Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa

I loved my technician and was happy with the product, but not with the price. When my friend and I walked in (friend was visiting from out of town), we were quoted $ 27 for a pedicure. Although this seemed a little low, we didn’t hesitate. When we went to pay, a different employee checked us out. She informed us that the pedicure was actually $ 54. She was not very nice about the miscommunication, and didn’t offer to take anything off of the price. The sales clerk who quoted $ 27 apologized, but the other employee was not very understanding or sincere. She simply said that $ 54 was clearly the pedicure price and that $ 27 was clearly not the manicure price. I can’t help but wonder if they took advantage of my friend and me by intentionally misquoting the price (I hope that’s not the case!) I definitely asked for a quote on the pedicure — not a manicure.

I have been going here for a monthly pedicure for about 3.5 years. The front desk staff are always friendly and courteous. I’m always offered water or tea, they offer to hang up my coat, and they check me in and out promptly. Saina is my go-​to technician, and she is amazing. She is friendly and thorough, no matter what type of pedicure I get. She makes sure that my skin is okay (I have sensitive skin, so she checks when she is doing the exfoliation), that my nails are in good shape, and that I get the best pedicure and look that I want. She helps select polishes if you can’t choose, she offers to change it if she thinks you aren’t completely satisfied with the color, and she recommends products if you have particular needs (e.g., cracking toenails) or wants (e.g., a particular scent or type of product). I usually go in to lounge after my pedicure to let my nails dry, and she will often take the time to pop in for a moment to make sure it is drying correctly and hasn’t smudged.
I usually get the intensive healing pedicure, which has a foot soak, extensive exfoliation, leg and foot massage, cream application, paraffin wax treatment, and polish. It uses Elizabeth Arden products, and it is great for pampering my feet (I often dance and walk around barefoot). I also really like their seasonal pedicures, like this season’s Mint Julep pedicure. The seasonal pedicures use FarmHouse Fresh products (scrubs, lotions, soaking oils: go to their website because they are must-​haves!), and they are amazing products. They even sell the FarmHouse Fresh products that are featured in their seasonal manis/​pedis.
All in all, highly recommended.

Worst facial I’ve every had for the second time at this location. Would not recommend this spa for facials at all. I waited till the last minute to book a spa week facial and had no options left at the Willard location. Thought it would of changed since the last time I went (2 – 3 years ago). My facial felt very rushed and I was left in the room for about 5 minutes by myself. The Willard location is much better plus it has better amenities.

I went to this spa last weekend for the Red Door Signature Massage and was thoroughly pleased with my entire experience. My masseuse, Jennifer, was wonderful! The staff was very friendly and attentive. I definitely plan to go back soon.

