Attention all nail biters: get a no-chip manicure. It'll put an end to your bad habit. Trust me. The nail polish sure as hell doesn't taste good. I made the mistake of putting my nail in my mouth, and wow. Gross. Never again. Plus, you won't want to ruin your nails after spending your hard earned money on your mani. I'm on a regularly scheduled mani/pedi break, but will be getting them done again soon. When they get too long, I'm tempted to bite, so may as well put a stop to that. Anyway, my parents have been long-time clients at First Spa. I had been going to another salon and wasn't keen on making a change. However, my mom lured me in with a birthday gift of a no-chip manicure and pedicure as a birthday present last April. After that, I became a regular, visiting First Spa regularly from April 2016 to December 2016. I intend to return once the weather warms up. My first visit was with my mom's manicurist, Lily. My mom swears by her and won't let anyone else touch her nails. My mom and I arrived around 3:30 on a Saturday afternoon, and it wasn't too busy. Their no-chip colors are on swatches on an island right when you walk in. You can place a color over your nail to see if it will work with your skin tone. I choose a dark green color, which Lily tested on my nail beforehand. Nothing more horrible than picking the wrong color and finding out halfway through your manicure! Lily helped me find a complimentary shade for my toes, a lighter shade of green, since they didn't have an exact match. Lily then led me to the pedicure area, which is at the back of the salon. They have massaging chairs and a TV you can watch. After the pedicure, I had a no-chip manicure. Lily did a great job and was very friendly. I had to get an acrylic on one nail because it broke off earlier that day. I wasn't charged anything for the one acrylic nail, which was nice. PRO TIP #1: If you are considering getting a no-chip manicure, do it. Just do it already. Yes, it costs more than the regular manicure ($30 v. $12), but the polish lasts longer. You will have to put your hand under UV light; so do keep that in mind. My no-chip manicures have lasted 3 weeks, easy. I've pushed it to four a few times as well. PRO TIP #2: Use the CND Shellac brand for your no-chip mani and the CND Vinylux for your pedi if you want an exact match. The Vinylux will cost an additional $3 because the polish stays on longer. I tried it on my toes once, and it stayed on for a while. The manicurist who removed the polish from my toes the following visit had a tough time getting them off, and it took a lot longer to get off than other brands. It'll cost you an extra $5 if you choose to use an OPI Infinite Shine 2 polish. Again, this is because it is supposed to last longer. I haven't tried that one, so I can't say for sure. PRO TIP #3: They can get very busy during the weekend, especially Saturday mornings. They officially open at 9:30, but if you want to be seen by a specific manicurist, you have to arrive earlier than that. Once, I arrived just before 9:30 and asked to be seen by Lily. I was told that the wait would be about an hour. I decided to be seen by someone else instead. Unlike my mom, I don't have a regular manicurist. This is mainly because I don't want to wait too long if the manicurist I prefer is working with another customer. Also, I believe all of them should be able to do my mani/pedi without issue. I've had a lot of them do my nails, and I haven't had a problem. The only weird thing I've experienced is that sometimes one manicurist will do my pedicure and pass me off to another for my manicure. It's not a big deal, but sometimes, I'd prefer to stay with the same person. One time I got sent to a manicurist who was a bit rough. I should have spoken up, but kept quiet. Overall, First Spa is a great place to get your nails done. The salon is big, open and airy, and there are plenty of stations to get your nails done. Like I said before, I fully plan on going back. Perhaps my mom will treat me to a mani/pedi this year for my birthday? *hint hint* *wink wink* Or, maybe my schedule will work out so that my parents and I can go together and make a thing out of it? We shall see. read more

First Spa Nail Salon - No-chip manicure 10/30/16. CND Shellac #22 (Denim Patch) - Nail Salons Near Me - Vernon Hills, Illinois

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I got a mani-pedi done here yesterday. WOW, what a great experience. TAMMY was fantastic. The staff was attentive. I hadn't been there for two years, and they are under new management. You can now schedule appointments, which you couldn't do before. For just $55, the mani-pedi was worth every penny. The quality of service and the results were far superior to those at other places I've tried in Libertyville and Gurnee, which were quite disappointing in comparison. I am back at First Spa and couldn't be happier. read more

Horrible experience getting a pedicure here. The nail tech did not know what he was doing and made multiple mistakes. Do not go here!!!!!!

