The women that did my pedicure and my boyfriend's pedicure were wonderful and did a great job. I wasn't happy with the guy that did my gel manicure. He never asked what length and shape I wanted for my nails, I had to have him fix a couple nails because they were uneven and longer than my other nails. It seemed like he just wanted to get through my manicure without making sure I was happy. read more

Took me as a walk-in. Did a great job with my manicure, my cuticles were so dry and bad going in and they cleaned them up nicely! Price is very reasonable too! read more

Tropical Nails - French tip manicure - Nail Salons Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I've been a customer here for a few years. Their pedicures have been great and it's easy to get in. I tip well because I value the service. However, I really hate being manipulated. I asked for a basic pedicure. About 15 minutes in and with zero discussion, the technician started prep to give me a deluxe pedicure, pouring hot wax into little foot baggies. I reiterated that I just wanted the basic and she pushed back before relenting. I was charged 40.00 vs 30.00 for the basic pedicure because she gave me a message without telling me it was now 10.00 extra. Honestly, I'd rather tip 15. on 30. and skip the massage. My advice to you is to get the price up front, be firm, and be alert to the ol' bait-and-switch. My advice to them is to be up front and honest about their fees and to stop manipulating their clients into an up-sale. I'm going to go elsewhere. read more

Outstanding. I have natural nails. I had a manicure and one week later, the polish still looked great. Two weeks later, i had to repolish, but my nails had retained the exact shape and were unusually strong and healthy. Normally a nail will get a tear on the side and get caught on something, but not with this manicure. read more

Tropical Nails - Natural nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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I don't leave many reviews, but I'm hoping this will encourage the business to step up their game a bit... this was the worst nail experience I've had. They were super accommodating for me as a walk-in, but the woman who did my nails cut me (and winced when she saw what she did) and blamed my short nails, then proceeded to paint way outside of my nails (with black gel paint) and then said "okay, you're done!" when they looked pretty terrible. I had to ask her to get rid of all the black paint that was on my cuticles and around my finger nails, which she did with one of the grinding machines used for acrylics? I don't think those are meant for skin... I left frustrated that they thought that was a passable manicure, and I was able to peel the gel completely off four days later. I want to support small business, but it was a waste of $35. read more

I love this spot. I've gone for pedicures and gem manicures and they do a thorough job and give great massages. I just had a gel manicure with Phoebe and she did such a great job and asked me repeatedly if it looked good before I left. read more

Tropical Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I just had a wonderful 5 star pedicure. Nice clean nail salon. Friendly ladies take good care of you. My gal took her time on my pedicure, and a few extra steps on trimming my toenails. Very satisfied! read more

Love!! Came in as a walk in with my friend and we were seated immediately. Decorations are super cute and comfy, the women working were so kind. Color selection was amazing and my nails turned out perfect-- she somehow made them look longer while trimming them? Love it here, will be coming back!!! read more

I came in here with my friend on a little self care date and we were so happy that we went there. We came in close to closing but the ladies were so nice to us and did our pedicure without rushing, taking their time and they really made our experience so relaxing. I mentioned that my birthday was coming up soon and they were so kind to do a little design on our pedicure as gift read more

Tropical Nails - Waiting for our nail polish to dry from a very cute ventilator - Nail Salons Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

The lady over the phone quoted me $50 for a mani pedi then charge me 60. Just saying. read more

Nice place for me to get a foot scub every once in a while. Great people! Fair price. read more

Tropical Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I went off a yelp review and was not disappointed! Most salons rush you through the process. Not this place. I did not feel rush to pick a color and the ladies did a very thorough job! Also, they were very friendly and clean. I had a mani/pedi/gel and eyebrow waxing. Very happy with my results. Thank you! I will be back! read more

Tropical Nails - Gel nail with a pretty pink color - Nail Salons Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Came in a few days ago and got a Gel Manicure done. I wasn't too thrilled with the outcome, but it was closing time, and the lady seemed tired, so no biggie. She also made an attempt at fixing some bubbles that showed up in the gel polish. Made an appointment for a gel pedicure "deluxe" which ended up being $40. Since it's COVID time, I don't mind the prices being a little more. She sugar scrubbed my feet and legs, used wax on my feet, then massaged my legs ALL before putting Gel Polish on my toes!! Such a wonderful day off relaxation experience. I recommend making appointments ahead of time for earlier in the day or opening. That way the ladies aren't exhausted from clients. read more

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I am so happy with my GEL NAILS from Diep at Tropical Nail. Still looking good after 3 weeks! No peeling or lifting!