I booked an appointment with Red Door for an intensive healing pedicure and a signature manicure with Alice. It was a mixed bag. The service itself was pretty good, but the facility had some major failings that will keep me from coming back.
First the good stuff:
After I made my appointment I immediately got a confirming e-​mail and another two days before the appointment. When I arrived, the front desk person led me to the manicure room right away. My technician, Alice, was gentle, did a good job clipping my cuticles and putting clear polish on my nails. I wear a bracelet that is very hard to put on and take off, and Alice removed the bracelet for me and put it back on me after the service. Oh, there was also a nice hand massage that got some tense spots on my hands.
Next was the pedicure which consisted of several scrubs, callous removal with plastic wrap on top, and then paraffin which was painted on my feet, also with plastic wrap on top. She did a great job clipping cuticles and painting my toenails. My feet didn’t need much because I was only 2 weeks out from a pedicure with ruined polish after a bad experience at the Sugar House in Alexandria (see my review for details).
Red Door scheduled ample time for my services. The manicure took a full hour, and the pedicure an hour and a half, followed by around 15 minutes in their relaxation room while my nails dried. I was offered cucumber water before my services, and more was available in the relaxation room afterwards.
The place is very clean, the instruments are wrapped in paper, and autoclaved. I did not have any sore nails, or sore hands or feet as has happened to me at my former spa. I really appreciated that.
Unfortunately, the bad stuff outweighs the good stuff, and it started before I even got into the spa.
The building where Red Door is located is HUGE and has a courtyard with a skating rink in it. The garage is also huge with several poorly marked exits. So I called the spa from the garage to ask them which exit I should park at. No one could tell me. Took 20 minutes on the phone and three different people before I got an answer. The desk personnel should know something as basic as where to park.
Although my technician Alice was very nice, she didn’t speak English well making communication difficult. And at the start of my manicure service she just up and left me sitting there twice, once for just a minute and the second time for around 5 minutes. When I finally asked what was going on, another manicurist told me that Alice had to clean a pedicure bowl. Yuk, that should NEVER happen during a service.
But the real nail in the coffin is the facility itself. Both the pedicure and manicure chairs face the window, and in the afternoon the sun comes in completely blinding you. There are both drapes and shades, but they aren’t enough to block out the very strong sun. My eyes were tearing for the entire two and a half hours that I was sitting there, and continued to burn for the entire next day. And it was HOT, so hot that sweet Alice brought me ice packs, ice water and fanned me to keep me from fainting. Now I know why the lady in the chair next to me said, «feet only» after complaining about the heat too. She hightailed it out of there after 30 minutes.
The manicure chair was OK, but the pedicure chair was pure torture. First of all, I’m 5′ tall, and this place has a long bench and some very slippery tile steps to to reach it. There is a very tiny arm rest on one side, and no arm rest on the other. Alice had to pile pillows in back of me so that I could reach the pedicure bowl, and my feet didn’t reach the bottom. So I was on this miserable bench with my feet dangling for 90 minutes dying for the service to be over. This was a far cry from the lovely massaging pedicure chairs available in most salons.
Other terrible features, boiling hot paraffin in two plastic bags instead of paraffin gloves and boots. Toe separators that were way too big to fit between my toes and covered my nails. Minimal callous removal on my feet, polish was something called Essie, no OPI! (Not really an issue since I brought my own polish). No drying stations. The relaxation room was a welcome respite from the boiling hot pedicure room, but there was left over food in the room. Not really appetizing if you’re trying to relax.
Cost of the pedicure and manicure was $ 123.00 plus a $ 30.00 tip, and $ 5 to park. I don’t mind the cost one bit, but for that money I expect a relaxing experience which is not what I got. Front desk wasn’t interested in anything I had to say about my service, so I left never to return.

I went to this spa for the first time during Spa Week to get a facial (my first facial, too.)
I was greeted pleasantly and led back to the changing area, where someone explained to me how everything works since it was my first time. My appointment was with Paula, so I headed to the lounge area after I changed into a robe. I sat there for a few minutes watching people get taken back to their respective rooms. I realized there was no clock in that area but knew I was running on time. As I continued to watch people get taken back, I began wondering where Paula was. Nobody was saying anything to me and they were avoiding my eye contact. Finally, I had to flag someone down and ask where Paula was.
When Paula finally came, she did NOT apologize for being late. When I had a chance to glance at the time, I noticed she was 15 minutes late. It was 15 minutes cut into my appointment already and I spent all that time sitting in the lounge area wondering what was going on.
Anyway, my facial was the basic kind — not with extractions. Throughout the facial she kept remarking disapprovingly upon my skin and was very disappointed when I turned down extractions. She was all around harsh and I did not have a relaxing experience. When she finally led me out and I changed, I noticed she finished it 15 minutes before the hour ended. That means my facial was 30 minutes long. What a rip off. I had made the appointment for 7 pm on a Friday, an hour before closing time so maybe everyone was rushing to close up but that is not an excuse for poor service.
Regardless, I came to the front desk to pay and was determined to mention something but I was met with snobby faces and attitudes and I thought otherwise. All of a sudden they were no longer friendly. In fact, I am certainly not going to this spa again — what a terrible experience and I’m glad I did not pay full price for this facial.

I went here for a signature manicure and intensive healing pedicure. Shaina did a fantastic job and took her time with shaping and cuticle care. The healing pedicure was amazing: it included an extensive exfoliation, cream application, leg massage, and parrafin wax treatment.

