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Ongles Katie
Category: Beauty and Spas Nail Salons Nail Salons [Edit]
5342 Chemin Queen-MaryMontreal, QC H3X 1T7
(514) 484-2828
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
One review for Ongles Katie
1 review in English
-
Review from Chloe R.
Montréal, QC
8/28/2011
I am going to rate this salon and the Mani/Pedi as average+. I would not go as far as to say it's a Premier nail spa in Montreal. But having not had many manicure or pedicures with which to compare, I will speak only of my recent visit to the salon. I purchased a Deal of the Day "Deluxe Mani/pedi" for 34$.
First, relatively easy to get an appointment, but if something comes up a few days prior, it was hard to get availability or make a change: understandably as likely they were booked. Decided to show up in person to see if I'd have better luck as I needed room for my friend too, but the English isn't stellar (hey, no one is obliging them to be but they are in the service industry and it's nice to know you are being understood when you take the time to smile, speak slowly and ask your questions coherently). Anyway, new appointment booked and we show up on-time. Not the most warming of welcomes (small smile, you can tell they're busy, rushed, tired, or under-staffed) which isn't the best 1st impression. The only other pampering I get on a regular basis are hair cuts and waxing, and just about every salon I go to makes an effort to greet you, advises how long the wait will be, asks questions about what you are looking for, etc.. None really here. When we're eventually summoned, we're guided to a massage chair and asked to sit and put our feet up. Also, I guess I recall reading in the Deal comments that we could select a French manicure for the nails, but upon arrival, it turns out to be 5$ more. No biggie: I suppose it's up to Deal of the Day to specify what is allowed and not. So, vouchers given, and only one person there seems to know what to do with these. I've seen KatieNails appear on every Deal site in Montreal, and all were very similar Offers. BUT, since there are differences, and I am paying for services specified to be valued a certain amount, I need to know the technician is aware of what my voucher contains... I don't want to have to ask her (or him) if they've forgotten my 'Reflexology massage" or my "cooling mask", right?
Pedicure done, and although it's nice to have a pumice scrub, nice cream applied & cuticles pushed back, the pedicure part is not deluxe if you ask me. Also, I am not amazing at applying polish, but toenails can't exactly look 'professionally done'. Also, it's not the most relaxing experience because little is explained over the course of the treatment: I can only supppose I got all items specified in my Offer.
On to the manicure: again, the whole thing feels rushed, the seat was uncomfortable (no back pillow!) as I couldn't move close enough to not be hurting my back from essentially having to reach onto the table. Minimal intreraction and also not "relaxing" as so-called promised in the description from the site... My French manicure was nice in the end, but upon close-up you can see some nails are not as well-done as others. Why is this? They have ample lighting and a large magnifying glass to be sure it's done well: why can't I leave there with total satisfaction that I was given a great job on my digits? Also, throughout the manicure, instructions are semi-ordered at you (I'm sure it's not all the technicians who work this way, perhaps just this individual). Maybe it's just me but it was boderline unpleasant.
When it's done, we're led to a UV-light bar area, where I assume it's to help the drying process. Not told for how long, or what to do. Now, because I had a French (which is several layers of polish) it does take longer to dry. When done (which feels like ages when you're staring at a screen or stranger) a quick touch is done to ensure it's dry: Problem is, it may be dry to the touch, but your nails are not immune to the slightest impact, ie: getting your wallet out for a tip, getting the keys to the car once you've left. Sure enough, my nails were not dry and three of them smudged + had the white line (which was very narrow) move and blur. Within an hour, four nails had been nicked and all I can say is that I am happy I did not pay full price for the package or I would have been disappointed. I do wonder what everyone else does to avoid wrecking the nail job in the first hours while it properly dries. Do other salons have a better way of ensuring the client's nail are 100% dry?
I am still giving the salon a 3+ for quality and overall impression, but a 2+ for service. I feel that part of the relaxation is not having to worry that the 'voucher' will be semi-interpretted, or they treat you differently because you're using one, or service is left out in terms of welcoming you and making you feel at-ease and even pampered during the treatments. I had a wedding to attend which is why I went for the full-blown mani/pedi, but for those who aren't manicure regulars, I don't know how worth it it is. Definitely I can do the toenails the same myself, and a friend could have done my French [almost] as well. Nice salon, try it for yourself! :)
