A friend took me to this salon. She has used Herbal Nails at multiple locations and her nails always look beautiful. --My powder gel nails (OPI powder with SNS application material) look very pretty a... Read More
A friend took me to this salon. She has used Herbal Nails at multiple locations and her nails always look beautiful. --My powder gel nails (OPI powder with SNS application material) look very pretty after going to Herbal Nails. The SNS vitamin oil for the cuticles was fantastically moisturizing. The salon had a nice, spacious, and modern appearance. Why I am reducing the stars: 1) Per OPI instructions, clients should wash/sanitize hands before applying powder color (it is a multi-use container --that many clients will dip their nails into). I was only told to wash my hands after the manicure was completed. I also did not see the manicurists washing or sanitizing their hands, or wearing gloves. opi.com/sites/default/fi…drdanabeauty.com/how-saf…2) A used manual nail buffer block and a used manual nail file were employed on my nail edges and surfaces. I saw a lot of wear marks on the buffer block and file. On the other hand, the first and only electronic item used during the process, an electronic file (e-file or nail drill), had a new bit applied to it. --I asked about that item, and the manicurist pointed to a used bit (it appeared dirty) on the counter that she had just removed from the e-file. It seemed that there was no cleaning of the electronic buffer tool, just the "bit" change. A used brush to remove excess powder was also used. (With the multi-use need for brushes and bottles of powder, it seems to me that client hand cleansing should be done.)The cost was $37 plus tip. I was able to charge the tip (even though a sign says tips are to be cash only). We were told cuticle trimming was $6 extra ---declined that (it usually hurts, looks nice to start, but then gets problematic for me...) Per reviewer post(s), I am guessing that that trimming may come with a hand massage, but I am not sure.Anyway, I went home and later did a little reading on the Internet about nail salon safety. Per my reading, I think it might be better if clients and manicurists wash/sanitize their hands first. The nail files and buffer blocks should also be one-use from what I have read. Per my reading, tools probably should be wiped down with a sanitizing wipe or something between clients. I had not thought about that step before reading on the subject. My manicurist spoke Vietnamese to her fellow manicurist at many points during the service. She was fluent in English. I think it might be good to keep to the common language during the manicure. I did not deduct any stars for that. The final result looks quite nice. Read Less