I have been a customer of KIRA;s since June of 2012. Connecting with this business is a story in and off itself, but the short end is that I have been maintaining my gel nails for almost a year and, h... Read More
I have been a customer of KIRA;s since June of 2012. Connecting with this business is a story in and off itself, but the short end is that I have been maintaining my gel nails for almost a year and, having recently moved into the area, needed to find a salon that I could switch my services to. I called, literally, over 15 "top" nail salons and boutiques in the Knox & Blount County area trying to find one who was familiar with gel nails. Every one I spoke to thought I was referring to "gel polish"...which it is not. Gel nails, for those of you who aren't familiar, are a much gentler, healthier, stronger alternative to an acrylic nail. KIRA's was the only salon who not only knew what I was talking about, but was familiar with the "Brissa" brand of gel, so I knew that they were knowledgeable about what I was looking for. That being said, they don't use the "Brissa" brand, but a different brand of gel that I have truely come to love. It is lower heat and painless in the setting stage...something which the Brissa brand cannot claim. It also does not form air pockets or lift..something else the Brissa gel is known for doing. Never will I go back to a Brissa gel...and I have no intention of ever changing to another salon, if and when the other salons get with the program and offer true gel nails. At this point, it is my belief that KIRA's is the only salon in Knoxville area that offers gel nails.As a salon, the staff are friendly, open and wonderful to work with. They don't rush through your appointment, thereby ensuring you're pleased with the service. Taking the extra time with each client does lend itself to appointments running a little behind....but this same service is done with each client, from what I have observed, and the extra personalization and assurance of satisfaction is well worth the extra time. Just figure that into your daily schedule from the get-go and you'll be all set. I would have given a full five stars to KIRA's....other than the scheduling. They book up well in advance and an appointment can be challenging to get unless there is a cancellation. On the other side of this challenge, however, is the obvious: They are the only known salon in the area who specialize in gel nails...so they would be very busy, wouldn't they? The bottom line is that if you have, or want to try, gel nails, KIRAs is the place to go in the Knoxville area, hands down. Read Less