Nail Salons 12 Reviews in Santa Barbara, CA (Part 3)

Suzanne LHeureux I had such a sweet experience here the other night. They did a great job on my nails and toes and gave a really excellent foot massage. Everyone working there is very nice and it’s in a great location in downtown Santa Barbara, where you can go out and get a drink or dinner after.

Arman I am writing this on behalf of my girlfriend who got the worst service she has ever experienced in her entire life. Her and her friend decided to go get their pedicures done to what seemed like a normal place at first until they started dealing with the employees. Both girls got told a price that wasnt the same in the end and were ripped off completely by this terrible establishment. They prey on people who arent from the area and will take advantage of anyone anyway they can. They completely cut my girlfriends toe, blamed it on her, and attempted to charge her for the "extra services" of cleaning it up. This was including them talking shit to them in their language, harassing them to get an extra "gel" service over and over again, and trying to rush the process as quick as they can so they can move on and scam the next customers. The way this was explained to me was like nothing I have ever heard of before and highly recommend everybody to stay away from this trash can of a business. This place has money laundering written all over it and I will continue to see that they get shut down.

Nicky Byrne My favorite nail salon in all of Southern California! Incredibly kind and professional staff who always do an amazing job. The team was very accommodating and flexible with my appointment time when I had an unexpected family event occur. They all made me feel so welcome and I was at peace when getting my pedicure. Lily’s Nails has consistently served the Santa Barbara area for decades now and does so with the upmost excellence. I fully endorse Lily’s to anyone looking for nail and beauty services. I will be a lifelong customer and am grateful for all Lily’s does!

Amber Woods I decided to stop by this business while visiting family in Santa Barbara. My nails were in pretty bad shape and I needed them to be cleaned up ASAP. Nga was my manicurist and she did an AMAZING job. She throughly cleaned my cuticles and recommended that I choose a polish that was more durable than the previous one that I was wearing. I appreciated her willingness to take her time during the process along with being very gentle. If I lived in the area I would definitely go to this salon regularly! I highly recommend going to Lilys Nails of Santa Barbara with all your pedicure/manicure needs. The staff is wonderful.

Monique Sanchez Literally absolutely so crazy. Please read all the reviews about this place before going. I’m from out of town but I was charged $65 dollars for a gel removal. I initially went in to get a full pedicure but the first lady was taking a while to remove the gel, which is totally okay but the owner came in speaking to her in a rude tone and took over and started to cut my cuticles and I had said she did not have to but insisted. So I decided to just do the removal because the vibes were already so off I couldn’t stay. We go up to pay and she said it was going to be $65 for a removal and a full pedicure. Keep in mind I just got a removal which the price had stated “$15” so she told me that I was charged an extra $50 to cut my cuticles. They are absolutely crazy to charge that price and will definitely try to scam you and play dumb. They know exactly what they are doing. Please go to any other place before this one. Terrible service and will scam you.

Ana Espinoza I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone, worst customer service, they wanted to charge $10 dollars for one nail after they did a horrible job a week ago, where they cut all my real nails in the inside for not taking care they were real, after I complain they explain that “real nails always must be damaged when they applied acrylic” I’m not coming back and ladies there are better places. They are really mean and keep talking in they language so we don’t tell what they are saying. Skip this spot.

Maria Chaidez I stared going here because where i use to get my nails was always very bussy. So I found Modern Nails, I like it is a big place they have about 10 pedi chairs and about 8 tables for your mani, gel nails, make on appointment to be on the safe side but they also take walk ins and the good part is that they have enought people to assist you, and like the work they been doing on my nails ❤

Judy Alamida I have been going here for almost 2 years, but the last two times I have been there, it’s been so unpleasant and disappointing. Lynne the owner is great. Just don’t go n a Sunday when she’s not there. It’s free game and the people that work there don’t seem to care or pay attention. The last two times I have been there, I walked away with 2 open cuts on my fingers and today I walked away with a little chunk off the top of my toe while I was getting a pedi. When I said that it was sore, the girl said it was there before. Of course I know that is total BS. I would have known, because I’m on my feet 10 hrs a day! It does always seem to be the same person, but after today, I have decided I won’t be going back. Especially after $140 + $28 tip!!

Sam Selfridge Got my first pedicure in 7 years, things went fine until checkout when it was $70 instead of $50. Apparently I got the gel one ...ok fine I should have checked but wasnt until I got home that my wife told me gel doesnt come off without professional help.... But they were nice and removed it when I went in the next day to remove it. Would have been nice to have confirmed that since I obviously know nothing about nail polish types ..

