Sigh. I really wanted Paulene's to be my new mani/pedi spot but after three tries I think we are going to have to part ways. I've never given a nail salon 3 chances before.
Yes, there is a hot rock massage included on both your legs and your arms. It's a nice touch if you don't get burned by the rock as I did my first time. And the pedicure is $20....coupled with a manicure you are looking at $32. Add in an extra scrub on the pedi and you are at $37. Which isn't really all that much less than what I paid in Scottsdale for a mani/pedi with extra scrub. Their color selection is awful. I think it may be the single worst collection of colors I've ever seen in a nail salon. There are essentially no light pink shades! Normally I would be willing to overlook the lack of color and just bite the bullet and order my own but the quality of the work is just not up to par.
I've had two "ick" moments at Paulene's. The first was on my first trip when I sat down a the manicure station and saw nail clippings- big ones, think men's nails- all over the place. On my second trip I had to walk across the floor barefoot which always creeps me out. I wear flip flops so you can put them right back on my feet....please do that.
The first two times I left with happy hands and feet. The mani/pedi didn't last long at all either time, but at least they looked good when I left. The pedicure looked heinous within 2 weeks. The third mani/pedi was just poorly done all around. My cuticles looked worse when I left than when I went in, some of the nails weren't filed evenly, and I'm not sure my pedicure is going to make it to Fashion Week on Thursday...and I'm positive my manicure won't.
Yeah low prices are nice and hot rock massages can be lovely but when it comes to nails the proof is in the pudding....and when the mani/pedi doesn't last and is done sloppily to start those things don't matter.