OQ Nails & Spa - DeKalb, Illinois

LoneRanger

I recently visited this nail salon, and overall, it was a fantastic experience. The salon was incredibly clean, and there were plenty of staff members, which meant there was no waiting at all. The atmosphere was calm and welcoming. My friend and I both chose the Volcano pedicure, which was a treat. The pricing was $56 if you paid with cash or $70 for credit card payments. For the price, the service was top-notch.

The pedicure itself was a luxurious experience, starting with a soothing 22-minute massage. They also incorporated hot rocks and hot wax, which made my feet feel amazing. They even added a few other pampering touches that made it feel extra special. The massage chairs were a highlight—they were so comfortable, I could have easily fallen asleep.

However, I did have a small issue. The technician accidentally cut my foot during the treatment, so I ended up leaving with a Band-Aid. It was a bit of an inconvenience, but it didn’t ruin the experience, and I know accidents happen. Despite this, I’d still be happy to return because the rest of the service was exceptional.

Romans 12:10: “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

The staff at this salon really showed care and attention, and I felt treated with respect and kindness throughout my visit. I’ll definitely be coming back again.

Emily H.

I got my nails done twice here. I didnt have an appointment but they got me in right away. My first time was great i loved my nails i got coffin shape with spider webs and a spider with gems. My second time was awful I got a fill and wanted them shorter and square. My fingers feel raw i have 2 fingers that have scabs over the cuticle and marks on my first knuckle from filing my actual finger. It doesn't make any sense I had the same guy as last time and he was great but after this time im not sure I want to come back.

Lisa K.

I really like going here. Always a good atmosphere. Not a long wait(maybe 5 mins on a busy day) but as prom nears, I would suggest making an appt.
Their nail 💅 artists are quick and efficient. 😀

Erin C.

Came Saturday before Easter to get my nails done. Asked for coffin shape with skinny sides. I got there at 3:00 and finished at 5:15. I did not expect the set to take 2 hours and 15 minutes and had work at 5:00. The nails were horribly misshapen and very chunky. I didn’t ask for them to be redone or voice my unhappiness because I was already late for work and nothing could be done in that moment. I had tears in my eyes and was very unhappy, but didn’t want to be mean or cause a problem for the nice women doing my nails and just wanted to leave and get to work. After I went to work my coworkers told me how awful the nail shape is and how they wouldn’t have paid for that. They gave me the confidence that the nail salon would understand and I should ask them for a new set. I’m including a picture of the nails at the bottom. (They’re supposed to be SKINNY COFFIN)

I am a busy college student I couldn’t come back into the nail salon until Thursday. I had Easter Sunday and classes Monday-Wednesday during the nail store’s hours.
When I got to the salon I showed them the set and explained the situation kindly and asked for them to be fixed.
They sat me down and agreed to help me. They did not tell me I would have to pay another price of a full set. After my nails were finished they looked so much better and I was so happy! I have graduation photos the next day and my hands are going to be holding my diploma… i will have these pictures forever so I really wanted my nails to look nice and polished.
The boy doing my nails told me my total would be $45 and they could only apply a $10 discount once he finished. I asked why I was not told this at the start on the appointment and was confused why I was being charged again. They heard the situation and said they would help then changed their intentions at the end of the appointment and charged me an additional $45.
I have never spoken up ever about not liking nails or have never even sent food back, but because I had graduation pictures i wanted this set to look right.
I asked why they didn’t tell me at the start that I would be paying for a full set and nobody answered me. If the salon was not wanting to fix the first set i would’ve asked for the nails to be removed and a refund processed and still tipped. When I said this one of the male workers jumped up and yelled at me “YOU WANT ME TO TAKE THEM OFF THEN?” And pulled back a chair abruptly. I was so taken aback that he raised his voice at me and was treating me with disrespect. I had already been here another 2 hours making it 4 total and didn’t want to sit there longer I was very uncomfortable.

I explained to him that I would pay the $45 but I felt like they did not care about me and only wanted my money. I paid $97 in total for the 2 sets even though I had the first set on for 3 days and was being made fun of at work for how ugly it was.

At checkout all of the staff were telling me it did not matter that my first set was messed up because I did not come in sooner. I explained I am a college student and the next day was Easter and it was not in my availability to Come. They kept saying that it’s my fault for not coming sooner or calling them. They didn’t show any remorse and were very standoff ish. This was my first time ever speaking up about my nails. I felt attacked and completely shut down even though at first they said they would help. They treated me like I was 16 years old and cheating them out of a nail service. I was shocked.
I knew they did not hold respect for me so my mom called the store on my behalf.
Within 30 seconds they offered a free fill to my mother and tried to downplay the situation. They did not even say sorry to me once but were very apologetic to my mother on the phone

I like the woman and boy who did my nails but the people who handled me at checkout were beyond unprofessional and raised their voices at me. They didn’t value me whatsoever and only wanted my money.
Don’t know if I am comfortable enough to even come back for a “free fill”

marato

Update September 2024: Run don’t walk to Whitney’s Love in Aurora or Oh LaLa in Elgin (they actually change their liners in front of you and follow them sanitation protocol)!

September 2023: OQ Nails In DeKalb: they reuse the plastic bags for pedicures and they only change and replace if the customer is watching! The bags are never dry when I come in! It’s a Major health code violation! They change the price from what they told you at the beginning, after your service is done for a standard service! They’re dirty, sneaky, and have horrible customer service. They talk to their customers any which way they want. I gladly will choose a new place who’s pedicure buckets are properly sanitized, and who don’t change the price on you after you receive the service for a standard service! Go to Whitney’s Love in Aurora you will be better off. Sigh

Julie A.

By far the best nail salon in Dekalb! They always do the best job and the staff is so friendly! Highly recommend, I have been coming here for a few years and I have never left disappointed!

Brooklynn M.

if i could give this place 0 stars i would. i paid 55 dollars for this set that looks like absolute trash and i have homecoming in 2 days. flooded cuticals ratchet shape, bad filing, and uneven ness, oh my.

Clementine C. ?.

i used to go here all the time but in the span of a year, the service has just been getting worse and worse. it started good, but soon the designs became sloppy, the nails started to break really easily and most recently, the nails looked like utter garbage. they didn’t look like the reference picture at all. it was supposed to be pastel cow print (the last image is the ref). i walked out today very upset, and when i called later and asked for my money back, they downright refused, and offered to fix it, but at that point, i didn’t trust them to do so. they had already messed up so much. i ended up going elsewhere to fix my nails. i will not be coming back to OQ.