Hello Belle Nail Salon — Local services in Howick

I usually come here to get my nails done, and the ladies have always been lovely. However, I had a terrible experience this Thursday around 3 PM.

I came in for a mani and pedi and agreed to do gel. I also mentioned that I wanted nail art on my hands. Before I could even show the design, I was told they were very busy and fully booked around 4 PM. I understood and said I didn’t mind coming back later to do my hands.

When I finally showed a design, I was told it was “AI.” I showed another, and they said they didn’t have the right tools. Then I was told they could only use clear gel to build, which was surprising, especially since they kept taking in more clients while I was there.

I was also told in the past that student discounts were available, but when I tried to use one, they said it couldn’t be applied. In the end, I paid $135 for my manicure (with gel removal) and my sister’s pedicure, which felt overpriced given the quality and service.

My manicure was rushed, my nails weren’t shaped properly, and the overall experience was extremely disappointing. I’ve always come here for my nails, but this visit was unacceptable and has made me reconsider returning. Updated response Your response is deeply disappointing and comes across as an attempt to twist the truth and avoid accountability, rather than genuinely address my concerns.

To set the record straight. I came in for a manicure and pedicure. However, because you refused to do the design I requested and seemed visibly unhappy about it, my pedicure was never done. Instead, you rushed through a gel removal in a careless, haphazard way, followed by a manicure that was completely rushed. The only person who received a pedicure that day was my sister, which makes your version of events misleading to anyone reading this review.

Yes, we were walk-ins, but I clearly said I was happy to come back later to avoid rushing. Instead, I was repeatedly dismissed and shut down before I could even properly explain what I wanted: -The first design I showed was brushed off as “AI.” -The second was rejected because you “didn’t have the tools.” -Then I was told you could only use clear gel to build, all while you continued to take in more clients, showing where your priorities truly were.

That is unprofessional, disrespectful, and completely unacceptable.

My sister didn’t leave happy either. She repeatedly asked if the natural colour was correct, and instead of actually checking or making adjustments, the technician just nodded and moved on. It’s clear there was no genuine care or attention given to either of us.

On top of that, I had been told on a previous visit that there was a student discount. This was the first time I enquired about using the discount. When I asked about it this time, I was abruptly told it couldn’t be applied, with no clear explanation and no effort to communicate that the policy had changed.

In the end, I paid $135 for a rushed gel removal and manicure for myself and my sister’s pedicure. My nails were uneven, poorly shaped, and clearly done with no effort or pride in the work.

Here, the most telling part, the exact design you dismissed as “AI” was done perfectly by another salon the very next day, without any excuses or attitude. This proves the problem wasn’t my request; it was the lack of skill, professionalism, and willingness to deliver good service at your salon.

This isn’t just about not getting a certain design. It is about poor service, dismissive communication, and a complete refusal to take responsibility. I have been coming here for years, but this experience was so awful that I will never return.

To anyone considering this salon, think twice before booking. There are plenty of places that value their customers, take pride in their work, and do not treat loyal clients like an inconvenience.

Update: it’s only been 2 days and this is my sisters nails. Disappointing and once again...

I’ve been coming to this salon for years.I can honestly say I will never come back here again.

What happened was beyond bad service,it was humiliating, disrespectful, and flat-out discriminatory

I came in with my sister for a manicure and pedicure. Right away, I let them know I wanted gel. Before I even got the chance to fully show my design, I was told they were busy and booked around 4 PM.

Fair enough, I completely understood. I even offered to come back later to give them more time and avoid rushing. But they brushed me off and kept going.

When I finally showed the design, it was laughed at. And not just by one person, the technician took my phone, passed it around to other staff, and they all laughed together, right there in front of me and other clients.

Do you know how humiliating that feels? To have something you were excited about openly mocked and ridiculed by the very people you’re paying for a service? It was hurtful, unprofessional, and completely unacceptable.

Then, excuse after excuse: • The first design was dismissed as “AI.” • The second? “We don’t have the tools.” • Then suddenly, they “could only use clear gel to build.”

All of this, while they were continuing to take in new clients around me. So clearly, this wasn’t about being too busy or not having time. This was about not wanting to serve me. My manicure ended up being rushed and sloppy, with my nails uneven and poorly shaped. My pedicure? Never done. Only my sister got a pedicure and even hers was terrible.

