Modern Nails & Spa — Local services in Hoboken

Not a kid-friendly salon

I’ve been coming here faithfully for almost 2 years- some of the techs are nicer than others but after today’s experience I’m done with giving them business. I’ve always recommended this place and tipped well but I’ll be seeking other options in town.

I brought my niece (8) and daughter (5) here for mani pedis. It was their first time. Neither nail techs said hello, or directed them, or even looked at them. They seemed extremely annoyed by their presence as soon as they walked in. I could totally understand someone being annoyed by kids- but these two girls were so well behaved and so excited for the experience. I said hello to the nail tech who did my nails about 3 weeks prior and no response (she did my daughters nails). Okay. Literally zero communication the entire time. My niece asked me the difference between adults getting their nails done and kids and I replied “I’m not sure, maybe it’s a little cheaper for kids”. Her nail tech replied to her in Spanish “there’s no difference- it’s the same price”. Got it- I also speak Spanish. A little strange but okay. Moved on to manicures, still super flat.

My niece smudged one nail while her hand was under the dryer. I apologetically asked if someone could touch it up. This put the tech over the edge and she told her not to move again because she had other clients and she wouldn’t be able to fix it. She was super rude about it and said it to her in Spanish. I’m sure she didn’t know that I understood her. I totally get the minor inconvenience but there was no reason to talk to her that way. My niece told me how embarrassed she was and I told her it happens to everyone at some point- which is true. It could’ve happened to anyone.

No goodbye, no response to thank you, no nothing. Kind of like a “get the hell out of here” feeling. She came back to ask her, again in Spanish, how old she was. Not sure what the point of that was since supposedly kids and adults pay the same price.

When was time to pay, the tab came out to $84. Mind blown.

Please take your kids elsewhere. Or use anyone besides Elsa & Maria. They’ll appreciate it and...

Warning!! Horrible business rules. Agree with another reviewer that this place has become a nail factory and doesn’t care about their bad quality.

For context, I’ve been loyal to this place for gel manicures. In the past, the quality for has been generally good with a couple bad manicures due to poor shaping, filing the nail down too much with the machine, or color distribution. I’m not too picky so I never complain, until today.

I’d gotten dip powder manicure for the first time 10 days ago before a trip. Within the first days, the SNS cracked and started to yellow. I was shocked because I was careful with them and avoided hot water, dirt/sand, and pool water. A couple days after that, it started to chip off too! I couldn’t come in until today because I was away.

I showed the receptionist the nails you see in the photo. I politely explained that I had been a loyal customer and that I knew dip manicures should last 3-4 weeks, and I asked for them to fix the nails given they’d started cracking on day 2 or 3. She looked at the horrible condition they were in and told me they would charge to fix these nails because they only cover fixes until day 7. I was willing to give them a second chance figuring maybe it was the technician error or they used an old product. What business would think it’s acceptable to charge to fix such a terrible service?

Apparently I was too patient with Modern! Shameful. When they didn’t take accountability for their terrible job, I went a few blocks down Washington street to another salon that took their time, gently removed with a nail file instead of a machine, gave a beautiful replacement dip, and charged less than the original that I got here 10 days ago. Mistakes were made here, but never again!...

Outraged and ripped off! I went here yesterday as I am looking for a new nail place as I recently moved to Nj. The salon was clean and filled so I took a chance and went in and asked if I could have a gel fill in with gel uv polish. I wasn't expecting it to be cheap considering it was Hoboken. When I sat down she began filing right away and took off all the gel I had on including the tips I had just had done. She said she didn't realize I had tips on... She then said it will be $80 instead of $60 because she would have to do fresh tips... I immediately was very upset as it was not my mistake but at the point I just had very filed nails so I said well u should have told me I advance before u filed that I would need a whole new set... But had no choice ... I said it's a shame because my nails grow so fast I come once a week for a fill and every 2 weeks for a pedicure and I was a good customer... She just snarked at me. Fine she finishes in decent time and actually did a beautiful job but here comes the kicker ... She then says because u had uv gel polish which I asked for upfront it was actually going to be $110 for just my nails!!! I was outraged and I said that's fine I will pay it and even give u a nice tip($20 making it $130 just for nails!!) cause u did a beautiful job but I would never be back again... For that kind of money I could have gotten my nails dipped in gold! They 100% should have told me that kind of pricing up front. I am no newbie to nails getting them done every which way for 20 years... Yes a beautiful job but totally got ripped off as a shop owner myself I was completely offended at that kind of stick me up...