I was a regular client of this establishment for 5 yrs. and even though I was often frustrated with the quality of the work performed. I continued going back because they were a pioneer in using non toxic products, I enjoyed the atmosphere/ decor, Before the big do over the place was given ca. 2 yrs. ago, and I had admittedly grown attached to my technician QT,  and well it was simply easier to return to the known then get myself in gear to find an alternative. {and then my first attempt to find a new nail salon was a total disaster: see my review of One Carat Mani /Pedi )!Here a short list my frustrations with Aqua Nails:Continually changing front desk staff who generally had an entitlement air / attitude about them= not pleasant ( hmm why does she have trouble keeping staff? generally a red flag for any establishment).Regularly increasing prices which did not correspond to an increase of quality care. Non functional web site , i.e. online appointment function more often down than up in the last two years.Limited choice of colors.Inconsistent quality of pedicure so that in the last two years i found myself prepping my feet at home before my appointment, so i would not be so disappointed with the outcome.So when Claudia the owner banned me from her shop a few months ago with a voicemail due to me allegedly speaking to a, again new ( incompetent) front desk staff in an alleged inappropriate manner, without even bothering to hear my side of the story, ( not what i call professional) it was a confirmation that my making an appointment with a new salon an hour earlier was the right choice.  LOLIn closing I'll affirm another review from 06/21/2017 "Sorry, but this place kinda needs to get off their high horse." Funny thing is my new go to Salon is even more expensive than Aqua Nails but with a Mimosa to start and a technician who attentively listened to my requests and spent 1 1/2 hrs. fulfilling them to a tee, I am in 7th Heaven!!! Read Less

The best in SB! It's the only local place my mom will go to, and she turned my sisters and I onto this awesome place. Our most recent pedicures (7/5/17) were done by Luat and Kate, total perfection! I ended up tripping on the way into my car, and Weston set up an appointment for me to come get them fixed up the next day. QT took care of me, and he basically just gave me a whole new set of polish all over again for each toe - free of charge! The nail crew there realllly know what they're doing. I've been to a few other nail salons, and none of them have the heart that Aqua does. This salon really takes the time to satisfy the individual customer. Honestly, I feel like if I have a bad day I would just give them a call, because talking with Weston totally makes my day! He's such a sweetheart and always tells you to have a beautiful day, and it sounds genuine every time. Good people, good nails, and not TOO crazy of pricing. For two basic pedicures, the total came out to $84. Read Less

After navigating the complex group reservation process here two months in advance and confirming 5 appointments for mani/pedis (which required names and email addresses of each guest and a credit card to hold the reservation) for my son's fiancee's bridal party, I called to confirm the reservation 3 days in advance and was told there was only one appointment scheduled. The reservation manager was on vacation and unavailable and the salon then wanted to know who had gel that needed to be removed before they could TRY to rebook the appointments. The explanation was a convoluted, "because we're appointment based...." Yes, this was why I booked it months in advance. This salon's internal business practices are not customer friendly. Any groups should also know they allow drinks, but no food, for parties. Qui Si Bella salon was able to fit us in, they were friendly, professional and accommodating. Go there. Read Less

I was a faithful client for over 10 years!! I would continue to pay high prices because of 2 staff members, I adored being pampered by them, there gone.         Claudia, the owner needs to stop being so greedy and get off her high horse. All I can say is, Karma is a Witch! It Would help her ego if she'd start treating her employees with more respect. Shame on her. Read Less

Everyone was very nice here, but I actually cannot believe how much they charge for just an okay job. I paid $120 for French gels and pedicure, whereas I typically pay ~$70 And have better results and a longer massage! Sorry, but this place kinda needs to get off their high horse. I can't justify paying these prices -- I only did because I had a gift certificate. Read Less

More than just a nail bar, this place is the best in town hands-down.  I love that there is a commitment to good quality products and it really shows in the services. The place smells great and is spotlessly clean. They also sell Jurlique products and I'm a sucker for those.  As for the services, I can honestly say that the technicians here take ten years off the appearance of my hands and feet, plus the massage and treatments can't be beat.  Special props to Yuli, who does great pedicures that last for weeks! Read Less