She asked multiple times if the natural French colour was correct. The technician barely looked up, just nodded and carried on. Within two days, her polish was already chipping and lifting

When I first left a review, the owner responded publicly, and honestly? That reply made this whole thing a thousand times worse.

Instead of apologising or taking any accountability, the owner twisted the story, For them to publicly lie like that, after the way I was treated, is beyond insulting.

The exact same design they laughed at and claimed they “couldn’t do” was completed perfectly the very next day at Deluxe Nail Salon in Botany Town Centre. No excuses. No attitude. No laughter.

This proves it wasn’t about the design at all. It was about their lack of skill, professionalism, and basic respect for me as a customer.

The Final Insult

I paid $135 for: • A rushed, uneven gel removal and manicure for me • A substandard pedicure for my sister that didn’t even last 48 hours

That’s outrageous, especially when you consider how we were treated on top of it.

And to make matters worse, I had been told on a previous visit that a student discount was available. This was the first time I ever asked to use it, and I was abruptly told it no longer applied, with no explanation or communication about a policy change.

This isn’t just about a nail design I didn’t get. This is about: • Being mocked and laughed at in front of strangers. • Being dismissed and shut down, even when I tried to be flexible and accommodating. • Rushed, sloppy work done with no care or pride. • A dishonest public response, where the owner lied to cover up their behavior. • And most importantly, being made to feel like my business wasn’t valued, and like I wasn’t welcome.

That goes beyond bad service. That’s discrimination, plain and simple.

I stand by every word of this review.

No paying customer should ever be laughed at, humiliated, and then lied about publicly.This salon has lost my business forever, and I strongly urge anyone reading this to think twice before going here. There are so many other salons that will treat you with kindness, dignity, and professionalism. This place...

NEVER AGAIN!! I’ve worked in customer service based roles for over 9years in the past, so I definitely know when I’m getting horrible service. Very unprofessional, I’ve also never had half my foot covered in foil before when removing gel from my nails I found the process quite lazy and rushed. Every other technician with a customer was so quiet and very helpful. But the lady helping me just kept talking in Vietnamese, laughing and highly likely making comments about my feet encouraging the nail technician next us to look over multiple times while she made uncomfortable expressions. I decided shortly after I was going to leave and get my mani/pedi done elsewhere, I told my technician “I’ll just get the removal of gel from my toes and polish from my nails only, I need to go somewhere else”. A big scene then started from here onwards.. staff come out from the back room and another tried to resolve the issue. I kindly refused to get any further services and my polished removed ONLY with no shaping/buffing or cutting. I could not wait to leave, I was so frustrated that my experience was not relaxing or welcoming at all!! I get to the counter to pay for the removal of polish only, the young girl at the counter then went on to say it was $30.00. It caught me off guard that’s almost the same price as getting a gel set on my hands natural nails full service. I said to the girl the service was horrible and my toes and hands were not shaped or cut she still insisted I pay $30.00. No where on the price list does it say $30.00 for removal which I find quite sneaky. She called her manager (Jessica) she wasn’t helpful either and would not acknowledge my complaint. I reluctantly paid the $30.00 so I didn’t have to endure the smirks from the technician who made the experience horrible. To make things worse while I was talking to the girl at the counter before I paid and left. All the technicians in the store stared and started yelling in Vietnamese discussing what was happening which made the situation more uncomfortable. There’s definitely more to this frustrating experience I wanted to share but I won’t let this take up any more of my time.

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I understand your concerns, but I must clarify a few points. Firstly, I did not enter your establishment with a predetermined price in mind I’ve had two visits prior to this one and they were fine. Rather, I expressed a budget preference based on similar services in the area and expected more understanding from your establishment due to the inconvenience caused by the service. Secondly, I assure you that I did not intend to harass or bully your staff. However, if there were any misunderstandings, I'm open to discussing them further to find a resolution. Better yet, you can bring up the CCTV footage from your in-store camera to save you from making false accusations. As the manager of this establishment, I would expect more of a non-biased and more professional approach from you. If need be, I can organise for a translator to listen to the audio from the in-store recording from that day, so we can distinguish who was actually being harassed/bullied. Regarding the language spoken in the salon, I appreciate your acknowledgment and efforts to maintain a professional environment. Clear communication is essential for customer satisfaction, and I'm glad to hear that steps are being taken to address any language barriers. Ultimately, my review was based on my personal experience, and I stand by my feedback. I believe constructive dialogue can lead to positive outcomes, and I remain open to further...