Kattia Espinoza I did my nails a week ago and they didn’t want to fix it, worst service ever!

Ksenia Ledneva When I moved to Santa Barbara it was very hard to find a good, high quality spot for mani/pedi and finally I found the Springtide. It’s a great place with nice atmosphere and professional service. The place itself is very cozy and well designed.

Amy Dalene A beautifully curated space and environment. All employees were professional and welcoming. They have a great selection of nail colors and non toxic clean products. I was very pleased with my nails and service. A great addition to downtown.

Lotus Bech Terrible experience. Their business ethics are extremely limiting. My manicurist told me to take a break from getting gel on my hands and feet. So we booked a mani pedi with regular polish for the next time I would come in. Mind you, that I had just gotten gel on my hands and feet by them. Then I come in for mani and pedi. They never asked me which package I wanted so they naturally just gave me the more expensive one for hands and feet combo. Once my card was charged I was chocked! They charged me 250 for a mani and pedi with regular nail polish! I wrote to them and complained. And they charged me $140 for the combo of the nicer treatment with regular polish + $40 to take off the gel on my hands and feet. CHOCKED. Then I got a strengthening nail polish from them $25 ... Then I told them to tip the lady 20% And they tipped her 20% on everything After taxes and fees after treatment, gel removal, even the nail polish. Just so rude. It costs $155 to get the gel combo for hands and feet and that includes removing the gel. I suggested they at least charged me for that so that it wouldnt end up costing me more to get regular polish than gel. But they wouldnt! I was never informed that they would charge me $40 for the gel or that the combo I was getting would be $140 vs $155 with gel. Plus if I had, had a choice I would have chosen the $110 mani pedi with regular polish. I feel so mistreated, even after emailing with them they didnt want to do anything to comb me or help me not feeling mistreated. So here we are. I told them I wouldnt come back if they were seriously not going to do anything and they said they understood if I wanted to take my business elsewhere. This is after going there and being a high paying client for years. So disappointing. Thanks for my $250 mani pedi with regular polish. FYI this is how my nails looked after 1 day.

Brian and Shaun Came here with our maids of honor for a pamper before our wedding day. The staff at Springtide were all so wonderful, kind and attentive, and the service is top-notch. We left feeling relaxed and our nails still look incredible a week out!

Daria Kos Super cute spot, easy scheduling, clean instruments and all the jars, towels etc (!the most important!), friendly and professional employees. My nail professional was great — very nice, gentle and attentive. Nevertheless, 4 starts (I would put 4,5 if I could) just because it didn’t meet my expectations (in a heel cleaning department particularly) compare to European pedicure or other regular pedicures I’ve done before in another places. I also would suggest to add an extra time to the appointment or maybe an additional area in the store - so the customer could take time to dry the polish a bit longer.

Megan Krul Papillon is the best nail salon Ive been to! Gypsy is AMAZING, she takes great care into making sure her clients nails are healthy and to their liking. She always makes sure to make my nails as perfect as she can. No one has ever done my nails better! I never leave feeling disappointed. My mom gets her nails done by Jimmy, and says the same of him as well. Theres no TV in the studio, which is very relaxing as they play a great mix of music instead. They only take appointments, so when you arrive you wont have to wait around or feel like theyre rushing. With that being said, I highly recommend making sure youre not late for your appointment because if you are, it puts them behind for everyone else and thats not good for anybody. I used to go to Ocean Nails and would always get dip, but they would break within a week and a half. At Papillon, my dip nails last nearly 3 1/2 weeks! In the photo: I asked Gypsy for baby pink tips, and that I needed help picking a base. She, as always, came to the rescue and helped me pick the perfect combo!

Roxane Pizarro King Amazing salon - They really take care of little details and go the extra mile to provide excellent service. Their colors are amazing, the chairs super comfortable and the staff is the best part! Gypsy is an artist and you can tell she loves what she does. So thankful I found them!

Luann Caesar I am so excited to have tracked down my favorite nail techs. Jimmy and his daughter Gypsy. Between the two of them they have been doing my nails (dip) and toes (gel) for years, Their new salon, Papillon Nail Studio is beautiful, clean, and convenient. Plenty of on-site parking, lots of color choices, and super comfortable massage pedi chairs. I wholeheartedly recommend both Jimmy, & Gypsy for all your mani/pedi needs AND their new salon at 3528 State Street, Santa Barbara.

