I would like to second Tammie P.'s observations of some of the staff on the day in question. While I did hear from my daughter and her friend that they had fun at the spa, they also reported that some of the staff* was "unfriendly" and "mean." My daughter (age 8) said that one of the stylists became highly agitated when she moved her hand while she was having her nails painted. Her friend (age 7) said that she was shoved by one of the stylists into doing some runway-catwalk thingy when she clearly stated that she did not wish to take part. I initially dismissed these complaints as my daughter can be as still as a bowl of jello during a Japanese earthquake, and her friend does occasionally require a kick in the pants to inspire her to participate. But now, taking what I heard from the girls with what Tammie shared of that day, I respectfully submit that this business needs to rededicate itself to providing a positive and friendly experience for its younger customers. As it stands, I regret that I cannot recommend this business to others. *Update: After reviewing pictures from the party, I have been informed that the unpleasant staff member I described in my review is allegedly the owner and proprietor of Dollin It Up. read more

I bought a deal for the spa off Living Social for my niece. My sister-in-law had some scheduling issues and had to reschedule her event, but we couldn't get in touch with the place. I looked up the web address give on my LS voucher and it had been disabled. My sister-in-law was told she'd receive a call 3 days in advance, so we'd hoped she'd be able to reschedule then, but she never got a call...until an hour before the event was originally scheduled. When she told the representative on the phone, she began to yell at her and tell her that she was no longer allowed to reschedule. Keep in mind, I've already shelled out $145 for this. The rep from Dollin It Up hung up on her and wouldn't answer the calls when she tried to call back. To make matters worse, the woman then called my sister-in-law back several times and hung up when she answered. So childish and and I will never recommend this company again and would certainly never use them. I've filed a complaint with Living Social and intend on getting a full refund for this or will take the matter up with my bank. read more

Don't go here!!! We recently had my daughter's birthday party here, and it was awful. The owner was extremely rude and the staff was unfriendly. When we arrived, I let the owner know that we had one additional child for the party. She rudely told me how important it is to confirm the exact number and how she won't have enough ice cream for an extra child. When I confirmed the reservation with her over the phone several day prior to the party, I asked her if there would be a problem if we had one extra child at the party. She rudely replied that I would have to pay extra. As rude as she was, I let it go with the knowledge that it wouldn't be an issue. I was wrong. At the party, the employees never smiled. They did all nine girl's hair in about five minutes. My daughter asked for braids and got a ponytail. My other daughter came back in tears, because they were so rough with her. They had "fun stations" that were the exact opposite. The girls weren't even allowed to touch anything at the stations. I don't know why the owner started this business if she doesn't like making children happy. I have never met a ruder bunch of people in my life. The owner was rude when I initially looked at the place. I should have left immediately. read more

DO NOT GO TO THIS SPA! I recently had my daughter's birthday party at this spa and I was overcharged $124. When I contacted the owner to request a correction she insisted that the charge was correct. I referenced the amount listed on the contract and she hung up in my face. I've called and emailed her, but she won't return my messages. Additionally, she forwarded me the invitations for my party a week late. The day of the party the AC was not working at the spa. The owner (Brenda) was aware it was broken, yet failed to notify me. My party was not until 4:00 pm. Brenda was not onsite the day of the party. Her staff consisted of 4 teenage girls. The credit card machine was not working either. The sales person provided me the total and said that she would call me when she swiped my card. I asked for a corrected contract or receipt and she told me that she couldn't give me one. I never received a call, but I did receive a $526 charge on my card. read more

I had my daughter's 7th birthday party at Dollin It Up! and was extremely disappointed with the staff. I felt the staff was rude and rough on the girls. The decor is wonderful and the concept is fabulous but they need to work on their people skills. The girls appeared to have a good time but I have heard back from many of the parents and some of the children about how mean the ladies were. I will not return and don't reccomend. For the amount of money you spend it would be nice to have a happy staff. Because its not cheap! read more

