Nailplay Studio Info
Amenities
Accessibility
-
Wheelchair accessible entrance
-
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Planning
-
Appointments recommended
Best PlaceJuice Reviews
My Experience...
BLACK & BROWN CUSTOMERS NOT TREATED EQUAL...
NailPlay salon was one of few places that hired Latina nail techs so the diversity was a breath of fresh air despite the Asian owner making culturally insensitive comments towards his Black and Brown customers and Latina staff.
All the nail techs I usually book with have either quit or been fired, I was assigned to a nail tech by the owner (5th appointment in a row). Skeptical, I allowed her to do a powder dip. The process she did for whatever reason was not drying correctly and the powder was breaking as she was drilling. She called the owner, Tuyuen- he was very dismissive. Though he offered a redo he expected I pay full price. I explained that my nails will be extra weak plus more time that full price is unreasonable to ask. He walked off and started speaking to his Caucasian customers. This is not the first time this treatment happened to customers of color. I addressed him again not appreciating being dismissed. He expected I should pay full price because of his staffing issues/ girls on commission/ time for second redo. There was no consideration for wasting of my time/ abuse on nails/ soaking in more chemicals.
As the owner he should have absorbed some of the cost even if only $20 for the inconvenience and to keep a consistent customer. I come every 2.5 weeks and get mani/pedi.
I tipped the nail tech for her time and effort. And I will never return. I will take my business where the owner appreciates loyal customers and respects my time. Often times black and brown dollars are not appreciated. I strongly advise BLACK AND BROWN CUSTOMERS TAKE YOUR BUSINESS WHERE THE OWNER WILL VALUE YOUR PRESENCE.
Update: I spoke with the owner who made right by the situation and aplogized for what happened. I have since gone again with a new technician and had a much better experience.
I want to start by saying I really enjoy the feel of this place, and have been there a few times.
Today was different. I have never in my life had such a bad experience!
The technician that worked on me was so busy on her phone the whole time, talking, texting and watching videos that she couldn't hear me asking her to STOP when she was hurting me- multiple times.
She cut my toenails so short that I bled on 2 toes! I told her it hurt and she kept going. I pulled away and she thought it was funny- bc SHE COULDN'T HEAR ME OVER HER PHONE!
I should have left then, but I was hopeful that when we switched to my nails and she was sitting amongst other technicians she would be more focused and it would be fine.
While doing my gel manicure, she cut all my nails at different lengths (after I told her not to cut but to just even them out) and TOTTALY slanted. When I pointed it out to her she said, oh yeah I'll fix it after the polish since it's gel.
NOT GEL! She did my whole set with regular polish and only after realized, so she took it off and started again with gel this time. ALL WHILE STILL CHECKING HER PHONE NON STOP!
I should have spoken up more, but I'm not comfortable putting people on the spot after I said things many times that got me no where.
All my nails are uneaven, the polish is messy, and I'm out $80!
I was gonna write a review but I got pedicure never has it been messed up she didn't use the dryer over my feet just let me sit there it was a different price with gel. My feet are messed up I checked them before even leaving and still they was chipped on a min car ride home and they charge 15$ for eyebrows whatttt
I had the best experience! This was my first time in and I was greeted by the owner which I can tell is very hardworking! I had Tina as my nail stylist and she did an amazing job. I love how she took her time and did things nice and calm. I also love the layout of the salon and the cool vibe. This was such a nice and relaxing environment unlike the normal hectic and stressful nail places. I would definitely recommend coming in! I’m a very happy customer with my nails & experience ❤️ Thank you ????
It is very rare for me to make poor reviews but I am extremely disappointed. I am new to the area and got my first gel pedicure from this salon about a month ago. I came back July 1st for a new gel pedicure. The nail tech basically soaked my feet in acetone for over 30min and my skin was raw. He had to put more acetone back on my feet and still could not remove my gel. I have never had this experience as i have had several pedicures at many different salons. Over an 1hr 30min later my feet were finally free of polish and my actual pedicure was started. The tech then emptied the water before even scrubbing my feet/legs. Im not sure if the tech was never trained but this person had no idea what they were doing. By the time the tech was ready to put on a new gel color I had been there for over 2hrs. I ended up just getting a clear coat because I couldn't sit there for another 45mins of watching someone be completely lost. I unfortunately cant give this place another chance. Its a beautiful salon but i'm sad to say this doesn't match the services provided.
Major communication issues with the nail technician and complete indifference from the manager. I spoke ad nauseam on the phone the previous day asking questions about the service to see if I'd be comfortable to come in. The tech I spoke with was assuring so I decided to come in today. I've been wearing gel polish since February and had recently soaked my own gels off and had to cut down my nails because they were broken. I wanted to come in for a nice filing and buffing to get my nails clean and healthy for the fall along with a toe polish change to match the hands.