Alicia McFarren First time getting Biogel. Gypsy is fabulous and the salon was quiet, clean and calm. I will be back. Make sure to book your appointment online.

Lexyah One of THE most relaxing experiences I’ve ever had… I got a full body massage and the masseuse’s fingers felt like a touch from the heavens! I definitely fell asleep and snored myself awake.. thankfully she didn’t react.. I’m sure she gets that often.. I really like how she asked if there was a specific area that I wanted her to focus on. not to mention the products she used smelt so good & left my skin feeling soft & silky. I will definitely be coming back for your other services!

Kathleen Ollen I would sadly NOT recommend getting a massage here and the pedicure was also very okay. I felt like I was being pet and oiled in my massage, not exactly what one is looking for typically. Likely could have given myself a better massage is that had been possible. Go to the Asian salons in town for both the massage and pedi. They will be have the cost, not amazing, but MUCH better than this place.

Jessica Gomez Came here to get my very first facial and massage, it all felt super relaxing, my face and body feel amazing. All the ladies were super sweet and made sure I was as comfortable as I can be. Got my services done by Michelle, she was amazing and I will definitely be returning. Thank You Le Reve Spa and Michelle for one the loveliest experiences ever.

Kel K genuinely the best massage i’ve had in my life. my therapist was so skilled and you could tell she loves her job. she was so genuine when talking to me and treated me with such care! on top of that, the entire salon is gorgeous and peaceful. a bunch of staff here to help :) i cannot wait to treat myself here again

Hailey Sestak Do NOT get a spray tan here! I had never gotten a spray tan before, but wanted to get a trial done before my wedding. First thing I was told is “oh no it’s coming out blotchy” and the woman tried to fix her equipment. She seemed super unconfident when doing my treatment and told me she’s only done one other bride. The only part of my body that has even color is my chest and back. My arms and legs have tons of white patches and my feet are 5 times darker than the rest of my body. Luckily I still have time to go get another trial somewhere else!

Vanessa W I got builder gel with extensions and it cost me $88. The guy working on my nails seemed like he was in a rush and when he was using the drill on my nails, he kept brushing up against my skin which hurt and caused both of my pinky fingers to bleed. The skin around some of my fingers are slightly red and inflamed because he kept drilling onto my skin. From afar the nails look fine but when I look closely, I can tell that he didn’t paint the edges of my nails well either. There are spots on the sides that are missing polish as seen in the picture. Overall, I don’t think it was worth the money or the pain to get my nails done here.

Jessie Prodromos I have been going to Champagne Nails on & off for a couple of years. The place is welcoming & comfortable; playing chill music and is well lit without blinding you. Let’s not forget the available champagne (or lemon infused water). :) While all of CN staff are wonderful, my recent visits with Jessica have about turned me into a regular. Jessica is always friendly and works diligently at her craft. She takes her time with nail shape & designs so you leave HAPPY. I broke a natural nail and Jessica was able to fit + perfectly shape an extension to match. These may be my favorite nails I’ve ever treated myself too. Will definitely be returning next month for fun/new designs.

Michelle Tahan I discovered Champagne Nail Bar about a year and a half ago and have been a regular visitor ever since. Its the best salon Ive experienced, not only in Santa Barbara but anywhere else Ive been to. It excels in every aspect: quality, service, personnel, and ambiance. The staff are highly professional, friendly, and exceptionally skilled. Im always met with warm welcomes. The salons environment is spotlessly clean, hygienic, and elegantly decorated. It has a great vibe, and Im always offered champagne or water on arrival, a gesture that makes me feel like Im on vacation. Every technician Ive encountered is attentive and meticulous. Ive never had any issues with the quality of service. Champagne Nail Bar is a true gem in Santa Barbara. A special thanks to Jessica, Tu, Miza, Victoria and the entire team for making my visits so enjoyable.

Crafted Cocktails Tu is very nice the place is very clean and I get the best first impression. But after my last visit I’m questioning if I’ll ever go back. They cut my cuticles so short they scarred the next day on 6 of my fingers, I had to go back in after the visit on the same day because they lady cut my nails crooked. I was getting them done for my best friends wedding and I was a groomsman, I don’t typically expect much when I get a pedicure I don’t get them often but they charged extra for things that should be included and are included at most places and my fingers literally hurt I just had to leave a review. Hopefully with my complaints to management and this review they will tighten things up because I’ve always heard great things. Price was out of control for a man’s pedicure and manicure. $125 with tip That’s a lot for the little they doo

Megan Kemper they were very nice but overall i would not recommend this place. i got a dip manicure with a very simple design and it was $90. it took them over 2 hours and the design was very sloppy and my nails were different lengths. they also didn’t last and starting lifting quickly :(

Alicia Mold Amazing service. Super fast, very friendly, perfect pedicure and fill with gel polish. Pedicure was nice and relaxing, massage felt so good! She shaped my nails exactly how I like them. 100% recommend.