I love this place! Yesterday was the second time I tried the spa out, I had scheduled a hair cut, mani/​pedi. The spa itself is beautiful and the staff is so professional, personable and friendly. From the moment you walk in, everyone is so courteous and nice. I was so relaxed and felt so pampered! The hair stylist that I had was so attentive and she did an amazing job, she was very sweet! I had the same lady for mani/​pedi she was so kind and it’s one of the best mani/​pedis I ever received. Tip– sign up for emails and you get coupons!

This was my second visit and like before, Chow is the best. She is knowledgeable, doesn’t push for extra services if the client isn’t sure, is very gentle and her facial is awesome! She does a phenomenal job when it comes to facials. The relaxation techniques she applies are truly amazing! One can feel she is so engaged when doing her job! She doesn’t do it mechanically. One finds a very warm and caring person doing the facial! You have to get a facial from her to know and experience what I am saying…

I was given a gift card and treated myself to a spa treatment right before the holidays. When I arrived, a gentleman at the front desk informed me that the Red Door facility had no changing lounge for men, so he escorted me to the handicap bathroom. I was told to change into a robe and he would escort me to the waiting lounge. There were two small lockers in the handicap bathroom and the only empty one didn’t have slippers. I poked my head out the door but the man who checked me in had already returned to the lobby area. I left my socks on since I didn’t want to walk around barefoot.
As you exit the handicap bathroom, you are standing directly in the nail salon area. Four women and four manicurists were all sitting there as I exited, complete in my white robe and dress socks. I looked like my grandfather. After waiting a few minutes, the man at the front desk never returned. I proceeded to walk to the lobby where there were three Red Door clerks and five customers purchasing items. Eventually one of the employees walked me to the waiting lounge… right through the lobby. It was extremely embarrassing and uncomfortable to say the least.
I sat in the waiting lounge – still in my socks – and there were two other customers in robes, all waiting for spa treatments. Strangely, three other customers were brought into the waiting lounge, all of whom were waiting for manicures or pedicures. These customers were all dressed in street clothes and each of them proceeded to take out their phones to text or access the Internet. I was appalled. Three of us are sitting in robes and other patrons sitting with us were allowed to have cell phones with the ability to take photos or videos.
I was finally brought into my appointment 10 minutes late. The treatment was fine but I didn’t really enjoy the experience given all that had happened from the beginning. At the end of the treatment, I begged the person to get me slippers so I didn’t have to walk through the lobby in my socks again. She did provide them and then had me exit through a door directly next to the changing area/​handicap bathroom. It turns out, there was no reason I ever needed to be dragged through the lobby.
I realize that a few of these issues may reflect Red Door’s traditional female clientele (viz., no changing room for men); however, the fact that Red Door allowed mobile devices in their waiting lounge area where customers are dressed in robes was inexcusable. Not sure if all Red Door Spas require men to change in the bathroom, but I won’t be returning to the Pentagon Row facility.

This afternoon I had a friend treat me to my 1^st professional manicure. From the moment we walked in to the moment we left we were treated with extra special attention and care I’ve rarely seen elsewhere. The ladies there were extremely caring beyond what their profession requires. Beautiful Alice is fantastic, gave me a great manicure, paid attention to detail, and took extra special care of my friend I was accompanying. Class act experience.

I continually ask myself WHY is it so hard to get a good manicure in this area?
Having high hopes for today’s manicure, I arrived 15 minutes early (as noted when I made the online reservation as well as my emailed confirmation) and received a lukewarm reception (although the young man who might have just started then took over and showed me to the waiting area).
Since it is the day after Thanksgiving, I had a list of things to do and was hoping to start my appointment on-​time, but it was almost 15 minutes AFTER my appointment time when I was greeted; I know that salons can run late, but at least acknowledge it and apologize.
While the warm cream and massage felt nice, when I say my nails need to be shorter (it has been 3.5 weeks!) show a client — especially someone who has never been there before! — how much you are going to cut before the clippers come out. People who bite their nails have longer nails than I do now, and thank heavens I will have no problem going three weeks before my scheduled appointment with my regular manicurist at home.
Actually, I might need 4 – 5 weeks of growing time :(

