Nail Studio New Market — Local services in Waitematā

While the service was polite, there were a couple of things that made me raise my eyebrows and feel quite disappointed in the service overall.

When curing the 2nd coat, my right thumb accidentally scraped the inside of the curing device and I didn’t realise. When the technician saw there was a streak in the middle, instead of offering to redo it, she continued to work on it and apply the next coats. She seemed quite skeptical and didn’t believe that I had unknowingly scraped it from the tone of her voice and facial expression. She said she’d just try to cover it up. When applying the top coat to cure, the same technician then said that for the ombré design I had requested, SNS dipping powder would’ve been a better option than gel. I’m not sure what made her think it was a good time to suggest it at the end of the service instead of at the beginning when I had asked for ombré. If she had told me at the beginning that the effect would’ve come out better with dipping powder, then I would’ve switched with her recommendation.

From just this, I felt like the service was a ripoff for the price I paid and the quality I received. I don’t recommend going here for anything technical or if your seeking a design as they can’t quite seem to make the appropriate recommendations or offer the kind of service that can satisfy a customer.

Reply as of 14/02/2021 I came in to have existing gel set from another salon removed and initially asked for a new gel set on my hands and feet.

My problems were: she didn’t offer to fix or redo the scratch on my thumb nail (pictured below) but said that she would “cover it up” she mentioned that there was a better way to do the ombré with SNS powder at the END of my service, after finishing the ombré gel manicure when checking the ombré gel result, I did think it didn’t look as nice as SNS powder would have given a more natural look compared to the ombré effect created with a sponge

I wouldn’t have minded paying for SNS ombré if it would have looked better and if it had been offered to me at the BEGINNING before we started on my nails. You guys are the experts, so if there’s a better way to get the result I wanted, why wasn’t it communicated or suggested at the beginning? Why would you not offer to fix or redo the one nail that accidentally got scratched in the UV machine without the customer knowing?

Instead I paid over $115 for a manicure (the pedicure was fine) I wasn’t satisfied with because I was told at the end that there was a better way to do it and I had a scratch on my thumb that your technician didn’t want to fix because she was about to finish her shift at 8pm on a Friday late night and didn’t want to stay behind.

Luckily for you and unluckily for me the only photo I have is that of my streaky thumb as I’ve already gotten the second-rate ombré gel...

I would rate my experience a one star but because the nail results were good I am settling at two. The nail tech took her time and left me pleased with the result and would have me rating higher if not for the lack of professionalism. I am a nail biter and was looking for some extensions to help stop the biting to get them growing again (they were the worst I had in a while and own that). I was very clear about being a nail biter + having short nails and had low expectations that they could do something for me but thought to ask anyway as it doesn’t hurt. I showed my nails at the counter and asked if they were too short for acrylic to which the male at the front responded they could do the nails. Great. So I pay in advance, settle in and immediately the staff start conversing and the techs beside start to look at my hands, (the one at the counter even walked past on purpose a few times just to look - even later sat beside openly staring) smirk, giggle or make comments (non English) that were obviously aimed at me. It was a very uncomfortable start but alas I was desperate for nails, already paid and could brush it off thinking they would get over and it would pass. However it continued for a while until I firmly questioned if there was a problem and stared right back sternly each time they glanced over. The comments and stares eventually stopped once I had established a clear understanding that I wouldn’t just sit idly by and not react. So I continued to get the nails since as I said I was desperate and had already paid (+ I really don’t like confrontation but will stand up for myself). Overall an awful experience. I will never be back and don’t recommend supporting this behaviour. It’s a shame because the nails are good and the woman doing my nails was great at asking me if I was happy with the shape etc and took her time - it didn’t feel rushed. The place itself is nice, clean and decorated well which gave me an initial good impression of atmosphere. I hope the techs soon realise that even if some of us customers can’t understand what they are saying, we can still understand their body language, tone and facial expressions and actions. Customer service is just as important as the product service and it’s far more satisfying on both parties to have a pleasant conversation with the customer sitting in front of you for 45/50 minutes rather than bashing them and being silent. Felt like I was in the next mean girls, not a nail salon. I’d hate to think how someone that isn’t confident enough to say something would...

This place is amazing! I've been twice now and will be definitely be making it my regular. The price point is slightly higher than something like professionail but it is totally worth the extra spend as the quality of their manicures are immaculate. Both times I have been, my manicures took around 1.5 hours and they spent about 80% of this time perfecting the shape which I was super pleased with. I feel like so many places are just rushing to get you through and you end up leaving with wonky nails which I HATE but these guys take their time and they do a great job. They are also super attentive to how thick they apply your gel, making sure the product looks very natural and thin which I love. The first time I went I got a natural chrome and the lady was so particular about recreating the photo I had shown her which I really appreciated. The second time I returned I was slightly nervous as sometimes you luck out and are paired with a really good artist and I was aware that it could've just been a really good nail tech, not necessarily the salon. However, on my second visit I was paired with the lovely Min and she did such an amazing job. She was so attentive to the shape, I got black French tips with gems and they are all perfectly symmetrical (I have received so many compliments/people asking where I got them done). It was also my first time getting builder gel and as I was unfamiliar with the process, she explained every step to me as she was doing it and gave me great information around care/what to ask for in my next manicure. She even gave me a couple of extra crystals for free which was so kind of her! After my second visit I am 100% certain that this is just a great salon and any of the nail techs would do just as good of a job....