Love Michelle! She does a beautiful job with the dip powder. My nails always look amazing and I always receive compliments on them from strangers. Very friendly and warm environment. read more

The only reason why I visited this nail salon was because I was gifted a certificate for Christmas. I had a little trouble locating it because it's tucked away in the strip mall. When I got there I was seated in a pedicure chair right away. My tech was nice but very rough and not careful at all. I couldn't understand why she was rushing there weren't any waiting costumers. I had to tell her to be more gentle and that alone made me upset I came their. Fast forward to the manicure she still seemed to be in a rush, nicked me 3 times I was only aware of the first time because I was bleeding so much. Long story short stay away! Stay away! Overpriced and not worth the headache. read more

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I have been coming to this salon for about 3 years. Years ago, the service was nice. I always get full sets. Recently, Nail techs have been complaining while doing my nails and have put VERY minimal gel on my nails. I get no chip over the full set, and my nails split after a few days due to no support from lack of acrylic . This could be very painful and unsanitary. Nail techs don't care. They just do your nails nice enough for you to walk out of the salon. If you pay $40 every two weeks for nails, they should look nice! They're getting more and more rude. I recommend them for basic no chip mani or a pedi. (No designs no exciting colors.) Not great customer service. My sister and are looking for a new salon. read more

First Spa Nail Salon - Nail Salons Near Me - Vernon Hills, Illinois

If I could give this salon 0 stars I would. They absolutely fucking sucked. I got a removal and dipping powder for my nails and first off the lady did not know how to take my dipping powder off. She literally uses nail polish when your suppose to soak them. Then I told her I want dipping powder and she asked me probably 10 times if I wanted no chip. So it was terrible communication. I literally had to tell her how to put dipping powder on my nails. And a week in I had them done two already fell off my nails. Dipping powder is suppose to last about 3 weeks. Do not go here unless you want shitty nails. read more

First Spa Nail Salon - Nail Salons Near Me - Vernon Hills, Illinois

If I could I would give it zero starts. I was a returning customer and liked it but this time around I brought my daughter my mom and she was being very rude to walking in customers and once I was ready to pay she snatched my credit card from my hand and I asked her why it was 150 for my daughter and I and my mom it was 72. She just charged me and said "bye bye get out" and I even told her can I get my phone that was still in the table. There was no reason Angie's response to my question and she was very Rude read more

My nail tech Kim is the best! You walk out of here feeling pampered! This establishment is very clean & organized. read more

First Spa Nail Salon - Nail Salons Near Me - Vernon Hills, Illinois

Love 1st Spa Nails. They are always helpful in suggesting nail colors. Very clean and comfortable. read more

I love this place! Trish is my favorite but they all do a nice job. Fast, affordable & quality work. read more

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If you love this place I'm happy for you! As women we know how hard it is to find a nail salon that makes us feel comfortable! Good luck being a new customer XXX read more

Redemption! I was super, super reluctant to come back here. Obviously. But, my friend and I were in a bind. We were part of a bridal party and NEEDED to get mani/pedi's before the wedding weekend began. Since we both work up in the 'burbs, we ended up here somehow. ( I think the mini-rainstorm played a part in this, though.) $55 for French mani/pedi. Holler. Fab job, too. The nail tech helped me pick out the perfect top coat color and told me my original pick would be a bad idea. Her honesty was appreciated. I also got a much nicer person than the last time, so that is a plus! It totally changed my outlook on this place. The massage chairs are really one of the best I've seen in a nail salon and the space itself is reallllly great. If you're ever up in VH, check this place out! Cash tips only! read more

I had been going to this place every two to three weeks for over a year to maintain my acrylics, but my previous visit will be my last. On Friday afternoons around 2:30, I was usually seated immediately upon arriving or within five minutes. On my last visit, when I walked in I was informed that the wait would be 15 minutes (they appeared to be understaffed), so I said that I would be going next door. I did so, and returned 10 minutes later. (First Spa Nails does not take appointments, but I had previously noted that they do allow you to leave and come back, saving your spot in line.) Perhaps I had not been patronizing the spa long enough to have line-saving privileges, or perhaps the girl in charge did not see me from my seat right across from her, but it was another 30 minutes before I was seated with a tech. During that time, they seated several people who had come in after me, who were also there to have their acrylics filled in. I was just rising from my seat in the waiting area to leave and never return, when one of the techs approached me and said it would only be another minute. I grimaced, but sat back down. Five minutes later, I was seated with my favorite tech, but this story does not have a happy ending. I usually got decent techs, but there were a couple whose work was consistently sub-par, and who tended to injure me. (I will not name names in this review.) The next time I was seated with those techs, I would politely ask them to do something differently, and I was always met with hostility and I was blamed for their mistakes. On this particular visit, my favorite tech refused to honor my request that the acrylic be applied with uniform thickness to prevent chipping. (The tech at my previous visit had applied it very thinly near the free edge of my nails, and it had chipped on one nail.) It has been pointed out by other reviewers that the techs tend to talk not to their customers, but to each other in a language other than English (I do not know what language it is, nor do I think that is relevant to my review). I can confirm this. It did not used to bother me very much. What did bother me was the fact that almost none of the techs seemed to be truly fluent in English, so because I am a bit hard of hearing, I found it especially difficult to understand what they were saying. I always had to ask them to repeat themselves multiple times, which they did not appreciate judging by the nasty looks I received. I will not be returning to First Spa Nails, nor will I be recommending it to anyone. read more

