I wish I had saved more pictures; especially the cat eye french I have had a few times now! And Valentine nails were incredible again this year! read more

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I am here now with my wife and my son!! What a treat it is to be pampered. This is the best place I have experienced for my pedicure. They take their time with the pedicure and massage. They also use hot stones on your legs and feet. Fantastic!! Please check them out and be ready for relaxation that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Ciao! read more

They say "walk-ins welcome". So my wife went in for her nail treatment and the owner said fine, just a "few minutes". 30 minutes later she was still waiting. I asked the owner why he said "a few minutes" when he knew it would be longer. He said it "wasn't 30 minutes" so I showed him the text my wife sent me after she went in, clearly showing that it had been 30 minutes. He continued to make lame excuses. Clearly he knew he had a live one when my wife walked in, so instead of being honest, told her a lie so that he wouldn't lose a customer. All he had to do was apologize, but instead he just basically accused me of lying, and made lame excuses. The owner of Essence Nails and Spa is dishonest and disrespectful. read more

Ling time customer got passed off to a new person who did the wrong shape, wrong length, wrong color. Halfway through I questioned whether it was going to be the right thing and was told "let him do his job". At the end my nails were all wrong and the owner's answer was "well you had them done". No discount, and frankly not even an apology. Lost a previously loyal customer because they couldn't even apologize or own a mistake. read more

Fabulous salon great service Pedicure for myself and my husband!! Well done we go to our Salon in Massachusetts & this Salon was just great !! I give it 5 Stars because the women who work there V and Melonie were excellent!! This was my first time there We live in Oob in the Summer at the Seawatch And I will be telling everyone where to go !! The waxing for my eyebrows was great! The only Complaint was that they should have New white paper sheets for your head & body to lay on! They sell those rolls very reasonable/ you just tear off the roll fro behind like Doctor offices do! Much more Sanitary.: new one for each client. I Sheet paper new for every customer read more

I love this nail shop! They stand by their service and do a great quality job on the nails . They even have donated a gift certificate to a good cause! absolutely great salon and great customer service! read more

Essence Nails And Spa - Christmas 2023 nails ! - Nail Salons Near Me - Scarborough, Maine

I've been to other nail spa's and nothing compares to the service I receive here. Always friendly and attentive to details and so professional! I would suggest to call and book your appointment. They do take walk-in's and try to get everyone in. read more

Worst nail job I've ever had. Made appt two hours in advance and still waited 30 minutes. Asked specifically not to make nails thick looking. Don't know the guys name, but his station was #7. They look very thick and uneven. Will never go there again. They also were not friendly at all. If I could give 0 stars I would. I went to a different salon to have them removed, and they were so thick it took an entire hour to get them off. read more

Essence Nails And Spa - Essence Nail Salon, Scarborough ME - Nail Salons Near Me - Scarborough, Maine

Everyone is very nice and friendly and the service is great! My gel manicures always last a good amount of time as do my regular polish pedicures! read more

Essence Nails And Spa - Gel manicure - Nail Salons Near Me - Scarborough, Maine

They were very pleasant at this salon for the most part, but they didn't have any idea what we made appointment for, forgot after I reminded them, did a so so job in my nails (lots of bumps and tons of space between my cuticle and the color - looked grown out on day 1), and then the next day my big toe was red and swollen with a pretty obvious cut on the edge. I know others have had good experiences, but this was pretty bad and I won't go back. read more

Tony killed it! This is with no question the BEST nail salon around, I've been going to Essence for three years with an occasional cheat ... Tony and Ivy always make my day ! read more

Essence Nails And Spa - What I got :) - Nail Salons Near Me - Scarborough, Maine

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If you have neuropathy do not go here they don't know what or how to service you. They are not gentle and when you request things to be cooled down they act like it is a bother to them . read more

This nail salon is seriously a hidden gem! I have been looking for the perfect nail place on the east coast for the last 4.5 years, and I have finally found it. Moving from Texas, nail salons around here just don't compare (no offense). The prices there are cheaper, the salons are fancier, the manicurists do a way better job, and you get a whole bunch of extra built into the price such as wine, margarita, etc. While this isn't what I would call a "Texas" salon, it definitely is the closest I have come across around here. And let me tell you, I have been to one too many nail salons up and down the northern New England area and have been incredibly disappointed! One of the qualities that makes Essence Nails shine out of the pack is the attentiveness and friendliness of their nail artists. Everyone is incredibly nice and happy to engage in conversation with you. They also offer you and your guest(s) complimentary soda and/or water, which I have found is not as common around nail salons here. What I loved about this place is they actually do gel dip nails!! It seems as if this technique is newer and only really done in the south. They don't advertise gel dip nails, but they do offer it for their customers that know about it. Unfortunately, it costs a lot more than it does in Texas!! My nails came out beautifully, and my nail tech was lightning fast, despite how long it usually takes to do gel dip nails. I even received a hand massage, which is sometimes hit or miss with gel/gel dip treatments. I moved from Maine in May, but I will definitely be going back often for vacation, as I am only 5 hours away. Without a doubt, this will be the first place I go to next time I'm in the area! :) read more

