Ever feel guilty for switching (nail salon related)

[SeaSpray]

I've been going to a woman named Judy for about 6 1/2 years now to get my nails done. I get acrylics every 2 weeks. In all honesty, she doesn't do a great job. I think she needs stronger glasses Often, my nails will start to lift before the next fill. A lot of times, one or more nails will come off all together.

I had an appt last Friday morning but I was having stomach trouble and cancelled the appt. When I called back on Saturday to reschedule, I was told that Judy won't be back in the shop until Thursday (the only day of the week that I work), and with 2 nails off already, I was not about to wait until Friday. I even asked if the other nail technician had anything available before then, but she didn't.

So....as hard as it was to find a nail salon open on a Monday, I found one about 10-15 minutes away and made an appt for noon today. I wasn't sure what to expect. It was one of those "asian/cambodian" places.

Here are the pros to me going back to this new place:

*$5 cheaper ($15 for a fill VS $20 for a fill with Judy)

*This girl did an EXCELLENT job. Since I had 3 nails off by now, and a couple more lifting, she took all the old ones off and put on a whole new set for only $25! My nails look beautiful.

*This place includes a mini hand massage, and she also trimmed my cuticles. (Judy doesn't do this).

*This nail salon is open 6 days a week, 9am to 8pm. Judy works only a couple of half-days a week. I usually book my appts with Judy months in advance, but then have a problem rescheduling if I have to change an appt.

*Again, for emphasis, my nails look GORGEOUS! Judy never gets my nails looking this good. I swear, she needs new glasses, or just really isn't very good at shaping acrylic nails.

Cons for going back to this new place:

*The young lady that did my nails today did speak pretty good English, but I also have bad hearing, so I was a little nervous about trying to understand her.

I guess I just feel "guilty" for changing nail technicians. I know that I shouldn't. Judy really does do sloppy work. Before I moved to Massachusetts 7 1/2 years ago, I had my nails done in NJ and the girl there did a great job, very similar to the quality of the girl who did my nails today. I can tell the difference.

I guess I feel a little bit of loyalty to Judy because we've gotten to know each other over the last 6 1/2 years. We're not what I would consider "friends" though, we don't get together or anything like that.

Ok, give me your opinions. LOL I guess I need the right words to tell Judy, without hurting her feelings.

 

[stinkerbelle]

be sure you are going to a 'safe' place.
sometimes those places use an "illegal" chemical to activate the acrylic - called MMA I believe (google it - you'll get an eyefull) Anyway - this stuff is much cheaper, so they are able to charge less.

if they use a drill (similar to a dremel) on your nails - you don't want to be going to that place.

don't feel guilty about changing places - it's your money and time...you go to who you want to go to

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Stick with the new person if you are comfortable with her.

I can understand your delimma since you develop a relationship of sorts with hair/nail technicians. But you also would not accept bad work from other people.

Edited to add-I agree with stinkerbelle. I stopped going to those Asian places because all of them that I tried made me leary. I was also concerned about sanitation.

 

[Pinnie]

I am with Stinkerbelle here. Be sure the place you are going to doesn't use the MMA (Michigan is trying to ban it). I have a very dangerouse experience using one of these "cheap" nail salons and got a serious infection from the "drill" they used to thin my nails.

While I understand your loyalty to the person you have been going to, it is within your rights to change anytime you desire.

Just be careful who you pick!

pinnie

 

[stinkerbelle]

All the articles start to sound alike after a while - so I'll just throw this one out that i googled.

http://www.beautytech.com/articles/mmafactsheet.htm

I had acrylics for 6 months...just 6 months...took over a year to get my nails back into shape after (painfully) removing the acrylics. My nails were paper thin and I STILL have one that grows and splits at a certain point.

So - just be safe - ok?

 

[Hillbeans]

I don't quite know how this thread took a negative turn from what the OP asked, however a $5.00 difference does not mean that this new nail place is a pit nor that they use unsafe materials. A well known salon can have unsafe equipment just like a cheaper place could.

Anyway, my theory is that you can't let personal feelings get in the way of getting the most out of your services. You are paying your hard earned money for a service, and there are many many ranges of "good" versus "bad". If I were having my nails done by someone and someone else does a much better job and is more flexible with their hours and charges less, it's a no brainer.

I'd just be honest, as harsh as that sounds, and say that you need to go to a salon that is more flexible with your working schedule and that the new salon is utilizing new techniques because they do a better job with your nails.

 

[lilpritch04]

If you're not friends with this person and you don't see them other than the salon, why do you need to tell them anything?

Maybe I'm rude, but I use to see the same stylist for 8 years until I went to college (stayed in same city) and then I was broke. I started going to the Aveda Institute and never looked back.

I would check into several local salons and ask about their services, prices, and products. Once you get this info you can make a wise decision and have great looking nails

 

[aimee11621]

Better service! Better hours! Better nails! Cheaper!!!!!!!!

Go with the new place

 

[phorsenuf]

I agree....I'd switch. Sounds like you've made up your mind anyway

Don't get too concerned about the Aisan places. I go to one in the local mall and they do a fabulous job! They never break and when I have had them removed the nails underneath were still very strong! Oh and they use an electric drill too.....

If you have sanitary concerns then by all means, check it out. Try them a few times and see how it goes. Not all Asian places are bad.

As far as the technician...oh well...thats how it goes. You don't owe anybody anything. If you must say something to her just tell her you needed to find a place that worked around your schedule. I'm sure she would understand.

 

[piglet too]

I'd say, go with the new place. As far as the "safety issues" go, keep your eyes open, but don't worry too much. I have only had problems once, and that was at a high-end salon, I was allergic to whatever it was that they used. I tore off the nails that night they were hurting my hands so bad!