Omg love this place, they do such a phenomenal job, Lena was so sweet, patience and took her time. I did the Delux pedicure and it was so worth it! I love how it's not so crowd you really enjoy the relaxing environment. Highly recommend and ask for Lena! read more

I was tired of my manicures lasting less than a week from a different salon in town. I live close by to Tropical Nails so I decided to pop in. I got a mani/pedi. My manicure lasted beautifully for just shy of 3 weeks. Pedi still going strong. Linda did my manicure. She is an artist who works with her heart. I went back and she recommended for me to put powder under the gel manicure to help keep my nails healthy. I am in LOVE with this fresh mani and will definitely go back to Linda! read more

Tropical Nails - 158 and 201 gel polish - Nail Salons Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

After so much disappointment with other SC nail salons, I decided to try out Tropical Nails. The first thing I noticed was the space is very clean and comfortable. There is a great selection of gel colors with a decent selection of polish. The staff is so incredibly kind and take their time. I feel like they take pride in what they do and make sure their clients have a relaxing and positive experience, rather than rushing through like a lot of other places in town. I left today feeling like I had the the best pedicure I have had in years! I think I've found my new go-to place and can't wait to come back. read more

Tropical is my neighborhood nail salon. As a nail biter with thin nails, I cannot take the on off of gel. Tropical knew how to help me by adding powder first and then gel. It's been a game changer for me. My photo is 5 days after the manicure! I love them' thank you tropical nails! read more

Tropical Nails - Mani 5 days later - perfection! - Nail Salons Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Hey Guys! In addition to exercising and eating well, I find regular body care maintenance is VERY helpful as years move on. In addition to periodic chiropractic alignments, and regular muscle-healing massage therapy (Sa Teresa), I've recently enjoyed intense foot care. If there's one part of the body we regularly abuse and needs some extra lovin, it's our own two feet. The $40 treatment is worth it. Use the free chair massager while you lounge in this peaceful setting. Ask to close the shades for more privacy. TIP REAL. Peace ~ tommy jeepster read more

Great experience! Will come back soon. Love the staff and location!!! Got a pedicure and manicure.

The Best Service & Nail Care! Wonderful Owner & Nail technicians! Fast, Fun & Efficient! Amazing! read more

Tropical Nails is a Women Owned Nail Salon located in midtown Santa Cruz on the corner of Soquel and Seabright Ave (next to ACE Hardware). For over a decade I have been a regular, pampering myself with pedicures and Gellac nails; Facial waxing and more. With an esthetician on staff, it's easy to swing by for a quick facial to kick off the weekend looking your best. While I have checked out another salon from time to time over the years, I always return to Tropical Salon because of the exceptional service. If you are in need of a little pampering after a year long pandemic, please call (831) 458-9607 and schedule your escape; and support this Women's Owned Business. read more

Tropical Nails - Always attentive to the customer! :) - Nail Salons Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

If I can give this place 0 stars I would! I checked out the reviews for this place beforehand and I probably should have listened. My fault for coming here after seeing the terrible reviews. But I needed a fill bad and no other nail salon was available so I took my chances. Bad idea! I walked in to whom I assumed was the owner yelling at the other employee in front of another customer while she was doing a pedicure. Then the owner proceeded to do my nails. I had a medium length and just wanted them filed down a little bit but not too short. She used the nail clippers and cut my nails down to almost nothing! I was pissed but it was too late at that point. The nail polish lumped up at the tips like a bubble after using the gel nail dryer thing. She said "I'll just put more top coat" while reaching over aggressively pulling my arms. I snapped back and said "don't touch my nails anymore!" I was done at that point.The shapes of my nails are all different and she glued the skin on my fingers to my nails and did not clean them up after I told her. Not to mention her demeanor the whole time was rude and aggressive. She was grabbing and pulling my hands the whole time. I left there in tears. I told her that my nails were Awful and asked why they were lumpy. She got so mad! I paid her half of what it was and told her to do better! Honestly don't even know how this place is still open! read more

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I have had two pedicures here, both walk-in, and both very good jobs. The ladies are super friendly, it's clean, and they are attentive and thorough. It's also reasonably priced and my pedicures lasted and lasted. I'll definitely go back! read more

Tropical Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

The fact that they do not do fake nails that is toxic for me when I walk into a place that does. And I love the gel nails that last so much longer too. I have been going to them for years and recently, I was going to a very important event and needed to look my best. They were so sweet and attentive and make sure that my nails matched my pearls that I brought - that I would be wearing. Totally an artistic thing to do, with 2 colors combined to make the exact color of the pearls. I love how much they care. I have not done their other services but that has only been my lack of funds to do so. I highly recommend them for mani/pedi and how they offer a massage as part of it. peace read more

I've come here a couple times. Today I made an appointment and had a manicure/pedicure. My nails look great, the women were polite and attentive and I was out of there in under an hour. read more

