Premiere Nails & Spa

I recently had a spa pedicure and a deluxe pedicure. They were fine, not great, but at least they weren’t horrible like some of the other experiences I’ve had around the Iowa city area. Some observations:
1. The chairs work fine, though the top massagers didn’t reach my shoulders.
2. Both techs I had were lazy massagers. Even though they met the time limit they used too little pressure and focused on the wrong areas.
3. The polish selection is somewhat limited. Check around the room if you don’t see the color you want because it could be in use by someone else.
4. The nail hardening station is really nice. Just sit and play on your phone while your toes dry.
5. The magazine selection went back to 2012 and I didn’t see any new copies on the coffee table.
I am moving so this is my last entry about nail salons in Iowa City.

I recently went into the nail salon at around 7:10pm (mind you they close at 8pm). I know how annoying it is if people come into a store right before close (I work in retail and understand). However, I would never step foot inside a restaurant, nail salon or store that would close in 20 mins. I just think that is rude. Anyways, stopped in here a little after 7 to get my eyebrows waxed, which at most takes 5 minutes. I let the lady know what I was in for and she proceeded to tell me that everyone was busy and no one would be able to help me for the rest of the night and that I should leave. I was shocked. I understand if every employee is busy, but to tell me to LEAVE and come back a different time is rude. I mean it’s an eyebrow wax… it’s not like I’m getting my nails done. I thought it was very rude, and I would never think of telling a customer that. You guys lost my business.

Not worth a visit. I went in for a simple manicure. Everything was as expected when I first arrived. I was asked to pick a nail color and sit at a station. The «manicurist» began the manicure and took out her tools out of a standard drawer, which didn’t appear to be sanitized before hand. After she put on a base coat, I noticed that there was a piece of fuzz on my nails. The nail tech started to paint over it. I had to ask her to remove the fuzz and do that nail over. During the manicure she proceeded to insult me by saying «my nails are so strong, I must not cook or clean.» Extremely rude. After she finished I noticed 3 of my nails were smudged on my left hand and she failed to fully paint 4 nails on my right hand. I can see natural nail color on a ¹⁄₅ of nails. Also she took the tools she worked on my hands with to another customer. Worst experience ever for $ 16.91. I could’ve done a better job myself and saved the hassle and insults.

Service goes up and down, but I would say they do an ok job. I have gone back.

Sadly, I think Première has lost it’s initial reliable service. I’ve been coming for nearly a year now, and each time I’m more and more disappointed. The ‘deluxe’ pedi is less than 30 min, with less massage time and sloppier polish jobs. Each time I’m having to wipe polish off my skin, and think to myself, «I guess this will come off in the shower.»

Went in today for a gel manicure but the selection was limited, and I could not find a color I liked. I got a regular OPI mani and it was horrible. Not only was the paint job sloppy (paint on my nailbed as well as the tips of my fingers as well as streaks on the edges of my nails) but my nails are in worse shape now than they were before I went in! The filing is inconsistent– some rounded but others are more square. My cuticles are in terrible shape now. I would have stayed and asked them to fix the paint, but I figured I’d just forget it. I’d already waited 20 minutes (and while one customer waiting was offered a drink, and another waiting customer and I strangely were not).
At the start of my manicure, the technician asked a woman who I assume was a regular of his who had arrived after me if she wanted to wait for him or go with someone else. She asked how long he would be, and he replied 15 min. I thought it was odd that my manicure would be that quick. He clearly rushed while doing my nails. Will not be going back

Moving to Iowa City from Chicago, I haven’t had the best experiences with salons in the area; I couldn’t find the service as I had back home.
I Unilocal’d Première and figured to give it a shot because of the decent reviews.
The shop is very clean and organized, although the color/​polish selection could be a little larger.
Once I stepped in, one of the employees said the wait would be about an hour but I settled since I made the long commute anyways. However, I was seated in 15 minutes. The shop was pretty busy at the time, so they’re very good about servicing customers and distributing time evenly.
The tech I had was a sweetheart, offered a drink once I was seated and made sure I was satisfied with pretty much everything. Phenomenal mani/​pedi!
What I loved the most is that they don’t rush you to pay upfront before polishing your nails; they even discount 5% to cash-​paying customers.
I could definitely see myself becoming a regular here; highly recommend this salon!

A few of the employees cared but when I got there at 6 pm and I wasn’t seated until 7:15 pm (after they told me it would be only a 20 minute wait). Unfortunately I got a new guy who didnt care and did a very very bad job – so bad that I had to leave before he finished. The new guy was rude as well and unwilling to improve on his mistakes. I would not recommned going there again unless you find a person who does a good job. So beware that not every one there will care for you and care for doing a good job. Missing Boston and big city life – wish Iowa City could up its standards a little!