Should You Speak Up If You Hate Your Manicure? Nail Techs’ Answers May Surprise You
This is how it goes: The nail technician applies polish to your nail and asks if you like the color. You hate it. You tell them, “It’s perfect.”
If you’ve ever gotten your nails done, you can probably relate. TikTok is flooded with video confessions of women who dislike their manicures but can’t bring themselves to admit it to the nail tech. We would rather pay for nails we don’t love and wear them for weeks until they grow out than speak up. The phenomenon is so universal among people who get their nails done that the audio of someone sobbing over a botched manicure has been reused in hundreds of thousands of videos of people unsatisfied with the results of their beauty treatments, clothing orders and even tattoos.
So why can’t we say anything? Conflict avoidance certainly plays a role, but it’s also more complicated than that. I’m not a people pleaser, but when I don’t like my manicure, I suddenly become one. I’m not afraid to (politely) tell a waiter if the food I received isn’t quite what I ordered, but admitting to a nail tech that I don’t like the shape they filed nails fills me with anxiety.
There’s something inherently intimate about the relationship between nail tech and client that makes it especially difficult to express dissatisfaction. At a restaurant, a waiter is a go-between who delivers feedback to the chef on your behalf. At a nail salon, the technician is quite literally holding your hand. It’s personal.
Or so it seems.
Nail techs should create a safe space
The good news is that, to the nail tech, it’s not personal at all. “Remember, I design for you, not for myself,” said celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein, a Long Island- and New York City-based professional who’s been in the business for 36 years. “Holding your client’s hands is a trusted energy,” she explained. “It’s my job to make them feel comfortable to tell me what their needs are.”
Though it’s natural to feel a bit of discomfort when delivering a less-than-positive opinion, “a good nail technician can accept any kind of feedback with grace and stride,” shared Dinorah Mancito, a Miami-based nail tech of 30 years who works at Red Market Miami Salon.
“We want you to be happy with our work,” added Sonya Belakhlef, a freelance nail artist in New York City. “Any complaint purely about the manicure or pedicure can be addressed with the technician.”
Be polite but give clarity
As with any tricky situation, “it’s all about communication,” said Gerstein.
The nail tech “cannot read your mind,” added Belakhlef. “My advice would be to feel empowered to speak up for yourself. If you are at any point uncomfortable or dissatisfied, you need to vocalize that.” But do so nicely. When delivering feedback, “keep it professional and try to not bring feelings into it,” noted Belakhlef.
“Simply saying, ‘I do not like this and prefer that’ is plenty,” said Mancito. “The most important part is to explain what you do like.”
Speak up right away.
Timing is also key. “Not liking any part of the manicure service is common, but the sooner we know, the better,” added Mancito. “Letting your nail technician know as soon as something is not right allows us to course correct instantly.”
Feedback should come “immediately,” said Belakhlef. Don’t wait until after the appointment. If you don’t like the color, “speak up before they cure it or it dries,” said Belakhlef. Similarly, if you don’t like your nail shape, tell the manicurist after the first nail is done, and don’t wait until they’ve finished the whole hand.
Ask to start with a test nail.
There are ways nail techs and clients can mitigate issues before they come up, too. If you’re in between two or three options, ask your nail tech to show you what they each look like on one of your nails first. “I recommend clients choose a few colors, and we paint a few nails and decide once the polish is on the test nail,” said Mancito.
If you’re trying a new nail shape, ask your nail artist to start with one nail. “The manicurist should show the client an example shape before proceeding with all 10 nails,” said Belakhlef. “That is the client’s opportunity to speak up and give feedback.”
Come prepared.
“If you have an appointment, you should come prepared with what you want,” said Belakhlef. This also helps prevent panic decisions that may result in regret.
It’s a good idea to bring photos of the look you’re hoping for so nothing is lost in translation. “I advise bringing lots of [pictures],” said Gerstein. If you’re “sharing info and pictures and if the technician is truly qualified, there won’t be any complaints.” If the nail artist doesn’t have the time or materials to create your vision within the appointment, they should let you know. “I’m honest if it’s something I can’t do,” added Gerstein.
Do your research.
You can gauge whether a salon or artist can execute your request by viewing other examples of their work. Check out the artists’ portfolios on their website or Instagram and choose someone whose style aligns with your own. Many nail salons will also have photos of finished work on Instagram or Yelp. If you find a picture you like, pull it up at the salon and ask to be paired with the artist responsible.
“Choosing a nail technician should be like choosing a home or finding a great partner,” advised Gerstein. “Choose wisely.” You can “also ask your techs for their continuing education and certifications,” she added.
Manage your expectations.
When it comes to nail salons, the adage is true: You get what you pay for. “If you go to a salon that charges under market value, you will not get the same level of care and consideration you would [with] an independent artist,” said Belakhlef. “Customers need to be fair with their criticisms and realistic with their expectations.”
Not every nail salon is equipped with the same range of colors and materials. It helps to ask if a salon has the specialty products you’re looking for (such as chrome powders or rhinestones) before booking your appointment.
You can also ask the manager to recommend the best nail artist based on the type of nail design you’re looking to achieve. “Most salons have many nail technicians and can partner you with the right person for your needs,” said Mancito.
What about tipping?
According to manicurists, it may be OK to skip the tip if you’re unhappy with your manicure — but you should really make an effort to speak up and address the issue before declining to tip.
“There should never be a situation that you leave any salon unhappy with your service,” said Mancito. “We can’t read minds, and clients need to speak up. As long as a client speaks up in the moment, I’ll always correct it to their liking.”
However, if you stay silent about your dissatisfaction, it’s ultimately on you that you didn’t get what you wanted. “A service is a service,” said Gerstein. “If you didn’t like it, you should’ve spoken up.”
Once you’ve raised your concerns, the nail tech should address the issue. If the technician was able to correct any errors, “the client should tip,” said Mancito. However, “if the client is [still] leaving the salon unsatisfied, then the client should not tip. Tipping is discretionary, and a client should love their manicure to tip.”
You can also try working with a different nail tech. “If the technician is not quite ‘getting it’ after three attempts of the same issue, I would ask another technician,” added Mancito. “Speak to a manager about changing technicians before paying for the service… A good manager will make [you] feel comfortable and find an alternative time with a new nail technician.”
