There were a lot of things I liked about Wonder Nails — cash discount is always nice, color selection was good, magazines scattered about for easy entertainment was appreciated, and the bottle of water is a nice touch. However, I felt like my pedicure was really rushed and my polish job was sloppy. I noticed as she was applying the polish that she was painting well beyond the edges of my nails onto the skin. When she didn’t adjust as she went, I assumed she would just touch up at the end, but this never happened. She just pressed on a few nails to see if they were dry and sent me to the front to pay, starting to ready the chair for the next person waiting. I understand its busy, but I’ve never had to go home and clean up my nails after a pedicure before, and I was further disappointed to find that the polish started to chip the next day. Maybe I just went on an off day, but the quality of the pedicure just wasn’t good enough for me to return.
Amy L.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Rochester, NY
For the last couple years I haven’t been getting regular Mani/Pedi’s as I have been doing more myself. I used to come this location almost monthly for Mani/Pedi’s and was so happy with results, always. Came back this afternoon for regular Mani/Pedi and was disappointed with quality — especially the Manicure. Pedicure was quicker than I remember — approx. 20 – 25 minutes, no hot stone and very brief massage but decent job for the price. My manicure was just subpar. I didn’t notice this initially from her doing my Pedi but the«OPI» polish was just terrible quality — appeared to have been thinned out at least once or twice. She also did only one layer of color on my nails and there is some on the cuticles. The color on my nails after 12 hours is already chipping on more than half without any major activities. Now I realize this isn’t gel, but if I pay to have a manicure done professionally it shouldn’t chip the first day. The base coat was also poor quality as I can see every little bump and ridge in my nails. Staff is still very friendly and upbeat. Current cost for Regular Mani/Pedi is $ 38 and they really want you to pay cash(actually looked upset when I was going to initially pay with credit). Signs note that they will only take tips as cash. They will give you a $ 2 discount when you pay cash. They do still give you a bottle of chilled water which is nice on arrival.
Mary G.
Rating des Ortes: 1 New York, NY
One of the worst gel manicures I’ve had. There was polish all over my cuticles and the filing was uneven. I had the gel polish removed at a different salon the same day due to the poor application. Would not recommend or return.
Alyssa B.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Rochester, NY
I used to be a big fan of Wonder Nails — efficient service at good prices. However, the last few times I’ve returned I’ve left somewhat unhappy. Most times I’m there, the shop is gross. I know that it’s difficult to keep up with the dust that nail salons create, so I can be pretty lenient on that factor, but once there was a pile of nail dust and nail clippings swept underneath the desk so it was at my feet. I’m beginning to question the cleanliness of their tools, as well, which is a big dealbreaker. Also, their selection of regular polishes seems to be dwindling quite a bit. I know gel is very popular, but sometimes I just want a solid regular mani, and not deal with the extra price and deal with the soak-off of gel manicures. They push the gel pretty aggressively here. I opted for a regular mani last time, and the OPI color I picked was gloopy and thick… thus, the application was very uneven. I’m suspicious they might be refilling their bottles with something else? Who knows. Lastly, they recently raised their prices. This is not problematic, because they’re still priced competitively for the area, but combined with the previous factors, I have to say goodbye.
May Y.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Rochester, NY
Friendly staff, reasonable prices compared to many other places in town. Small, but clean space. It’s usually busy and they seem to have a solid customer base from what I observed. I’d recommend this place to anyone looking for a quick and affordable place and I’ll definately be back. I got the gel mani/pedi.
Big B.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Rochester, NY
First of all this place is filthy. They are very nice. But I can’t go back, it’s just too gross. The man that did my nails went from one client to me without washing his hands. The tubs are gross and I saw no one disinfecting after a pedicure. There is grunge everywhere.
Krina P.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Rochester, NY
I had heard wonderful things about this nail salon from friends. And in preparation for Grad School interviews, my nails should be on point(because that’s what interviewers care about right? Haha) I went in after work a week before my first, and I must say the wait wasn’t long at all. They even offered me a nice bottle of water while I was waiting. I got a pedicure and gel nails. The pedicure was soothing to an extent. The water was the perfect temperature. However, the massage that came with it wasn’t so much. She did this«hitting» thing with her fist around my shin area; and it really hurt. She was really rough with my legs and feet. I do believe it was one of the most painful experiences I’ve had at a nail salon. However, her paint job was pretty good. As for my gel nails. She did an excellent job with the shape(as I have posted). Unfortunately, she put one too many coats on; therefore, it started to peel during my first interview. Honestly, that just sucks! Oh well. Maybe you’ll have better luck if you end up deciding to try this place. Wish you all the best.
Candice M.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Brookhaven, MS
Excellent and great priced service! Got the gel manicure. If you use cash there is a discount. They also give you a complimentary water bottle upon arrival :) fast service! It is a little small and if you are in a hurry you can make an appointment. Can’t think of anything negative! I am traveling and was looking for someone good and this met my expectations!
