Retention Nails & Spa — Local services in Charlotte

I’ve visited this salon several times over the past couple of years. It’s a cute place and the owner is nice but the results of my services have been mixed. At first the service used to be better but as they have gotten busier, they rush the service, especially the gel and dip removal. I noticed my nails have gotten quite thin and sore to the touch due to filing and drilling during polish removal. I shared this feedback with them and was told it’s normal for the nails to get thin. However I’ve actually had better nail health at other salons that take 20 minutes to soak and then gently scrap the polish off instead of drilling and filing after a 5 minute soak.

Also the gel often cracks and lifts like thin plastic after a couple of days. They have fixed it in the past which I appreciate. I usually wear gloves when washing dishes so I’m not sure if there’s something different about their gel polish. I did have more long lasting results with the dip powder.

The last time the gel had an issue, I made an appointment to have it fixed. When the tech looked at it, he realized the polish job was not the best and offered to take it all off since several nails started lifting after only a few days. They started the process to soak the polish but then other customers came in with appointments. While I had the foil on my hands they told me that I would have to come back another day/time because they needed to take care of those customers instead. I was disappointed to have to leave with my nails in that state given my schedule so I decided to just ask for a refund instead. They didn’t want to give a refund and eventually only refunded part of my money. After originally spending $58 including tip, I didn’t leave there with a...

After 3 years of patronizing Retention nails, today will be my last visit. Since the shop has switched owners, my experiences have truly gone down hill. I don’t like throwing accusations as such around lightly because of the stigma it can give , but I am simply going off how I’ve felt and have been treated by new ownership. I visit the shop twice a month and see the owner often but have NEVER been greeted or welcomed by her. I usually am met with a scold or weird look EVERY time. I wanted to ensure I wasn’t seeing things so I observed my surroundings the last 4 visits and I’ve seen her be overly nice and welcoming to other guest (who are not black). Not only that , but she also seems to always have a problem with my bill when I finish my services. I’m not sure if she doesn’t think I’m going to pay or tip staff, but she questions the receptionist EVERY time when I finish. I am a paying customer and have been for years, and hate that my skin tone seems to bother the owner enough to racially profile and flat out be unprofessional towards me. Outside of her ALL the other staff have truly been a pleasure and I am so upset that I will now have to find another salon to patronize since this shop is so close to my house and convenient for my day to day. But I will not spend one more cent at a place that feels it’s okay to racially profile and treat a paying customer in such a disgusting way. I would suggest anyone of black descent to tread lightly entering this shop. Thanks to all the great staff who have serviced me for years , you all are the reason I’m leaving...

I do not usually leave scathing reviews and I will not begin today. I went to retention nails on a Saturday and it was reasonably busy inside. I did not make an appointment so I had no issue at all with waiting my turn. I sat at the front for 20 minutes before I was led back to a table and told me someone would be right with me. During this time no one asked me if I wanted something to drink, came to greet me nor assessed what would need to be done with my nails. I had dip powder on and would need to have them soaked off- a rather simple thing to begin to address. I sat in the chair ignored for about 35-40 minutes before the owner came over to me and asked what am I getting. There was no greeting nor niceties on her end when this was asked- once I informed her of what I wanted she walked away. I sat in the chair for another 20 minutes before a new customer arrived, was immediately seated, given a drink and began her service. I opted to leave at this point. I want to stress that I do not know if this other customer was a walk in like myself or had an appointment but the lack of communication and acknowledgement was unacceptable. I am a patient person and typically do not mind waiting but being overlooked as a customer is not an experience Id recommend. I was able to go to another salon 5 minutes away. Clean, excellent service, attentive, and they did an amazing job! Do with this information what you will, but I urge you not to settle for their...