The Lounge Nail Spa — Local services in Emeryville

TLDR: they make up prices based on how they feel and are rude.

The overall experience was really poor. I had an appt, but due to getting off work a little bit late I walked in about 10 minutes after. I felt bad and said I was sorry, but they immediately made me feel even worse. I was getting an acrylic full set with gel, and no polish on before.

They had a second technician help so they could get out of there faster, which was fine but they were clearly rushing and starting to hurt me with the electric nail drill. I showed them a design that they did on their own Yelp page and they must have said "this chick is getting a DESIGN, UGH" to each other numerous times because they were annoyed I was doing a design instead of just color. I offered a couple of times before they got started to just do a solid color... especially due to timing, I get it.

then, there seemed to be 8 workers chatting so loudly in Vietnamese and they were complaining about their cash tips and throwing money around... it was bizarre but also super unprofessional. They complained about their clients in front of them, including me, but they didn't realize I am Vietnamese and understand what they're saying. I'm not the type to try to control everything they're doing during the service; I like to trust and see how it turns out in the end, but I wish I did say something. The almond shape I requested is different per each nail, and some of the nail art I requested just didn't cover as much of the nail as in the sample photo (the popular squiggles kind of art on nails).

Then, what gets me boiling. Is at the end, I politely said thank you - it means a lot because I was treating myself for my birthday and they said verbatim in Vietnamese "it should be an additional $18", then who seemed like the owner or front desk girl said "ha ha, it's her birthday, let's charge her $20". The total for acrylic full set with gel and some squiggle nail art was $75 + $15 tip. Their listed price for acrylic full set with gel is $55. I don't mind paying for the services and was excited for my birthday, so it really hurt they just decide prices on emotions and being almost mean. To kill them with kindness I still tipped 20% but did mention I understood everything they said because I'm Vietnamese and they looked shocked. It just really was a terrible experience. I would not recommend going here because they talk about you constantly are so loud and inconsiderate, and clearly don't...

SCAM ALERT at The Lounge Nail Spa in Emeryville!

A couple days ago, I booked a 5:30 pm appointment for a dip fill (I already had dip nails on) and a pedicure since my usual nail lady was booked. When I arrived, no one was at the desk until Kelly (front desk) finally showed up. I showed her a picture of how I wanted my nails —and reiterated that: I like my nails very square — and wanted French on my toes. She agreed, helped me pick a soft white dip color, and then I waited nearly 30 minutes before being seated.

The first nail tech clearly didn’t know what she was doing. She applied coat after coat of dip in an ombré style I never asked for, leaving my nails clumpy, crooked, and rounded. Thankfully, another kind lady stepped in to fix the mess, but the only way to salvage them was to paint over with gel. By that point, I had already been there for over 2 hours.

When it came time to pay, Kelly tried to scam me. She first told me my nails were $60, claiming they were “difficult.” I pushed back! Square nails are the simplest shape, and the posted price is $50 for dip. When I refused to accept that excuse, she suddenly changed her story and said it was an extra $5 to remove the dip polish. That’s like charging someone to file off gel before a gel fill—it’s part of the service! After wasting my time arguing, I ended up paying $55 for nails and $45 for the pedi ($10 extra for French tip) and btw the pedi was mid- nothing special and the French tip wasn’t clean.

And here’s the kicker—after I paid, Kelly told me that “next time” I would have to pay the extra charge. Let me be clear, Kelly: there will be NO next time.

I still tipped the kind lady who tried to save my nails through her personal Zelle, but this salon will never get my business again.

I thought this would be my new spot since it’s walking distance from my home at Bay Street, but after this scammy experience, I’ll gladly go back to Berkeley to see my original nail tech (shoutout to Van—she’s amazing!).

Warning: This place overcharges, makes up fake fees, and wastes your time. I will be sure to let all my neighbors and everyone at my company know never to go here, because Kelly will try to scam you. Greed is a bad look, and it will get...

Horrible experience. This is what I get for cheating on my regular nail salon. 1st red flag: Appointment was for 10am, myself and a few others were waiting until 10:10am before someone pulled up and unlocked the doors. The front desk lady is very rude. They try to upsell you and talk about you in their language. I was very uncomfortable with the service. I sat In the pedicure chair with no water, for over 15 minutes. No one checked on me, I'm looking at other women being greeted and serviced immediately after my arrival. Finally the front desk lady starts my acrylic removal for a new set. She's very rough, burned me with the drill and the hot acetone she had me dip my hands in to remove the acrylic.

There were at least 3 or 4 different ladies working on my hands then switching off . The lady doing my pedicure was ok. My gel fullset is lumpy, uneven and not shaped correctly. I asked for almond and got square round shape

Price is never a determining factor when it comes to my self care and pampering, but asking to leave a tip, then wanting me to pay in cash, then talking about your customers in your language, doing shoddy, sloppy work then wanting extra on top of your service price, then tell me you gave me a discounted price. Yeah.. .I'll never be coming back here.

TLDR: Go somewhere else. This salon is rude, racist and does...