BASECOAT on Fifth Nail Spa - Birmingham, Alabama

Mara Smith

TLDR: Karen tried to ruin our day and the Basecoat team is AWESOME!!!!

I’ve been a loyal client of Basecoat on 5th for a reason—they consistently provide excellent service, and my nails always look amazing! However, during my most recent visit, I witnessed something that solidified my appreciation for this team even more.

A disgruntled customer came in, loudly demeaning and condescending to the nail artists, demanding a full refund despite the salon’s clear no-refund policy (a standard in nearly all salons). The team remained calm, professional, and respectful throughout her tirade, doing everything they could to resolve the situation.

When I made a quiet comment to my tech about how someone's gotta pay the rent, she chose to lash out at me as well, culminating in some truly inappropriate and over-the-top remarks that left everyone in the salon shocked. Despite her behavior, my nail tech went above and beyond, breaking policy to give her cash to leave and protect both the staff and other customers. Thank god he did because she continued to say to me (which I'm sure she felt incredibly righteous in doing so) that she hopes I "wake up with cracked and bloody nails." She was gently forced from the salon afterwards.

I can’t praise the Basecoat on 5th team enough for their patience, professionalism, and dedication to ensuring their employees and customers feel safe and valued, even in the face of such absurd behavior. As someone who works in the service industry myself, I know how challenging these situations can be, and they handled it with grace and compassion.

Every manicure I’ve received here has been top-notch, and this experience only reinforced why I’ll continue to come back. Thank you for always going above and beyond!

Eden Smith

Got a very beautiful basic manicure here! I waited less than 10 minutes before they were ready to start. The guy who did my service was great! He took my nails from eagle talons to uniformed and polished! He was very hospitable and professional! It was a great place to get away and do a little something for myself!

Isaiah Green

Y’all listen I’m a give this place 2 stars because the aesthetics are cute inside & I know there’s a good nail tech in there. But, the tech that did my nails. Whew chile. He gave me a gel manicure… didn’t cut my cuticles down & gave me a clunky manicure. Gel lifted off after 3 days. I went to NYC for an event and had to get them re-done over there. I’m not saying this place is horrible because like I said it’s cute. You might just need to jump around to find the perfect tech.

Hudson Sneed

I had my first pedicure and manicure here. Fantastic experience. Miriam was so incredibly helpful and patient with me. She explained the products, went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable, and was incredibly gentle. I have an issue with chewing my nails, she showed me how a clear top coat can stop that. The business atmosphere was clear and pleasant. I will be recommending this place, as well as Miriam’s skill set.

Amauri Pettaway

Terrible! My pedicure was messy and the male manager wanted to charge me extra for a color change. The nail tech lied and said she could do a specific design she was shown. The manager didn't return my call when I reached out to discussed. Did not do anything to accommodate it after speaking up twice. I'll never go again.

Karen Watkins

I have to say that Basecoat is the Best Nail Salon in the Birmingham area! I've always had great service on my nails, but its the lovely staff that make me feel welcome. Thank you for a lovely "spa like"- atmosphere.❤

Ameena Furlow

I won’t berate the salon for their technicians faults. This salon came highly recommended by a coworker, and her nails were always done very well. I went in Friday for dip powder with tips. My technician didn’t introduce herself and started on my nails by asking if I had gel nails. I told her it was a basic Essie polish done at home. She clipped all of my real nails back to the nail bed and begin filing and buffing. I want to add that for the first 45 minutes of my service she was on the phone - shoulder hunched up to her device to keep the phone in place (up to her ear). The other 45 minutes she talked with her coworker. Once complete my nails had bubbles and dips and waves in them. I don’t like to make a ruckus, but my sisters nail tech literally told me after seeing my nails on FaceTime that I should go back immediately. I went back the next day and they had the same tech to “repair” the nails. She told the staff that my nails were deformed… LoL they didn’t look deformed before I received service from her. I think honesty is the best policy, and I will blame her phone call for her lack of attention. She didn’t level out the initial dip field and that’s why there were waves in my nails. You read the bad reviews and think, nah it’s not going to happen to me but… So the first four photos are before a and the last four are after they’d been redone. Several of the tips are not even adhered fully to my nail bed. My nailbeds are flat. Very disappointed.

She Is TaLesha

TERRIBLE. I had an acrylic mani and David did not take his time with my nails. He didn’t push back my cuticles , they look like they are about to break, they are crooked, and they didn’t give me my money back. My pedicure experience with GREAT! The salon is gorgeous, but I will not be returning because my nails were awful.