Arcade Nails — Local services in Waitematā

Possibly the worst experience you could dream of. Walked in lunchtime on a Friday, was sent up a set of old, wooden stairs to a small loft in the top of the shop where they do the fingernails. I waited on a small stool up here for about 25 minutes. I was then seated via finger clicking and pointing. I asked for a simple almond shaped French manicure acrylic set. The lady serving me said "no that won't look good" (???) and that she didn't think she wanted to do that. I insisted that I had it done regularly, that's what I wanted, and that she do it. She roughly cut and filed down my natural nails with unsanitary products, cutting my skin and making me bleed multiple times without apology. Then, she proceeds to apply the acrylic and varnish before she cut and shaped my nails?? So she put on the acrylic base, added the acrylic resin, and then cut my nails to the shape I had asked for, rather than shaping them first. So it left the edges of my nails uneven, rough, and super thick. Some of the nails were crooked, many had little air bubbles in the resin because she rushed it, she stuck the resin to my skin everywhere. Totally awful. I asked for a feature colour nail in silver on my ring finger, she put on the wrong silver that I didn't pick out, and when I complained she said that was the only silver she had, and I was send downstairs without so much as allowing my nails to dry. Nails had begun to peel off after 3 days, cracked in 4 days and we're falling off before the end of the week. Just don't...

I’m not the type of person who leaves Google reviews often — but when I do, it’s because something truly impressed me.

I came to the salon about 3months ago and had appointment with Marcia. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to do a full new set for me at that time because my nails were very weak and yellow from another salon. I was a bit upset at first — no one had ever pointed that out to me before, and since it was my first time here, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

But Marcia took the time to carefully explain everything. She gave me the cleanest, most detailed manicure I’ve ever had, and instead of rushing into a new set, she spent time every two weeks helping clean, tidy, and strengthen my nails. And finally — I got to put color on! 🥹

And she was right. My nails are still short, but after 3 weeks, I can feel they’re growing back stronger.

What I appreciate most is that she didn’t just take my money and go ahead with the service — she actually cared about my nails, my experience, and my long-term results. That kind of care is rare. Marcia is truly someone who puts her clients first — and that’s why I’m writing this.

If you’re not coming here, where are you even going?! 😄 Come see someone who really...

They filed me nails amazingly however. I went in on the 24 June 2023 around 5:00pm. I told the lady I just wanted filing. She then kept going on and on about how I should consider a new colour as it would wear out after filing them. I said no. She then said it costs $45 to have the colour changed as filing them breaks the colour. I then said it’s fine I’ll come back in a week, she then scoffed and laughed and said they’ll only last a few days right in my face. I said I already paid $130 for my feet and hands that same day I just came in for extra filing to better the shape. I’m not paying another $45. AGAIN SHE THEN SAID “just think about it” you pay $15 for filing its just another $30

I felt like this lady didn’t care about me or my wants and just kept trying to upsell me and wanting more money. Loved the quality of nails, hated the store experience won’t be coming back.

⚠️caution now they have lied!! I came in saying that same day I already paid for my nails at another store so I only want filing as the last place I already paid $130 now they are using me stating I wanting replacement as an excuse when I never said that!! Wow. After lying like this you guys will...