Star Nails

Just had a pedicure and new gel nails about 2 hrs ago while on vacation in Taos and I’m very happy with the service and looks of both. I was referred to Star Nails by the front desk at our Wyndham timeshare yesterday when we checked in and made my app this morning so was pleased to get them done at the beginning of our time here. My app was at 4 and they had me in a pedi chair by 4:05. I had a nice lady working on my feet and shortly Kristin, the owner, came over and started on my nails which were in bad shape with tips she had to get off. After my feet were done she had my nails all ready to move to her work table and put gel polishes on. I’m so happy and I was done with both within an hour. Both services were a total of 61.00. Very reasonable for Taos.

I am visiting from Texas and went here to get my solar and powder nails removed and new ones put on. When I walked in I tried to explain that I was out of state and they might be different than nails they’re used to. The woman looked unamused and just said «manicure?» After I explained. I said yes and the man guided me to his table. I had on gel polish on top of my fake nails. The man audibly sighed and groaned about how difficult it was to get off the polish. I’ve removed it myself at home with a cotton ball and nail polish remover, plus at my salon back home they take it off easily, so I know it isn’t hard. The last two times I’d gotten my nails done it had just been a fill, so I told him I wanted a full set. He argued with me about how I just needed a fill and I could clearly tell he didn’t want to give me a full set, even though that’s more money for them. He filed off my polish, clipped all of my nails off jagged and started to chip away at my nails, which is how salons usually get them off. Then he made me soak them in acetone while he did another customers nails without telling me first. After coming back 20 minutes later he chipped at two nails he started complaining again about how it was too hard to get off. He told me I needed to soak them in acetone for a really long time and that he couldn’t get it off because they use different powder, even though he had all the tools they use in Texas to remove them. I was going to stay until he left my nails to soak in acetone and again went to do another customers nails without warning. Fed up, I got out my wallet and left $ 5 just so he wouldn’t chase me out for money (even though he didn’t earn a bit of it) and went to Princess Nails with jagged, acetone-​soaked nails, where they removed/​replaced my solar nails without a problem. I have never felt like such a burden in my life, I would NEVER go here again, and this was the only bad part about my trip in Taos. I highly recommend Princess Nails, and highly recommend NOT using Star Nails unless you want to feel like a burden to someone you’re paying to do a service.

They do an ok job on your nails. I have been there twice in the past month and both times got stuck with the husband who obviously hates his job. You can’t talk to him, he is so nasty. He really should be at home! I’m going to find another place that wants my business.

My mom and I came here today to get manicures. It was run by a lovely family with a couple kids running around. They had quite a few mani and pedi workstations and a decent polish selection — nut huge but we both found colors we liked. The man didn’t speak much English but he was very sweet, and the woman working with my mom was friendly and conversed a small amount. It’s no big city place but totally decent and my nails look great!

Disclaimer that I am visiting taos and don’t know what the standard is here (I am from seattle). I got a manicure for $ 14. She didn’t ask me how I wanted my nails shaped and didn’t use any cuticle softener which is standard in my experience. The end result was an average manicure but the service was not up to par. She only really said hi and thank you and never smiled or tried to engage me. Honestly I felt like I was a burden.
In any case, this place got the job done but don’t expect anything fancy or courteous!