Plaza Nails

They ruined my freaking eyebrows. Kevin is apparently gone and he is the one who normally does my brows… But I went out on a limb and let some other older woman do them. Worst mistake of my life. I’m going to have to draw them in until they come back. Never going back there.

I’ve gone to Plaza Nails a few times in the past, and it’s always been hit or miss, mostly miss! The first time I went was the day before my daughter’s wedding; that was a great experience; everyone seemed to know what they were doing. So, I went back but a different person did my feet. This lady didn’t act like she enjoyed her job at all, and it was a tremendous downgrade from what I had just had 2 weeks before. She did a horrible job; I gave her a very small tip and made a note to myself to never let her work on me again.
On another occasion, my daughter and I went in together to get spa pedicures. The lady who had done the horrendous job on my feet approached me; I told her I didn’t want her to do my feet, I wanted the older Lady to do them. I also told my daughter not to let her do her feet because she doesn’t seem to enjoy her job. My daughter, who is very unconfrontational didn’t want to embarrass the lady nor herself, proceeded to allow her to do her pedicure. She started after my lady and finished before her; my daughter’s feet looked terrible! I had to point out some things to the lady because my daughter wouldn’t and she had somewhat of an attitude about it! I gave my Lady a great tip and advised my daughter not to give her lady a tip, because she did not deserve one!!! My daughter gave her a small tip anyway.
The next time I went I got a full set with gel, my nails were very uneven (bubbly).
The next time I got a fill, no gel, my nails were lifting within a couple of days, I went back and they fixed them. They lifted again so I went to another nail shop and they could not believe I had just had my nails done. They said the powder must have been old.
The most recent and last time I went there, I got nothing done, as there was a 30 minute wait for my other daughter and I to be served. We left and came back 2 minutes too late and the lady yelled «more dan thurty minutes», we said «that’s fine» and put our names on the list again and took our seats. After about 10 minutes, I had the opportunity to relive the bad experiences I’d had here and I changed my mind and went somewhere else.

Over the years I’ve been to plaza nails about 10 times but recently I started trying to come a little more frequently. I went in this past Friday to remove my 2 week old gel manicure and then get them redone. I was hoping to go to the same person who did them the previous time but she wasn’t available and since I didn’t have an appointment I wasn’t worried about it.
So I waited, and eventually they set me up to get the gel removed, which was pretty quick and slightly painless. But then the woman proceeded to file my nails into an awful shape, in preparation, unbeknownst to me to start my new manicure. Mind you, my nails were already a pretty much perfect shape from the last time and I even specified my preference for square nails. And although, while all of this was going on, something was telling me, or better yet screaming to me, to get up and leave and don’t let her do my nails, I sat there anyway and allowed her to proceed to do a hideous job on my nails.
I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to make a scene, also I’m just not really good with confrontation. So all I could do was hope for the best. She only put one coat of gel on my nails, she kept my hands under the uv light way longer than necessary, she kept making mistakes and trying to wipe them away but to no avail. And in the end, it ended up looking like a regular nail polish job that I could’ve done from the comfort of my home, only neater and for free.
I really did like the convenience of the nail shop and the other lady really does do a great job. But I can’t respect any business that would employ someone who does such poor work, I mean she had no business doing anyone’s nails. It’s completely unethical! And I’m sure they know that.

This is my second time coming here and will defiantly be my last! I waited for about an hour and half before I was even seen. I asked for a spa pedicure and a fill. After waiting as long as I did all I got was a bucket of warm water, in a desk chair with employees who do sloppy jobs and talk in their language when you ask them to fix something. I should have just waited and gone to the price breakers down the street where they do a 10x better job for the same price (they are just always busy). Bottom line is, the employees are RUDE and the work is HORRIBLE. Please lady’s, save your money and TIME and take it to Tom at the price breakers.

This place is unprofessional! I went in for a eye brow wax and the man up front was rude and unpleasant. He told me there was a long wait and as I looked around and saw no one in there I laughed and said how is there a LONG wait when no one is in here??? So I told told him I would take my business somewhere else that isn’t so rude and can’t even smile to greet a costumer. If you hate your job so much then quit or sell your business. So to the man in the grey sweater that is so bitter… No wonder your nail salon was empty… No one wants to deal with arrogant assholes like you!