Sounds simple enough, right? Absolutely wrong. My nail technician, Tina, had communication barriers and did not speak English. Had I known this at the time of booking I would have requested a different nail technician because communication is crucial when receiving any services because I like to have consultation, especially when it's your first time at a new establishment. I attempted to explain the state and health of my nails and what I desired as the outcome of the service however because of the communication barriers my requests as a customer were not heard. What followed was questionable -- she used the cuticle clipper and heavily clipped skin on the side of my nails, filed my nails without asking desires shape, and used a very strong gritty nail filer to buff my nails -- leaving them weak and further damaged and feeling sore from nerve pain from the filing. She used no cuticle oil to massage my nails and when I asked she raised her voice and yelled at me. She painted my nails but the outcome was gloopy and looking rough.
A different nail technician did my toe polish change which was done well and she was polite.
I requested to speak with the manager who was completely indifferent and when I explained to him what my experience was his body language stiffened and he didn't make any eye contact with me. I also expressed that when you're having a service done, especially something pertaining to your body like your hair or nails, that it's important to speak the same language for communication purposes and how this manager should have perhaps offered to translate in an effort to reduce barriers. Then, instead of making me feel heard as a customer, this man called me a racist. At that point I stated that the dialogue was no longer healthy and should be ended. He walked away. As a person of color I am shocked to be called a racist and quite frankly for him to use the race card as an excuse for poor services is a disgrace to people who suffer from actual racism in this world. I am completely shocked and not sure if I would feel comfortable going back to this establishment after the damaging accusation they made instead of having a healthy dialogue about the communication barriers and how my needs as a client were not met. At the end of the day, I spoke to an experience and brought up the challenges while this owner called me a nasty name. I didn't say anything nasty or hurl insults towards him or his staff but he did towards a client.
My nail technician did not read what services I wanted and did what they pleased. I asked for gel manicure and pedicure received regular polish. They then tried to explain that due to my nails being regular and short in length, gel would not work. I have received many gel manicures on regular nails with no issues ever as well as with my type of work I cannot put tips on my nails. It hasn’t even been one day and 2 nails are chipping. Unfortunately, I will not be returning to this place.
Hands down, prettiest salon in Allentown for a pedicure! I always feel pampered and relaxed here. They always do an awesome job with my nails and skin. Definitely my go to place for a clean and professional pedicure!
Quick Facts About Nailplay Studio
Nailplay Studio, based on the comments provided, has both strengths and weaknesses.
Starting with the strengths, one commenter mentioned that Nailplay Studio hired Latina nail techs, which added diversity to the salon. This is a positive aspect as it shows that the salon values inclusivity and provides opportunities for individuals from different backgrounds. Additionally, another commenter appreciated the owner who greeted them personally, indicating that the owner is hands-on and attentive to customers. The commenter also expressed satisfaction with the nail stylist, Tina, who provided a great experience and took her time to ensure a pleasant and relaxing environment.
Another strength mentioned by a commenter is that the salon has a beautiful layout and a cool vibe. This indicates that the salon pays attention to its aesthetics and provides a visually appealing ambiance for customers. Additionally, Nailplay Studio is commended for providing professional pedicures and doing an awesome job with nails and skin. This suggests that the salon has skilled technicians who excel in their services, especially in pedicures.
However, there are also several weaknesses pointed out by customers. One significant weakness is the issue of cultural insensitivity. A commenter mentioned that the Asian owner made culturally insensitive comments towards Black and Brown customers and Latina staff. This is a serious concern as it creates a hostile and discriminatory environment, which can greatly impact the experience of customers and the overall reputation of the salon.
Another weakness identified by customers is the lack of attention and professionalism from some nail technicians. One commenter complained about a technician who was constantly on their phone, talking, texting, and watching videos, which resulted in a painful and unsatisfactory experience. Additionally, another commenter expressed disappointment with a nail technician's lack of communication skills, which hindered the ability to convey specific requests and resulted in a subpar service. Furthermore, there were also instances where nail technicians did not provide the requested service, such as using regular polish instead of gel or cutting nails improperly.
The issue of poor customer service is another weakness mentioned by multiple customers. Some commenters highlighted that the owner, Tuyuen, was dismissive and lacked professionalism when customers expressed their concerns or asked for a resolution. This lack of customer support can lead to customers feeling undervalued and disrespected, ultimately leading to a loss of loyal customers.
Lastly, several commenters expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of the services provided. This includes instances of nails breaking, uneven nails, messy polish, and chipped polish shortly after leaving the salon. These issues indicate a lack of attention to detail, skill, and proper training among some of the nail technicians.
In conclusion, Nailplay Studio has both strengths and weaknesses. While the salon offers diversity in its staff and provides a visually appealing environment, the issues of cultural insensitivity, poor customer service, lack of professionalism, and subpar services are major concerns. Addressing these weaknesses is crucial for Nailplay Studio to improve customer satisfaction and maintain a positive reputation.
Place Pictures
Today
Opening Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM - 06:00 PM |
How to go there
Location
Places
