Spoiler: I would skip buying this one, at least for now.
Details: When I made my appointment online (points there!) I specifically chose Laura instead of the other option. The nail tech who owned the place would have to be the best, right? Well, when I arrived, I got the "other" woman. It was clear from the detailed instructions being given to her (albeit in a language I didn't understand) that she had no idea what she was doing. I told her that I wanted my nails a little shorter (translated for her) and she proceeded to file them for like 20 minutes. Seriously. And, before she had even removed my own polish. After the endless filing, she then moved me to the pedicure chair.
Pedicure chair. You know, the kind with the massage function and the tub thing at the bottom? Yes, only this one the massage thing didn't work and I am about 99% sure that the reason why my feet were in a stainless steel bowl of water (placed in the tub) is because there was no plumbing in this spa (room). She began the pedicure and my main complaint is that HER nails were so dragonlike that they dug into my toes as she held them. Ouch. She was also very stingy on the scrub/lotion products. Who thinks that the massage is one of the best parts of a pedicure? I do! Only this woman never went above my ankle bone. No leg massage there. The whole process was making me regret my purchase. Finally, I said something to Laura who had just finished a manicure and asked if she could take over, which she did.
The rest of the experience was fine. Pedicure looks nice although I feel like I gained nothing over a basic polish change. Laura did a great job on my manicure and was very detail oriented to make sure it was just right. Maybe a benefit of being a complainer? Anyhow, I was disappointed in the color choices, but finally settled on the french manicure light color which was the closest match to my usual Sugar Daddy. All of the more opaque colors had a lot of shimmer in them. I'm just not into shimmer. Personal preference.
End result, I left with very nice looking nails and am happy with the result if not the process. Now I am excited to see how long this Shellac really lasts. My guess is that if the full 2 weeks hold true, my nails will have grown enough to make me really happy that I chose a light color and don't have a very obvious gap at the cuticle base.
Still want to buy? Here's the link for a $15 Shellac manicure.
