My Life-Changing Gel Manicure Experience at Cinqsaa Beauty Salon & Spa: Why I'll Never Go Back to Regular Polish
Discover my honest review of the gel manicure experience at Cinqsaa Beauty Salon &
Spa, including costs, durability, and why it’s worth every penny for busy professionals
The Nail Biting Truth About My Polish Addiction
I’ll be completely honest with you—I used to be that person who changed her nail polish every three
days. Not because I wanted to, but because I had to. My regular manicures would chip faster than I could
say “quick-dry topcoat,” and I was spending a fortune on weekly salon visits that barely lasted until
Wednesday.
Then my coworker Sarah mentioned this place called Cinqsaa Beauty Salon & Spa and how their gel
Manicures had completely changed her nail game. At first, I was skeptical. I’d heard horror stories about
gel polish damaging nails, the removal process being harsh, and the whole thing being just another
beauty industry scam to get more money out of our pockets.
Walking Into Cinqsaa: First Impressions Matter
The moment I stepped into Cinqsaa Beauty Salon & Spa, I knew this wasn’t your typical strip-mall nail
salon. The space felt more like a luxury retreat than a quick-service establishment. Soft instrumental music
played in the background, and the scent of eucalyptus and lavender immediately put me at ease.
What struck me most was how clean everything looked. I’m talking hospital-level clean. Each manicure
station had its own UV sanitizing cabinet, and I watched as the technician opened fresh, sterilized tools
right in front of me. After years of questionable nail salon experiences, this attention to hygiene was
refreshing.
The receptionist, Maria, greeted me with genuine warmth and walked me through their gel manicure
options. They offered three tiers: the Classic Gel ($35), the Luxury Gel with hand treatment ($55), and the
Premium Gel with paraffin wax and extended massage ($75). Since this was my first gel experience, I
opted for the middle option—figured I’d treat myself a little without going completely overboard.
Meeting My Nail Technician: Expertise You Can Trust
My technician, Jennifer, had been doing nails for over eight years, with specialized training in gel
applications. She didn’t just start working on my nails immediately—instead, she spent about five minutes
examining my nail health, asking about my habits, and explaining the entire process.
“Your cuticles are pretty dry,” she noted, “and I can see you’ve been picking at them. The good news is
that gel manicures actually help people stop nail biting and picking because the polish is so durable.”
Jennifer explained that unlike regular polish that sits on top of the nail, gel polish bonds with the nail
plate through the UV curing process. This creates a protective layer that’s incredibly resistant to chips and
scratches. She also mentioned that the process would take about 45 minutes—significantly longer than
my usual 20-minute rush jobs elsewhere
The Process: More Detailed Than I Expected
Jennifer started with a thorough hand soak in warm, soapy water infused with essential oils. While my
Hands soaked, she prepared her workspace and showed me the color options. Cinqsaa carries both OPI
and Essie gel collections, plus their own signature colors. I chose a deep burgundy called “Wine Not” –
perfect for the fall season.
The cuticle work was incredibly detailed. Jennifer used a combination of nippers and a cuticle pusher.
taking care to explain each step. “Most people rush this part,” she said, “but proper cuticle prep is what
makes gel manicures last three weeks instead of one.”
She then filed my nails into a rounded square shape—not too sharp, but not completely round either.
The filing technique was different from what I’d experienced before. Instead of sawing back and forth, she
filed in one direction to prevent nail splitting.
Next came the base coat application. Jennifer applied thin, even layers, making sure to cap the nail tips
(brushing the polish over the edge of the nail). Each layer went under the UV lamp for 30 seconds. The
The lamp felt warm but not uncomfortably hot.
The color application required two coats, with UV curing between each layer. I was amazed at how
opaque and smooth the finish looked after just two coats—usually, I needed three or four coats of
regular polish to get similar coverage.
The topcoat application was followed by a final 60-second cure under the UV lamp. Jennifer then cleaned
my nails with rubbing alcohol to remove the sticky residue that gel polish leaves behind.
The Luxury Add-Ons: Worth Every Penny
The hand treatment portion of my service included a sugar scrub exfoliation, followed by a rich
moisturizing mask. While the mask worked its magic, Jennifer massaged my arms from fingertips to
elbows using a technique she called “lymphatic drainage massage.”
“This helps reduce puffiness and improves circulation,” she explained. “A lot of people carry tension in
their hands and arms from typing all day.”