Decent Idea, horrible implementation. We'd seen little girl spas a few other places and thought it was a cute idea. We didn't look into this place before booking our daughter's party. Our mistake, don't make the same one. Seemed too simple an idea to screw up and for the price, you just expect more. Where to start? Told it was a 2 hour party but it is actually 1:45. Not a big deal but... we got there on the hour only to find them running behind and kicking the other party out. (Seems simple to just put more time between parties. But that might mean revenue in the short term.) So, they started late and rushed the girls through the first station. We learned later from a few parents half the girls didn't even get to participate. (The arrangement was that anyone late just moved to whatever station they were on. The problem, they were running late not us.) My seven year-old does a better job on her own nails. They put the stickerson the girls middle fingers(one sticker on each hand - they have to manage costs), so, when the girls came to show you, you get the double bird. They appear to have capacity for about six girls. So some naturally have to wait. Not a problem if you explain the situation rather than just ordering the girls and parents around. They served carbonated pink lemonade. Not something all kids like and a request for water knocked the owner off her rocker. I can go on. Bottom line, it is about these kids not this diva's schedule. Some kids just don't like lemonade, not their problem it is her's. You start out thinking she is just stressed then by the end realize she really has no business being in this business. It was not until the car ride home that we started to feel ripped off, cheated and a little angry. Like I said, the idea is what works in spite of the service.My advise, go buy your own robes, flip flops, nail polish, bowls of dish soap, cheap furniture, artificial flowers and whatever else to round out the party at Wal Mart or Michael's and do it in your basement. It would be an infinitely better experience for a fraction of the price. If you want the true experience of this place, go to the DMV and hire the the most disgruntled teller to run it and two 16 year-old new drivers out of the line to actually do the work. For good measure give them an egg timer to ensure everything rushed. Upon reflection you get the impression the lady in charge actually hates kids but puts up with them because it entitles her to the parents' money. Our kids ended up smiling in spite of this place mostly because they did a good enough job of copying other kid's spas that are actually good. The idea is not original, so, the service is what you are paying for and it could not have been worse. (Credit to the young girls genuinely trying to make the girls happy but were actually prohibited from doing so by the nasty owner on multiple occasions.) Just about anyone could do a better job, save your money. Too many better options for the price. read more

My daughters had an appointment here for a mani-pedi, and it felt really rushed during their appointment. Didn't like the fact that plastic gloves (ones used during food handling ) were used for the pedicure part. How uncomfortable is that? Use latex gloves at least. Didn't see any massage happening either. Not worth the money, even with a discount. Plus, majority of the polish were gone by the next day. The decor was cute though. Would not return. read more

We had our daughter's 7th birthday party at Dollin' It Up in October and have regretted it ever since. I took my daughter in to see the place and she immediately fell in love, so in spite of the owner's (Brenda) horrible attitude and negative remarks from 2 of my friends who had previous parties there, I booked the party. Bad move. Brenda is one of the rudest, most unfriendly people I've ever met. The salon is cute and the concept is great, but that's where it ends. It's very expensive and you do not get what you pay for. They say it's a 2 hour party, but it's really an hour and 45 min. Not a big deal, but still. Then they started the party early before all the girls were there even though I asked them to wait til the 12:00 start time. The staff was quiet, not fun and appeared terrified of Brenda who marches around rushing the girls and practically yelling at her staff. We had a group of outgoing, happy girls attending the party - all of whom didn't speak the entire time. They were nervous and anxious the whole time. The birthday girl got zero special treatment - not even a mention of it being her birthday. For close to $500, a "Happy Birthday" would have been nice. Then Brenda overcharged me by like $40. Luckily I caught it before leaving. After the party, my daughter said she thought the ladies were mean. Then, she attended a birthday party there last week where the girls had the same experience which prompted me to write this review. Please don't book this place - it is NOT worth the money! Hire a couple teenagers to come over and do manis and pedis instead!! read more

We held a Brownie party there last year & the girls enjoyed it so I called recently to book a party for my daughter's 10th birthday. When we turned up at Lorton yesterday at 1.55pm for a 2pm party I was horrified to discover the place was closed. I got on to the number I had called originally & staff answered & told me they are now located in OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA!!! It took me 45 minsutes to get there with a crying child & several unhappy friends in the car. I was able to make contact with another guest but was unsuccesful contacting the last girl's mother. She didn't get to the new location until 4pm & her child missed getting her manicure. The staff did provide us with an extra service, eye shadow & a star tatoo to make up for it but it was a big disappointment. Turns out they kept the old phone number!!! Thier credit card receipt still has the Lorton address on it too. I did not see anything on the website that indicates Lorton location has closed. At no point during the booking process was the new location ever mentioned either. In fairness the place has been nicely done up & is a good idea for the preteen set. I think it is too young for the 12+ age group though. read more