Lovely, relaxing, well kept nail salon with NO acrylic nails being done so no toxic odors! Personnel is always friendly & inviting. Best place for these services I've found. Booking an appointment is highly suggested as they're always busy. Wonderful for duo pedicures with my husband Read Less

Not a spa experience at all. Went for mani/pedi's for myself and my mother for my wedding. CJ worked on my mother and rubbed her so hard she had a scrape wound on her foot. My manicure (for my WEDDING!) started to peel off the very next day. Thank goodness I brought my own polish so I was able to repaint in time for my wedding ceremony. Won't come here again. Read Less

Not a spa experience at all.  Went for mani/pedi's for myself and my mother for my wedding.  CJ worked on my mother and rubbed her so hard she had a scrape wound on her foot.  My manicure (for my WEDDING!) started to peel off the very next day.  Thank goodness I brought my own polish so I was able to repaint in time for my wedding ceremony. Won't come here again. Read Less

HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER BY OWNER CLAUDIA !!! She DOES NOT CARE about your loyalty to her salon. Told me that her "salon is not the right one for me" after being a client of hers for over 10 years!!! Obviously it is NOT Claudia having that horrible customer service. My family and I will no longer be going there. Referred so many people through out that time. Lacks in concern for customer service her being the owner especially to her local and loyal customers. Read Less

I really wanted to like this place- I had a decent enough gel mani. the first time- but they charge a bit too much- Second try I booked online and expected the same results- It went like this- First I'm waiting 25 minutes for someone - then the owner does the take off- then I'm sitting and waiting again for the person who is "at lunch" still- then (finally) a very skilled manicurist (who I liked a great deal)- I would go back (just for the manicurist) - but 2 hours for a gel manicure? I just can't. Read Less

This is hands down my favorite nail salon in Santa Barbara! As a cosmetology instructor at SBCC, it is hard going to a a nail salon and trust the cleanliness. The team here does an impeccable job keeping it clean. I can fully relax and know that it's all taken care of. The technicians here are fantastic!! I love this place!!! Read Less

Clean and sanitary environment with friendly service that always comes with a smile! They always have the newest in trendy fashion and accessories that I love to shop. And my services are always impeccable! Read Less

2.5 starsIn Santa Barbara for a friend's wedding. My travel partners and I wanted to get mani pedis to look good for the wedding. We made appt about a week and a half in advance. We had no problem being promptly helped as soon as we arrived. I'm fairly indecisive when it comes to choosing colors. Th woman at the front desk who ended up being the owner really helped me chose a color that I'm totally satisfied with. Once we chose our colors, we were ushered to three pedi stations (which was just enough).  Weirdly, one of the women started doing my friend's mani at the pedi station. After inquiring, she indicated that there wasn't enough space for us to go to the mani station. Super weird. I received my mani as well at the pedi station. This place is pretty small with 6 pedi stations and only 3 mani stations. One of the nail technicians, kept on not painting all of my friend's nail.  She got pretty frustrated that she had to keep reminding her to paint the whole nail. My tech was pretty good. She seemed fairly new, but did not indicate it. She did a great job with my toes, but just an okay job with my fingers. They weren't filled in as much as I would like. According to their sign, they were voted best nail salon by the Santa Barbara a local paper. Maybe it was just a subpar day for them? Read Less

