vacation the next day. The place is beautiful and the employees are really nice. Kathy was my technician. While she gave me a really nice pedicure, however the acrylic tips she did are a near disaster.

I wanted a short almond shape. They turned out much longer than I wanted. The nails are misshapen. I can see large curves which flatten then curve again at the tip. Very weird. The lengths of my ring fingers don't match. One is longer than the other, even after I pointed it out and she attempted to fix it. I had to ask her to put an extra coat of color on my nails cause one hand came out lighter than the other, which she did notice but didn't correct until I pointed it. Idk why but she ended up putting blobs of polish on the tips of the hand that was fine so now I have a couple of fingers with darker points. 2 days later, the polish on 1 nail already chipped. One of my pinky's is oval, not almond. As she was filing by nails, it started to cut into my skin. She said she thought was cutting into me but didn't check until I flinched. The next day, 3 of my fingers were swollen and painful due to the rough filing. She cut my cuticles and now they look ragged.

Though she was very nice, I'm not going back here. It seems that she's popular and has a lot of clients which is great for her but Kathy's too easily distracted and makes unsolicited advice that I didn't appreciate. I spent 2 hrs there and that's the longest I've ever spent to get my nails done. It was basically a waste of my time. Next time, I'll go somewhere else.

I gave them 2 stars cause the place...

The nail tech Danni did a great job. I really like my nails and would love to come back and be a regular client of hers. The two stars for this review are for solely her.

Unfortunately I cannot give 5 stars as the customer service is terrible. I called to schedule an appointment and at that time asked if I should schedule a fill in appointment as well as I have a busy month, multiple events, need my nails done and don’t want to wait until the last min. The receptionist said no you can make the fill in appointment when you come in for your first appointment. I come in get my nails done and once I’m finalizing payment I try and make my next appointment but was told there were no appointments in 2 weeks as multiple nail techs were going on vacation…….i explain to the receptionist that this was why I asked two weeks prior when I made my initial appointment if I should have made the fill in appointment as well to avoid there not being availability. The receptionists solution was asking me if I told the person who made my initial appointment that I had a busy month and then proceeded to add me to a waiting list.

Fast forward to the next day after my appointment my nail breaks. I call to ask about coming in to get my nail fixed and was told I can come at 12:30. I explained I was at work and asked if I can come anytime from 2pm-closing (even if I come before they are closing and someone stays late to fix my nail). I was told they would call me back if anything changes but 12:30 was the only time that they have and the following day is not an option as it’s a holiday and they will be closed. I was very displeased that I spent $140 for a service and it can’t be fixed one day later. If felt as if once they receive your money anything after that is your issue.

Moral of the story, Lavo has great nail techs but the customer service needs a lot of work. I intentionally sought out a luxury salon as I wanted a luxury experience, customer service included. Even if only one person reads this post and is made aware that is enough for me. Save your money and a headache by going somewhere that has availability and listens to their clients when they ask questions trying to...

I really really wanted to like this place. Some of the nail artists are insanely talented (from the looks of their IG page), which is why I kept giving it a chance. But booking with them is a nightmare. I’ve made appointments three different times over the past few months, each time requesting a different artist I saw on their Instagram because I thought, okay, if one is booked maybe I’ll have a chance with another, but every time it’s the same response: “That artist is only taking regulars” or “No availability.” I’ve even tried booking two months in advance. It honestly feels like they go out of their way NOT to accommodate new clients. And when i do end up with a random available artist, the nails are just okay. there’s usually something that misses the mark, either the design doesn’t match the inspo pic, cuticles are don’t properly prepped or the nails come out bulky. Disappointing, because the potential is clearly there.

The front desk experience doesn’t help either. There’s just no urgency. The woman at the desk talks so quietly I can barely hear her, and it’s hard to get clear answers. One time I asked for a call back, and a few days later when I called back she admitted she forgot.

I’ll give the front desk lady/booking system one star, and the nail artists I’ve had so far get three stars. This would have been a completely different review if they had an online booking system and dedicated open slots for new clients with the nail techs they feature on their IG. If all you post is nail content from your best techs but the average client can’t book with them, it feels unfair, I’d honestly rather you not post their...