Durbin Nail Spa - St Johns (FL)

1 /5 TogetherInSpectrum: I am new to the area and wanted to give this salon a try, because I am searching for the right place. I’ve got my first ever acrylic nails (only had powder and gel before) at Durbin nail spa and am unfortunately really not happy with the experience and result. Everything was very rushed, not a good communication with my nail tech and not a relaxing atmosphere due to that. I left the spa very disappointed, because I tried to explain to the nail tech, that I wanted a natural color like my own nails (milky white) and she only gave me orange and two different shades of pink to choose from. She didn’t explain any options or prices. Before we started and in several times in between I showed her a picture of what I wanted and asked her, if she could do my nails like that and has the same nail polish and she said yes. Even though I asked her to she didn’t really polish my nails and they are very rough and don’t have a smooth surface, still have product under the nails (asked her twice to remove it). She just clipped my natural nails but didn’t really shape them. Instead of a pearl colored shiny glossy nailpolish that I’ve requested, she just used one coat of a clear one and said we’re done, didn’t even show me any options. The result is, that my nails look nothing like the picture I have provided and didn’t look professional. The only effort that was put in by Tracy was to sell me on extra gel polish, despite me telling her that I just wanted regular nail polish. She even got one of her colleagues over to convince me. They don’t have the smooth texture, shiny glossy pearl finish or same length /shape in the picture, there’s still different products around and under my nails and she just tried to get rid off me quickly. When I asked her nicely and friendly about those issues she reacted annoyed and rushed me to pay while my nail polish was still wet (even wanted to take my wallet out of my purse, because apparently she couldn’t wait to let me dry first). A very unpleasant and not relaxing experience at all. That’s no way to treat a customer. In the pictures you can see what I’ve got instead. This is not what I wanted and not what I’ve paid for. I still can’t believe she sent me home like that. After being rushed out and taking some time to digest this experience I took some time to give them feedback rather than just giving them a disappointing Google review. They never even responded (it’s been over a week). That’s again really poor customer service after giving you a second chance to make things right.

5 /5 Moriah Hunt: Hao is simply the BEST nail tech! He has been my go-to for a long time, and for good reason. No matter how last-minute my appointment request is, he always finds a way to fit me in, and his work never disappoints. Hao truly listens to what you want and delivers it perfectly every single time. His application is flawless, and he works so quickly without compromising on quality. I always request super square, super sharp edges, and he absolutely nails it (pun intended)! Most recently, I decided to take off my tips and just do SNS on my natural nails, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. My nails look amazing and feel so natural. Plus, his work is incredibly long-lasting—my nails always last a month or more when I go to him. There have been a few times I’ve tried other nail salons, but I’ve always been disappointed with the results. Now, I don’t even risk it—I ONLY go to Hao! If you’re looking for a nail tech who is talented, quick, and dependable, definitely go see him. You won’t regret it!

5 /5 Natalia Valero: Anna always does my nails, she is extremely professional, very kind, and her work is impeccable. I highly recommend booking an appointment with her. This time, I chose color 009 for my nails with an almond shape. Without a doubt, this has been my favorite manicure!

1 /5 Sabrina Billings: NAILS THROBBING. I went into this salon earlier in the day to get my regular SNS/Dip removal and re-do. The previous times I have been here I have had decent service. However, this session was likely the worst experience I’ve had from a nail technician ever. She was clearly inexperienced with using the drill and doing dip powder and did not listen to me when I made her aware of my nail patterns/sensitivities. What compelled me to type this review is the terrible throbbing sensation of my finger nails right now. I have thin and sensitive nails which is why I do dip powder in the first place as opposed to gel. I start out by letting her know that I can feel the drill more easily and she will have to use lower speeds and less harsh maneuvers. She started out careful, but then attempted to be more harsh with the quick back and forth movements of the drill in small spots to remove the old SNS. I can feel the heat of the drill when they do this, and it is absolutely painful. I had to stop and re direct her. I do not like it when technicians try to “test” what I can tolerate after I’ve already told them I’m sensitive. Once the product is all removed, I tell her how I want my nails shaped. I had one nail that was broken, and I wanted the rest of the nails to be cut/shaped down to match it. The technician tells me that she will do this step after she puts the dip on my nails. This was completely out of order from what I am used to in the past. Reflecting back, this is when I should’ve spoken up and asked for a different nail tech. I continued with her because I was being open minded and I did not want to make a scene. Well as she is dipping my nails, she is applying it thick and I had clumps of powder sitting on my nails, multiple nails. The dip process was extremely slow. It took her 1 1/2 hrs to almost 2 hrs to do my nails completely. Once she was done dipping, she applied the clear gel she normally used before dipping my nails LAST, then applied the more watery solution that helps the dip harden/dry on my nails. My nail bed felt extremely uncomfortable during this step. Then she decided to file down and shape my nails. It was very uncomfortable due to the intensity at which she had to file because none of my nails were shaped prior to the dip. Once the drill was used in the end to shape the top of my nails, she cut into my cuticle with the drill on one nail which was stinging for the rest of the time. When I got home I noticed dried up blood in the area. In the past, I’ve had maybe my thumbs throb after the dip powder service because of how my nail naturally grows but never the other nails. Currently all of my nails throb as if I had acrylic nails done (which I stopped doing in the past because of it). I am very concerned that my nail bed is destroyed now and I will have to take a break from SNS. I hate to have to write this review; however, I have had bad outcomes from my nails before at this location such as gel manicure chipping after only 4 days, and it doesn’t seem like they care when I tell them about it in person. If my nails continue to throb for another 24 hrs, then I will go back for them to remove this for free. Furthermore, my nail shapes are not even, even. You can see on my nails where the clumps were previously. This is completely unacceptable. A nail service should not happen like this for anyone.

1 /5 P. Cowan: Sad to be leaving this review. I told Tracey 3x my thumb nail and pointer finger nail was crooked and she kept saying “I will fix at the end” and never fixed. She also left huge chunks of acrylic under all of my nails. I spent $120 for these crappy nails and a pedicure. I will NEVER return here