 

[thelittlemermaid]

In all of my 31 years I have never been anywhere to get my nails done. Truthfully, I really don't know the first thing about taking care of them except making sure they are clean and cut.
My mom never really showed me cause I was never interested in learning, plus while in baton I kept them short, you don't want a baton coming back down at you and hit the tip of your finger with a long fingernail.

But that is until a friend went to school to learn to do nails. Now I have someone I can trust plus she is at the point of trying to get a clinetel {SP?} in place.

Go to who you trust and feel comfortable with their work. It's your money and you should get the best service for the price.

 

[dg39]

I would switch. They are more convenient for you and are cheaper. All these things are in your favor. I've been going to a korean owned/runned salon for over 8 yrs. The price can't be beat, there clean, and knock wood never ever had any type of infection or problem. I get the permanent pink/white french so I only have to go 1x a month.

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks everyone!!! I will definitely keep my eyes out to keep checking for sanitary issues. I do that anyway, everywhere I go. I've seen the documentaries on those unsanitary places. GROSS! I have to say though, that anyone can get a nail fungus if moisture accumulates underneath the acrylic. I've only had this happen to me twice in the 10 years that I've been getting my nails done (here in MA and in NJ). It never got out of hand, and were caught right away when they were very tiny spots. I have never heard of "MMA" though, so I will have to find out about that.

The reason why I do have to/want to say something to Judy is because I am currently booked with appointments with her through New Years. So I can't just not go back. I can call and just tell the front desk person to cancel all of my appointments, but after 6 1/2 years, I thought that it'd be nicer to tell her goodbye and at least give a general reason as to why I'm not going to her anymore. I don't want to end on an unfriendly note, because who knows, down the line I might want to go back to her again (for some reason). lol

 

[Jennyfyar]

I thought I'd give my two-cents, from a nail techs perspective.

If you are not satisfied with the work your nail tech has been doing, by all means switch salons. But, over the 6 1/2 years, you have obviously become friendly with this person. I may not hang out with my clients, but I know and care a lot about them. As a nail tech, I appreciate it when a client lets me know why they are leaving, even if it is due to my work. (Only happened once, but she and I didn't really click so I can't say I was sad to see her go.) If she only works a few days per week and is pretty booked, she will probably miss you more than the money.

Acrylic nails should not lift, even after two or three weeks. So it is a problem with her technique if that is happening.

Be very aware of the acrylic that is being used. As stated in earlier posts, MMA is outlawed in many states for good reason. Check it out.

Electric drills - if your nail is burning, there is permanent damage being done to your nail bed. Be careful. I would not let someone touch my nails with a drill, but do what you are comfortable with.

Good luck.

 

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by Jennyfyar
I thought I'd give my two-cents, from a nail techs perspective.

If you are not satisfied with the work your nail tech has been doing, by all means switch salons. But, over the 6 1/2 years, you have obviously become friendly with this person. I may not hang out with my clients, but I know and care a lot about them. As a nail tech, I appreciate it when a client lets me know why they are leaving, even if it is due to my work. (Only happened once, but she and I didn't really click so I can't say I was sad to see her go.) If she only works a few days per week and is pretty booked, she will probably miss you more than the money.

Acrylic nails should not lift, even after two or three weeks. So it is a problem with her technique if that is happening.

Be very aware of the acrylic that is being used. As stated in earlier posts, MMA is outlawed in many states for good reason. Check it out.

Electric drills - if your nail is burning, there is permanent damage being done to your nail bed. Be careful. I would not let someone touch my nails with a drill, but do what you are comfortable with.

Good luck.

Thanks for the perspective of a nail technician

I have had my nails burn on occasion, but that was when they were putting on the acrylic itself, it would kind of get hot, and I'd feel the heat through my nail.

Also, when you say to not let someone touch my nails with a drill, do you mean, your natural nail or the acrylic? Both Judy and this new person used an electric drill (with a small sandpaper-like cylinder over it), while "sanding" the acrylic down.

I am really confused now. How exactly should nails be prepared for acrylics, and how should they be put on?? Thanks for any and all info!! I've never thought about this before!

 

[SeaSpray]

bumping this back up... any other nail technicians out there who can tell me the proper way for the acrylics to be done?? thanks!

 

[Laurabearz]

I have a wonderful gal who does mine... And in the year plus I have gone to her, only once did she use a drill and that was because some extra acrlic slipped under my nail and hardened.

My gal is an artist... each nail is done to perfection using the brush.

I did go to one of those asian places and the only way to decribe that was.... the slap the stuff on and dremel it off to shape the nail... my lady creates each nail..... each a work of art. I love watching her work.

 

[poohandwendy]

Another manicurist checking in, I agree with jennyfar...your nail tech probably will miss your relationship. But if you are unsatisfied, you need to move on. You are PAYING for the service, your satisfaction is the bottom line.

I am not sure what you mean by 'proper acrylic application', but if her technique is causing lifting, it is probably a liquid/powder ratio problem, improper prep of the nail or improper application of the acrylic (or all of the above).

While I do use a 'drill', I do not use it on the natural nail. I use it to prep the old acrylic for a fill and to clean under the nails. Not for shaping or buffing. And it definitely shouldn't EVER burn.

It really takes alot of practice to apply acrylic smoothly and properly. It sounds like your nail tech needs to take some brush-up classes on application.

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks I was basically wondering what the right procedure is. When it's OK for them to use a drill and when it isn't OK. I did some research on the internet about safety and sanitation issues. Some of that stuff is scary!