Royalti' Nails and Spa in Nashville, TN

I'm going to start off and say how truly disappointing it is to have to leave such a negative review on a Black woman's business. It's saddens me to my core... however:

I moved to Nashville from Los Angeles and spent a long time researching a nail artist to replace the one I was seeing back home. Let me be perfectly clear - this review is less about the technicality of the work I received and more about the absolutely ABHORRENT UNPROFESSIONALISM I experienced during my visits in this salon.

The owners name is Rudy. Boy is that a perfect name for such an absolutely childish and rude human being. She has absolutely no customer service, no humanity , and no regard for basic human decency. My first appointment with her was spent being bossed around like a child, being ignored while she chatted on the phone in her ear pods, and then being subjected to loud cussing rants to her husband on the phone. When I tried to make polite get - to - know - you conversation I was met with eye rolls, the aggressive snatching out of her ear pods and frustrated stopping of whatever video she was watching on her phone. You're not social? Got it.  

She charged me $180 for a full set of thin pink and white nails.

Because the work appeared nice I decided that perhaps it was just a bad day for her and I wanted to give this sista a second chance at providing the "royal" experience she claims on her website. Boy, was that a mistake.

My second appointment I showed up 5 minutes early to a locked salon. I waved, seeing her inside. She SLOWLY moved to the door, unlocked it and walked away. I opened it, and greeted her "good morning" to which she said nothing as she went in the back employee room. "Maybe she's on the phone" I said to myself as I quickly sanitized and washed as I had been militantly instructed to do so at my first appointment. I sat down and said "good morning" again as she drug her feet to her station. She barely mumbled hello before instantly getting frustrated at me that I had one broken nail. I explained to her that the nails were a bit too thin for my length and requested quite politely for her to make them thicker please. She began to raise her voice at me. She even got louder as I hadn't removed the small patch of leftover acrylic that was still on my nail nub to protect my thin nails from pain after being snapped off! She aggressively got a nail tip and slid it under the old acrylic yo remove it - but it was clearly in anger.

I sat there stunned for the rest of the appointment silently steaming.  When another nail tech arrived they sat up talking sh*t on their clients about how annoyed with us they were. RUDEy took it this as an opportunity to go off about me - LOUDLY - but passive aggressively. "I hate when my clients come in here with their polish still on! Call me a bitc# if you want to! I'll be that bitc#! I hate surprises!!!" Woah. I thought this was a salon and spa? Isn't it part of the SERVICE to get your polish removed? When you have gel on your nails, when has it ever been the clients duty to come in with their gel polish removed? I've been getting my nails done for over 27 years and not ONCE has anyone ever instructed me to do part of their job before entering. NOT ONCE. Plus, I had a pink and white set with clear polish... surely she couldn't be talking about ME?

I took this as an obvious sign that Rudy had a personal vendetta against me, although I saw her gross unprofessionalism spew onto other clients and folks on the phone. Clearly being "that bitc#" is her real trademark and the service industry is a nice cover. I'll admit her work is nice on social media and she has talent, but that's about it. Her bedside manor is disgusting and leaves little to be desired.

As a client. I go out of my way to find a business I can go to for a relaxing few hours of being pampered and taken care of. That's what a SALON AND SPA do RIGHT?!  
These experiences were anything BUT. I recognize that I don't need to make a best friend out of my nail artist, but being less than a foot away from her face, I see nothing wrong with some small shop talk to build repoire. Nope. Not "this bitc#".

Also, her shop is small, dusty, and messy. There's piles of junk stacked up everywhere, missing or half assembled appliances/lighting laying around, and the goofy glitter paint job she attempted looks tacky and half assed.

Zero stars. Do not recommend.

Embarrassing nail experience! The owner was my nail tech. She became unprofessional (after my acrylics were on) AirPods in/watching her phone, not respectful of my nails, and complained about the time it took (2 hours) to get my acrylics nails on.

Today was my third appointment with Rudy and as always, I am NOT disappointed. I have been living in the Nashville and surrounding areas for 14 yrs and let me tell you I've been EVERYWHERE, man. I have tried several salons in the Franklin, Brentwood, Murfreesboro, Antioch and LaVergne area and I have never been as pleased with the service or condition of my nails as I have in only 3 sittings with Rudy. BEAUTIFUL work is done with top-shelf products and lasts weeks beyond a normal manicure shelf life. I've had 3 differant types of services done and I am ALWAYS pleased with the results. Insta worthy every time. I am 'rough on my hands' due to everyday work typing, housework, hands in water, etc and I have yet to experience a break, let alone any lifting or discoloration. The prices are accurate to the level of service you are receiving, and each visit I make to Royalti is relaxing, fun, and makes me feel like I've been visiting the salon for years. For as long as I live in Nashville, my hands rest with Rudy at Royalti.

I was looking for a nail tech in Nashville and settled on Royalti Nails mainly due to their location.  I consistently get my nails done and don't have a problem paying a nail tech for the work and artistry they bring to the table.  My experience at Royalti Nails was not what I was expecting.  Lack of communication and professionalism were pervasive.  It was difficult communicating with the nail tech due to her completing various tasks throughout my nail service, ie., listening to music in ear buds, leaving the premises and texting.   It is also worth mentioning her overwhelmingly distasteful and rude demeanor soured each and every service.  I began searching for a new nail tech because if I am being charged top shelf prices I should be provided top shelf service.  It is nothing like spending your money with someone who has a bad attitude every time you see them.  I don't need to be besties with my nail tech but we should have a open flow of communication sans condescension, dismissiveness and ambivalence.   Needless to say, I moved on from Royalti Nails.  During my appointment at a new nail salon the nail tech asked if I got my nails done at a chop shop and I advised them I did not. Four nails had lifting and I was left with a parting gift of the "greenies."   I am certain my experience at Royalti Nails isn't unique but I am hopeful the majority of their clients receive better customer service than I did.

Find and book with Ra on Instagram @nailsbyra . Ra is awesome and very precise with her work. She does an amazing job and is patient to give you exactly what you want on your nails. Prices are reasonable and you can check them on the styleseat app link in her profile. Highly recommend!