I am extremely upset with the service!!! I went in about 30 minutes before they closed, without knowing. Holly who worked on my nails seemed to be in a hurry to get out of there. She did my gel very quick, didn’t trim the cuticle and didn’t allow the gel to dry long enough under the uv light. As soon as she was done she got up, grabbed her purse and ran out. The so called manager was not friendly at all, he locked the doors 15 minutes prior to closing and also seemed in a hurry to get out. My nails look horrible! Definitely will not go there again and will not recommend to friends.

Finally got back to SD from LA, I went straight to Plaza Nails got everything done. Have to say, been to many places and no where does a great job like this one. Kevin is the one and only hairstylist that makes me feel happy with my hair and eyebrows!!! He’s funny, and a bit weird sometimes but the work makes it up. The best best hairstylist and manicurist in town! Also don’t forget Trisha and Holly. They are awesome and always do a good job.

Go to Holly. She does an excellent job all the time my nails never break separate or anything. She makes them look natural and she is so pleasant. inexpensive although I only let Holly di my nails the guy working there does a good job too.

All I have to say is, you get what you pay for! It’s only been a week and my nails need a fill. They started coming off 3 days later! It’s a shame they’re in business! I’ll be going some where else!

I’ve been a Plaza nails customer for almost 11 years. Kevin does my nails and Holly does my daughter’s mani’s and our pedi’s. I’ve tried other shops before but I’m a dedicated Kevin fan– being that I’ve known Kevin for so long and I’m very particular with my nail shapes and designs, he knows what I like and don’t like. He always hooks me up. As a walk-​in, there’s typically going to be a wait anywhere you go, so just call and schedule an appointment.

Im going to start off this review by saying that when I was 16 I used to come here and now Im 30 and I thought I would give it another try. I do work in the area and thought it would be super convienent to check this place out. They are always busy and the younger looking guys that work there look like they do a good job. Since its been a while since I have had acrilycs and being a licenced cosmotoligist I love to buy supplies. I found an amazing hot orange color that i brought with me to see if they can use it. But before I even told them if they can use mine i asked if they had color acrylic. They told me no. Then I asked if they can use mine. They proceeded to speak in their language then told me «NO, go do it yourself». i was shocked and definatly thrown back by the comment especially since they dont even have that color, and Im a «new client». and they just shouldnt have said that. i told them i didnt know how to do my nails and i left feeling embarrassed when i shouldnt have. so if you want to feel like they are doing you a favor you should definatly check this place out. otherwise… they dont deserve your hard working money that you made. there are many other places to do your nails in national city like hollywood nails or t.t. nails across the street

The last two times I came, I waited over half an hour for someone to do my nails. But that’s not why they are receiving two stars. I was actually happy with the service both times and would have waited longer for Kevin and Annie if I had to.
This nail shop is receiving two stars because BOTH times my nails started popping off after two weeks! So frustrating! Now I have to find another nail job. Ughghghgh.

I’m done with Plaza nails. Moving on. Although I’ve been here 8 or so times, here’s what turned me away during my manicure last weekend:
— Wait. I watched 2 quarters of football on their TV while waiting for a chair, although they said I was next when I walked in (it wasn’t busy)
— Deteriorating Furniture. No cushion at all left in office chair they use at manicure station. Butt/​Fake leather cover/​Flat hard wood = ouch.
— Crud. AKA filth. Manicurist sat me down at a dirty station with other people’s nail dust all crudded up, about a quarter inch thick on the tabletop. Not nice. No effort to at least swipe the tabletop clean.
— Two on One. Why are two nail technicians waiting on the customer before me, when I’m sitting in the waiting chair for 30 minutes? Various nail techs came over to me with a foot basin, discovered I only wanted a maincure not pedicure, and disappeared. Unpleasant. They seem to cater to customers who want big time services (acrylics, gels, pricier stuff, and customers who come in weekly $$$).
I’m going to find somewhere more pleasant, more cushion left in the maincure chair, even if it costs a little more.

