LACQUER Downtown — Local services in Austin

After researching top nail salons in Austin, I decided to use a LACQUER for five of my top clients for an afternoon at the spa to enjoy pedicures. The owners concept I fell in love with. Very clean, posh chairs and cute decor. The happy mottos on the wall art, I fell in love with.

However, the staff & the quality of the pedicures I was very surprised at. I get my nails and toes done every two weeks like clockwork. I was surprised by their no soak concept, which we have become accustomed to with a nice long massage. The quality of their nail paint job was very Mediocre. The receptionist has not been friendly or accommodating since day one.

As I was leaving the salon, my flip-flops were sliding on & my large toe got nicked. I asked them if they would please redo the one toe & They hesitantly agreed to fix it.

However, once complete I was appalled that that was even considered a fix. I had 4 of my top clients waiting for me at Perlas, so I didn’t have time for her to redo it again while keeping my clients waiting even longer.

I called the following work day for them to fix it quickly. And Rachel (the receptionist) was very cold, not accommodating at all. She told me she could help in a couple of hours. They had an appt scheduled at 11:30. I called to request a redo (and was outside the door) at 11:20. I explained to her that I live in dripping Springs which is 45 minutes away and could not come back in a couple hours. I asked if I could squeeze in for 5 minutes for a tech to fix the mail or could simply use the polish and do it myself - which she denied me both. She was very unpleasant to try and deal with. I think the owner would be very disappointed, as she has the cutest concept for a nail salon and I fully wanted to support that & the fact that is it is a woman’s owned and operated business. With Covid in full swing, it was important to me to support a downtown business, as well.

After splurging $600 on my top clients, I was very disappointed. . A few of my clients had mediocre pedicures, as well. I don’t ever write reviews, but I feel the feedback is necessary for the owner to have. Wish it was a more positive experience to say a...

I'm extremely saddened by my last trip to Lacquer. I do want to make it clear that the technician was extremely friendly and tried her absolute best and I do not think she was the direct problem here. I went to get a gel manicure after having repeated gel mani's from a different salon named Coated. They also do not use drills or harsh chemicals/regimens on your nails. I had my removal done and the tech mentioned my nails were thin because of the removal and I understood but I also thought that after the mani they would have a hard top coat and that was the point of getting gel (?) so your natural nail still grows nicely without the tarnish of extensions or possibility of breakage. Normally after a manicure one is extra careful with their nails because they are just so used to sitting still and having someone else focus on their hands but a few hours after the manicure one realizes they can be normal with their hands & everything is set/dry/done whatever it may be. I quickly realized I could not be "normal" with my fingers or even act as if I had nails at all, they gel was immediately peeling off of the natural nail as if the one coat wasn't enough to stay on & again this is the same day as the manicure. The next day I scratched my back & I broke a nail! I called Lacquer though with no panic or rudeness because I knew they would take care of me they have always been great (even though I've never had THIS problem). Lacquer had me email all sorts of pictures and I did, the manager called me back and basically said I can come back & they could fix it & I can still pay for it. They basically said my nails were the problem even though like I said I've been getting gel manis every two weeks at another place that's the same & have NEVER had an issue like this at all whatsoever. I'm so extremely disappointed and I will never ever be back seeing as the manicure was $110 this time & this is the mani I got & the respect I received as well. I would also like to add that they do not paint the entire nail, picture with charcoal...

Decided to check this place out since I couldn't get an appointment with my normal salon. I showed up in a t shirt and leggings, and was immeadiately frowned upon by the staff. They offered EVERY SINGLE PERSON something to drink, except for me. There was what appeared to be a bunch of bridesmaids in the salon getting their nails done, so all the manicure stations were full. The staff placed me in a pedicure chair where I had to awkwardly reach my hands around so that the manicurist could work on both hands. My pedicure was scheduled for after my manicure, but the pedicurist saw me getting my manicure and asked if I'd like the pedicure now, which I agreed to. First off, this woman was ROUGH to my nails. She actually made me bleed! It was the fastest pedicure I've ever received. She didn't even use a base coat!!! There was nail polish left not only on my cuticle, but also on the side of my toes!!! Halfway through the manhandling of my feet, another employee came to set up a "special station" for the bride, who was supposed to be coming in soon, right next to me. My pedicurist actually stopped painting my nails for a minute and GOT UP TO GO GREET THE BRIDE before, thankfully, another employee took care of it. I realized she was rushing through my nails so that she could get to the bride's nails quicker. I understand that the last thing you want to do is to keep a bride waiting, but DONT GIVE ANOTHER CUSTOMER CRAPPY TREATMENT JUST SO YOU CAN GIVE THE BRIDE PRINCESS TREATMENT. Do...