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August 2025 by B Revathi
The man working there was extremely rude. I had booked an appointment for two people for Gel Polish. Over the phone, I was told the service would include cleaning, cutting, shaping, and applying the gel polish.
One of my daughters was helped by a female staff member who did a decent job—she shaped the nails properly and applied the polish well. The entire process took about 25 minutes.
However, for my other daughter, the only male staff member in the salon handled the service. She has short nails, and he neither shaped them nor applied the polish properly. Several nails were smudged, and the cleaning was poorly done. He rushed through it in about 10 minutes but still charged $30, just like the other.
When I pointed out the issues and expressed my dissatisfaction, he didn’t apologize or show any concern. I paid with a credit card, which incurred an additional 3% fee, as their listed prices are cash-only. On top of that, he insisted on receiving a tip in cash. When I declined to tip due to the poor service, he rudely said, “Thank you, see you no more.”
The attitude and behavior were appalling. The previous management was much better. Unfortunately, the current staff lacks professionalism, and I would not recommend this place to anyone. I will not be returning.
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August 2025 by Rasha Zuhairi
They are the best , so kind , clean , elegant and fresh place
Highly recommended
Wendy did great job
Good luck girls
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August 2025 by Michelle Rains
Lovely spa experience. Very welcoming. Good prices, great choice of services provided. Friendly staff.
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July 2025 by Juliette Cortez
Wow! All the staff is welcoming and ver sweet. The facility is very clean, comfortable and aesthetic. They always offer you water! I got my bday gel x extensions done by Tiffany and she did an incredible job! My nails are still in perfect condition 4 weeks later. I told her I was traveling a lot, camping and going to a festival and she made sure my nails would last and YES THEY DID! Tiffany is an incredible artist and the sweetest. Highly recommend her. I love my nails!
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July 2025 by Abdiel Valenzuela
Terrible place! The lady was rude and cut my nail half way. So short that she made it bleed. When I told her it hurt and that she was cutting too much, all she said was: I know what I’m doing! Next day my toe still hurt from how much she cut and the cuts on my flesh. Terrible, terrible job. Never going back!
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July 2025 by Giselle Price
I tried Gel X extensions here for the first time. (Usually I get acrylic with another salon). Wendy did my nails and lashes. Both are perfect! Very happy.
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July 2025 by jayde sterling
I went in there with my daughter, both got pedicures. We both thoroughly enjoyed them very relaxing and the massage was wonderful. The massaging chairs felt great too. Beautiful place wonderful people definitely will be back.
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June 2025 by Eydie Strouse
This review is for AO Nails in Poway.
As a longtime client of more than a decade with Aloha Nails, I was told that the salon was going to be closed for a couple months for renovations. So, I finally called to make an appointment in early June for my regular services - spa pedicure & gel manicure. I called the regular Aloha Nails phone number and made an appointment as usual. There was no mention of any ownership or name change, just a newly renovated salon.
When I arrived for my scheduled appointment I was quite surprised when it was a brand new salon, new signage, and new staff. I asked the receptionist about the changes and prices and she appeared quite overwhelmed. She clearly was told not to talk about the previous owners or their old pricing. I was also told to come back in 20 minutes because they weren’t ready for me.
When I came back 20 minutes later they still seemed a bit frazzled and unprepared but I was assigned my chair for my pedicure.
Everything appeared to be business as usual until it was time for my gel manicure.
No longer do they do your gel manicure in the spa/massage chair. You’re immediately taken to their uncomfortable “nail bar” where your spa services quickly end.
The nail technician was very inexperienced. It was the first time I have ever had a manicure where they don’t soak your nails prior, which I thought was strange. They said that is not customary and offer a special oil after the filing and before the gel is applied. In the span of just a few minutes, the nail tech hastily filed my nails, sliced my cuticles where they started to bleed and then stepped on my newly-painted toe nails. The nail tech who had just finished my pedicure had to come back and fix it.
There was no music and absolutely no conversation whatsoever in the salon. You could hear a pin drop. Zero energy and zero personality.
When it was time to check-out it was like adding insult to injury (literally). They advertise their prices as CASH ONLY and will ADD 4% to the price if you pay by credit card. But, when I tried to pay in cash and add the gratuity the cashier didn’t have enough change and had to interrupt the nail techs (as they were working with clients) for change. It was awkward and uncomfortable.
But, then here’s the worst part…their ridiculously inflated prices. At Aloha Nails I paid $60 for a gel manicure/spa pedicure plus 20% gratuity - $72 TOTAL.
At AO Nails, I paid $40 (gel manicure) + $48 (spa pedicure) + $16 gratuity (20%) - $104 TOTAL.
I also want to mention how poorly they treat their older staff members. I personally watched them berate the older nail technician (who did my pedicure) 3 times during my visit. It was awful and completely unprofessional. I felt SO bad for the employee.
While I rarely give 1-star reviews for any business, I could not let this horrible experience slip away without providing my input. It was an uncomfortable and completely unenjoyable experience, not to mention expensive.
While it is a beautiful salon, I really hope the new owners treat their employees better, charge normal prices, have enough cash to provide change to customers, improve their appointment system, and add some warmth to the salon. With so many nail salons in the Poway and Scripps Ranch area, there are better options out there.
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June 2025 by Christine R
Got us in last minute for my daughter’s promotion. Friendly, great service, and our nails looked great. Massage may have been the best part!
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June 2025 by Tammy Miller
They are friendly but I was disappointed in the polish job, it was streaked on you could see the first level of polish and the so so second level of polish applied. This is the reason I pay for this. I can do a bad job on my own. I am going to give them one more chance and will repost.
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May 2025 by Briar Claire
I can confidently say the nail products used are of the best quality. My nails always look salon - perfect.
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April 2025 by Victoria Carrillo
JoJo's mom did an amazing job on my nails her name I do not know how to spell sorry. They also do lashes and massages. I'm definitely going to them again. Next will be a pedicure. Thank you JoJo's mom.
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April 2025 by Sophie Kate
Every time I visit, the friendly staff make me feel like a valued customer. It's such a nice feeling.
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April 2025 by Hugo Melendez
Thanks to the high - quality products, my nails always look beautiful and healthy.
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April 2025 by Donald Gill
Whether it's a simple or complex design, they complete it with absolute perfection.