I haven’t had regular manicures in years. I decided to try again a couple of months ago because of all the upcoming social and business events. I hate how my nails looked! I’ve been trying out different nail salons near my house. One overcharged, one did a sloppy job and one cut into my cuticle/​skin on my toe and fingernail! I decided to try Plaza Nails because it had the highest ratings in the area and it is very close to my work.
The place is much larger than I expected. No fancy décor, but clean. I came in during my lunch hour and it wasn’t busy at all. I decided to do a full set of tips. The manicurist I had was Annie. She was very personable. We talked the entire time. She did a fantastic job and finished in a timely manner. The cost was very reasonable: $ 18! The last place I went to charged me $ 65 for gel and 3 tips (I had 3 broken nails).
I’ll definitely be back for my fills
One tip: There’s a $ 1 fee for credit card transactions. Bring cash!

I went in with the idea of a ‘halloween’ theme and kevin did a great job! He airbrushed on designs of little bats and ghosts :) and It was nice to have a normal convo in there instead of most places where the techs are just choppin it up with one another in a different language.

Got some Gel nails done today. The service was great– Trish was very friendly and talkative. Even though we talked the entire time, she was still able to focus and do a great job on my nails. They look great and she was quick! Best part? The cost! Only $ 22 for gel! Can’t beat that! I’ll gladly come back!

This place always does it right, and are always friendly

I only know of this place because way back in the day this exact space used to be a store called Bargain Hunter and my mom worked there. Now its a nail shop, obviously. Been here once before because I figured it would be cheap and quick. Still is. But what I like about it is that they really give a pretty thorough pedicure. I mean, they really clean up under your nails and go over it once more before letting you get up. Décor is not so great and its a little grungy but it does the trick. The foot massage was good and what I needed especially since I’m pregnant and my feet hurt. I think I’ll come back when I need a thorough pedi especially since it was only 14 bucks (15 with the dollar charge for using my card to pay. which is alright by me. no biggee) Not the best pedi ever but pretty good for what you pay for.

My Cheer BFF has been going to this place at least once a month for a long time and I’ve heard good things about it but I haven’t had a chance to go until recently, even though I grew up in National City. I specifically asked for Holly or Trish per another Unilocaler’s recommendation.
Holly did my mani/​pedi and she did a pretty good job. It was really busy though (I barely beat the 5:30pm Friday night rush) and I noticed that she didn’t clean the polish run off on the sides of my nails as thoroughly as she could’ve. Overall it was a pretty good mani/​pedi and such a great value ($ 22). I also liked the fact that they used Seche Vite topcoat which helped w/​the staying power of the polish (which I brought in myself).
One of the Unilocalers had mentioned something about getting an eyebrow wax for Kevin so I tried that too when I was there. He had a way heavier hand than I’m used to and I felt like he didn’t do as good of a job as I would’ve liked cleaning up the hair from underneath my eyebrow (area closer to the crease). I guess if you’re in a pinch for time you can get waxed and a haircut in addition to mani/​pedi at this place but I don’t really recommend the waxing. Maybe I’ll give it another shot with Trish to see if I get a different result but Kevin just had way to heavy of a hand for me. He was also chewing gum while waxing my eyebrows which I found a little distracting.

I have a love-​hate relationship with this nail shop. I’ve been going for over 6 years now off and on and they have pretty much stayed consistent throughout this time.
My main thing here has always been manicure/​pedicure. If you pay cash, it’s less than $ 20. More like $ 17 or so. The best pedicure person is Holly #1 or Trish. They are sisters and pretty thorough about getting your hands and feet hooked up.
The main complaint that I have here is that if you go on an afternoon that there is college football or pro-​anything-​you-​can-​gamble-​on athletics going on, there is a huge distraction in the room. Most of the artists gamble on the games and so they aren’t always as on point as they could/​should be if they are providing a service.
I’ve gotten friendly enough with them to where they know what I like and we have a more friendly interaction than just some random client so on occasion I’ll talk crap to them about not paying attention. But I think this last time I got my nail cut wrong because now it hurts.
Other than that minor distraction, I’d give them 4 stars for everything else.
UGH but to find another spot??? Sucks.