Logan Stanton I was in Santa Barbara for the day and needed a pedicure last minute. They were able to squeeze me in just before closing and did a 10/10 job! Highly recommend

Jeanette Couch I was visiting from out of town, they got me in the same day, I had to change the time and they were fine with it. I had my nails painted black, I dont like the black, but its not their fault. Color just doesnt look good on my hands. Usually I some how mess my nails up the next day, but so far they still look good. The best part was they let me bring my dog in. He was in his doggie bag, but they were fine with it. Next time Im in town I will definitely go back.

Kat Rey I called at 12 and had an appt for 3. I picked this shop because I had very good luck at Angel Nails in Atlanta. I picked the spa mani/pedi as I was not interested in any polish/color; I just wanted a really nice trim, buff, scrub, massage, ya know? And it was great. Very nice atmosphere, busy place, everyone seemed like regulars. Very happy here!

Kristy Hamilton I received one of the worst manicures from a younger man who worked there. He cut my cuticles too close, making them painful the next day. He also used a technique of messily putting the gel polish on and then scraping the edges of my cuticles with a sharp object to remove the polish on my skin. On top of that, he didnt buff my nails so the gel polish started peeling within 48 hours. A total waste of $60. The older women who did our pedicures did a nice job and they deserve their flowers. I suggest asking for them if you go.

Jasmine Thompson Tracy is the best! She takes such good care of me and gives me personalized treatments every time I go! Ive made this my regular nail salon and I bring friends whenever I can. I recently brought my friends here for birthday pedicures and she gave us champagne and made us feel welcomed!

Nancys Cleaning Services LLC I had a wonderful experience getting my nails done here! The staff was incredibly kind and friendly, making me feel welcome from the moment I walked in. The owner personally did my nails, and she was not only polite and sweet but also skilled. I left with beautiful nails and a smile on my face. The atmosphere is lovely and relaxing, making it the perfect place to treat yourself. Highly recommend!

Sophia Wengier My sister and I had a wonderful experience here! Tracy, Helen, and the gentleman (whose name I didn’t catch) were all so great. If you’re looking for a good nail salon in SB, this is definitely the one!

Taryn Edwards i never write reviews, but sb nail bar has got to be the best nail salon in all of santa barbara. i couldn’t believe how much attention ellie payed to the details in the reference pic. she genuinely tried to capture exactly what i wanted and did an even better job. i couldn’t believe how good she did, like i genuinely don’t know how she did the French tip perfectly with not a line out of place. when she made a mistake she was so quick to clean it up. which her version of a mistake i didn’t even notice. i don’t usually get my nails done because it’s just not practical for me and they never come out how i want them. but this is making me want to go regularly. got got the gel x extension and just showed them a pic on pinterest

NishatTasnim Maisha Ivy did an amazing job with my birthday nails. She really took her time and made sure I loved them.

Katie Helus Pictures say it all. I have cuts on both pinkies. I was bleeding during the service and the nail technician put an unknown substance on the bleeding spot. Honestly I should have walked out when the bleeding started (from the buffing prior to gel manicure). Very uncomfortable service. Do not recommend

layla calderon My favorite nail salon!! Ivy and her sister do an amazing job I have been going to Ivy for years, they never let me down. It’s in a very cute setting too with super comfy massage chairs. They are fast and do a consistently great job everytime. Would definitely recommend this place to everyone!

Olivia Peo I just got acrylics for the first time and they turned out great. I’m afraid I might not be able to go back to regular nails after this. Great attention to detail and Owen was a great artist.

Rachel Palumbo Nails looked great for like 16 hours and then they started chipping. I initially went in for a nail repair and they convinced me to get a refill—fair. A couple of days later I returned because several of my nails chipped. The solution was to simply paint the tips where they chipped and add a top coat. Thinking back on it, I’m not sure she used a bottom coat… anyway, they obviously chipped again! So, now I’m going to have to get ANOTHER manicure—somewhere else of course which is going to cost me. Very nice people, but they won’t last you.

