Elife Nail Spa — Local services in Charlotte

I've been coming to this nail salon for years because they're about 4 minutes away from me, but I'm really sorry to say that the quality of service has declined just in the past year. This obviously isn't the case for every technician there, and some of them are really great. But there have been multiple times where I've made an appointment ahead of time, I show up 15 min early, and nobody starts working on my nails for another 45 min after my original appointment time. That's really frustrating when I made an appointment to avoid the wait in the first place. I considered those time flukes though, and was traveling for a bit before I could come back in and get my nails redone, which finally happened yesterday. I had acrylics and I wanted them taken off and just normal polish put on to give my nails a bit of a break because they had gotten thin. My nail tech was Billy. I was sat right away, but the initial process for taking my acrylics off was trying to use another plastic nail to pry them off and rip them away. It ended up ripping my pointer finger nail off to the quick and I started bleeding. Even after that, Billy tried to do the same thing with my middle nail too and it cracked down the middle. It was at that point I asked for my nails to be soaked off instead, so Billy put my hands in alcohol and promptly walked away for quite some time. Another nail tech had to come over, grind off some acrylic, stick them back in the alcohol, and grind off more again before Billy came back. Then my nails were filed down and rougher up for better adhesion to the polish, but they were never brushed off so when the polish was swiped on, bits and bubbles were left in my nails. My actual manicure was very rushed and it shows - my nails are super lumpy looking. I accidentally bumped a finger trying to get my watch and ring off the table to leave and asked Billy to fix it. He told me this is why I should've gotten gel nails and put two quick coats on, which you can see in my photos, did not fix the bumps. I'm really sorry to write this review because I have come here once a month for three years now, but I'm just so disappointed at this point. I wasn't ever asked if I wanted a drink or anything like that, didn't get the lotion/arm hand rub they normally do. Which listen, I don't need bells and whistles, but I know it's factored into pricing. I almost always get my eyebrows waxed at the same time too, but I didn't even want to risk it at this point if this is truly just an off phase of the salon. I'm going to have to find somewhere else to go, which is...

My prior nail salon was a business that I felt did not value me. I felt uncomfortable because they would talk to each other in their language while servicing me, and would not have anything to say to me until it was time to pay and of course tip. I’m a big tipper if I feel that I’ve experienced good customer service. I had gotten a full set from the prior salon I patronized and within 2 weeks, the nails began to lift. I called to let the owner know and she brushed me off, asking when I wanted to make an appointment. On a fluke, I stoped in ELIFE Nail Spa. I was greeted immediately by the receptionist. She was very warm and asked what beverage I wanted to drink. The owner is AWESOME! So welcoming and friendly. I didn’t get serviced that night, but made an appointment for following Saturday. When I returned, the owner remembered me when I walked in and since I was new to this business, I remember feeling anxious. The owner put me at ease and recommended that I go to Henry. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED HENRY AND THE EXCELLENT customer service he provided. Henry takes his time and is so meticulous, making sure that everything is perfect. He and I have have formed a bond and he is the only person that I will allow to touch my nails. I HIGHLY recommend ELIFE Nail Spa!! You will receive incredible customer service that you will...

Update: I’ve now had a regular pedicure, a toe polish change, and two gel manicures (two trips). The polishes on my toes and nails all chipped within a 3-4 days. I went a second time because I thought maybe it was me the first time, but I had the same experience the second time around. My toes usually last 3-4 weeks with regular polish and my fingers 1.5-2 weeks with gel. I was really disappointed it chipped on both so quickly. I really wanted to like this salon because its new and close/convenient but I guess I need a different brand of polish. Also, my second time there I was seated at a manicure station with TONS of clipped artificial nails under it like it hadn’t been swept in days, so it might not be as clean as it appeared my first time there.

I had a regular pedicure and gel manicure today and was very impressed! I love my nails! I do highly recommend making an appointment and planning to be there awhile, but good quality takes time! The techs are very concentrated and focused, very detail oriented and do not rush anything. I really like this but others may not so I felt it was worth mentioning. The salon is also very clean and they’re definitely covid conscious. They even have a sanitizer for your credit card! Plexiglass for all pedicure and manicure stations and all staff wear masks....