SK Nail Spa — Local services in San Diego

PART 2: (response to the below owner response) You cannot tell me that you dated a Black person and “have a Black friend” and think that that erases what was done.

That does not absolve you from what actually happened. You stated that the technicians were “uncomfortable working on my man’s feet” that “his legs are too big” that “his feet take too much work” that is what you said.

By definition you are stating that because of his size and the state of his feet that your technicians are refusing his service because you said “he makes them feel uncomfortable.” Mind you he has never complained or said anything outside of thank you to them. You in NO way attempted to accommodate for his specific needs which is the definition of discrimination! If it’s too much for one person you as the “spokes person” should have made an attempt to accommodate. Problem solve. You could have charged us for the extra time his feet take, you could have offered a two person pedicure as to offset the workload it takes to get him right. There is a myriad of options that you could have looked into as the person that is sent in to problem solve. You did not.

You do not get to wash what you did away just because “they said what they said and you are just the one that spoke up about it.”

You lacked tacit and empathy. You did shame him and embarrass him. That is what you did. You do not get to tell him or me how you made us feel. And you absolutely do not get to absolve yourself just because you were the one that spoke up and speaking for the techs. You put yourself in that position when you came to speak for them. You are now the representative for the establishment. And you did it horribly. Sit with that.

Discrimination is not just about race and color. Educate yourself on what it is because that is EXACTLY what you did. I wish to speak with the owner directly. They have my number. Call me.

PART 1: I have been a customer at SK for years now. I have had my same to lovely ladies that have done my services with excellence this entire time. I have brought friends, family member’s and always provide the shop information when people stop me in these streets wanting to know where I get my nails done.

Today will be my last time at SK Nails. I have been taking my partner for the last year and today I was told by the front desk check in girl (I don’t know her name) that after today they will be refusing his services because the workers “feel uncomfortable“ and “frustrated “ working on his feet. That they have to do too much and that their arms are too tired. So they are going to do a basic service today but will refuse him from now on. No one has ever mentioned any of this to him nor I over the last year. She then proceeded to fat shame him stating his legs are too long and big and that his feet require too much work (mind you there is a foot stand on the spa chair and he is more than capable of lifting his own feet/legs and does I’ve been there…); and then she tells me that she is not discriminating against him?!?! That he makes them “uncomfortable”?!?! While he sits there quietly listening to podcasts minding his own Black business?! He is the kindest most respectful human! Who before a year ago had never had a pedicure! Black men don’t deserve self care?!

Not only was it rude and discriminatory, she was stereotyping, and out right disrespectful! It was humiliating for him and I am utterly appalled. The front desk girl was dismissive and unapologetic.

We will not be back and all the people I have referred to this establishment over the years have been informed and will not return either. We did not stay for treatments. I walked out with removed toenail polish as my service had already started. She should be glad I quietly and respectfully left without telling her exactly how I really felt! HORRIBLE!

I have tried several times today to call and speak to the owner or manager directly of our experience and keep getting the runaround… so here you go Google! SK...

Today I went in to the salon to have my acrylic nails removed and unfortunately had a terrible experience.

I did not have an appointment but offered to wait as I didn't mind and anticipated them being busy. One of the ladies led me to a chair to wait and placed foil and a few other tools on the side. I anticipated they would do what I had experienced at other nail salons and soak cotton pads in acetone, place them on my nails, then wrap the foil around my fingers and let them soak for 10-15 minutes before removing.

Instead, another woman led me to her work station and immediately started clipping off my nails. She filled a small bowl with acetone and had me soak my fingers for about a minute. Then she pulled out a box of acrylic nails. I was confused and told her that I didn't want a new set, only to remove my current set. She sharply responded "I know!" She pulled out one nail from the box and started to use it to pry the acrylic nail off of my natural nail. My nails had been soaking for only a few minutes and it was definitely painful. She did a first round of prying to loosen the nail, had me soak in acetone for another minute, then pried and scraped the acrylic nail off in chunks. It was so horrible. Only at the end when there were a few spots left near the cuticle did she use the e-file to remove anything.

I was wincing through the process and definitely stunned by how harshly and quickly she did the removal. It probably took about 10 minutes in total. When the acrylics were completely removed, she didn't do any buffing or smooth out the surface of the nail. The other salons I have gone to typically buff and then apply a cuticle oil. She asked if I wanted a manicure and I declined. My nails felt too raw and were already unnecessarily damaged. I left, purchased a nail buff and nail hardener at Target, and finished it myself

I would have much preferred that they asked me to wait rather than to rush through my treatment. I will not mention the name of the nail stylist as I already informed the manager about my experience. I am so disappointed and hope management ensures that no one else has this experience...

I was so excited to try this salon after seeing the great reviews on Google. Unfortunately, I was so unpleasantly surprised. This was the worst experience I've ever had at a nail salon. I went for a gel mani/gel pedi. I was rushed to choose a color. The woman who did my manicure said, "You want red, right? I'll pick a pretty color for you." I told her I wanted a dark red. She began doing my manicure and another woman started my pedicure. The woman doing my pedicure motioned for another person who worked there to come and look at my feet. They whispered to each other and laughed. They weren't speaking English, so I'm not sure what they said, but the woman who was gestured over then went to other people working there and they all shared in the secret joke and laughed. I was then asked if I liked the color that was chosen for me. I said, "It's lighter than I would usually do, but it will be fine today. " They stopped my manicure and pedicure to make a huge show of looking for a different color for me. I asked them to just continue with the color they had started with and was told, "No we'll find something for you." The manager walked over to me and said, "You should have chosen your own color". I said, "please just finish with the color you started with". I have never felt so uncomfortable and like such an inconvenience to the people I am paying to provide a service. To add to this, the young lady working the front desk was very unfriendly. I did not know they have a policy to only give tips in cash. She allowed me to pay the tips on venmo, but said, "next time, make sure you bring cash for the tip". Don't worry, I won't be back. I'll take my money and tips elsewhere, thanks. If all of this already wasn't frustrating enough, my gel manicure is already chipping three days later. I wish I hadn't wasted my time and money. There's really no reason to be rude and disrespectful to other people, especially if they are...