Joja Nails — Local services in Raleigh

I rarely write reviews and only decided to post a review after reading a few others. I have been to Joja a few times before and never had an issue, Blia and Mei are wonderful and I always request to have them as a nail tech, but very rarely have I ever gotten to have them continue to do my nails. I always book online and when I come in they end up putting me with someone else. This happened this past time but I chose not to say anything because I figured it would be okay. I went in for a pedicure and dip powder. My pedicure was fine but the polish done was very sloppy and all over my skin. While I was getting my pedicure done a young lady came to do my nails as I was sitting in the pedicure chair and it was very uncomfortable. She began to put tips on my nails and when filing them down I kept telling her they were too long for my liking and she kept insisting that they looked okay. At a certain point I got too frustrated to keep telling her they weren’t at the length I wanted so I just let it be. When she was almost done I realized the nails on my left hand were much longer than on my right and I tried to tell her and she continued to insist they were okay. I was very upset and due to my anxiety and her repeatedly telling me it was fine decided not to say anything about it. My nails ended up very uneven and looked terrible but again I was just too nervous to say anything. I tipped and left and after reading reviews I decided it wouldn’t be best to ask them to redo because it seems they blame you for not saying anything and I’ve also seen them blame the way peoples nails grow? I ended up going in to have them removed and they still charged me to have them removed even though they knew I wasn’t pleased. It’s very unfortunate and I just think the customer service is very lacking. The fact that I’ve read in reviews that they don’t do refunds but it’s not posted anywhere in their salon or online seems strange to me and that’s also another reason I did not confront them because I know they wouldn’t have helped in the way I would have liked them to. I also paid over 100 dollars for both services that were subpar AND had to pay to get them removed. Unless you can guarantee you’re with Blia or Mei or even Jackie, I would...

I was a new customer, I got a fill in with a gel manicure and a gel pedicure.

The pedicure was really good I got the Pamper Me which in 39$ plus 25$ for the gel polish. I personally wish it also included the paraffin wax dip at 65$ but they did do a great job rubbing and massaging my legs and feet.

My fill in manicure was just a simple color with the stiletto shape. I’m typically very adventurous with my colors and designs. I usually get multi colors and glitter jewels etc. However I was told I wasn’t really able to have a lot and was limited because of the fill in/ gel. Blia, the tech shaped them nicely and applied the color but was fairly cold and short whenever I asked any questions about style. When I did get an answer about design it was usually between 25-40$ in addition to the nail service which was already 62$.

I don’t have an issue paying for art I think it was just shocking because I’m a regular elsewhere and they charge me 60$ for the same a service and I am able to get whatever I want on my hands (multi-color, special shape, jewels, chrome, hand painted). I was even told a particular color I liked was an additional fee which I haven’t experienced before. So I’d like to see more of their art and products before I hand over that much and also not feel like I’m being a burden for inquiring.

The grand total was $126. If I had gotten what I typically get it would have been 180$+

My personal opinion

Pros: -They take and honor their appointment slots and make sure you stay on time. Complimentary Wine The Callus treatment it great

Cons: The prices are higher then comparable salons. Without a lot of frills or pampering. You might have a tech who has a air of impatience at the end of the day.

Suggestions for better service: unless I missed it, making their prices for designs clearly stated online. maybe offer a consultation time also since you have to pay a 25$ retainer.

I might give this place another chance and come in more prepared with something special to try otherwise for the price I may just continue at where I’m...

I can’t review JOJA nails again since I reviewed them three years ago so I am editing my post to add the April 2025 review. I am not editing my March 2022 review other than adding what nails I got at that service in parentheses.

TL;DR: same great atmosphere, great nails, great EVERYTHING.

April 2025 Review: (colorful nail art shorter nails - gel) I have a little more experience going to get a manicure/pedicure now. This is still not a routine I have in my life but I am trying to make it one; I get the Treat Yourself mani/pedi with gel combo usually with my toes one color, my fingernails another. This time I asked for a design on my fingernails that I had seen on Pinterest. I showed Mason the design I had in mind for my nails and he nodded. He helped pick the colors that matched the photo and they turned out INCREDIBLE!!! He was meticulous with the brush and made sure I liked how the design was coming out before moving forward. Everyone there is (still) incredibly friendly and the atmosphere is relaxing.

March 2022 Review: (long green gel-x nails) I am fairly inexperienced when it comes to getting manicures and artificial nails often opting for gel manicures. I looked into what “gel-x” was for an event since my natural nail broke right before the event and saw Joja offered it. I was a little hesitant about it when I walked in but Jackie answered all my questions and showed me examples of what she’s done for other clients. My nails turned out AMAZING and I have gotten so so so many compliments on them. I also got the high life pedicure before I got my gel-x nails on and it was incredibly relaxing. Everyone in the salon (clients and technicians) made me...