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Mystery Shopping Assignment - Shazatron

31 October, 2016 - 09:33pm by - First Lady | 22 Comments

Being one of our three Superheroes has some perks. The most enviable (other than the cape) has to be the chance to mystery shop a beauty counter, salon or shop.  Oh yes, we give our Superheroes some spending money and send them undercover in the beauty industry.

We received a few emails after our last round of mystery shops, asking for 'affordable' treatments.  So we set the next trio an overall mission of...feeling fab for under $50!  First up, our resident unicorn, Shazatron.

Howdy! My name is Shannon but you all probably know me better as Shazatron101, but I answer to just about anything! I was lucky enough to have been one of the Beauty Review superheroes, something I'll always treasure.

When I first got my shop it took me all night to get my head around it - They wanted me to get my eyelashes permed at Jichelle Health and Beauty Clinic, located right here in Stratford. Permed! Unfortunately, when I rang the salon one of the beauticians, Kim, told me that they were stopping the treatment as it was a 90% chance it'd fail, and she said "if it were me, I wouldn't get it!" which was super honest, I appreciate that.

The following day after conferring with Natnee First Lady about what to do, and what was going to happen on The Walking Dead, I decided to get an express manicure, but I also got an eyelash and brow tint with my own money. Treat yoself, right? By the time you read this I would have found out what happens on TWD but at least I looked fabulous while I was a weeping mess on the floor. I rang again and once again Kim answered the phone, and making an appointment was as easy as pie, and her bubbly personality made it all the better.

There are two planters outside the door and walking in it's a calm, serene environment. Straight away Kim addressed me, smiling, guessing that I was indeed me. Then "Oh, would you like gels instead? They're the same price as the express mani and they'll last longer". Well. I don't need to be told twice. Plus I would most definitely ruin the painted nails within 2 minutes of leaving.

We jumped straight into the treatments, and she tinted my lashes and brows first. I've only ever had terrible experiences but I was pleased to see she was very gentle, efficient and none of the product went in my eye. And it also comes with a head massage! For $32 I was pleased, and my eyelashes/brows look fantastic.

We went into the next room and on the wall shelf were all the CND Shellac polishes, and I stood looking at them, wondering how I was going to decide. My eye was immediately drawn to the pastel yellow - Sun Bleached. It reminds me of a creamy custard and I love it! She asked several times if I was sure with the color, but I was. My heart had opened to the beautiful yellow color and I was enamoured.

We sat down and she took off what polish I had on, and told me that the express mani was a hand soak, filing, buffing and cuticle care, and also, you get a mini bottle of Orly in the shade you chose! The gels came with none of this - but as I look after my nails quite well I didn't really need it. She did ask if I wanted her to file my claws - I did, just a tiny bit on each edge. She applied and cured a base coat, 2 coats of the yellow and a top coat. She did offer glitter or foil but the yellow is just so nice by itself so I declined.

Unfortunately she either isn't the best painter or she isn't used to painting my nail shape, as the polish is visibly "lumpy" from where the polish has pooled, and there are also areas where the polish isn't fully opaque. It also annoyed me she didn't quite go to the cuticle, my nails look shorter than they are because of it. Except Gimpy, who is always short.

The one and only thing that truly got me was when I asked her how to remove them. "Just peel them off". I may not be profesh but I know 100% that this is so, so, SO bad for your nails. She said once one starts they all start and you can just peel them off. I played dumb, but I will not be removing them this way!

Overall, I'd go back for a mani. I'd go back to get my brows/lashes tinted. 20 minutes of someone playing with my hair? Sign me up. I'd even consider other treatments! Kim was lovely and talkative and made me feel at ease. So thanks Beauty Review for this awesome experience - I know my town just a little better now!

 

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Comments

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7th November, 2016

What an awesome experience! The head rub sounds heavenly and I love the colour you chose for your nails, sign me up too! A fabulous and well deserved Shaz :)

6th November, 2016

Stratford is my home town. I am also a beauty therapist. I have not worked at this salon before. I have worked with CND gel polish before too although not that particular colour. Being not a super fab nail lady myself I think the second hand photo looks very good the first hand is not bad except the end of the thumb and pinky I agree needed to be closer to the cuticle line. However in my nail training I was taught to leave a small line between the nail plate and cuticle other wise if the paint is too close to the cuticle it will encourage lifting and peeling. Yes peeling them off is not advisable they should be soaked and gently filed or buffed off however if you have oily nails they eventually will peel off themselves. I do not know kim but I just thought I would say its nice that you did give some positive feed back here too. The beauty industry really is cut throat and it is very hard to please everyone 24/7 and you do sometimes get those type of clients that really are looking for a free service so will find something to complain about and get you in trouble. Like how you have offered honest constructive feed back and weighed the positive with the negative. <3

6th November, 2016

I was stuck on TWD weeping mess on the floor part - ummm I can barely watch previews of the show (big scaredy socks over here lol). That's a lovely custard yellow against your skintone!! "Just peel them off" - jaw drops - I never would expect that from a nail tech so glad you're going to get them removed the right way. Great honest review and ohhhh I love the shape of your nails - very feline-like xx

5th November, 2016

Looks like such a great deal! I can see there are a few bubbles but your nails do look pretty!