I treated myself to a much needed deep tissue massage here today. While the massage itself was nice (Sky did a good job, and considering how tense I was, I’m surprised she wasn’t worn out afterwards.), I was extremely turned off by the discoloration of the sheets and the face rester (I don’t know the technical name) in the massage room. When I first pulled back the covers I saw a significant amount of brown stains and expressed my displeasure. Sky immediately asked if I wanted them changed and I said yes please. When I got back from the restroom she informed me that they likely weren’t dirty, but we’re probably burned. While that made me feel a little better, I was frustrated when I saw similar stairs on the face rest. At this point we were running late, and I didn’t want her to feel like I was an über b*tch, so I went ahead and kept going with the massage. I can honestly say I never got fully relaxed because I was perplexed by why anyone would put anything on the beds that looked as poorly as those whites did. Overall the experience wasn’t terrible, but it will definitely make me think hard about returning here for a future service.

Disappointed. SAVE YOUR MONEY. I was not impressed but more so frustrated by the entire experience. Check-​in was so confusing and complicated. It’s took two people 15 minutes to find the reservation my son made two weeks in advance for my birthday. I got the hot stone massage pedicure and manicure package. I declined a manicure because they didn’t have a manicurist on staff who knew how to do acrylic/​gel colors. The hot stone massage was nice, however, the young lady was so inexperienced her touch was so light and faint, my muscles were crying for more. The pedicure took more than an hour because they didn’t know his to remove the gel color. Check-​out was a disaster. It took 20 minutes and three employees to find the credit card my so left in fine. Then they entered the card numbers incorrectly so it dud to go through properly. NEVER AGAIN. When you pay for Elizabeth Arden you’re paying for the name and the total experience which did not live up to its brand. I’ve been to no-​name salons with far superior customer service and expertise in therapeutic massage.

I first visited this RDS as a gift, then again as a gift. Then I was addicted and have been returning every month since.
I highly recommend their Prevage skincare line & facials.
Facial: Their tables are heated to perfection and so plush! They also contour to your liking and can be adjusted w the push of a button :) Chau is knowledgeable, friendly, and overall has a very welcoming vibe about her. Chau is service oriented. I was having particular trouble with my complexion and had tried one previous red door spa tech (sorry I forget her name!), Kimpton spa, and the Vida spa techs. After a visit with Chau I saw a real difference. Chau also offered a holistic approach– offering ideas such as eliminating soy, dairy, and some shampoos. Increasing my vigilance during and after my long runs in regards to my face’s health. Chau performed extractions and told me every step of the way what product she was using and its intended effects. As a bonus I’ve gone home with several samples from Chau. Chau is the first to warn you when she’s using a $ 150 sunscreen on you– so you know when you leave if you’re going to purchase it just be ready for the $$$ to pop up, lol. Her shoulder massages are almost my favorite part of the entire experience. My absolute favorite though– the results! She’ll even make a phone call 2 – 3 days after the appointment if you’ve tried a new product or skin regiment to check on you. I swear by their cleaning products and sunscreen /​anti aging line.
I highly recommend you visit Chau.
A make up refresher is always complimentary after certain facials and Adey is amazing! She is so nice and professional. I swear by their tinted moisturizer.
Massage: I would not recommend Blondell. The deep tissue massage was my first. I informed her of this and would really expect a technician to be more communicative throughout the process or at least the beginning. Find out my areas of soreness, previous injury, concern, desire of focus points. Most of the massage I spent in excruciating pain and the level of work wouldn’t be adjusted she would move on to the next area which was disappointing because I want my shoulders worked on, I just don’t want to feel a sharp pain in my chest while you’re doing it! She barely touched my legs and turns out that’s where I need it the most as a woman addicted to running and leg workouts. Like I said– would *not* recommend.
Parking: The parking is easy enough — complimentary 1 hour of parking throughout Pentagon Row. I always park in the underground large garage. If you look for «Navy» section H that’s where you want to park! The elevator will take you within 10 yards of the entrance to Red Door Spa. The payment is not validated BOO! (normally $ 3)
Ambiance: This location has improved drastically over the last 8 months! The front desk staff are much friendlier and more attentive. The dressing rooms and relaxation lounge are cleaned much more frequently. The dressing room is small but it gets the job done. 1 bathroom, 1 sink, 1 shower, 1 vanity, 2 dressing rooms, 20 lockers all within 300 sq ft at the most. ! Always clean (minus one or two used glasses) The robes are plush and the electronic locks work great on the lockers.
The sitting room has three couches which quickly become cramped if there are 5+ guests waiting. (Rare) There are fresh apples, crackers, tea, coffee, water, and coffee. It’s very relaxing. The front desk staff always offer to serve you, if not it is self serve. No children allowed!
Noise: The walls of the rooms are surprisingly thin. On one occasion (late night weekday) I could hear a loud, laugh filled employee conversation going on. I mentioned this to my masseuse but all she did was agree with me about the disappointing distraction.
Overall this spa is a 5 star experience and well worth the price.