I live in Arlington Heights and work in Vernon Hills. This was my go to place for 6years on my lunch breaks when I knew I wouldn't have time on the weekends. They were fast and did quality work and I never had any complaints. Until 2 weeks ago. While getting my first pedicure of the year for spring the lady clipped my toe nails with one cut in the middle instead of one cut to the left and one to the right. In her clipping once in the middle, I have strong thick nails, but the pressure/force she used split my nail in half. I felt the pain and asked what happened at the time but she said nothing. When I got home I realized my toe was a throbbing a little, then realized half of my toe nail was cracked so bad if I lifted the nail it would've looked horrible. I also got the no chip on my hands. They rushed through it and a week later the sides were lifting. Not to mention she kept filing my nail bed and now I have hang nails galore around my cuticles. They also don't guarantee their work. Needless to say I'll NEVER go back!!! read more

My co-worker turned me on to this place, and I haven't been disappointed yet. They do an excellent French mani (lasts longer than others I've had elsewhere) and I also trust them to wax my brows and do my pedis. They are professional, clean, and fast. The technicians here tend to talk amongst themselves in their native tongue, so I just sort of space out until it's time to pay. I've had a few instances where the technician seemed quarrelsome, but generally speaking the employees are relatively polite. It's important to note that First Spa does accept credit card, but you're unable to tip on your credit card (cash only tips). There's an ATM in the foyer, so I normally take $60 out (I think the fee is $2.50 or so) and pay the whole thing in cash to make it easier on them. Overall, a great value and I recommend. read more

Hmm, pretty bad ratings on yelp. But I tried this place prior to checking yelp to remain unbiased. The lady I worked with was not friendly or talkative, but I guess you can say she got the job done. What I do not like is they put greasy oil on my hand and legs for massages and then it doesn't wash off well. Good color selections here. Sanitized tools. One complaint is the scrubber for my pedicure, they just rinse it in the water I was soaking my feet in and then plan on reusing it for the next customer, yikes. You go the extra mile to sanitize your tools but you refuse your scrubbers? The interior is very nice, you wouldn't expect it just from the outside. Massage chair became tickle after a while instead of being relaxing. I was disappointed when one of the lady asked the lady that was helping me to add some cold water, and then the lady helping said just wait. Whoever started her water should have asked if the temperature was ok. Even with poor english, just wait is not acceptable. Lady she did tell the person who was doing her nails about the water temperature. Basically, this place is, if it ain't my job I don't bother. Prices higher than elsewhere. $35 if you do menicure and pedicure together. Tip must be in cash.They make you pay half way through. Nail salons do this and I guess that's their way of making sure you don't walk out or something. read more

Worst place ever. Waste of money. Not what I asked for too expensive rude and unprofessional read more

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I've given this place two tries. The first time was months ago, went in for a mani and pedi for me and a friend. Friend got foot fungus. The place is conveniently located, so we tried again this month. Again, foot fungus. Not a fluke. Also saw the nail techs putting what looked like nail polish remover in their bottles of nail polish. So not cool. The nail techs on the next seat over were also using a CHEESE GRATER (yes, really!) to grate the dead skin off people's feet. So, no wonder the foot fungus. Very unhygienic, and I think illegal under Illinois state law. Plus the staff is really rude, and the nail art is amateurish. Forget convenience, go somewhere else. read more