4th November, 2016

I'm glad you enjoyed it but I would not be going back there for a gel manicure. Great colour though!

3rd November, 2016

Aw this is so cute! Glad you could enjoy some of the pampering. :)

3rd November, 2016

$32 for brow and lash tint WITH a head massage seems like a really good price! Thanks Shaz for the article, very fun read. Loved that you were able to get in the not-so-good stuff without bringing down the up-beat tone of the article, gives a good balanced view of the clinic :)

2nd November, 2016

You look too cute getting your lashes Tinted! Bummer that the nail polish application wasn't so great, the colour is super pretty. What is the best way to remove Gel? I've never had it done before.

2nd November, 2016

Whaaat!!! "Just peel off your polish" ... just reading that made my hair stand on end and my nails feel all funny. I can't believe she told you to do that!

2nd November, 2016

Good article and very informative. Glad to hear you enjoyed brow and lash tint and plus head massage. Looks like she is not well trained because your nail looks nice but great. One main thing you enjoyed treatment.

1st November, 2016

I had a lash tint ( my first ever) a couple of months ago, it was om but I wouldn't have another. The head massage sounds blissful, I definitely would pay for that. Shame about your gels, and peeling them off!!! Oh my word, have yiu ever heard of such a thing??!! So glad you know better Shaz. It was great reading your review, thanks xx

1st November, 2016

Awesome article, love the shape of your nails. And a head massage while you got your lashes and brows tinted sounds so good.

1st November, 2016

They sound like a great salon. Honest and affordable. Great review. Pist...I love your multi hued eyebrows.

1st November, 2016

I loved reading this gorgeous <3 that shade looks cute and summery too :D Shame about the overall finish but you have such a positive outlook and the colour <3 Love it

1st November, 2016

I love the nail colour too. Rather concerning that she told you to remove the nails like that. I probably would have reported her misinformation to the salon to try and prevent her telling other people that.

shazatron101
1st November, 2016

I know. I should, but I'd hate for everyone else that works there to tell me the same thing. Perhaps I need to re-book and see what others say ;-) hahaha

MareeB
1st November, 2016

Eek! and that could happen too Shaz. It's surprising how often you hear professionals giving clients terrible information.

itsclearascrystal
1st November, 2016

Haha I know what you mean. The lash tint sounds really good though :)

shazatron101
2nd November, 2016

It could. Hopefully it doesn't! And yeah it was! The goal was to feel fab for under $50 and I really did with both so, I still win :-P

shazatron101
1st November, 2016

Awwww fanks cute face xx I loved having it done! Nothing like being pampered ;-)

shazatron101
2nd November, 2016

That's what I thought too, regardless of how my nails turned out I'd still go back. And thank you! My friend did my makeup, I quite like them as well. I'm tempted to make them a permanent feature ;-)

shazatron101
2nd November, 2016

I love it too Bex! It's the only shape that doesn't break *knock on wood* haha. It was delightful! I'd endure more things near my eyes for another :-P

shazatron101
2nd November, 2016

Oh that's a shame. But fairy nuff, they're not for everyone :P I'm glad I know better too, I would hate to have done it cos I didn't know better! *shudder* how awful. Your turn next! :-P

shazatron101
2nd November, 2016

Naw thanks Rajvee x you're dead right I enjoyed it - It's always nice to be pampered :-)

shazatron101
2nd November, 2016

Hahahahahaha I've secretly been waiting for you to comment, my nail queen! ;-)

RamblingRose
2nd November, 2016

It's best to soak it off by putting cotton wool or rounds (cut in quarters) soaked in nail polish remover onto your nails, then wrapping them with foil and leaving for 10 mins before gently scraping off with an orangewood stick or cuticle pusher.

RamblingRose
2nd November, 2016

The key is not to force the polish off, as it will take layers of nail off with it, if forced. Pop the foil &amp; cotton wool 'cap' back on to soak a little longer if the polish is stubborn and doesn't come off easily.

shazatron101
2nd November, 2016

Bahahah thanks Renee x The color is *heart eyes* I love it!! And what Silvene said! Lol which is the way I removed it as well :-D Clever me

shazatron101
11th November, 2016

It was awesome Jess! Lashes and brows still going strong too, I'm pretty happy with that haha ;-) thank you x

shazatron101
11th November, 2016

Heh thanks Diana x

shazatron101
11th November, 2016

I would, but to test out the other workers ;-) Thanks lovely x

shazatron101
11th November, 2016

They made my heart happy :D and the color *heart eyes* I need a bottle!

shazatron101
11th November, 2016

Hahahahah ohhhh Koni its my favorite show! The only one I watch religiously :-P And isn't it?!?! I need it in a normal polish!!! ;-) Thanks cute face xx

shazatron101
11th November, 2016

I'm from Waitara but now we own a house here so I guess we are locals now :P small world! But yeah, no point being a negative nelly cos I really did enjoy the experience haha ;-) Thanks!

shazatron101
11th November, 2016

Hey stranger!! Heheh isn't it awesome!? I'm all about that custard life (apparently!!) I still dream about the head massage ;-) Thanks lovely, can't wait to read yours x

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