Grace's Nails & Spa — Local services in New York

Prior to my experience today, the last time I came to this nail salon was about 3 years ago. At the time I stopped coming because the prices were trending upward while the service was declining. When this place first opened the ladies were very skilled, attentive, and the overall experience was very pleasant, as that started to change I took my business elsewhere.

Today, I needed to get my nails done in preparation for an event and did not have the time to drive out to my usual place, so I thought it's been three years let's revisit. Gregory was as pleasant as I remember. Despite having to leave and comeback, because I could not be taken right away, when I did return, he speedily got me in a chair and was very attentive until the woman who could do my nails was available.

The young woman who completed my services was the problem. It reminded me of why I stopped going to this salon in the first place. She was on the phone while she was doing my pedicure. Listen I get it if you need to take a call at work, but the entire service she was having a full on conversation. In so doing, many basic aspects of a pedicure were either done haphazardly or not done at all. For example, a hot towel, the scrubbing of the feet, putting on lotion. For the first time in my life I left a nail salon with ashy feet and hands. During my manicure she did not wear a mask. I get it that some places do not enforce this, but there is a huge sign outside that says customers should wear masks, so I was confused. The manicure itself was poorly done. She asked about shape, I told her almond. She in turn did a funky rounded square. She also did not shape them to look uniform at all. If I did not remind her she was not going to do a base coat. Overall the nails were not to my liking. I also requested a chin wax. I asked Gregory if someone was available to do this, as I know in some places not all nail techs are able to wax. He said that she could. I sat down, and as expected she did not really know how to wax. Waxing is always painful, but when someone is bad at it, it hurts a lot more. She then under her breath tried to blame me, saying it was too much hair. I actually have PCOS, so unfortunately I get a lot of body hair fairly quickly, not because that is what I want, but just how my body is. She did not get all the hair, did not do the usual aftercare after a wax. Just poorly done and made me feel bad while she was at it.

When this place first opened it had what appeared to be trained nail techs, but now I am not so sure. I stopped coming here 3 years ago, and unfortunately after this re-visit I will not be returning. I did let Gregory know about my dissatisfaction with the services after I left via a phone call. He was kind and stated he would speak with her. I did not want to embarrass the young woman as I was embarrassed and I am not confrontational. But I felt that it would have been a disservice to not let him know and to not write this review.

I can't say for someone not to go to this nail salon, but I would be weary about some of the people who provide...

Was there yesterday, ( 9/21) Not sure of the name of the individual that did my nails.. but what I do know is that she did a horrible job. My regular manicurist is pregnant and off so, this was a referral. I WILL NEVER SET FOOT IN THERE AGAIN. Now, I'm acutely aware that people's experience differs for a multitude of reasons, and as such I hope one's decision to go/or not, will not be dependent on my review. However, I felt compelled to do this. The wait was long.. customer service left little/ nothing to be desired.. I was told to choose a color, and after the fact, told that my color brand choice was more $$..which, had I been told before, I would not have felt like this was a bait and switch scenario.... And it was about the color for me, so I would have opted for my initial choice...NOW, at the tune of $42 for a pedicure, one would think that the nail polish would be applied with skilled technique, leaving a flawless outcome...sadly, that was not the case. And a kebab skewer was used to remove the excess polish at the side/off of the nail bed... this following two breaks in the 1st barrier of protection, after which the young lady exclaimed, "you need new cuticle cutters"!!! No!!!!!! what I need is someone who is trained and skilled in their area of "supposed"expertise. Note to owner, "a smile goes a long way.. there was a young lady there that had such an unpleasant and unapproachable look on her face.. she's the one that took the payment. I honestly felt uneasy about approaching her to make my payment..smh!! The one star that I've alloted in my review was for the positive quotes on the walls and the...

Eh. It's nice, they're friendly, and do mostly good work. They offer beverages while I waited. However I wouldn't go back. I saw the reviews about the wait, so I went on a weekday morning. Still had to wait for little too long even though it wasn't busy. Only 1 lady knew how to do hard gel.

I paid $60 to remove gel polish, fill with hard gel, and apply a new gel polish. Which would have been fine... Except she shredded the skin around my nails with the electric file, so much so that it burned when she cleaned it. THAT IS WHY ONLY 3/5 STARS. It was clear that she still hadn't gotten her technique down yet.

I'm sure if was acrylic, she would have been perfect. However, it wasn't. I think if they had mentioned that she was still mastering it, and priced it according to her skill, I would've been okay. But I don't like paying regular gel price, for nails that aren't up to the same quality.

In the end, I liked my nails(minus the shredded skin) and the new color, but...