I went here on a whim one day and the place is pleasantly clean and not cluttered. This is a small salon with only 4 folks max working at any time. Two customers were turned away because there were only two people working... ouch. The pedicure positives 1) great leg and foot massage 2) jacuzzi jets are awesome why it gets two stars 1) 27 bucks for a pedicure?? are you serious!! If I want to pay that kind of money I will pay the full $50 and go to Monet Spa... I am used to the 15-20 dollar range-- which includes a cute design (they charged me extra...friggin Santa Cruz) 2) The design-- the lady did not know how to do the design I wanted-- and then claimed my nail was too small (which is not true at all) so pick another one.... which she messed up on twice...and the end result...the patterns were uneven. I am used to the quickly done in and out salon's were in 30 minutes you are good to go... this took over an hour and I if I didn't have to go somewhere I would have asked her to do it over.... read more

I asked for the most expensive pedicure, so my callouses could be removed and the woman literally patted my feet with the pumice, then grated them with what looked like a cheese grater (no joke). Needless to say, the dry skin was still there afterwards. Oh and the gal that did my manicure nicked me 3x-ouch! Sadly, this place is super close to my office, but I don't think it would be in my best interest to ever return... read more

I had my first experience at this nail salon and it was not pleasant unfortunately. It seems like this is a local business and I wouldn't want to bring them harm in any way but I feel it is necessary to bring up health and safety concerns for potential new clients. My friend and I made an appointment to both get our nails done and she wanted to get a pedicure as well. We were on time for our appointment but they started working on us 30 minutes after we arrived, not uncommon but I thought I would mention it. I sat down with one of the more experienced ladies and she started working on my cuticles. She was being rougher than I am used to and the first nail started bleeding. She rubbed my bloody finger on the towel she put out and continued on to the next nail's cuticle which she ended up cutting again causing it to bleed. I thought to myself "this seems abnormal compared to other places I've been" but I kept quiet and let her keep going. She rubbed my bloody finger on the towel again but this time she grabbed a little dropper with some blue liquid and made direct contact with my bloody finger to the dropper when she applied the liquid to it. That's extremely unsanitary. I did not consent or know what could be in the dropper of blue liquid not to mention how many other people she had used it on. Now it is contaminated with my blood and it seemed like this was a regular occurrence because she told me sometimes this happens with sensitive nails. To me that means my bloody fingers are not the first to come in contact with this dropper. I didn't know what to say and let her keep going because my friend and I came together and I didn't want to ruin the experience for her. Onto the next nail, she made that one bleed as well and used the blue dropper again. This continued on until 5 of my nails were bleeding and I finally got the courage to tell her to stop messing with my cuticles. She smirked at me and kept going until I had to pull my hand away and tell her again. I should have left at this point.....then she started putting gel polish on my nails and she gave me a hand massage which felt nice but, again, 5 OF MY NAILS WERE STINGING AND BLEEDING. All in all, the polish application was really good and if you ignored my bloody cuticles the manicure looked really good. That being said, my friends nails didn't turn out like mine and the polish was flooded into the sides of her nails and cuticles. My service was $35 and I did not end up tipping. I'm not sure if this happens frequently but I'm concerned about the cross contamination, especially with blood involved. Take this review with a grain of salt and don't be afraid to speak up or leave. read more

I am so happy I found this place! It was like 6:30, and I had somewhere to be so I called and they still saw me even though they were about to close! Not to mention the quality was still just as good, and the staff is super sweet. read more

Tropical Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Okay ladies-- this place is under new management. Totally remodeled, new massage chairs, gorgeous place. I was hesitant from the previous Yelp reviews, but you must give this place a shot! I got a manicure with gel. Everything is 20% off since they are new, so it was only $20 dollars!!! Angel did such a perfect job, I was happy to give a $10 tip! Will absolutely be back. read more

Tropical Nails - Perfect... I mean flawless manicure. Nails on fleekk - Nail Salons Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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they messed my eyebrows up so bad months later i am still trying to fix it. i also got acrylics that broke within 3 days of application. horrible overall read more

The two ladies working here were very accomodating for my appointment when i got off work. Of course one of my acryllic nails had fallen off right before valentine. Same as my other visits, very professional and friendly! Thank you for my awesome nails! read more

Been going for sometime and have always appreciated their welcome friendliness and willingness to accommodate me whenever I drop by. I get a pedicure and have returned because of the consistent attention to detail that I haven't always received in past nail salons I've visited. There are some limits in communicating in English, but have found them very intuitive and receptive to meeting your needs. read more

