The Nail Bar 168 Crockhamwell Road, Woodley, Reading RG5 3JH

"Really quite upset with my experience today. I went with my sister as she was booked in and recommended the place. It started fine however by the end of the pedicure not so much. My foot was bleeding in 3 different places from where the lady was rushing/ rough with the tools. Then onto my hands which didn’t go much better. I mentioned that it looked like some of the mail extensions looked crooked but they told me they just weren’t done and it would look fine after. I then ended up with 2 more bleeds on my hands where he was filing around the nail too much/ fast. I’ve ended up paying £75 to painfully walk out with varnish all over my fingers because i was too embarrassed and shocked that they didn’t even offer anything off as a gesture."

"I used this place when I first moved to Woodley a few months ago, great experience for gel toes. I returned for an infil on fingers a few weeks later, again great service - the manicurist took her time and was careful but was still really quick. On my third visit I had a very terse gentleman who wouldn't listen when I pointed out some things that weren't correct/how I wanted them (I've had acrylic infills for almost 25 years so I know what I want to come out with - nothing crazy, just smooth nails with acrylic that actually reaches the end of my natural nail!) but the end result was OK. I visited again today and was given to the same gent; he was quite rough with pulling my hands here and there, he again didn't listen to what I asked for (I left with my nails less than half the length they should be), 2 nails had huge dips/lumps in the acrylic which he refused to acknowledge were there (the chap next to him took one look and fixed them eventually) and 2 bleeding cuticles and several really sore nails where he refused to listen when I said he was too near my skin with the drill because it was hurting. I won't be returning, which is a shame because its local but this guy seems to not care about his customers at all and made me feel like I was being difficult for no reason. Recommendations for GOOD nail bars welcome!"

"Really really unpleasant experience and really poor customer service. My nails looked great (acrylic extensions and gel toes with big toe extensions) when I left initially. But the next day, one had broken already. Went back that day and got it fixed (energy was kind of off from the person who did it along with being made to feel like an inconvenience). By day 4, I'm noticing some nails had started to lift as well as seeing weak points along the nail. By day 7, being today, my nail had broken at that weak point and others were lifting. I went back today in disbelief and explained to a guy there what happened. I was told it was because my nail was too small and asked to pay. Explained clearly it's not to do with me etc. He reluctantly sat me down and started filing away with the greatest of force - my fingers were burning and everything. Afterwards when finished, he just walked away without speaking. Got home, and guess what? One of my big toe extensions were half way off - as if it was a press on. Really don't recommend for longevity. Fine for a day or a week. The prices aren't as they appear online, so you don't know what you're getting until they're done e.g. you're offered something without being told there is a price increase. Also very very rushed service, barely andy nail prep, and lack of hygiene with some staff (e.g. blowing away acrylic dust with mouth over nail tools)"

"My sister and I got the SNS dip powder nails for £30 each. We were very disappointed with the finished look as they hadn’t files it to match our nails at all, leaving them bulky and unshapen. I tried to ask for them to file it down but they said it couldn’t be done, so I left it and just filed them myself at home. (I’ve attached photos of before and after filing them myself). I believe this was due to: 1) Two young in-experienced staff members who seemed to be told by the person next to them how to do things. (The young girl that did my sisters chose tips too small for her thumb nails). Not sure if they did not know how to do SNS or general inexperience. The more experienced guy took over and was one who insisted they could not be filed down. And 2) it was so busy, yet they were still taking on more clients when they clearly were rushing their work. E.g. new client comes in and asks how long to be seen. I assume he was a manager - told her 5 mins, yet the guy that was supposed to be able to do it was dissmissing he would be able to finish with his current client in 5 minutes. This was worrying as theyre taking on more than they can handle... Both my and my sister were left with our nails half done while they tended to other clients they also had left prior... Definitely not worth the money, will be going to the other woodley nail salon thats been there for several years. This one is more about the profit than the clients unfortunately."