I am not a spa snob--far from it. I am usually more than happy to frequent strip mall walk-in nail salons to have a mani-pedi, and have had great experiences with the technicians who work in these very affordable places. I expected more from Beyond Spa--for which we had to make an appointment, fill out a page of information upon arrival, and pay double the price ($40 for a pedi). For the most part, the staff was friendly and professional, and the ambiance was great (lighting low, nice music, excellent pedicure room). So here's why only 1 star:
1) Technicians should not talk your head off while doing a supposedly "relaxing" facial. A 50 minute facial *should* be relaxing. Instead, my face was washed and rubbed in a very vigorous manner--at times I felt my nostrils were being blocked, and it was difficult to get a breath in! Listening to the technician describe her worst experiences with clients was also nauseating. I don't need to hear what your standards are and why you're "so glad" the owner doesn't provide full body waxes or bikini line waxing, or that you may have extracted a pound of debri from a poor man's blackhead covered nose. This is just beyond classless, it is in extremely poor taste and very unprofessional.
2) I admitted to having a small bit of fungus under one of my large toenails (not an uncommon ailment). Wow, was that a mistake! This same technician felt it was her duty to tell me to go to the doctor (twice), and to really rub in the fact that I was somehow "infected and contagious" she wore plastic gloves throughout my entire pedicure! Not only that--early on she jabbed me a good one on a small toe and I exclaimed, "Ouch!" She proceeded to tell me I had very sensitive feet (no, I don't, I've had many vigorous technicians at cheaper salons really work my cuticles over without ever making me jump or shout out in pain). I watched with envy as my friend next to me enjoyed a plastic free pedicure, never exclaiming "ouch," and with more focus on relaxing massage and attention to detail in trimming nails and cuticles. By contrast, my technician seemed to be in a rush, and seemed grossed out by the slightest bit of dirt or calloused skin (let alone my small spot of under-the-nail fungus).
The pedicure left me feeling judged. The facial left me feeling antsy. FAR from relaxing--which is supposedly the entire purpose of this place.
I think I'll stick to the $20 deals in the strip mail salons. The search for a good massage/facial place continues...
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