Bella Lash Nails and Spa

I slept on if I should write this or not. I’m a very understanding person, but this was abnormally unprofessional service. About a week in advance, I made an appointment at 4 pm for this past Friday (yesterday). When I walked in, I wasn’t greeted by anyone—clients and techs just looked at me and moved on. I walked back to the entrave where a girl was sitting and asked if there was a place I should check in because I was new, and she said she was just with friends and wasn’t sure. I walked back down and was greeted by who I assume is the owner. He asked how he could help me, I told him I booked an appointment for 4 to get an acrylic fill with gel, and he quickly asked me to sit at the tech table closest to the waiting area. After about 15 minutes sitting there (I arrived around 3:53 to be a little early, was greeted around 4, so this was around 4:15), I was asked to move to a waiting area seat (all good, totally makes sense). I waited another 20 minutes or so (now 4:35-4:40), and the guy (owner?) came over with an e-file and small towel. He told me he was going to start sanding off my acrylics (mind you, in the waiting chair.. someone was sitting next to me, my leg was the “table”, the young girl who was moved to my previous seat looking at me with wide eyes and mouthing “what the heck?). I was incredibly uncomfortable. I felt like other clients kept looking at me. I felt like a second priority that was being rushed to fit the other 3 people in line, too (one girl even left because she’d given up on waiting). After sanding off one or two nails, he had me grab my things and go back to my original seat. The woman who worked on my nails was allegedly the grandmother. She kept shaking her head as she was sanding them off and I asked if something was wrong. She was mumbling something but I couldn’t understand her. Something about how the last tech didn’t do a good job. I apologized and told her I’d never had my nails filled, that I was new to this. My middle finger had started to lift on my old set, and I asked how that’d be fixed (I’m new to this! Didn’t know if I’d need a new tip or what..? Just was curious and trying to make small talk). She kept saying “don’t worry I’ll fix it” so I just remained quiet. After sanding them off, applying the new acrylic, and filing them down (which was painful… she burned a few of my fingertips with the e-file), I was promptly asked to move **again**. The man grabbed my things, I walked across the salon to the back table closest to the pedicure stations. She finished filing and asked me to go wash my hands. My left thumb nail was visibly crooked. I’m not nit picky. I know they can’t be perfect, but this was a noticeable slant. I asked if she could file it more and she did two swipes. The man kept coming over and making small talk. I’m sure he could tell I was uncomfortable and felt a bit embarrassed and confused. He was very kind, but it felt like he was compensating for the whole process.“It’s very busy with back to school… Labor Day… walk-ins… only 4 people know how to do acrylics… thank you for your patience… we’re so sorry…” so on and so forth. Let me reiterate: I understand places being busy; I acknowledge it’s back to school season and Labor Day weekend on top of that. For these reasons, I made sure to book an appointment **plenty** in advance. I left feeling very conflicted. Friends and family who get nail services frequently expressed never having experienced such a thing. We all agreed my nails look beautiful, though. I want to note that despite being, I’m sure, visibly uncomfortable and confused, I remained kind and verbally understanding. I still tipped 20%. I said thank you and smiled on my way out. I don’t want to be ugly or judge based on a first impression, but at the same time, I know that wasn’t normal and to me, seemed quite unprofessional.

I've just started regularly coming to Bella Nails as I'm a new resident to Newton Center, and I can't imagine going anywhere else! I was so worried to find a salon who could do my nails exactly like how I've been getting them for the past few years, but I was blown away from my first visit. Everyone at this salon is so kind and accommodating, and I've never had trouble getting an appointment no matter what time of the day or day of the week I'm looking to go. I used to religiously see only one tech at my previous salon because they were the only one who could consistently do great nails, but every single person at Bella Nails I've been with, about 3-4 different techs now, have all consistently delivered the same exactly style and work that I'm looking for. My nails are always uniformly shaped, they're always smooth and shiny, the techs are extremely communicative with you throughout your appointment, the polish lasts such a long time, and I always get so many compliments on my nails! I love Bella Nails and am so happy to have found them.

Tara did such a beautiful job on my nails. I was a walk in looking for a gel manicure, she was able to accommodate and even do tips with a design! I was so thankful and my nails have literally never looked better!

First time here had the best experience!! my nails came out perfect! Snow is amazing as well as the owner!! Highly recommend!

I came to Bella Lash Nail in Newton because of the many positive reviews I saw online and was genuinely excited to try them out. I am new to Newton and on the market for a new nail place. Unfortunately, my experience was incredibly disappointing. I showed them a clear photo of the design I wanted…something simple and tasteful. I understand designs may not be exact, but what I received looked nothing like the reference image. When I tried to express my concerns, the staff was not only dismissive, but downright rude. There was no effort to understand or correct the issue, yet I was still charged $75. What made me even more uncomfortable was the clear difference in treatment I observed. While I truly don’t want to jump to conclusions, I couldn’t help but notice that their white clientele were offered water and treated with a level of courtesy I did not receive. It left me wondering if race played a role in how I was treated. To top it off, after all of this, they actually asked if I wanted to Venmo them a tip. I couldn’t believe it. I would NOT recommend this place. UPDATE: About an hour later, I went back and asked them to remove the set. At that point, they agreed to take the nails off and refund me the $75. While this wasn’t the outcome I was hoping for—because I really just wanted a decent set of nails—I do appreciate that they ultimately gave me my money back. That said, I still would not recommend this place. The overall experience—from poor service to how I was treated—was disappointing and not reflective of the glowing reviews that led me there in the first place.