Little Luxuries Nails — Local services in Minneapolis

The picture on the left is what I wanted, and what I got is on the top right. The bottom right is from a different shop that took it off.

I came in with high expectations because every review was 5 stars, but in actuality, they give you 10% off if you leave a review, so they're all 5 stars.

I went in pretty excited to try this spot for birthday nails. I don't get my nails done often, so I thought this place would be great. I went in with a design in mind, showed the picture, and was told it could be done. It would look a little different due to the color choices, but the design would be similar. Basically, because the design was a bit complicated, the nail tech had to get a lot of pointers from another tech. I don't blame her for trying, but if it was a design that was too difficult, I had a backup choice. I wish they would've requested we go with the backup since they couldn't do it, I wouldn't have been mad. Basically, after nearly 3 hours, I ended up with a set that looked trashy and amateur. I was really upset because it took so long to look like that and I was flying out of the county the next day so I had to scramble to book another appointment somewhere else to take that polish off and get my backup design elsewhere immediately after this was done. I spent over $180 here for these nails. Deeply upsetting. The last picture was my second choice design with a different nail salon who did a great job, I won't mention who, but they fixed things on a really short notice, and I was grateful. I feel like Little Luxuries does a good job for simple designs, and I hope to be able to give them another chance for something easier, but this was a very bad outcome.

*In response to LL below. When I initially sat down I expressed concern about the type of nails I wanted because, as I said above, I don't get my nails done often. The nail tech told me it was a general rate and some fluctuations could apply, so I wouldn't need to worry. I feel like that's something to talk with your nail techs about honestly so everyone's on the same page. I was told that the colors wouldn't be exactly the same, and I was fine with that, but each time a color was brought on, it got sloppier. There were certain colors I wanted used and was told it shouldn't be done become there needed to be black polish underneath. I feel like as long as the design is in tact, then the color shouldn't matter too much. Because of not getting the color I originally wanted before the process even started, I had to keep piping up because the dark colors they picked out just weren't right and fully what I wanted. I appreciate the tech for trying, but also, if it's too difficult of a design, then that should've been communicated to me. I wouldn't be so upset if at some point during the process, it looked like the design. It literally never did, that's why I had to keep suggesting things. If you guys would've said that it'll come together at the end I would've let you. That's not related to the different colors involved simply design. I really want to be able to try this spot again, but there has to be some accountability...

I was debating on posting anything about this salon but after a lot of thought- I felt like I needed to give this review.

I've always wanted to come to Little Luxuries because I thought they were the best in the cities- I was wrong. You may be thinking- wait, aren't there a TON of amazing reviews for this place. WELL the reason why they do is because if you give them a five star review you get 10% off of your purchase. Make sense now?

This was back in November, I wanted to get my nails done in time for Thanksgiving. I called and asked if they had any time for a walk in or any other appointments open that day. They told me yes and we agreed on 2 pm after a lot of back and fourth. When you make an appointment here you also have to make a $40 deposit (not coming at that but just something to note)

While on the phone I remember specifically asking to get a full set. [Fast Forward to 2pm and $14 in parking later]

I am there at 2 pm sharp and waited for about 15 minutes until my nail tech was ready. Why bother making an appointment at all? 15 minutes when the average parking around the area is like 4 dollars an hour is silly and bad practice.

At this point I have paid $54 total and my nails haven't even been looked at. AT NO POINT was I ever offered a water, coffee, tea, or anything. I don't know the last time I went to ANY salon in the suburbs or cities that didn't at least give you a complimentary beverage. Especially when the appointment doesn't start on time.

So I finally get matched up with my tech and she's nice. However for some reason now there is confusion and I didn't book a full set the receptionist said I booked overlay. I tell them that I want to have tips and I thought that I booked for a full set. There is some bickering back and fourth and my tech is debating on if she will have enough time because she has an appointment at 4:30. "What do you mean you don't have enough time"- is what I'm thinking at this point and so I just reluctantly agree to get the overlay.

The appointment is fine otherwise and my tech is nice enough but I still seem like a bother to her and her schedule. they also NICKLE AND DIME YOU at every corner. If you want glitter nail polish? extra 30 dollars? any design at least 20 to start. Also what nail salon charges for different types of tips? Yeah they will charge you if you just want your nails to be shaped almond or square; something that I've never had to pay for before at any other salon.

I finally finish and get over to the counter to pay and they happily point to the qr code to write your shining google review. I ended up paying for a gel overlay- no tips, no design, and it was 115. ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN DOLLARS. this is not even included a 25% tip and parking.

All I'm saying is this salon is a MAJOR disappointment and SEVERLY OVERPRICED. You are better off going on insta and finding someone local or going to your own...

I booked a full set of acrylic nails and polish on my toes, expecting to pay the $90+ advertised on the salon’s website for a full set. To my shock, I ended up paying $150 just for my nails—plain red nails. Somehow, I was upcharged $60. Worse, the entire process took FOUR HOURS! The nail tech, while nice, clearly had no idea how to do acrylic nails. Every nail was a different length and shape, looking nothing like the reference photo I showed her. After sitting for hours, I was just ready to leave as I had other obligations. I’ve been getting my nails done for 15 years and have never experienced such poor service.

Once I left, I noticed that my left hand wasn’t even cured properly! The gel polish smudged all over my shirt and chest, with lint stuck to my nails. When I went back in, the manager argued with me, insisting that’s just what happens with gel polish. This is completely untrue. I’ve been to beauty school—I know how gel is supposed to work. Properly applied gel does NOT smudge like that.

I was scheduled to fix my nails the next morning but had to reschedule, and the earliest available appointment was five days later. When I went in to get them fixed, I was told they only had time to repair three nails. How does that even make sense? They ended up “fixing” 6 nails. Afterwards, the color didn’t even match the rest of my nails! They told me, “gel polish colors change color over time.” I’ve never heard that in my life. My toes are a different shade than my nails, and 7 of my nails are a different shade than the rest. I left feeling worse than when I arrived. Eight hours of work later, and I still hate my nails. This was for my birthday, and it was incredibly disappointing.

I'm still shocked by the unexplained $60 upcharge for plain red nails. To top it off, they incentivize good reviews with a 10% discount if you leave a positive review. That explains why they have such high ratings, but my experience was truly awful.

I posted a photo of my nails, the nail color vs. toes, and my reference photo. ☹️

**Edit/update: I went back in for the 3rd time after noticing the “fixed” nails and toes were a slightly different color. I asked if maybe the top coat was different? They insisted they all use the same top coat. I took a picture of my nails at work in the black light and they clearly lied to me. The...