Gel pedi for more than 50 and ends up feathery looking and messy edges. Speedy and nice people, just not good if you look closely. If you are someone do not like to stare at un clean, or messy nails, maybe think twice about coming. I used to go to US nails long time ago when we come up to visit the grandparents. Even US nails quality is a little better. Pros are tons of chairs and very well staffed, they can get you in real fast and finish the job real quick too. read more

Essence Nails And Spa - Pictures says a lot more than words. - Nail Salons Near Me - Scarborough, Maine

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if you're looking to get acrylics don't go here lol they not only were so slow to actually acknowledge i was there despite the fact that i had an appointment, when i got to the person doing my nails I had asked if they could do a certain thing, and they were obviously unprepared and i had to find not 1,not 2 but 3 alternate designs. they don't know what they're doing. another thing is, the lady asked what length i wanted while cutting my pinky finger's nail, so i didn't have much of a choice than this length or shorter. during, there were flies flying around everywhere which was unsettling. the nail tech, while sanding the nail into shape, cut into my nail bed on 2 different nails causing them to bleed. she didn't acknowledge it, didn't even apologize, nothing. she didn't even wash it off (gotta love seeing dried blood under your acrylic nail) and also cut my cuticles without asking if that was something i wanted (i didn't). overall, not great. read more

Essence Nails And Spa - my messed up acrylic nail :( - Nail Salons Near Me - Scarborough, Maine

I had a mani pedi done here in March, and it was fantastic. The gal's name was Saren. She was professional, very dedicated to her job, polite, and had fantastic skills. The environment seemed pleasant, except I overheard a man (the owner perhaps) speaking in a very abrasive manner to a customer who was not pleased with her pedicure. Three weeks ago I returned to get another mani pedi, but Saren was busy so I was placed with a woman who never told me her name. Well, she was not interested in working on my nails. In fact she didn't appear to really want to be in the salon. She was sloppy, fast, inefficient, and put polish on my nails in lumpy globs. When I looked at the lumpy polish, I politely said that something was wrong. She said--and I am not kidding-- '"the job interview you have, is not going to care what your nails look like." Then that same man from March, came over and loudly said ' you need to go to your dr." He was so rude, and actually I have no clue what he meant except my nails are not super long...? Anyhow He said 'well you comè tomorrow and see Saren ' So I had to go home (15 miles) Returned next day - Saren completed the job beautifully. though she only did a partial pedi because that ogre directed her not to do any more than the bare minimum b/c I had received the foot soak the day before. Seriously? Bad bad business! Imagine the gas and time I expended! Then that same man tried to overcharge me for Saren, had he had the audacity to question me "Did you tip Saren?" " I smiled and said "of course I did." I don't like confrontations so I left -- then I called a few days later and asked for the owner - same rude man answered the phone ... he said gruffly: "who is this," and I told him. He said 'why the F... don't you come in here and face me to complain...' then he hung up ugh Awful man awful experience read more

Love getting my manicure dip and my smooth pedicure here. They are all friendly and welcoming. The detail and artistry is amazing. Highly recommend seeing anyone here...But Tony, Ivy & SuMay are my favorites read more

Essence Nails And Spa - Ombré Dip by Tony! - Nail Salons Near Me - Scarborough, Maine

Poor customer service. I called to get a price for a particular service and was told $X. When I got there, wearing a mask, the owner was not. I looked on the board and the price was $X+3. I mentioned to the owner that I had called just a week before to get pricing and I was told $x. She snipped that that was wrong, that they raised the price after the pandemic. I asked if all her employees knew this since clearly I was quoted an incorrect price. She said they were wrong. Curtly. Her response should have been, "I am sorry for the confusion. I will review this with my employees. Even though our prices have increased months ago, I will honor what you were quoted today only." Clearly she doesn't understand business practices. She lost a customer for life, from someone who just moved to the area. read more