For their Brazilian wax, I would highly recommend. Tatiana was great — very thorough and knowledgeable. I hate getting a very painful and expensive wax and still having a few hairs left and she made sure that didn’t happen. It was pretty long though, so don’t expect to be in an out.
For their facial, I would give 3 stars… I forgot who did mine but both my boyfriend and I left feeling disappointed. They didn’t do any extractions… that’s one of the main reasons I get facials. I wouldn’t go back for one, especially not for the price

Red Door can be an incredibly relaxing experience if you get a massage from someone like Erin or a pedicure from Saina. But DO NOT think you’re going to have the same kind of experience from their hairstylists — Danielle’s attitude was so off-​putting and her inability to communicate what color she would dye my hair was so frustrating I decided not to go through with having my hair done by her. When I suggested I leave there was no recourse. So I left, never to return again.

This update is long overdue. Shortly after I posted my review I received a call from the Manager. She was kind enough to offer me an opportunity to experience the original services I requested. I was hesitant but I obliged and I was not disappointed. ALICE was excellent. I have since visited many times and have brought my husband, daughter and best girlfriend. I visited Chevy Chase and today the Pennsylvania Ave spa inside of the Wilshire hotel and I will tell you that Red Door Spa at Pentagon Row is exceptional. While I still visit my day spa close to my house I plan to be a patron for a very long time. My husband and daughter will also.

I would give this a 5 star but the lady’s over at the front desk were not as good as you think it would be coming from such an expensive spa. My experience with the pedicure was great. Couldn’t have asked for more to be honest. The lady Ugi was great and very respectful. I can go on. But over all it was nice. I would go again.

This review is about the hair color services only.
Danielle Danielle Danielle! Amazing! I have referred 4 of my friends and 2 total strangers to her to get their color done. I’m consistently asked, every time i update my color, who does such an amazing job. Danielle! She’s really an artist at color and has done everything from a beautiful balayage look to bringing me from a winter dark brown to a surfer girl blond. On a whim! And everything she does is so fantastic and natural looking!
Run, don’t walk, if you want a fantastic new look!

Love them. I’ve had my hair colored, manicures and haircuts at this location. The staff are great. It is worth checking out the web site for specials. I park in the garage so I don’t have to worry about running out to the «free’ hourly meters. It is worth a few dollars to not worry about a parking ticket. If you ever need to hide from someone, just spend time in the quiet room.

This review is strictly for hair services I received. I first stopped by the Pentagon Row location to ask if they had any stylists that were used to doing African American natural hair. I’m pretty cautious about who gets to touch my hair but I was reassured by the front desk staff that they did have the perfect stylist for me. I went to see Sharon on New Year’s Eve and she was amazing! I was very nervous because I was stuck in traffic and late to my appointment. I called ahead to let them know I would be late and they still assured me to come on; however when I arrived the front desk ladies were pretty rude to me and my friend (my only reason for not giving a 5 star rating).
But Sharon washed, blow-​dried and flat ironed my hair in no time at all! Not like your typical black salon where you wait forever. She was very nice and did an amazing job on making my hair silky and smooth. I would definitely recommend her to anyone of all hair types.

