. "2"^^ . "0"^^ . "2012-08-30T00:00:00"^^ . "0"^^ . "1"^^ . "Last week was my 3rd visit to Nailsense. I bought into the hype early on in 2011 and had waxing and mani-pedis done but in the last year, it has become impossible to track an appointment down that's conveniently timed (added to the inconvenience that it's not local to me)\n\nI'm not a noob to nail salons in the city and would have to agree with past reviews that you can find better in the city and for more competitive prices. I have found the nail techs go a little too cuticlecuttinghappy - my thumbs are proof of this (they're healing from the deep bloody cuts they left them in and cuticles are sprouting in all sorts of weird directions). Since I've only tried Shellac manis, I can say that I've splurged on many Shellac manis in the city and this Shellac French manicure is not looking up to par. I can see where they coloured over the french white part with the pink coat... for paying a $45 Shellac French manicure, I'm disappointed because I could easily have went to another salon I preferred and would have had smooth white tips (with no visible overcoat).\n\nSince last year, this salon started using OPI gel color instead of CND shellac. This is the first time I've had OPI gel color but it's already chipping, which is a bad sign since it's only been exactly 7 days since I got my nails done last Friday. I've had some Shellac manis in the city last for 2-3 weeks before showing a chip (and with lots of housework in between).\n\nOn a second note, the gorgeous lighting in the salon do really highlight how your nails look like in the salon, until you get into natural lighting.... My pedi actually looks quite average, as if I could have painted them myself. \n\nI still reserve two stars only because unlike other nail salons, it's a) very clean and aesthetically pleasing (all the tools are heated or new) and b) the technicians do consult you on almost everything - if you would prefer a buffer/razor, preferred nail shape for filing.\n\nAs for the waxing I had done prior, it was very gentle but personally, I prefer shorter waxing times done with the least amount of strips and the highest return. The waxers at nailsense are meticulous to detail (even going so far as to tweeze everything they missed). But personally, I prefer not to lie in a bed for half an hour while they scrutinize every hair follicle."^^ . . .