I cannot recommend this place and am sorry I ever started to go there regularly. Although I always made appointments in advance - and yet ended up having to wait behind walk-in's every single time, I understood that was the nature of the business and did not complain. But yesterday, I had an appointment for a mani-pedi and had to wait 30 minutes past my appointment. I had the pedi but could not stay for the manicure because it was so late. I was unhappy but paid for the pedi and agreed to come back (today) for the manicure. I'm a regular customer who supported them during the worst of the pandemic when they were pretty empty. Any other business I've ever frequented would have waved the $17 due to the inconvenience they caused me the prior day. But I was told that they were charging me full price (just a basic manicure with clear regular polish). I don't care about $17. Had they had offered to not charge me I would have paid or tried to pay but instead, when I mentioned that I was surprised they were charging me, a regular customer, I was told that they didn't care if I returned or not. I feel foolish for ever having frequented this business. read more

Got a shellac acrylic full set. Two of my nails fell off the next day. I called and asked if I can come in for a repair. I GOT CHARGED 5$ THE DAY AFTER I GOT THEM DONE. The next day another nail fell off. By the end of the week I only had 2 acrylics still on. I didn't want to get charged again so I decided to remove them myself. Very disappointed and won't be back. read more

Essence Nails And Spa - Cheapest place to get an acrylic set .. only 28$!! They also do dip powder - Nail Salons Near Me - Scarborough, Maine

Do not go here!!!! So rude. They do not care. You make an appointment and they do not honor it. Skip this place.

I would give zero stars if that were possible. They told me it would be a 5 min wait and I waited for an hour and a half and they were rude when I asked when I would finally get my nails done. I removed my nail polish myself and left and they did not say a word of apology. I will absolutely never be returning. I highly recommend house of nails instead. Much faster and the people are nice. read more

Essence Nails And Spa - I removed my tips myself bc they left me sitting there with the covers on for 45 min and my hands were burning. - Nail Salons Near Me - Scarborough, Maine

I have been going here for a couple years now. These guys are AWESOME! They have always been super friendly and very busy. I have to see that they had a couple of nasty reviews on here. If all of us that love it dropped a comment, that would probably be more helpful. Denise read more

By far my fave place for a mani and pedi. They are super friendly and professional. A huge selection of colors for polish, shellac and dip. I love that they only work on one client at a time. I've been to other nail salons that work in several clients at a time. I hate that. But at Essence you get to know each manicurist and they greet you by name when you arrive and leave. I think I've had each manicurist there and they are all great. They also just upgraded their pedi and mani chairs. Amazing! read more

I used to always go here but will not be going back. I got a gel manicure and after getting home realized that it didn't dry and was already peeling off on 3 nails. I drove back to get it fixed, was never apologized to and they didn't even fix it after attempt 2. When calling this out, I was told "nothings wrong" but it looks AWFUL. I get that nails are just nails and they won't be perfect. I also understand mistakes happen but it's how businesses fix their mistakes for the customers that matter at the end of the day. I Will be finding a new salon to fix this. read more

Essence Nails And Spa - Nail Salons Near Me - Scarborough, Maine

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This was my first visit here. What a wonderful experience! I needed a shellac fill and desperately needed a pedicure!! I called ahead and made an appointment which is a good idea although they take walk-ins I always prefer knowing when I go in they have me on their schedule. I was greeted immediately and had no wait. It's a very clean salon and all the staff are so friendly and very caring for the customers and each other. It also is a very relaxing atmosphere. They have no televisions but I commented on the music they were playing, so nice. Brian did my shellac fill who I believe is the owner is super sweet. I will definitely be back!! read more

Essence Nails And Spa - Nail Salons Near Me - Scarborough, Maine

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Terrific nail salon with friendly staff who do an amazing manicure and pedicure. Prices are very reasonable and your nails will look great!

I had a poor experience my first time here. The owner immediately reached out to me and offered for me to come back so he could fix my gel manicure. Brian is very sweet. He did a great job. I am glad I gave them a second chance. Will definitely be back again. read more

Essence Nails And Spa - Whack paint job - Nail Salons Near Me - Scarborough, Maine

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I have mixed feelings. when i got my pedicure it was amazing but when we switched to a different lady do just put gel polish on my nails it's was a disaster i had more on my skin than my nails if anything probably won't be back again. read more

Probably the worst manicure I've ever gotten! Sucks because this used to be my place that I always went to for a mani! A few months ago I had a really bad experience and stopped going there for a while. I recently started coming back again because it is closer to my house. The first time I went back a younger girl took care of me and she did an amazing job!!!! So I thought it would be fine to start going back to essence again..I was wrong. I went in with my sister and they were busy so I decided I would get mine done another day because i had an appointment to get to. But I waited for my sister to get hers done. Brian, the owner, then told me he would have time to do my nails even though my appointment was in less than 40 minutes (an acrylic fill usually takes an hour) so I was skeptical, but he assured me that there would be plenty of time. Needless to say, he rushed to finish my nails in time for me to get to my appointment and they came out like shit! He didn't trim them down at all, the white part of my French manicure is literally brown, there's bubbles, the edges are sharp and not filed how my other nails are, the white tip doesn't even go all the way to the end of my nail, there's lines through the white under the shellac, it doesn't even look like i got them filled at all. I hate them so much that I will be going someplace else to get them fixed. I didn't even have time to tell him how bad they looked because I had to get to my appointment with 10 minutes to spare. He didn't have time to do my nails nicely like he promised me, he just wanted my money. VERY disappointed. Will not be going back! read more

Essence Nails And Spa - Nail Salons Near Me - Scarborough, Maine

Large salon! Piano/violin music makes for a peaceful experience. Additional hot stone massage included.