For Makeup Application:
Pretty disappointed.
First, my appointment was 20 mins late. I set up a blow out and make up session for NYE. Hair was great but was annoyed that i had to wait because my make up appointment was 20 mins late. Listen, this happen but no one came over and let me know that the pervious client was running long. Why wouldn’t a staff check on me and let me know what was happening? Offer me water while I wait? Ask if i was in a rush to get somewhere (I was)? I had to pop my head around the corner to make sure i wasn’t forgotten and made eyes with the make up artist to subtly reminded her i was waiting.
She was apologetic and she assured me it would not take long. I told her i wanted a charcoal/​gray smokey eye that wasn’t too extreme. She pulled out a photograph of an eye make up look and asked if that was what i wanted. It was blue in color so-​you know-​not what i asked for. It was also much more extreme so i said again-​yes to a smokey eye but not as extreme and gray not blue. She said ok then went to work.
I would have liked her to give me some explanation on what she planed to do. But not so much. She had me face away from the mirror so i had no idea what was going on. She barely let me look at my eyes (No hand mirror) before she started on the rest of my face. Which she did fine. I was in a red dress so she picked a very bold color lipstick to match. It was very beautiful but after giving my a date a hello kiss or two is was all over both of our faces.
When i finally saw the finished look i was taken aback. The eyes were way too extreme and not the ideal colors for my skin. I asked if she could blend it down a bit but even after that it was still pretty bad. At this point I was annoyed and accepted defeat. I went into the bath room and tried to whip as much of it off as i could. If i had time i would have gone to the drug stores and started over myself.
Worst part-​when i was checking out i saw the next client in the make up chair being shown the exact same photograph. Clearly she was just doing the same look on everyone.

I liked it, but there are a few areas that could be improved on at a spa charging these prices. While on a business trip, my client informed me it was Spa Week in DC. I did not know such a thing existed in DC. I saw Red Door was on the list, so I called and was able to schedule a facial for Friday morning of the same week for 8am. I received an email to arrive 30 minutes early, and that they open at 8 am. So, when I called back to ask how my service is supposed to start exactly at 8, and they open at 8 I was informed their doors open at *7:30* am. Perfect. I arrive bright and early at 7:20am. I don’t know if you remember, but It was cold this past Friday morning. 7:30 rolls around, and I try the doors. Locked. Alright, I’ll give it a few minutes. 7:35, and they’re still locked. I call, but of course it’s just the answering service because they don’t open until 8:00. Finally, at 7:45 a woman arrives, and unlocks the doors. I’m pissed, because not only have I been standing outside in the cold for 15 minutes, but I felt stressed because they specifically told me to be there 30 minutes before my service for paperwork and to change. That’s not a very good way to start a spa experience! The lady was very apologetic, and said she doesn’t know why the other receptionist told me 7:30, the doors aren’t supposed to open until 7:45. Probably, because then it wouldn’t square with the email you sent telling me to be 30 minutes early!
Now, I’m feeling rushed. She ushers me to the ladies locker room, where she goes to pick me out a locker. Approximately half have an out of order sticker on them. And even some of the ones that don’t have a sticker, aren’t in working order either! She was embarrassed. All the while, my service starts in less than 15 minutes, and you know those suckers won’t add extra time even though the delay is on them. Finally, she finds a locker that is in working order, and I proceed to change. The towel provided with the bathrobe is missing a button. So, I then have to look into other empty lockers for a bathrobe with a towel with a button so I can secure it (you’re unable to just tuck it in. Especially if you have a growing belly :). Gah. Then my robe didn’t have the belt so I could tie it closed. What is this? Some lockers had slippers in them, others didn’t. It’s first thing in the morning, do you people not stock the lockers properly? Evidently so. I finish getting ready with a minute or so to spare. I barely had any time to relax in the lounge. The actual facial was nice. I have sensitive skin, and this is usually accepted with no problems when i get facials. Well, Red Door wanted to charge me $ 30 for sensitive skin products. Are you kidding me? Way to price gouge. I said, well aren’t your regular products safe for sensitive skin? She said yes. Well, okay then. My skin felt great, but I noticed she didn’t do very many extractions. She was semi-​pushy with the products.
While overall the facilities were nice, and the facial nice, the timing snafus, poorly stocked and broken locker room, and price gouging maker there no way I would willingly pay $ 140 for a service here.

