Honey Nails Salon — Local services in New York

So today I tried out Honey Nail Salon on Franklin Ave. I’ve seen this place multiple times walking through the neighborhood. I’ve tried going once but never made it to the service.  The lady that does my nails at LUXE nails was booked until Monday and I couldn’t wait that long. My nail was on it way to BreakTown. So I took a chance and went to Honey. Very clean, staff is nice, I was promptly seen. I sat down and was offered tea. The receptionist introduced me to the woman performing my service. Great. A little narrative exposition: I have been getting UV nails since January of 2020. I get fills and nail art regularly. I informed the nail technician that I had 3 apres nail tips adhered to three nails on my left hand and if it was ok. She tells me its fine and proceeds to drill off the top layer of UV gel. Nothing to see here. Once the layer is removed, she brushes off the nail dust and buffs my cuticles and nails with a file. Once that’s complete, she  begins to apply the hard gel onto my nails. I’m thinking that’s different. Normally I’m asked if I would like my cuticles cut and if I would like my nails cut or filed and what shape.  We’re 4 nails deep, index and ring, on both hands. So I asked her, “Excuse me, do you not shaped the nail before the you apply the gel, because I would like a different shape.” I wanted a ballerina shape. She then tells me, “After I apply the gel I will shape it.” For anyone that gets UV gel, the natural nail underneath needs to be shaped first because it is extremely hard to shape the gel once it is cured on. In addition to that I like my cuticles cut because you can apply the gel higher up the nail bed allow for it to grow out and last longer. The gel application was not very smooth, there were lumps, and the gel wasn’t evenly distributed. I even asked her to apply more on my thumb to the make the gel levels even. After the gel is cured she asks for the picture and  tries to shape the nail. She asks me if I liked it. “No”, I responded, “This isn’t close to the shape in the photo.” She asks one of colleagues to assist her in creating the shape. Another  fail. When you shape a nail you lose some length. So as they are trying to correct the shape, much to my displeasure, my nails keep getting shorter and shorter. After the unsuccessful attempts, I give up and say, “You can just do them oval”. The original shape that I had and that was left under the nail.  She shapes the lumpy gel and I pick a color. She reaches to open the gel polish and I ask her, “Are you ever going to cut my cuticles?” She responds, “After”. She retracts and decides to cut my cuticles before applying the polish. Why am I asking? Is this not customary? Is it me? Once she finishes I thought she would’ve gotten up and given a massage, like I saw every other client, at the least the ones in front of me, receive before leaving the table. That did not happen. I don’t  know if she was ready to get home or what but I did not like that. I went to the receptionist and asked her, “Are the nails shaped before or after the UV is applied?” She said, “Before”. I said, “I thought so” and proceeded to explain the issues above to her. She said the cuticles are taken off with the drill and that with UV customers normally don’t change the shape that’s why she didn’t ask. That’s not my experience, it has never been my experience hence the question. If you run your finger across my thumb, ring, and index finger, you feel the waviness. The surfaces aren’t evenly smooth from cuticle to tip. The receptionist offered me 5% off and that I could come back to get the shape I wanted.  The service is $80 when Luxe charges $60. Nice gesture but that is $4. The tax in NYC is more than that. Moreover, you can’t achieve the ballerina shape with the length my nails are now. They’re too short. Which she agreed. These are first world problems. However, I really abhor paying for things that I know aren’t done correctly or receiving a service that is not done well. Services that are priced significantly higher than most. My first and last...

This has been my second visit to the salon. It looks stunning, new white decour made me feel relaxed and comfortable. However, there are few major problems there:

The main problem is the receptionist/manager. Not only she never smiles but she is always rude and does not pay attention to details. There is ALWAYS an issue there. The treatments are very EXPENSIVE, so clients should get an outstanding service starting with check in to the actual treatment. It doesn't seem like she is devoted to her job! The funniest thing is I am not the only person who feels this way. Every time I visit someone complains, and it mostly is due to her. She is disorganised, rude, and does not care about the clients. Payment - they take the payment while you are drying in the drying area. This should be either OPTIONAL or all the payments should be made right at the end with the receptionist. I find it nothing but rude. This is the second time I visited during a very quiet time - the pedi area was yet again messy, pillows all over the place, tiles dirty. Girls did not look busy at all. There is no upselling, I tried to enquire about few treatments and there was no upselling going on whatsover. I wonder how does the owner pay her/his bills. Good luck with that. I was willing to pay more. Yet AGAIN I wasn't offered a drink, I had to ask for it. Pedi for 50 bucks and no drink. Great.

All in all, the biggest problem is the receptionist/manager. She can't manage her staff, and she is rude to clients. Very unprofessional and not worth the money. I am disappointed! I hope sth will change soon. Maybe consider...

My first few times at this nail salon were amazing. I got my nails done Saturday 23 December and here I am on the 26th with a chipped POWDER DIPPED NAIL on one hand and a CRACKED nail on the other. And yes, it is one of those ones that will bleed if you cut it. My appointment on the 23rd was at 10 am for my mother and myself. She got a pedi tire and I got a pedicure, acrylic removal and new dip set. To keep this review as brief as possible we were RUSHED first thing in the morning. During my mother’s pedicure, all of the old colour she had on her toes was not removed. They just painted over it. Her pedicure was less than 30 minutes ! My pedicure was also less than 30 minutes before I started my nail removal first and then sat next to my mom around 10:10 10:15 and I was “done” with my pedicure around 10:30. My nails were started and it was the okay. What irritated me was I was told I HAD to pay before the services were finished. I was the ONKY person at this time who was asked to pay before services were complete. At the register I was asked if I wanted to tip is Venmo or cash and I said I was going to tip in cash. I go back to the table to finish my nails and I’m asked AGAIN how I’m going to tip. I said “cash” and then my services continued. I had to go to the back to finish drying my toes and as soon as I turned the fans on I was approached AGAIN to ask about tipping ! I feel like for the money I pay the LEAST I can receive is services that last more than 3 days and an environment where I am not...