Hello, this is Kathleen.
After five years as a Beauty Product Consultant in the United States, I returned to Bali and thought, wow. I love Bali, but finding a genuinely good nail salon here can feel like a rollercoaster.
I have tried many places, from viral salons in Sanur to fancy studios in Seminyak and private salons in Canggu. To be honest, it has been quite a journey. There are many traps that can turn a self-care ritual into a stressful experience.
I want to share what I have learned as a beauty consultant. Here are three major “red flags” that should make you think twice.
Red Flag #1: They cannot explain their sterilisation process
This is my number-one red flag, and it is non-negotiable.
I have visited salons that looked spotless and asked, “How do you sterilise your tools?”
The answer was hesitant: “Oh, they are soaked…” while pointing to a container of disinfectant liquid of unknown age.
Gulp.
The problem is that tools such as cuticle nippers and pushers touch the skin of many people. Sometimes, someone may have a small cut. We do not know the condition of that person's blood or nails. If the same tool is used on you without proper sterilisation, there is a risk of infection.
“I visit a salon to feel calm, not to worry about catching a disease,” I thought at the time.
A professional salon should be able to explain the process step by step: “We wash our tools with antiseptic soap and hot water, dry them completely, place them in a UV steriliser, and seal them in a sterilisation pouch.” If they cannot explain this, it is a red flag.
Red Flag #2: The “anything is possible” nailist
Ugh. This is my personal experience from a salon in South Kuta.
I came for my second visit. The first visit was acceptable, but I had a different nailist. I showed a rather complicated design: a seamless ombre with chrome powder on top.
The nailist said confidently, “Of course, I can do it. It is easy.”
Spoiler: it was not easy.
They did not have the right technique or product. The ombre was done with ordinary gel polish instead of being tapped on with a sponge or a suitable brush for that design. The result had visible streaks and was not smooth.
The final surprise was the chrome powder: it covered the ombre, turning everything into one chrome colour.
I was shocked. “Why does it look like this?”
I asked them to fix it, which meant taking it all off. I spent more than three and a half hours in that salon, and my back hurt.
Why not be transparent from the beginning? It would be better to say, “I am sorry, we cannot do this exact design, but we can create something similar,” rather than force a result that is disappointing. This is not only about skill; it is about professional honesty.
Red Flag #3: Surprise charges at checkout
This is the most common “sin” in the industry in Bali.
You choose a design and ask the price. They say Rp 200,000. Okay.
The treatment is finished, you are happy with your nails, and you approach the counter.
“The total is Rp 260,000.”
Wait, what?
“Oh, there is an additional charge for the pearls, Rp 15,000 per nail. There are also small beads for Rp 10,000.”
Chaos.
It feels like a trap. Your relaxed mood disappears and is replaced by an awkward moment at the register. “Why did you not tell me at the beginning?”
A good salon must be transparent about prices before the service begins. Period.
Conclusion: Do not compromise your peace of mind
Self-care should be the calmest moment of your week. Do not let these red flags ruin your ritual.
You deserve a salon that is honest about prices, professional in its skill, and safe in its sterilisation practices.
Do not be afraid to ask questions. You deserve better.
Stay refined,
—Kathleen (Hanarei Founder)