I came here awhile ago and was incredibly insulted by my experience. I hadn't gotten a Brazilian in awhile (be prepared for some details in this review), so I figured I should go here because they won the Indy's Best Of award. Big mistake. The aesthetician (I believe her name was Mickie?) gave me a very difficult time about not doing "proper" maintenance. She kept saying with a very judgmental tone that I should have gotten waxed more often. She wasn't being sympathetic and giving me tips on how to make my experience easier, she was just being rude and judgmental. I told her I was very aware of the fact that it would be more painful, but she still acted as if she'd rather have a root canal than perform the service for me, even though I was clearly a paying customer.The service itself was painful, sure, but it felt worse because she also refused to trim, which probably would have made the experience a lot more comfortable for both of us. She said that the practice of trimming is illegal, but I don't actually think so, because the very first time I ever got a Brazilian, I went to a reputable place that trimmed to make things easier.It all comes down to this: look, I get that it makes things a lot easier when you're able to get a Brazilian on a regular basis, but I wasn't able to at the time. After all, how am I supposed to make things easier if I don't get it done at all? Her judgment was incredibly unfair: she doesn't know my circumstances and if she is in the business of removing people's body hair I don't think she has the right to comment on people's choices.If you want someone to judge your life choices when you're nude from the waist down, this is your spot. If you'd rather just pay for someone to do a service for you, like most other people, I would avoid this place. Read Less

I have been going to Aqua for years, and cannot say enough good things about them! I love how calming it is just walking through the door. I finally signed up for the pedicure membership as I was going so often anyway. There have been a couple of issues over the 8+ years I've been going to Aqua, but the owner, Claudia, has always been incredibly helpful and responsive, remedying the situation as soon as possible. I recommend them to anyone/everyone that'll listen, and I look forward to patronizing them for many years to come. Read Less

I typically don't like to shed negativity on anything but, this needed to be said.I'm a mom of a 2 year old little boy, we just lost his great grandpa in a hit and run accident,so even getting out long enough to get some "pampering" was a feat. I took my 88 year old grandmother to get a manicure/pedicure to lift her spirits (since she just lost her husband) and my sister in law too.Walking in, it was all very un-organized even though we had set appointments and beforehand let them know my grandmother was very frail. They walked her all the way to the back ,then drug her back to the front. ( she doesn't walk well) and they were rushing her around. Claudia -the owner,who is quite pleasant was very caring and told me they weren't going to do callous or cuticle removal since my grandma was so frail. I told her I just wanted her to have her toes clip and polished. I went to pay and was in shock at what the prices were for our rushed services that were Sub-par at best.I didnt have time to dispute charges as my grandmother needed to get going. I looked over the receipt and I was up charged for two 10 minute massages,that we didn't receive and scrubs that we weren't even asked if we wanted.Very dissapointed and wont be going back. Read Less

Don't know how they won "best in SB." We had an appointment for a bridal party, arranged weeks ahead of time, and they were late (we were the first appointment, so they were late opening) and almost forgot the bride. They spent the whole time trying to sell me products, which I hate, and they didn't even do a good job. The detail just wasn't there - lots of nicks and scuffs, our gels didn't even last a week. This is 5 days later and they're peeling off. Never again. Read Less

I figured my daughter and I should try this place since they were voted #1 in the Independent.  Wow, what a rude surprise.  I insisted that my gel nails match my toenail color.  The woman insisted she could match it.  When she bailed without even a "goodbye" another woman took over my hands and said she could NOT match.  I was visibly upset (I'm paying $100+ for services, so let's try to actually do what I ask for).  The initial woman simply said a total of three words to me the entire procedure and acted as if I was out of hand for leaving unhappy.  Most places have gel nails that last three weeks.  These started peeling after a week.  My daughter has simply taken hers off since they are all chipping slowly.We will return to Modern Nails, just a few block up on State Street and they are SO MUCH MORE FRIENDLY.  They have stunning murals and a nice, open space.  Aqua has teensy little sinks like at home to stick your feet in.  I have no idea how this place won the award.  I will spend $ for mom/daughter pedi/manis elsewhere from now on. Read Less

My friend and I had the most horrific experience here. A manicure/pedicure took two hours which was blamed on my gel polish being too hard to remove. On top of that my friend wasn't happy with her manicure and learnt that her credit card had been charged without asking her. She spoke to the owner who was incredibly rude. The level of service at the front desk was absolutely appalling. I will never be returning again and we be reviewing my entire experience on my blog @slsstyle Read Less

