Queen Nails & Spa — Local services in Philadelphia

This review is long, but please read the entire thing- I am still shocked and so upset by what happened, how I was treated, and the current state of my nails. I have been going to this salon for a while because of their cheap prices, and have always thought that their manicures and pedicures were adequate. On Friday night I went in to get gel tips for my bridal shower the next weekend. I do think it was my mistake to go in during their busiest time, but don't think that is necessarily an excuse for rushed work. The manager Robert sat me down and started working. I pulled my hands back and told him I needed to explain what I wanted. He kept saying okay but continued to rush through. I stopped him various times to point out things and he would say to wait until the end. He answered his phone 3 times during my nails, which I could forgive if it weren't for what happened later. When he was finished, before polish, I showed him a couple nails that were bumpy and misshaped. He politely said he would fix them but at that point I had to leave. He told me to come back when I could and he would fix them. I tipped him $10, told him I appreciated him allowing me to come back and left.

When I went back a couple days later to get them fixed it was a weekday morning, which I figured there'd be plenty of time to communicate. He was incredibly rude and told me there was nothing to fix. I kept pointing to the nails that were messed up and he kept telling me there was nothing wrong, while rolling his eyes. He angrily and roughly started taking off the polish saying he would do them the same way as before. A girl named Alicia came up and started yelling at me, saying that I didn't know what I want and so I should just leave. I started getting upset and Alicia (I think that is her name) went into the back and laughed telling the other girls that I was crying. I told her I could hear her, and she started yelling back at me from the back of the salon, telling me to leave. I was getting so upset that my nails were ruined for my shower in a couple days and told her that. She laughed at me and said that I'll never know what I want, and then she told another girl that she can't stand girls like me. Robert finally cut off all of the nails, my real nails too and told me to leave. I left there still so upset and now with ruined nails that I will have to go somewhere else to get fixed and pay for again. I would never wish this experience on anyone and still cannot believe...

I had been looking for a new place in the city to get my nails done since my usual spot was booked up. Came across Queen Nails and decided to take a gamble on it. The Google reviews appeared to be overwhelmingly good while Yelp has some very consistent low ratings. I should have taken the cue from Yelp but I decided to give it a shot anyway. Big mistake. I had an appointment for a gel full set and eyebrow wax. At the start of my appointment I showed the nail tech a photo of a very specific design and color that I wanted. She looked at the photo and I asked if she could do it. She said “oh nooo oh no” and laughed. Didn’t even ask one of the other techs if they might be able to. Fine. Then comes the color selection. I selected my favorite from their underwhelming collection of gel colors only to be told they didn’t have it and she brought me a completely different color instead. Selected another color only to be told it was “old” and to pick a third color. Finally settled on a color that they had, then came the application. To say that I am underwhelmed with the shape of my nails would be an understatement. As my friend put it, my nails look like “tiny tree stumps.” They are thick, misshapen, and varying lengths. I would have been upset to spend $15 on these nails, let alone the $45 that I actually paid. After sitting through the lengthy paint process, being nicked multiple times with the drill (to the point that I bled on two fingers), I sat through the shortest pampering part of a nail appointment that I have ever experienced: a hot rag that smelled of lavender and mildew, a two second hand “massage” and a drop of disappointingly un-moisturizing lotion. They then asked me about getting my eyebrows done and I just said no because at that point I had had enough. I left that salon and will never look back. If you’re looking for very basic services, then this may be an option for you as the prices are reasonable. If you are looking for exemplary services, a wide selection of colors and treatments, and techs who are skilled in their craft, then this is probably not the place for you. I for one will...

Update! I’ve visited a few more times since my first visit and I’m impressed every time! One such visit was the day before my wedding with some of my bridesmaids and mom, we had a wonderful experience and they were accommodating for out party. Queenie did my wedding nails and they were to die for!!! I got the ombré dip powder (pictures included). I got so many compliments on them and they were absolutely perfect bridal nails. I visited again this week and got a dip manicure with colored French tips and once again they look amazing!! I highly recommend getting your nails done here!

Original review: Tonight was my first visit to Queen nails and I had a good experience. I had an appointment and had to wait for about 15 minutes before they started my nails but I go in expecting that at nails salons; it’s just the way they are most times. The salon is spacious with at least 10 stations, every other one of them empty due to COVID restrictions I’m guessing. I got a manicure with dip powder. They have a large selection of generic dip powder colors. I was a little disappointed that they did not clean up my cuticles much but if you are looking to get your nails done efficiently the service was fast. The prices are definitely good compared to most in the city and they have specials frequently on their website. Overall I would recommend if you are looking for a good...