Serenity - A Nail Boutique

I needed a last-minute nail appointment for a wedding, and they were able to fit me in right away—which I so appreciated! My nail technician was incredibly kind, personable, and skilled. She perfectly color-matched my toenail polish and shaped my nails into a natural-looking almond style, just as I’d requested. What made the experience even more special was the conversation—we chatted about my family, the reason I was in town, her own family, and her children. By the end of the appointment, I felt like I had made a new friend. If I’m ever back in the San Diego area, I’ll definitely be returning!

The hygiene and professionalism at this salon are on the lowest level possible for a place where clients can easily get cut and exposed to infections like hepatitis. The nail technician doing my nails tried to continue her work in same gloves after doing manicure and pedicure to other lady, I believe that was the first signal I should have left. Then she brought a dirty towel with so many stains on it u can never understand is it washed at all or not. She could barely understand what I was saying. I had to ask the receptionist to explain things for me. When she finished, I honestly wanted to cry. All my nails became somehow twice as thick, and I still don’t understand why they now look completely flat from the top. I had a badly cut index finger at the time, so she never touched that nail. As a result, one nail still looks like it did 4 weeks ago, while the others were done only 10 days ago — and the difference is shocking. At first, I thought maybe I was just unlucky with the technician, but then I saw the nails of two sisters sitting next to me. It was exactly the same thick, poorly shaped result. This place genuinely does not understand what good nail care is. I had been meaning to write this review for a while but never had the time. Today I was searching for salons nearby and this place came up again, and I thought: yeah, I absolutely have to rate this place.

On Tuesday I came to this nail salon to try something new as I would usually go to a place closer to my house. The drive is about 15 minutes which isn’t bad but it is still not necessarily super close. The experience wasn’t bad however I had powder on before and she left me for about 15 minutes to do my soak off which seemed like a little bit of a waste of time. Everything was fine while I was getting them done, service was good and she was understanding of the shape, size, and color that I wanted. I noticed that she only did about 2 layers of dip powder which in the moment I thought was very little but assumed it would be fine. About 2 hours after coming home after getting them done, they chip. They continuously keep chipping throughout the day until 6 were damaged by the next day. After 2 weeks I wouldn’t even expect 6 nails to be chipped and that pretty much sums up how appalled I was at the quality of my nails. As one would after payed $64 for nails, I came in the next day and asked to get them fixed. They were super understanding and sorry about it and sit me down. They then tell me that they aren’t sure if they had time for me in the moment and asked if I could come back later. I said I couldn’t and then they asked if I could come back tomorrow but I also wasn’t available. When they finally find someone to fix 6 of my nails I obviously had to get more of my powder soaked off after having them soaked off the day before. My nails felt extremely frail and I understand that is just what happens but this shouldn’t even be happening in the first place. While she was redoing the powder, I asked about the other 4 because if 6 chip in the span of a day the other 4 are bound to chip shortly after and my lady told me that if they chip I should just come back.I play a sport and have summer practice as well as club practice so I don’t have time to be even going to a nail salon 2-3 times in a week and gas is very expensive and as previously stated this nail salon around a 30 minute drive round trip. A day after this happens, two of my nails from the original trip chipped and I am honestly extremely disappointed especially as I expressed concern for the other 4. See photo for new chip as well as one of the 6 initial chips.

Got a later evening appointment at 6:15p for a pedicure and Kim took great care of me. They close at 7p and she never rushed the service or made me feel uncomfortable about being there until after 7:15 for my toes to dry. The gal who checked me out was super sweet and gave me a punchcard and some cuticle oil. They were very friendly and I appreciated the conversation with Kim. I will def be back :)

3/14 came at 6:30pm with my daughter. I called ahead of time, they told me to come in even though they close at 7pm. They were in a rush on both of us. I just got a gel mani and my daughter got a regular mani. On mine, I accidentally bumped my hand into the small UV light thing. It was an innocent accident and I said I was so sorry immediately and even though she said don’t worry, you could still tell she was upset. They were already speaking a different language and I was smiling and trying to have a conversation about how their day was or just have a kind conversation so when this happened and all the fast language talk suddenly started, it’s obvious they’re complaining about me and are upset. There's polish mess up & gel all over my skin and dried, which is glueing my skin and nail together, it’s uncomfortable. I’m just so disappointed. I can’t call and complain because they will make me feel like a Karen and I just want a good job done and with someone who isn’t in a bad mood, going to be sloppy or in a hurry. 🥺 I don’t get my nails done often, this was my first time going with my daughter too. I just hate this being a bad experience. I don’t want to come back