Cherbert Plumpy Wonderful time at TLC! Great price. We got three lovely manicures, straight away. Very nice hand massage with lemon oil. We will definitely be coming back!! :)

Sandee Taylor Tammy and her team are wonderful. I love getting nails done. They are usually able to see me as a walk in. I get gel pedicure and gel mani. Everyone who worked here is really kind and talented. Clean environment, downtown location, and peaceful music. Highly recommend.

Khristeen Martinez Thank you so much!! Definitely recommend this place to anyone looking to get their nails done quickly and professionally. I walked in and immediately was greeted, and helped. Thank you once again to TLC Nail Lounge.

Mikki Pineda Great experience! Walked in on a Friday at 4:30 for a gel manicure and was finished by 5pm. They had a beautiful selection of Fall colors so I picked the darkest one #312 because my first choice was black. The hand massage and hot towel wrap at the end was very relaxing! Thank you!

Vanessa Allen I arrived right on time for my appointment and was sat right away but still ended up waiting about 20 minutes for a nail tech to become available. The chairs are a little hard and the foot rests don’t have any padding so half way through my pedicure my arches were sore from resting against the hard surface while the tech worked on my feet. This was my first time at this salon so I opted for the basic $35 gel pedicure. I booked my service online a few days before my appointment and upon arrival I reiterated to the receptionist that I was there for a basic pedicure. The service is listed as a dry pedi with cuticle clean up, nail shaping and polish. Very basic but it’s all I really needed and I wasn’t prepared to spend more at a place I’d never been to before. I was pleasantly surprised to learn the the pedicure I chose did, in fact, include a soak, callous removal and light leg massage. The pedicure was completed meticulously albeit a little rough. The tech burned me with the drill a couple times while removing my previous gel polish. She apologized and was more careful. For $35 my nails came out immaculate. The chairs hurt, the foot rests leave a lot to be desired but for the price the quality of the pedicure is incredible. I would go back again for sure.

Cinthya Duenes Adame First time going in today, definitely coming back! Everything was clean, the staff was friendly and attentive!

Sandee Taylor This is a great nail salon. They are clean, professional, and kind. Super thorough. My nails look so good. They are popular so try make an appointment in advance, but sometimes they are able to squeeze you in. Definitely recommend getting your nails done here.

rachel faulkner I had a great experience at this salon. Im in a wheelchair, and many salons are pretty inaccessible, but the set up inside was great. The walkways were all large enough to fit through, and the restroom had grab bars and an accessible set up. My nails looks great too!

Megan Pawlak Ive tried a few different spots in town and this is my best experience to date. Sang did a wonderful job with my nails. She was ultra precise, took her time, and made sure I was happy every step of the way. However, what made this a 5 star experience were the little things. Sang remembered my name and used it often to talk to me. She convinced me to go outside my comfort zone with a little gold foil. (Which I now love). She asked me about my activities to give me nails that will last. The team is small but they were all working together to give everyone a good experience. She sanitized her hands often and everything felt very clean. Even though she was also managing the front, I never felt like an afterthought. Im fairly new to getting my nails done, and as noted above Ive been to many places considered "the best" in town and have not yet felt this level of care. Sang and Glow Nails have a new regular with me. Theyre off the beaten path but worth it. Give them a try.

Emily McCarthy This is by FAR the best nail salon in Santa Barbara! I felt like I had tried them all, but after I met Sang and experienced Glow Nails for the first time, I never want to go anywhere else. This has been my go-to place for at least 3 years now, and all my friends know just how much I love Sang & the Glow Nails team. My nails stay healthy and Im constantly getting compliments on them. There was one time where my nails chipped two days after my mani, and they accommodated me right away and got it fixed. The Glow Nails team really takes pride in their work and cares about their customers. I usually do dip, and it lasts a good 3-4 weeks. My pedicures last even longer! 10/10 love love love Glow Nails

Valerie Francis Gel X! Amazing nails. Quality work, took her time. She freestyles this. I got gel pedicure too. Great ambience, cute photo shoot spots! Patient, clean and neat

LD New to the area and first time customer here. Terrible gel manicure experience. The guy seemed like he didn’t want to be there. Didn’t bother fully cleaning off my nails after buffing and filing but still applied the polish. He also didn’t even bother cleaning up the edges either. I was so annoyed and upset that I just paid and left because I didn’t want to be there any longer. Just sloppy work and will never return. Should have gone to another salon I tried out before this one but wanted to try here because of the great reviews. Sadly it didn’t live up to the positive reviews and I wasted my money.