I
have mixed feelings about Pinko ... to be completely honest I am a WOC & the day I visited I came in here with a hoodie on because it was cold outside but I noticed that once I came in some of the nail techs looked at me but no one greeted me , so I checked in on the iPad they provided at the front and sat down in their small waiting area . I was confused why I had to wait although I had an appointment , but in a patient person and although it was unprofessional I'm not the type to be upset about having to wait a few minutes . Once a nail tech was able to come up and address me (because I'm assuming she was busy with her client) in a passive aggressive tone she asked me "what are you here for" I told her "my appointment for 5" and she said "one minute" and just left and I ended up sitting there although I had an appointment. I kind of got the vibe that because I was a WOC wearing a hoodie I was being profiled and getting treated weird and they probably assumed based off my clothes that I might be one of those people from those viral videos where they don't pay and run out the nails salon , that's what I was getting treated like anyway . The women who came in after me where very nicely greeted asked kindly if they had an appointment and promptly seated right away before me and offered a beverage of water to drink . I wasn't ever offered a water or spoken to nicely . I honestly felt like I was forgotten and not a priority and I was starting to contemplate leaving when a man from the back came and told me that I'll be seated soon . No further explanation just that I'd be seated soon . My apportionment was for 5 and I didn't end up getting seated until 6 . No apology , nothing . I honestly could have just been a walk in . The reason I say I felt profiled is because after finally sitting down with the nail tech and talking to her . A couple of the nail techs working next to her came up to me after some time and said "you know you are a really nice persona and have a nice smile , I didn't expect that but you are so sweet and friendly " which I kind of took as "we didn't think you would be friendly because you are black while wearing a hoodie" LOL . It's not the first time I get this when I go to nail salons dressed more comfortably with a hoodie on. It's lien they assume I either won't have money , am poor LOL or that I'm going to be rude or steal just because I'm black and wearing a hoodie . It made me feel uncomfortable because I was the only one in the salon getting pointed out like that where they were talking about my personality and how nice i was ... idk it was a little awkward but i thanked them for the kind words . Now they started being nice but when I first came in they didn't treat me the same as the other girls getting their nails done. I always feel like I have to do extra to prove I'm nice and not the stereotypes that people assume .
But overall I liked the nails they did , I liked how clean and sanitary it is and I noticed the sanitizer microwaves in the corner which mort packed don't have . This place is very aesthetically pleasing and I love the flower wall . I also think that they do really good pedis.
I wouldn't come here expecting the techs to do more of the popular or modern nail designs though . It seems like they are better suited to do basic or classic nails or nails that are just 1 color without too much design , asking for anything more or a cool set you saw on Pinterest and I noticed the few times I've been here the nail techs get really flustered and overwhelmed. It's also noticeably expensive here for no reason lol but I don't mind it bc there nails do last me quite a while in terms of retention . Overall I'd come back but isn't a favorite based on the treatment .