After reading the reviews I was nervous to come here but I already had an appointment so I decided to check it out. I walked in with a photo of the nails that I wanted and they tried to find the right colors. I came to realize that the colors on their no-chip samples did not match the actual color of polish in the bottles. After 10 minutes of searching for the right colors I gave up and went with a single color even though my original design was 5 different colors. The color that I decided on was more my nail techs choice than mine as I felt rushed and she said to choose that one. Once I sat down she began to file my nails with a file that looked like it was about to fall apart. She then began to trim my cuticles and within seconds I was bleeding. She managed to make about half of my fingers bleed by cutting them. Her cuticle trimming looked aggressive and rushed and I was actually scared to get hurt. I was also confused why she was in such a rush as there was nobody else waiting in the salon. After wiping the blood off of my fingers she began to paint them. At this point I saw some hope for the outcome of my nails though quickly the process began to go downhill again. She managed to get the polish (dark blue) all over my fingers and was constantly cleaning up after herself. I have never seen such a rushed and sloppy manicure take as long as this did. After it was all done she walked away expecting me to follow her. She told me it would be $35 and I gave her $40 because I had no change. Instead of offering up my extra $5 she took the money and walked away, tipping herself. Not to mention, not a single nail tech was wearing gloves...during a pandemic. read more

First Spa Nail Salon - Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Vernon Hills, Illinois

I walked in and Lynn was so nice. Took me right away. Did a beautiful job on my no-chip manicure. I will definitely be going back!

I can only speak to getting the regular manicures and pedicures here and am pleased every time with the service! I stop in regularly and would recommend this nail salon read more

Today was the first time I went here. It was an okay experience. She was a little rough with my nails and my hands but over all I like the place it's nice and clean. My fingers are a little sore and I've gotten my nails done before and they never are sore. She also answered her phone which distracted her while she put the primer for my acrylics. I loved the color and the sparkles she picked out for me. I'm pretty sure I'll be coming here again when I need my nails to be refilled. read more

First Spa Nail Salon - Loved the color she picked out for me :) - Nail Salons Near Me - Vernon Hills, Illinois

Happy every time we go. The staff is friendly, the salon is clean. We have been going every two weeks for a year now and haven't had an issue! read more

Very rude and not friendly. When I asked to fix nail they argued with me . I would pay to fix it i didn't care just wanted them the right way and they still tried telling me they couldn't and pretty much didn't want to do it the way I wanted. I would never go there again and I told them that read more

This is my go to salon for my mani / pedis. I have been going to cindy for a couple of years but have also been happy with others when she has been on vacation! $35 for a mani/pedi .. note you must use cash for tips! read more

I have been going there for the last 5 years, and will not be going back. While the interior is beautiful - most of the techs are rude and speak about the clients to each other. Of course, you can't understand them - but with the looks and laughter going on between them - it makes you feel un-comfortable and un-appreciated. read more

I usually don't write reviews but this place pissed me off. I have been going to this place for about 3 years. However I will not be going back. They are rude and very unpleasant. The one nail tech in particular that I was going to does good nails but have a bad attitude. I feel as though you are paying them to do a service for you not the other way around. read more

My husband and I have been customers here for almost ten years and have seen Lily. Lily was not only accommodating but did a fabulous job. However, Lily left a couple months ago, and we tried to continue coming to this shop. We noticed that several other nail techs have left, and the customer service is horrible. When we come into the shop we are ignored, and it seems that no one wants the business. The owner needs to remember that not only is good work important but so is Customer Service and treating the client well. We will not be back. read more

I have been going to 1st Spa every 2 weeks for over 10 years before moving to NC 4 months ago. I went back for Christmas and waited to get my nails done there instead of in NC! I love and miss this place. It's clean, the people are courteous, they do a great job and my nails look good for the entire 2 weeks before I go back again. I don't understand the negative reviews. I've always had a good experience and only had to wait twice in 10 years when I've walked in. Give 'em a try. You won't be disappointed. read more

I've been here occassionally and usually have a fair experience (you get what you pay for, right?). My last visit will be just that, my LAST visit. I had a mani-pedi-eyebrow wax; the person I was assigned to must've had a vision problem because she kept removing her glasses and squinting the entire time. During the pedi she kept jabbing me with the points in her nail clippers, I yelled out more than once and she kept doing it (made one of my cuticles bleed). The mani was okay, but the eyebrow wax was the worst. Not only did she rip some of my skin off (I have about a 1/4" scab on my eyelid) but they were UNEVEN!! I had to fix them when I got home and they're way thinner than I like but had to make them that way just so they'd match. UGH - never again! read more

Yes i am one of those few guys who got a mani pedi with their gf. It wasn't all that bad; on sunday, i watched the football games on 4 of their lcd tvs. The place looks very clean, and service is quick and friendly. read more