This review is strictly related to the quality of my massage. I was recently given a gift certificate to Red Door and was hesitant to book an appointment at this location based on the reviews. While what most people are saying about the lack of ambiance on the relaxation room and the size of the spa itself, I was blown away by the Swedish massage I received from my masseuse, Oliver.
I sit at a desk all day and have been traveling/​working late and thus my neck and shoulders have been killing me. I let Oliver know briefly about these issues and he got right down to business. In my many years of getting massages for my neck/​shoulder pain, I have never had a masseuse work through my knots like this. He very clearly went above and beyond, as most would just give this area a little more attention and continue with their usual techniques. But Oliver is the man — I left feeling better than I have in years.
Yes the front desk staff is a bit aloof, the salon itself is small and the relaxation room is not all that relaxing. But if this guy continues to work there, I’ll absolutely be back!

Aesthetically, this spa is the absolute worst. It’s cramped and not at all comfortable looking.
But don’t judge it on looks. The staff is great. I basically told both the colorist and the stylist to do what they saw fit, and they made some pretty dramatic changes (with permission) that came out amazing. I left feeling like a cross between Lauren Conrad and Kate Upton. I mean, that’s a delusion, but isn’t that what we pay for at the salon?
I can’t recommend Samantha enough.
I could have done without the male stylist who made a comment within earshot of several customers that, «women who stay in abusive relationships must like the abuse, so I don’t feel sorry for them.» That said, he responded well when I spoke up about that and he let me know his opinions are his own and not those of the spa. I figured.
Overall this place was great. Go see Samantha. Don’t expect her to be chatty – she’s too busy making magic.

Confession Time: Sometimes I do not like feel like a real girl because I am WAAAAAYYY WAYYYYYYY too cheap to indulge in weekly manicures, pedicures or regular professional grooming. Ain’t no time (or money!) for that!
Also, I hate getting touched by strangers and I especially hate getting bombarded with questions about my ethnicity and then peppering me with questions about why I’m a halfsie, why I don’t speak a certain language, and then people talking about me behind my back in their languages (listen, I may not speak it but after being around my dad’s family my whole life I can pick up on tone and inflection). It happens… EVERY.SINGLE.TIME.
Except at Red Door Spa.
I was pulled through the door because a friend had purchased a gift certificate for a warm cream manicure for me and I decided why the hell not, I’ll drop some cheddar on an much needed intensive healing pedicure as well.
There was good:
— They were able to fit me in that day when I called to make an appointment.
— I was greeted promptly and offered a glass of cucumber water as soon as I sat down.
— My technician Tammy was very warm, engaging and skilled. She definitely took her time which was much appreciated.
— Everything was super clean. Not only did all of the tools come out of sterilized packaged, I saw Tammy dispose and create new buffs and files for my appendages. So awesome, because nothing skeeves me out more than thinking that a file was once used to buff away someone else’s nasty, cracked heel skin before mine.
— Nobody was playing candy crush on their phones. or eating their meals at their desk… which should be a given but I see a lot happen at other salons.
And there was the mediocre (and thankfully nothing that sent me running for the hills):
–No warming neck wrap! I have a bunch of friends who have been touting this as one of the best parts of the whole experience so I was sad to say I got left out of this (although I did purchase one on my way out so I could enjoy it at home).
— Magazine selection was so-​so. Give me my Cosmo, Vogue, People, and InStyle! I love it when salons are libraries of my favorite trashy magazines so I was a little bit sad that this place had a limited selection of reading material.
— There was a slight kerpuffle about if my technician took someone else’s client and it was said right in front of me which made me feel a little bit uncomfortable but was quickly taken care of.
Definitely one of the better nail experiences I’ve had in awhile!