Just went here for the first time based on the other reviews. It doesn't look like much from the outside but it is beautiful and spacious inside. The staff was incredibly pleasant, friendly, and helpful. They were always asking if everything was to my liking. The place was clean and very hygienic. The owner is wonderful. While I was there she had a customer making some really unreasonable demands and she managed the situation like a true professional. I will definitely be back. Update: I've now been here several times throughout the year. The man that sometimes works the front desk can be impossible to understand, but it nice. You definitely need a reservation even though they advertise walk-ins. My last time there a technician who was really rough on my nails (way too aggressive in pushing back cuticles) and it hurt a bit at times. I also felt like the gel manicure I got was a bit sloppier than usual. That has been my only negative experience here. I'm hoping when I go back I can get a different technician. read more

I had a great experience here and I highly recommend this place. My pedicure was probably the best one I've ever had. I love the fact that they rub your legs with hot stones. I wasn't expecting it but it felt great. I do feel like they spent a lot more time on my feet than my hands, which is fine. My feet definitely need more love. The prices are totally reasonable, I got a gel manicure and a regular pedicure for under $60 including a tip! The staff is really friendly and while the place doesn't look like much from the outside, it's pretty inside. Very clean and professional atmosphere. I didn't have any trouble getting an appointment. I will definitely be back for more! read more

****UPDATED**** I'm saddened to have write this, as Essence has been my go to salon for years. This salon is now under new management. While still a decent salon, it is nothing like it used to be. I now wait a long time even if I made an appointment and feel totally rushed when I'm there. I made an appointment for a manicure and they didn't take me until a half hour later. When I said I was now on a time crunch they were like "well we'll just paint your nails". I had an appointment for a full manicure, not just a color change and it was not my fault they took me so late when I had an appointment that would have given me plenty of time. They have also wrapped my sister's fingers in acetone for the ENTIRE time she gets a pedicure. Her nails have been completely ruined thanks to that. They would not listen to her when she said she didn't want that. So while it's still a decent salon, and I'll go if I can't get in anywhere else, unfortunately I'm going to try some new salons in the area. My advice if you choose this salon, speak up! If you don't like the way something is happening don't just let them do it, because most of them don't care anymore. ****ORIGINAL**** Always a wonderful experience! Clean, awesome quality, and wonderful people. They know me and always ask about my sister, best friend, and mother. They really care about their customers and honor appointments! Will never go anywhere else ever again! read more

This place is very convenient to get to and I have had great luck calling on route and getting right in. Always friendly very professional staff that are fortunate to work in a very clean bright environment. So glad to have found them! A+ read more

I've been here twice now and at first I absolutely loved it! Staff was friendly, place was clean, and my nails looked great! My second time here and four hours after getting my nails done- a layer chipped off and there's now an air pocket. Very disappointed! read more

Essence Nails And Spa - The air pocket in my nail. - Nail Salons Near Me - Scarborough, Maine

Brian did my nails and he was excellent! We chatted the whole time and he fixed all of my broken acrylics from just 1 week ago from another salon! The salon is very clean and decorated nicely and the prices are fair for the quality of the work they do there. I will definitely return here! read more

I had a gift certificate here and decided to try it out. I always get french shellac on my hands and french regular on my toes. I work a lot with my hands so I'm always looking for a place that can manage to keep my fingernails chip-free for at least a week (even though they say shellac should last 2). This lasted less than 24 hours, and not only did 1 nail chip, 6 nails chipped. Going back to Fashion Nails (or House of Nails now), only place that keeps my nails chip-free for 10+ days. Also during the whole service the technicians were talking bad about other customers...not appealing read more

Very bad experience. I have had acrylics for 15 years and never have I had such a terrible job done! The tech made 2 of my fingers bleed, and she continually lost control of "the tool" and said "sorry". She left globs of acrylic UNDER my nails. Total mess! read more

Came in to get dip powder while visiting a friend in Maine. My nails look terrific and it took less than a hour. Bonus was the reasonable price! read more