She wasn’t wrong. I spend eight hours a day at a computer, and I didn’t realize how much tension I held
in my forearms until she started working on them. The massage lasted about ten minutes and left my
arms feeling completely relaxed.
The Results: Beyond My Wildest Expectations
When Jennifer finished, my nails looked absolutely perfect. The color was rich and glossy, with zero brush
strokes or bubbles. My cuticles looked professionally groomed, and my hands felt incredibly soft from the
treatment.
But the real test would come over the following weeks.
Day 3: Still perfect. Usually, by day three, I’d have at least one chip.
Week 1: Minor tip wear on my index finger (my typing finger), but nothing noticeable unless you looked
closely.
Week 2: Still going strong. The shine had dulled slightly, but the color remained intact.
Week 3: This is where I was truly impressed. While the tips showed some wear, there were no chips,
cracks, or peeling. The manicure still looked professional.
The Investment: Breaking Down the Real Costs
At $55, my gel manicure cost about twice what I typically spent on regular polish. However, when I
calculated the true cost per wear, the gel manicure was actually more economical.
Regular manicure: $25 every week = $100 per month
Gel manicure: $55 every three weeks = $73 per month
Plus, I saved time. Instead of weekly salon visits, I only needed to go every three weeks. That’s an extra
hour and a half in my schedule monthly
The Removal Process: Easier Than Expected
When I returned to Cinqsaa for removal and a new manicure, I was nervous about the process. I’d heard horror stories about aggressive filing and acetone damage.
Jennifer started by filing off the topcoat, then soaked cotton balls in acetone and placed them on each nail, securing them with foil wraps. After 15 minutes, the gel polish slid off easily with gentle pressure from a cuticle pusher.
The key, she explained, was patience. “When people try to rush gel removal at home, that’s when damage happens. The acetone needs time to break down the polish properly.” According to Healthline, improper gel removal can lead to serious nail thinning and brittleness, especially if scraping or force is used.
My nails underneath looked healthy—no thinning, no damage, just slightly dry from the acetone. A quick cuticle oil application, and they were ready for the next manicure.
For anyone questioning the value of professional care, I highly recommend reading about my hair transformation journey at CinqSaa—it’s proof of what expert hands and the right approach can truly achieve.
Why Cinqsaa Stands Out: The Details Matter
After six months of regular gel manicures at Cinqsaa, I’ve noticed several things that set them apart:
Hygiene Standards: Every tool is sterilized between clients. They don’t reuse emery boards or orange
wood sticks. The UV lamps are cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectant.
Product Quality: They use professional-grade gel polishes, not the cheaper alternatives that some salons
used to cut costs.
Technique: Their technicians are trained in proper gel application and removal. They don’t rush, and they
Don’t cut corners.
Customer Education: Jennifer always explains what she’s doing and why. She’s taught me proper nail
care techniques that have improved my overall nail health.
Consistency: I’ve seen three different technicians at Cinqsaa, and the quality remains consistent across
the board.
The Unexpected Benefits
Beyond the obvious durability advantages, gel manicures at Cinqsaa have provided
unexpected benefits:
Nail Strength: My nails are stronger than they’ve ever been. The gel acts as a protective shield.
preventing breaks and splits.
Time Savings: I’m spending less time on nail maintenance overall. No more emergency polish touch-ups
or constant worry about chips.
Professional Appearance: My nails always look put-together, which has boosted my confidence in
professional settings.
Reduced Picking: Jennifer was right—having durable polish has helped me stop picking at my cuticles
and nails.
Final Thoughts: An Investment in Self-Care
My gel manicure experience at Cinqsaa Beauty Salon & Spa has completely changed my relationship with
nail care. What started as a skeptical experiment has become an essential part of my monthly self-care
routine.
Is gel polish for everyone? Probably not. If you change your nail color frequently or prefer to do your own
nails at home, regular polish might be more suitable. But if you’re looking for long-lasting, professional
results, and you value your time, gel manicures are worth the investment.
The team at Cinqsaa has created an experience that goes beyond just nail polish application. It’s a small
luxury that makes a big difference in how I feel about myself and how I present to the world.
If you’re on the fence about trying gel polish, I’d recommend booking a consultation at Cinqsaa. Ask
questions, voice your concerns, and let their expertise guide you. Your nails (and your schedule) will thank
you