SOUL PRETTY NAIL SALON — Local services in New York

Edit after latest experience: Knocking a star off for a couple of reasons.

First, when I was checking out I scanned a venmo QR code to tip. Since I had it visibly open on my phone, I felt comfortable walking out and completing the venmo payment outside. Unfortunately, Sunny did not share my comfort in this. She asked me to stand there and complete the payment in front of her. I did complete the payment, but this practice is very bizarre and should be stopped immediately. She said it was because people “forget” (even though she could see it was open on my phone), but I couldn’t help recalling reviews saying they gossip about how different demographics tip.

Second, I got a 20 minute chair massage as part of their $66 mani+pedi+massage package, and it was apparent that the man giving it to me has not been trained to give massages. The only thing I can compare it to is petting an animal. I get massages 1-2 times per month and have never had such a weak treatment. I have gotten a chair massage there before, and I left feeling AMAZING! I just wish there was more consistency because I will definitely think twice about getting this service and even going back in general. It bothers me very much that I was basically accused of trying to get away with not tipping, and I hope that the owner asks them to stop.

Original review: Soul Pretty is finally giving LIC the go-to salon we have been missing!

I just went for the first time today and could not have been happier with my experience! I called the day before to book a mani-pedi but i realized that they opened too late for me to make my flight. Just to accommodate me, the owner opened 30 minutes early! I have never had a business go so above and beyond for me, and because of that I will keep returning.

They have a great selection of colors—better than most salons I’ve seen. I was also happy with the price of $49.5 for a regular mani-pedi. I think I saw some reviews complaining about it taking too long, but I was in and out in exactly an hour, including a 10-minute dry.

The mani-pedi itself was great. They have excellent attention to detail and really did a great job with the pedicure massage. I was also very pleased with the shoulder massage while I dried my nails. A lot of salons don’t do these things anymore, and for that reason Soul Pretty stands out! I...

While my nails look great, the service I received was painful and disappointing. The tech who did my nails drilled so hard to remove the previous gel that she burned every single one of my fingers. When I would flinch or move she would grab my arm and shove it back down on the arm rest. I understanding gently communicating the way you want my hands/fingers, as most salons do. But this was just so aggressive and uncalled for. She was bending my fingers in every which way that she actually cracked 3 of my fingers which didn't hurt but was uncomfortable and completely unnecessary. The nail tech did not like the way I had my arms positioned on the arm rest. Every single time she would shove my elbow down or push my hand down. This made me hyper fixate on how I had my arms and hands because I could tell she was getting frustrated with me and I just didn't want to upset her. The last time she did it she forcefully grabbed my forearm and pressed down with her fingers so my arm was pressed into the arm rest to which I finally said "you're hurting me". I almost got up and walked out then but this was still in the first 15 minutes of me being there. She mumbled something and all I could make out was "not hurting you" (I think she said I'm not hurting you which like yes you are lol) She then swapped the low arm rest for a taller one and she asked me if it was better, trying to blame it on the arm rest.

The rest of the appointment was not relaxing, and the entire time I was on edge that she was going to press into my fingers/arms again. I was making sure the entire time to have my fingers and arms in a way that wouldn't set her off.

When she was taking length off my nails she never asked me if I 1. Wanted length taken off 2. How much taken off. She just took liberty and decided that on her own. So bizarre.

When it came time for lotion/oils, she hasn't wiped away any of the dusting from the filing/drilling so she literally rubbed the dusting into my hands and arms with lotion which is just disgusting and I'm sure not up to code.

Again- my nails look good but I would never...

I've been here for nail service twice. The place is nice and seems clean enough. The latest nail I did was also fine. No complaints there. The 2 star is for some of the behaviors I picked up on while I was there and how they ran their service. The guy who took me first might've been the front desk guy and the one who answered the phone constantly, and it was annoying having to be his customer before he handed me to a different nail tech. I got a gel x or gel extension. I wanted the extended version of a gel nail. I heard an elaborated difference from one of the techs to a different customer of whom is similar in race to them while I was mid service. I had to ask what the difference was since I didn't know they had a difference, and it wasn't exactly shared with me when I sat down. It was explained roughly. Their service is fine generally, but I noticed a difference between people of their racial groups and the Caucasians, which made it... I got the back massage after service, which was nice as well. The lady didn't shy away from the fact that she didn't want to do it when I asked for the longer and paid version of the one they provide after service in her non verbal ques and expression. It's close to me atm and not the worst in terms of prices, so I might consider it again while I find somewhere else as my go-to. Their behavior I noticed in terms of race speak for them and the way they are. It's nothing new,...