I have given 2 birthday parties at this Spa. One for each of my daughters. First party I thought the owner was rude but the girls had so much fun that I wrote it off as just a one time thing. Had my other daughter's party there 6 months later and she was so rude that I will never return. I would not recommend this spa for a birthday party. I will give you that the girls all loved being pampered but I watched the owner yell at her staff and push them around during the party. I have since spoken to two other friends that have had their child's party here and they had the same complaint. I'm sorry that it is something so simple as the owner speaking nicer to her staff, the children and to the parents that would make all the difference. read more

I haven't gone yet but called to possibly book a party there for my daughters 8th birthday. I can personally say that the person whom I spoke with was not friendly or helpful. I asked about pricing and she told me that it was listed on the website. I want to have my daughters day be fun and special but after speaking with them we are thinking twice about going there read more

My experience with this business wasn't super great. When I booked for my 5 year olds party they took my deposit but never went over some of the details. I called about 2 weeks before the event to ask if I could bring some pizza for the 5 adults that would be there. I was told that the other parents can't be walking around, and they have never had the issue where parents wouldn't just drop their kids off then leave. I explained that I wouldn't leave my 5 year old at a party and the owner proceeded to tell me they have never had an issue before but that if I was going to bring a pizza it can't have onions or anything on it because they didn't want their business smelling. I explained they should really tell parents all of this stuff when they book the parties because I wouldn't have booked a KIDS party if I had known it would be such a huge deal for parents to stay with their kids and for me to supply food for the adults. The owners attitude just kind of stunk right off the bat. Another issue was that I got a call a week before the party to tell me the party was moved to their "other location" in Old Town. I asked why and she said they had water damage. At the actual party I asked about this and was told by an employee that they just closed that store and moved. So apparently she lied to me. Not that I care it was moved, but don't lie to me about it. At the actual party they were pretty good to the kids, and I will say that my daughter had fun, but they should reconfigure how they do it. When we walked in there was completely inappropriate music being played for 5 year olds, that pretty much music from the channel that plays Rhianna music or something. They did turn the music to kids stuff later, but that shouldn't have been playing when we walked in. If they had just turned the girls around while having their nails done to the other side of the table and turned the girls around while getting their makeup done, parents wouldn't have to walk around to see things. They could have sat and watched. The attitudes of the staff was almost as if we were inconveniencing them, and that they just wanted to check the boxes of the party and get us out. We very much felt like they were cleaning behind us to hurry us out. It was not super relaxing and for the price of the party, we should be able to feel a little more relaxed. One of my guests overheard the owner tell an employee to go into the party room, where my husband was watching my twin 2 year olds so they wouldn't be in the way, because there is a lot of stuff in there and someone needed to watch him. SERIOUSLY! My husband is no thief and even if he were he wouldn't steal gumballs and plastic bracelets. Overall, I think this place could be super cute but the people running it right now make it pretty miserable to go to. I would say pay all that money for something else instead of using this place. If you do use this place, just tell the owner up front how you want it to feel. If she isn't willing to accommodate then go elsewhere! Pay for a regular salon and just take the kids to lunch at Chili's. It would probably be more cost effective for the feel that this owner and staff give you. read more

I am not fond of Dollin It Up Spa Mobile Services in Alexandria, VA. I called 703-899-6527 earlier in the week to inquire about the costs and services desired for my daughter's birthday. I was provided with the information I needed, and I was informed to call the day before the party to provide my confirmed number of guests and other details. Thinking that all will be fine for the party, I sent out invitations advertising a spa party. When I attempted to call the business (several times) on the day before and the day of the party with the confirmed number of attendees, all I received was the answering machine. I had not received any return call from anyone. Fortunately, I had not provided a deposit. Thank God I was able to come up with a Plan B for the party. read more

I haven't even been to the salon. I have tried several times to make an appointment by phone and no one answers and there is no voice recording to tell you that you have even reached the correct number or that anyone will call you back. (Which they have not) The one time I did reach someone, she was not pleasant at all, as I felt like I was interrupting her or something. She was almost mean. But, the call dropped and when I called back, it went to voice mail. I give up. read more

WARNING, DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY EVER! Amber is rude, disorganized and has no concept of customer service. I had purchased the mobile party package for my daughter and ended up cancelling because of the way I was treated on the phone. I would never want anyone that rude and mean-spirited to be around my daughter and her friends. I wish I had read the other comments before booking through Living Social. This was a deal that was not really a deal! read more