Why a Nail Tech Should NOT Mess With Me

Temple, Texas
October 29, 2015 10:03pm CST
OK, so one thing most people notice about me is that I'm "positive, bubbly, upbeat, confident..." I make people feel at ease, in general. HOWEVER, I am not one to be messed around with. Case in point: The nail salon I went to this evening for a fill of my acrylic nails before I head home for the weekend. I just found one open, taking walk-ins, close to my hotel. Mistake #1. I picked out a cute color and sat down at the nail tech's table. She asked I wanted my nails cut back. I said yes, assuming this was included in the service, as is customary. Mistake #2. She didn't cut the nails, she used one of those power drill things to file them down. The thing got hot and she got it onto the skin on my fingertips multiple times. I should have taken this as a sign of bad things to come and left the salon at that time. Mistake #3. She put two coats of primer, which is generally unnecessary. It started to sting a bit on my nail beds. I didn't speak up. Mistake #4 At this point, I'm thinking it will pass. She begins to apply the actual acrylic. After a few nails get filled, they REALLY start to BURN. I as her what brand of product she's using on me. The sign on the window reads "Solar nails," a line of a brand I'm familiar with and have not had issues with in the past. I'm wondering if that's what she's using or if it's something else. I want to make sure I never have this product applied to my body again as it's really hurting now! The tech plays dumb. She claims not to know what BRAND of PRODUCT she is putting on ME! She sort of implies the manager knows, so I inquire of her...who also avoids answering me. The manager comes over and pours rubbing alcohol on my fingertips to supposedly sooth the pain and tells me there's nothing wrong with the product (funny, I never said there was, I simply inquired as to the maker...) that I'm merely sensitive... MMMMMKAYYYY.... Bear in mind, folks, I happen to be a trained, licensed (in 2 states for what it's worth) Cosmetologist myself. I know for a fact that you cannot refuse to tell a client what you are using on them. In fact, there should be MSDS sheets available in the salon for just such an occasion. Not in this dive. No sireee. Everything is labeled generically: "primer," "powder," "liquid," etc. Even when my polish got nicked before I left and the manager put thinner on it to fix it, I asked "Oh, what is that?" And she laughed and said "You want to know everything..." I took that opportunity to mention my credentials and that I know she should be telling me what was used on me...giving her ample opportunity to do the right thing. Since she refused, and my nail beds are still sensitive to the touch and my hands are getting a little itchy over all...I am going to provide feedback on the salon on every Yelp type of site I can find to warn others, as well as report the place to the TDLR (the department responsible for monitoring compliance with rules and regulations of salons in Texas). I tried to be nice. I asked calmly, peacefully. I never got heated or upset, even though every time the tech touched my nail beds, I wanted to cry. I tried to be professional about it. So, I got a business card before I left and asked the name of the tech so I know what to put on the report. I'm nice...but I'm not THAT nice....
3 people like this
3 responses
• Midland, Michigan
30 Oct 15
I've never had my nails done at a salon, and I don't ever plan on having them done either. I just wish I could get mine to grow and not break off. I put polish on recently, two coats and a top coat and within one day it was coming off. Also, my nails began breaking while working and now it doesn't even look like they were long a few days ago. Did you at least get out without paying a fortune? I Thought the price was related to one of those mistakes, but you never finished that portion of your story.
1 person likes this
• Temple, Texas
3 Nov 15
The price wasn't too bad. The total came to $17.
1 person likes this
• Thiruvananthapuram, India
30 Oct 15
I really cant believe that they REALLY started to BURN
1 person likes this
• Temple, Texas
3 Nov 15
LOL, ok, so my fingers weren't LITERALLY on fire, but it sure felt like it!
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40091)
• Laguna Woods, California
2 Nov 15
I get pedicures, but never manicures. I used to get acrylic nails about 25 years ago, but stopped after two or three months. I ruin regular nail polish within minutes of leaving a salon, so I just get my fingernails buffed two or three times a year.