Boston's Nails & Spa — Local services in Boston

I came to this salon fairly regularly a couple of years ago when I lived in the area and I always had an issue with the consistency in the quality of services. To be clear, this salon is incredibly expensive for the service not to be impeccable every time. Don't get me wrong--the technicians are all professional, prompt, and very nice. The salon is also very clean. I am specifically rating the quality of my nail services.

When I had my underwhelming experiences a couple of years ago it was pretty disappointing because there aren't many solid options in the area. Just when I almost gave up on this place I met an incredible nail tech, Vicki, who was consistently good and didn't have me kicking myself for paying the ridiculous prices every time I left. Eventually an employee of mine recommended another salon that is significantly cheaper with much better (nail and customer) service and I did end up moving on, but this weekend I could not get and appointment with my nail tech at the salon I've been going to. I probably shouldn't have booked an appointment when I didn't see Vicki listed on Boston Nail and Spa's nail tech list, but I figured my experience couldn't possibly STILL be that bad.

Wrong. $72 later and I walked out of the salon upset at a dip nail set on natural nails that would've been $32 cheaper (not including tip) and looked a million times better if I'd been able to make it to my nail tech. Don't believe me? Check the photos (on my Yelp review).

Though I love the people at Boston Nails, after so many disappointing experiences, I can say with confidence that I will never recommend this salon. It would be one thing if the service justified the cost, but it absolutely does not.

For potential customers reading this: I have only ever done gel manis or dip powder on my nails and gel pedis on my toes. I did get acrylic once as well. Another off putting thing about this salon is that EVERYTHING is extra. It makes no logical sense to me that a regular mani includes cleaning up your cuticles but if you're paying for a significantly more expensive service like dip, acrylic, gel-x, they charge you extra to clean up your cuticles. They also charged me $5 per nail for the little specks of glitter on my ring finger which also happens to be the thickest nail because the nail tech literally put 5 layers of powder on it (3 layers of white and 2 clear layers). It's ridiculous!

Edit: No, I will not take the salon up on their offer to “fix”my nails. I’ve done that before (for a botched gel pedi (it was not fixed to my liking...it was still a botched pedi so I just counted it as a loss and left). A better solution would be to train all of the nail techs so that there is consistency in the quality of service across the board, not just when you luck out with one quality nail tech. I should’ve known that the dip set would be terrible when the nail tech put 3 THICK and uneven layers of dip powder and when I called her on it, she said that she would buff them down later. As you can see; that is not the case. This is matter of training. Thank you for your prompt response, Boston Nails, but...

I'M REALLY UPSET WITH THE TWO MANICURES I HAD IN TWO DAYS. I never complain, but when I do, it's for a just reason. I've been going to this nail salon for over a year now and I rave about it to all my friends. Everyone knows this is the only salon I would get my nails done at. I've referred tons of girls from school as well as other colleges. I love my nails every time I go in. EXCEPT YESTERDAY AND TODAY. Yesterday I went in to get my nails done with my friend and we both chose bio gel. I've had bio gel done here many times and have always loved it. But yesterday the application, for both of us, wasn't as great. She sent my a snapchat today showing my the color on her index finger has completely come off and my own thumb nail snagged on something and the color began to peel. Normally with gel it's pretty sturdy, so the fact this time both of our manicures were trashed within 24 hours said something. I called the salon and went in to have mine re-done. This time I decided to get dip-powder since it's stronger and the receptionist said "SO WHEN THIS HAPPENS WE JUST CHARGE FOR THE DIFFERENCE" indicating that my re-do manicure would be about $15 plus tip, since my bio gel was $40 and the dip is $55. When I finished and went to pay she charged my card and I left. When I went to check my bank app on the T I noticed I was charged FULL PRICE, $57 plus the tip I gave, when the receptionist told me it would only cost the difference. I thought it was a mistake, so I called when I got home and explained. The receptionist said: "OK, HOLD ON, LET MY TALK TO MY MANAGER." And then she hung up and ghosted me. Giving her the benefit of the doubt I called back and said "Hi, I think the call might have been dropped on accident." To which she replied "OH, YEAH, SO MY MANAGER SAID THAT SINCE YOU RECEIVED A DIFFERENT SERVICE WE HAVE TO CHARGE YOU FULL PRICE." I was a little taken aback and said "Oh, but you said it would just be the difference since I was getting them re-done..." she replies: "MY MANAGER SAID WE HAVE TO CHARGE YOU THE FULL PRICE." Awkward silence ensues, and I, being the non-confrontational, never-complains-ever, girl that I am, I say "Ok, thank you." and hang up. I NEVER COMPLAIN AND THE ONE TIME I'M NOT SATISFIED I END UP LIED TO AND PAY FOR TWO MANICURES, TOTALING NEARLY $100. I'm a college student, not a Kardashian, I'm not made of money. I can't afford manicures all the time and the fact I wanted a good one, was let down, and when I went in to have them re-done I was charged again? I won't be going here again and I'm sad to say they couldn't even correct...

Made a reservation for a pedi and French tips. Arrived and confirmed to technician - pedi and French tips. I could not locate a sheer or sheer pink base on the shelf and asked technician for help. She offered deep grey in various shades, which was odd. She finally offered a pink which seemed deep, but a single coat coule work. Pedi was great. But when we got to the mani, she insisted on two coats of the pink which was very dark for a French tip. I asked again for a sheer or sheer pink, or for just one coat of polish. She came back with, basically, white out. Which obviously would work for the tip but not the nail. I explained again… French tip needs a sheer or sheer pink base. She consulted with two other technicians and came back w a sheer orange. At this point, I was worn out trying to explain the base coat for a French tip. Nobody could seem to grasp it… or you don’t stock the right polish colors. I gave into her pressure and agreed to try the orange. Maybe it would look better w the white contrast from the tips? But she stopped there. Painted my nails orange and stuck me under the dryer. At this point I really did give up and just asked for nail polish remover to get the orange mess off of my fingers. That she did provide. At check out I was asked about my experience. I told the cashier it was not good. Orange nails and no French tips. That lead to my being browbeaten and told maybe I had never asked for French tips. What the heck? That was my online reservation. What I confirmed with the technician. What I asked for half a dozen times while I was there. I had no interest in standing around arguing. Your staff obviously did not care about my experience. (For example, they could have offered to have someone else take care of my nails as the salon was barely full). Paid for the bad service and left. Will not be...