Sloppy pedicure Manager cannot keep appt time as promised or twin chair area as promised and will not acknowledge the error or at the very least say she is sorry. There are incredible salons in town like Treat for a great relaxing fun mani/pedi for yourself or with a friend, don't waste your time here! Read Less

I really enjoy Aqua and highly recommend them to family and friends. They are very quick and do a wonderful job. I am always impressed by how long my mani and pedi lasts! Most of all I appreciate the cleanliness. I did have a bad experience years ago with a nail fungus from a nail salon that had the massaging chairs but didn't clean the foot bowl properly in between clients. I didn't know at the time how important it was to take the time to clean those basins but I suffered, it took a year to get rid of the fungus. I am never concerned about that happening at Aqua. Than you Aqua!!!! Read Less

I love going to Aqua to have my nails done! I was reading some other NOT SO GREAT REVIEWS and in all honesty I am pretty shocked. The one lady complaining about her party was there when I was getting my nails done,her friend arrived a half an hour late to her appointment and she created a disruptive environment for all of the people who were there for services. At one point the owner did speak with her outside. I thought it was handled well. I could not understand how someone thought that it was a good idea to throw a party during the normal work hours in a nail salon! As far as the review for the massaging chairs. You don't want to go to a salon with those chairs unless you see the entire unit being cleansed and back flushed before you sit down! Fungus can live in the back splash part of the foot jacuzzi waiting for it's next customer. I own a skin care facility and the Board sends out all of the compliance rules for nails to all salons so I know about those massaging chairs. Aqua keep up the excellent work and I ill keep referring all of my wonderful clients to you! Susan Read Less

I love spas and so do my friends so when a friend of mine suggested Aqua Nails as a possible place to book a private mani/pedi for a friend's birthday I though it was a great idea and I booked a mani/pedi for myself and my girlfriend in the ""private seating"" section three weeks early. At the time my appointment was made I emphasized how important it was that we get the private area because it was a gift for a friend's big birthday. ""No problem,"" I was told. Then one day prior to the service date, an Aqua Nails rep called to confirm. I mentioned that we were looking forward to the private experience to which the rep responded that there were no guarantees to reserve that area. I then phoned the owner, Claudia, who echoed that she ""could not guarantee"" the private room, but that ""95% of the time there is not a problem."" I had no time to change the gift or the location so I just hoped for the best. When we arrived for our 2PM appointment, Claudia, who did not greet us in the manner I am accustomed to being greeted at a spa, without as much as an apology, said the room was not ready. At 2:10PM, we were told that there was room for only one of us in that area and that the other could squeeze a chair in . It was ridiculous and cramped. We then decided to just go to the main area so that we could at least sit together at the same time. 20 minutes later, the woman who had been receiving a pedi emerged which means that she must have been seated in our area only 10 minutes before we arrived. When we went to pay, Claudia, the owner, never apologized or even acknowledged our disappointment. The fact that she would seat someone 10 minutes before our appointment when I had mentioned that it was a gift is inexcusable. As a result, my husband and two friends of mine who were previous customers are no more. Why go to Aqua Nails when there are so many service oriented nail bars and spas in town? Read Less

I got my honey a manicure and pedicure here for our anniversary, and she looked fantastic. She had a great experience,and they offered her water and magazines. Overall she was very satified, and so was I. Cute place........... Read Less

Was refererred to Arturos for a hair cut and color by a friend. Walked in felt very comfortable my stylist was Alison she created a whole new look for me with a cut and color. I was so satisfiend with her service that I picked out some hair extensions to have them ordered for my next appointment. I have had them in the past but Alison told me about a new way of wearing them and how easy they are to care for. On my next appointment Alison put my hair extensions in very quickly, I can hardly feel the band! I am so pleased with my long thick hair my husband almost fell over. I feel like I am in my 20's again. The best part is the piece I bought can be re attached every few month in less then an hour! Very happy to have found Arturo's and Alison!Read Less