I am terrible with names, which somewhat defeats the purpose of this review. Nonetheless, let me proceed! There is a very friendly woman who always seems to be here when I visit. She has long dark hair and she gives the bomb.com pedicures and manicures. I appreciate that she takes her time with every aspect of the experience: from buffing the nails, to scavenging for hang nails. I generally get the callus removal treatment so people think nice things about my feet when I instruct downward facing dog. This treatment is worth $25. Your feet are bundled in bags of paraffin wax for three to four minutes while the aesthetician massages your calves. After removing the wax, the artist proceeds to massage your feet for a decent amount of time with the right amount of pressure. The long-haired-lady is especially talented. I like that she did not seem to be working in "auto-pilot mode," but rather intuitively working with my set of feet! The color on my toes stays for a decent amount of time. I rarely get color on my finger nails, as I do a lot with my hands. However, I do recommend getting a basic manicure. She will rip out stuff in your nails that you did not know you had! Following, your nails will be buffed til they boast off your hands. My nails, two weeks later, still looks strong, healthy and luminous. This is a TINY saloon. The maximum number of working aestheticians is two. Hence, the only downside: you will have to wait a long time should you come while the place is busy. read more

Pretty HAPPY with my experience here today ! I called in at 6:37 pm and asked if they would take me for a fill and to fix three of my nails. She said yes can you come right now and I said yes I am down the street. I got there and she started working right away. She began to work on my nails and mid-way through suggested I just remove my past nails and let her proceed with a new full set. I was pleasantly surprised that she would be open and honest with me about needing a whole new set considering it was already very close to 7 pm. But I thanked her and let her proceed. It took her a little less then an hour to finish and by the end of it I was so GRATEFUL and THANKFUL that she took her time and didn't rush through my appointment. I could of been very disappointed but INSTEAD i was pleasantly surprised and happy! I will definitely be returning! Great experience! read more

Yeah...not impressed. I brought in a picture of what I wanted, and the guy said he could do it, except by the end of my experience I could see that he really really really COULDN'T DO IT. I wanted an ombre/gradient effect with reds; in the picture, the gradient was in blue with lots of sparkles. So I showed the guy the picture and asked if he could do the same thing but use red instead of blue. He was confused and thought I wanted red with blue. I said no, and repeated what I wanted in more simple terms, but he still didn't understand. Finally he nodded his head and started working on my nails. He painted half of my nail with clear polish with gold sparkles and the other half with a blood red color. I asked him again if he was planning on blending the two together so that I would get the ombre effect. He said yes. You can imagine my frustration when he proceeded to add a line of silver polish to my nails as a border between the red and the gold sparkles polish. !#$^%$%*&%^&$^#@$#$%^%&*^$#@$!# &$%@#!$%#$^@ I tried my very best not to utter a cuss word and I didn't........................until I got outside. I was pissed that I paid $25 for a design that I could do by myself at home with my eyes closed, that he didn't get what I wanted even though I BROUGHT A PICTURE, that he put gel polish on my nails instead of regular polish which I asked for (so my mani went from $12 to $25) and that I wasted 2 hours of my life when I was told that it would only take 20 min. (I called in five minutes before I got to the shop and I was told there was a 15-20 min wait. I got there,was reassured that I would be helped "right away", then waited for an hour while the ONLY manicurist was working with another customer). It bothered me that the guy pretended to know what I was asking for, but when it came down to it, he really didn't. EVEN THOUGH I BROUGHT A !@$%$#%@ PICTURE. I probably won't be returning...ever. and now I'm mad just by reliving this nightmare. read more

I like this place because their prices are affordable, the nail technicians are nice and they seem to follow good sanitation practices. I've had them do gels twice now and they do a good job. They last me about 2.5 weeks until they need to be redone. The salon is centrally located in SC on Seabright. The salon is a little on the funky side with the colors and music. I don't like the Vietnamese elevator music or the fact that they speak Vietnamese the entire time because I don't know what they are saying. I'd be better if they would speak English, which is the reason I didn't give them 5 stars. There's not much to do in there while you are getting your nails done. I like how they use the liners in the pedicure spas to help decrease the chances of spreading disease from one client to another. They also sterilize their metal tools. All in all, they have a good selection of nail polish colors, they do an excellent job and are very nice!! Right now they even have a 20% off new management special with a coupon, so it allows me to get my nails done more frequently. read more

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I'm here right now getting a fabulous pedicure and I will be definitely returning. I'm super impressed with the care and quality of each service I had done today. Thank you! read more

I called and made an appointment for 4 of us to get mani-pedis before a wedding and was told that would be no problem. When we arrived there were two people working and so we were there for almost 2 hours. If that wasn't bad enough... She cut three of my cuticles so short they wouldn't stop bleeding and she never said a word about it. The man painting nails said a half hearted sorry, but that doesnt stop me from bleeding! He also messed up at least 3 or 4 nails on all of us, and didn't even fully paint some nails. We would have had him redo it but we had already been sitting there so long it wasn't worth it. Also, the foot tubs were VERY dirty. Definitely do not recommend this place. read more