Christine S.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Rochester, NY
First time here brought my granddaughter to get her first set of nails. They are very clean and very nice people. we were very happy we will be going back
Dzindzi A.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Rochester, NY
I came here two and a half weeks ago and got a mani pedi(full acrylic set). I will be going back today to get a fill on my nails and I must say I am impressed that in two and a half weeks my full set has not chipped, peeled or even begun to lift from my nail bed. Never before have I had a full set last the better half of a month. Also, huge fan of the few dollars off if you use cash thing and their overall nice demeanor and good customer service. They acknowledge your arrival, as you what service you are looking for and give you water as soon as you walk in the door. This will definitely continue to be my go to spot :)
Deb D.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Rochester, NY
Have been here a few times — but each time somehow I leave annoyed, feeling ripped off, or awkward. One time I walked in near closing to experience a fight between two workers — one who wanted to turn me away and one who kept telling me to come in. Not feeling very welcome at that point. But yesterday was the worst and I won’t go back. Waited 30 minutes for a manicure watching them take people who came in after me first while ignoring me. Finally I had to speak up and they made some illegitimate excuse about my gel nails. Basically whoever is free just picks whoever they want to work on– paying no mind to how long you’re waiting. Then I’m told there’s an up charge for removing my gel polish. Never had that before. Seemed like the lady was annoyed at me for pointing out my long wait time and decided to charge more. Manicure wasn’t even nice– but rushed. Again — left annoyed and ripped off. Lots of other nail salons along Monroe to try!
Becca H.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Rochester, NY
Best gel manicure I’ve ever had! I was about to give up on gel manicures because every time I got them they didn’t seem to last long enough to be worth the price because they would start to peel up around the cuticle area. Not only did this gel manicure not do that but I’m pretty rough on my nails and it survived a lot. The guy that did my pedicure was great and made the experience very relaxing, they honored our appointment time, and even gave us bottles of water. The only thing preventing me from giving them a five star review is that the lady who was going to be doing my manicure came over while I was still in the pedicure chair and started filing my nails. While it made me feel like a movie star it took away from the relaxation.
Laurie P.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Rochester, NY
Everyone is super niceI love coming here my nails always look great nice atmosphere and no fighting over customers.
Sade W.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Canonsburg, PA
Cindy is the worst business woman. She is way too loud and hyper. She doesn’t listen to what you want, instead just assumes she knows, she rushes through the work and doesn’t pay attention to details or cuticles. If you bring an error to her atttention she yells at you and creates a scene. Bad form Cindy! Also, didn’t feel comfortable with helping them do tax evasion by paying with cash.
Amy P.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Rochester, NY
First off, thank you to my fellow Unilocalers for the heads up re: cash! Instead of my pedicure costing $ 25, I only paid $ 23 :) That being said, it was a so-so experience overall and definitely not worth a penny more. The good: + Very friendly staff + Clean space + Complimentary bottled water + My appointment time was honored The not so good: — The guy who did my pedicure was *extremely* rough when clipping my cuticles, «massaging» my shins, and did a crap paint job — The variety of colors and brands is pitiful. I was hoping for a sheer pink by Essie, but I was out of luck. — I arrived on time for my 10am appointment, picked my color and before I knew it I was out the door by 10:40am. To say I felt rushed would be an understatement. In short, I will certainly keep this place in mind if I: 1. Am *not* looking to relax, 2. Am in a huge hurry, 3. Have cash on me, AND 4. Have a bottle of nail polish on me.
Natalie K.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Rochester, NY
I came here on a Saturday afternoon and it was busy as I expected(but hey, I really deserved to treat myself to a manicure). I was greeted immediately upon arrival(I think they alternate who says hi first, based on what I noticed while waiting), and was brought a cold water bottle within a minute of sitting — the place was a little toasty so the water was appreciated. I got a gel manicure, paid $ 23 cash and was out the door within 40 minutes. The ladies were all talking to each other and made it a fun Saturday afternoon! Sadly, within a week some of my nails started to lift around the cuticle and peel around the tips which was disappointing. –1 star for that Went back for a pedicure on a Tuesday afternoon with my boyfriend and the ladies convinced him to paint his toenails(they thought he was joking, but it wasn’t his first time having them painted)! We’re very picky about our massage chairs, and they have some very good ones, they even squeeze your butt which was an interesting discovery. Paint jobs were great, mine has lasted well over a month now. Everyone takes their time with their clients and makes sure the clients are happy with the job before they leave. Make sure to bring cash or they won’t be too happy with you, plus you get a discount. It’s good to make an appointment, especially if you have a favorite, but they all seem great and welcome walk ins!
Shalimar M.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Rochester, NY
Amazing location and staff the pedicure was phenomenal however the older man I believe his name may be Tony not sure did my full set and my cousins horrible job very sloppy he was rushing to take other people do not recommend him!!!
Maria L.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Rochester, NY
Wonderful job on my french acrylic manicure with little jeweled easter eggs. The woman was so friendly and very skilled. They did go back far enough by the cuticles I know others on here didnt have the same luck-I guess it depends who does your nails.