I used to come here when i was younger all the time. and loved it. I was in the area a few weeks ago, and decided to stop in. While they did ane excellent job on my no chip, and a medicore job on the pedicure...i was pleased....until i found out the price..$75.00 for both. I understand i had french on both my hands and toes. But im used to paying $58.00 for an excellent job. In a pickle, i'd return to them for services...otherwise id stick to my regular salon. read more

Went here for a manicure and boy was that a mistake. My nail tech (who I believe was the owner) greeted me with a dirty look and told me to pick my color and sit. My nails were filed uneven and the worst was the nail polish job - the second coat looked super blotchy. While I was getting my nails done she was texting and seemed in a hurry. My 5 year old cousin has done my nails better. Never wasting my money here again. read more

Tried out this nail salon for a fill on my gel nails. Not even two days after my fill, my entire nail came off. I went. Ack in and they very very quickly fixed it, completely rushing me out of the store. The nail wasn't shaped, nor was it given ample amount of time to try. Today, not even 24 hours later it popped off again. I choose gel nails because acrylic doesn't stick to my nail beds. I am 99% sure they used acrylic and charged me for gel. Never going back. read more

The NEW LOW in service!!!!! I am new in this area and looking for regular manicure/pedicure place. As I walked in the First Spa Nail Salon I was greeted by an empty reception and a snappy "What you want?" from one of the three ladies (who I assumed were staff) lounging in waiting chairs by the front door. (Did they think I was there to buy an iPad?!?) I asked for a no-chip manicure and then I was bossed to the counter to pick a color. It was a confusing process because my manicurist (Sandy) barely spoke English and was of little help to me. So the adventure began: Sandy did not try to be nice, she didn't even try to be merely polite. For what seemed to be endlessly long 40 min I spent at her station I was looking at a person who appeared bored, angry and at times disgusted with everything around her (including her customer). The end result looks pitiful: uneven edges, bubbles, ridges and generally "swollen" look of nails. This usually happens when coats are too thick and poorly applied. I wonder what sort of industrial solvent I will need to get this stuff off my nails. - I will need a new manicure for sure!!! As soon as my hands heal after a rather rough treatment. While buffing my nails, Sandy buffed the surrounding skin as well. Don't ask me why. Now, 4 hours later it's still hurting! A few words of hygiene, or rather a sad lack of it: I hope the instruments were sterilized, at least Sandy told me they were. However she got very annoyed when I rejected an old (vile looking) nail file and asked for a fresh one. Here is the best part: Sandy did take out the new file, but she used the old one (!!!) to soften the edges on the new!!!!!!!! - One would think this defeats the purpose...And then of course there were other "little things" like a dirty table, dirty looking soaking dish, one oil brush for all customers... While I was getting more and more distressed (and fearing for my health, honestly), a lady who (I presume) was a manager of the salon was curled up barefoot in a chair some 10 ft away from me, eating peanut and enjoying the view outside. Waaayyyyy too busy to notice me and my desperate looks. Finally an abrupt "You're done!" ended my suffering. I paid and even tipped (God knows why.) - A gesture received without any visible or verbal appreciation. I was very happy to leave this place and never return (obviously), but angry enough to write this review and warn potential unsuspecting customers. read more

I have been getting the no chip manicure for over 6 months. It is worth it!! Tam is my favorite technician.

Been going here since high school and now that in back from college and living in the city I plan on making the commute to Vernon hills to get my acrylics done. No frills, quick and affordable. If you're chatty that's great, but if you're quiet like me, no ones judging you. Love this place. read more

Horrible salon esp fpr pedicures. I went there for a Pedicure- Manicure(the SPA Package). The whole service was done under 15 minutes! It is supposed to last for 30 min. She soaked my legs for just 2 minutes. It was more like washing my legs. Even the massages were done under few minutes, (My foot was pretty sore that day) . My egs did not even look like I got a pedicure done. They were very sore and the dry skin wasnotscraped at all. I really don't know why they call it a pedicure. Very rude staff. By far the worst place. They just continue speaking in their native language among themselves. Pedicures are supposed to be relaxing. I didn't feel 1 bit relaxed. I cut my losses to just pedicure and skipped the manicure. Sorry, a very bad salon. I am going to stay away from it. read more

I went here for the first time recently for a regular manicure. The manicurist did a beautiful job with my nails and it was only $12. I'll go back again. read more