Clae Nail Studio - Tampa, Florida

Margaret Milardo

I never leave reviews but sadly my experience was too upsetting not to. I have gone here twice, both times I have gotten a dip manicure with gel polish. I paid 120$ including tip only to have my gel and dip peel/chip of 1-2 days after and to have fungus, yes fungus, under my nail…. I have since waited a week to leave this review to go see my dermatologist and make sure it wasn’t a bruise and they confirmed it was fungus. For a place that prides themselves on cleanliness, I was terribly disappointed and upset. I had to get my natural nails cut and sterilized to insure the fungus didn’t spread. Sadly I will not be going back, they have lost my business.

Anna Myers

Updated 8/13/2024

I want to start by saying that this place is exceptionally clean, and the staff is both friendly and welcoming. I had a wonderfully relaxing experience, and it was clear that the technician took great care in providing their services. I enjoyed a manicure with dip powder and a level 2 pedicure, and the two-hour session was pure pampering.

However, I did encounter a bit of an issue. Two days after my appointment, I noticed that most of the dip polish either started peeling off or came off entirely. I should mention that I’m a nail biter, and I choose hard nail treatments like dip powder to help prevent this. Usually, such treatments hold up well even if I have the urge to bite my nails, but that wasn’t the case this time. Despite not biting my nails or doing anything strenuous, the polish started peeling.

Given that I spent nearly $200 on these services, I was expecting a higher level of durability. While the overall experience was great, the quick peeling of the polish was disappointing and felt like it didn't match the premium price. For that amount, I was hoping for results that would last longer.

UPDATE: They salon did reach out and try to book a manicure to fix what had happened. They assured me that this was not normal for dip polish to do that. I unfortunately had some life events happen that I could not make the appointment but I appreciated the offer.

Rieley

If you read any review before deciding on this nail salon, PLEASE make it this one!

I spent over 2 hours and $130 on what should have been a basic manicure, listed at $40 for 25 minutes on their website. I agreed to the “seaweed extension” on the tech’s recommendation, who assured me it was as durable as dip powder. Instead, I received an uneven, cakey, and quickly chipping manicure—far from anything “luxury.”

The owner, Brandon Hilliard (important to note he does not do nails) was at checkout and saw my shock at the price. Rather than address the overcharge, he briefly had the tech redo part of my nails and casually mentioned they’d fix any issues by the next appointment. I soon called back when my nails chipped within days, asking to speak with Brandon about a partial refund for the poor quality. Over the next few weeks, I left multiple messages, which he never returned. The staff, who were kind and apologetic, eventually offered to redo my nails—another 2 hours wasted—only for them to crack and break days later.

After repeated follow-ups with no response, I was told that Brandon instructed the staff not to take my calls. It’s unfortunate that he couldn't take accountability and make even one phone call to explain why he “can’t give a refund.” All of this could have been avoided if Brandon had simply picked up the phone and done his job. Hoping to give him one last chance to handle this responsibly, I called many times today, only to have the line continue to run, be ignored, hung up on, and even threatened with police involvement for simply requesting to speak with him about my experience. That’s how badly Brandon Hilliard wanted to avoid 1 phone call with me.

It’s clear that Brandon has no interest in running this business with integrity. With NO background as a nail technician, he seems more focused on charging “luxury” prices than ensuring quality or customer satisfaction. He previously co-owned this business with an ex-partner, when it was known as "Minimalist Salon,” but since rebranding to Clae Nail Studio, his involvement has been almost nonexistent. Staff have even mentioned he rarely shows up and holds other jobs, making it clear that running this salon is far from his priority.

By bringing Clae Nail Studio your business, you’re supporting an absentee owner who appears indifferent to the quality of work or customer satisfaction. Meanwhile, the hardworking staff are left to answer for his poor management and unreasonable prices. If you want a nail salon that stands behind its work and values its customers, you’ll find better options across Tampa Bay.

I hope this review helps others avoid the frustration I went through.

(Attached photos for context, the brown colored nails are how I walked out of the salon, and the light pink are not even 2 days after the "redo manicure”)

Lily LeVine

First time trying this salon and takeaway is I spent too much money to have my gel-x nails fall off a week after getting them done at Clae. (~$180 for gel x mani and level 1 pedi, before tip).
For reference, I've been doing gel-x prior, and it's lasted me a minimum of 4 weeks and I never had any issues.
I already went back in to get 1 nail fixed only hours before another nail came off. Crazy! Not interested in getting this fixed again, at this point, I'd rather go elsewhere.

Megan Charette

I had the most relaxing pedicure with Maddie! She was so sweet and personable. The scrub she used is the only scrub that hasn’t irritated my skin and my French finish polish looks amazing! I’ll definitely be back to see Maddie again soon 🙂

C A Virca

Convenient location for me. Within walking distance of my home. Clae Nail Studio is the rebranding of Minimal. Their new sign is not up yet, but don't let that fool you, they're open. Go online and book! The place is clean, spacious with a lot of windows. Miyana provided excellent service. She had great attention to detail and care. I'm definitely going back.

Mary Morata

Update 10/21: plain color DIP nails are already chipping. Paid over $100 for whatever the owner buys to chip off two days later.

Just recently moved here, have been a consistent manicure/pedicure receiver for years. Joha was outstanding & truly amazing.

The salon itself is very overpriced. Initially on the website it says $65 for a dip manicure with massage. News to me leaving, I ended paying over $100 for a plain color dip powder because they charge $25 to remove dip every visit, actually insane to charge to remove and charge an additional $65 for the service itself (if you were to become a regular this does not change). I couldn’t imagine how much it would be for additional designs & pedicures/other services. Very overpriced for what is offered at literally every salon. Upset about the pricing here as I would’ve loved to become a regular but these prices are not fair for a regular.

Kali George

I’ve been going to Clae Nail Studio (formerly Minimalist Nail Salon) for almost a year. I’ve always had a positive experience. It is clean and doesn’t have the typical acrylic smell that most salons have. Might I add that Ginger is the absolute best!!! My gel polish stays on for at least 3 weeks every time she does them. I recommend this salon and ask for Ginger!!