Cassandra B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Washington, DC
So excited to find this place! I was getting gel manicures pretty regularly back in D.C. for the last couple years and it is SO hard to find a place that does them well around Rochester. What I mean is having an expert apply the polish so it’s not all over your nail beds or missing from the tips. The really good ones can make a straight edge right by your nail bed so that it stays tight to your nail and grows up without lifting. THIS is what I got at Wonder Nails. It might have helped that I had Cindy do my nails but still, this place definitely knows what it’s doing and they are super nice and affordable($ 23 for gel if you pay cash!).
Laurel C.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Sunnyside, NY
came here to get a gel manicure when I was in Rochester on business. Chose this place because of their good reviews on Unilocal.I have no complaints, it isn’t the most high end salon but they’re quick and friendly and do a good job. A few«regulars» came in while I was there who they knew by name and remembered their preferences. Tip– Save $ 2 if you pay cash. They have a huge selection of gel colors in different product lines as well.
Nicole M.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Rochester, NY
I have to agree with some previous reviewers. It is your typical nail salon run by high energy asians. They take appointments and walk-ins, I went with an appointment today with my friend for a pedicure. I think that I might bring my own colors next time. The massage chairs and their foot/calf massages were very nice, and I liked the smell of the sugar scrub. My toes look nice, but as Bre said, they could have gone a little father down on the nail. The shaping and the appearance is very nice. The bottle of water was a nice thing that they offer. Always pay with cash, they appreciate it and the small businesses get slammed with credit card company fees if you use a card.
Katie O.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Rochester, NY
The whole team here is seriously kickass. Cindy, Tina & Nancy in particular have radiant personalities and make you feel at home! My mom, sister and I come back every few weeks to get new manis, pedis, or both. The gels they put on also last longer than a ton of places we have been to including 9 Star and Del Monte. Not sure if it’s the polish or the technique(we personally think it’s technique) and they do a more thorough job and are quick to correct mistakes. They have an energetic staff and most speak English quite well, which is a plus for communicating what you want done. They have quite a following of customers, so be ready for a reasonable wait. They get you set up quickly with a bottle of water and you can sit with magazines and baskets full of nail colors to choose from. If you already have gels on your hands/feet they put on aluminum foil wraps for easy gel removal and do it while you wait for efficiency. They also work really well as a team and it comes through in their willingness to help each other when things get super busy. They also share tips, which you can tell that only the best folks at other places would be willing to do with each other. Tips are cash-only here and they give you $ 2 off a service of $ 25+ if you pay your whole bill in cash. My mom sister & I won’t go anywhere else anymore! We love the folks at Wonder Nails!
Laura L.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Rochester, NY
I absolutely love this place. I have had about ten gel manicures here and each has lasted more than two weeks without a chip! They greet you right away with a bottle of water, they’re quick and efficient(plus never lie about waits) and each is good at nails! Tip: only 23 dollars for a gel manicure when you pay with cash!
Kate K.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Madison, WI
Wow, what a great little salon! I was in town recently for a wedding and searched Unilocal for the best salon to get my nails done — Unilocal did not disappoint. The place was busy when I arrived, but we got seated for our pedicures immediately as I’d made an appointment(they were even cool with me adding another person to my appointment with an hour’s notice). Their regular pedicure is the same as a spa pedicure many other places — spa massage chair, leg and foot massage, basically heaven. I think their spa pedicure adds in a paraffin wax, but I passed on that. One of the technicians(maybe the owner) passed us walking in the front door and cheerily said hi even before we crossed the threshold. Everyone who worked there was incredibly cheery and welcoming — chatting to many clients and just having a good time. My pedicure and gel manicure both turned out great and the manicure lasted forever. I finally had to have it redone about four weeks later because it had grown out, but there was not a single chip(I usually manage to at least slightly chip even my gel manicures after a week or two). I think I paid $ 50 for the pedicure and gel manicure — a great value.
Leslie S.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Rochester, NY
After paying upwards of $ 50 for a gel manicure(inclusive of tip) at a nearby salon/spa I decided enough was enough. With the plethora of nail salons in Rochester, there had to be a better option that didn’t make me cringe when I paid… right? Right? After a few less than stellar experiences, I decided to try out Wonder Nails based on the positive reviews I’ve seen here on Unilocal. I went in on a Friday during the late afternoon, sans appointment and although the place was packed, I only had to wait about 5 minutes before a salon assistant(a younger boy) started the process of removing my old polish, and then I waited about 10 – 15 minutes more until a technician started on me. Not too bad, considering they offer you a full bottle of water and are SONICE. The woman asked me a few times if I was liking the color of my polish, the shape of my nails, etc. She was very apologetic about the wait time, and everyone was genuinely friendly and welcoming. As others have stated, you get a discount if you pay in cash for services over $ 25! I didn’t have that much cash on me, but good to know for next time. They were getting a steady stream of people in and out for mani/pedis, so I can see it’s a popular place, and for good reason. I am very satisfied with my nails, and for $ 25 plus tip, it’s a great deal. I’ll definitely be back!