A Review of Isle PediSpa in Houston, Texas

Everyone needs a treat now and then, so I decided to treat myself to a manicure and pedicure at the Isle PediSpa in Houston, Texas. Isle PediSpa caters to feet and hands and makes you feel like you're in a tropical paradise - well it is nicely decorated and they have a plethora of fruity scented scrubs. Isle PediSpa is not like other nail salons because they specialize in pedicures with a twist. If you're looking to soak your little piggies in slices of lemon and want a mango body scrub to exfoliate your dead skin cells, then this is the place for you.

The Isle PediSpa also makes cleanliness a priority, so you won't have to worry about picking up an infection here. A new nail file is used on each client and the other tools are heavily sanitized before being used on the next client. In fact, they throw away each nail file they use so if you want to take yours home, then go for it. The Isle PediSpa has private alcoves where clients can watch TV, have a drink (herbal tea, soda, water) or listen to a CD player. They even serve wine and beer, and on Saturdays they serve mimosas. They have herbal neck wraps available as well, but I wasn't offered one which I was very upset about. I mean, seriously, if anyone needs an herbal neck wrap it's me.

Isle PediSpa's web site states that each client has to fill out a client profile form, but I was never asked to do so. They supposedly need this information in case someone is allergic to any of the ingredients they put in the foot spa. So that was another strike against them, but honestly I've never filled out a client profile form in any nail salon.

I sat in the alcove and was asked to put my feet in the foot bath and then sit at an angle so a manicurist could work on my nails at the same time as the pedicurist worked on my feet. I was a tad surprised by the fact this salon didn't have massage pedicure chairs like most other nails salons do nowadays. The alcoves are nice but it's a piece of wood that clients are sitting on (with a small cushion under your bum,) and it's not exactly comfortable to have your back pressed against a hard piece of wood when you're being worked on for 45 minutes.

I told both the manicurist and pedicurist that nail polish doesn't stay on my nails - hence the reason for my visit - and that I wanted a brand that had more durability, so they told me to go with OPI. They have a sample of all of their nail polish colors painted on fake nails so clients can press the fake nails against their fingers and determine which color would look best on them. At first I apparently chose an Essie shade, but wasn't told which was which - they were all clumped together. So I had to figure out which batch was from OPI and then select another color. I guess this is something you learn if you're a regular, but it was my first time so what did I know?

I think the Isle PediSpa gets a lot of repeat customers and they're not accustomed to having to explain everything to new people. I must say that the manicurist performed the best cuticle cutting I've ever experienced, and no, she didn't cut me. The manicurist did a perfect job filing,shaping, and polishing my nails, but her attitude needed a slight adjustment in my opinion. Her skill couldn't have been any better but if she could just learn to keep her trap shut and not offend so many people, then she'd be perfect. She immediately talked about one of the clients (that left before me,) and was a bit offensive to me - although she probably had no idea she was doing it. I'm sure it's just her personality, however this is a sure fire way to ensure customers do not return. I know I'm known for being brash at times, but I'm not in the customer service industry. Besides, they have TVs, and CD players for the clients - so why not just let the client watch television or listen to music instead of possibly upsetting them? I overheard the manicurist's conversation with her next client (while my feet were still being worked on,) and she was the same exact way with them - someone needs to say something to her because she will single handedly bring this salon's reputation down.

The pedicurist was just the opposite - she was lovely. She gave me the best (and most relaxing) calf and foot massage, and managed to scrub away every callus. The foot files they use have disposable covers so in essence it's like each client has a new file. My foot bath didn't have anything special in it - in fact, I'm pretty sure it was just water. I'm not sure if it was the mango scrub, or the raspberry lotion they applied before polishing, but my feet are very smooth today so something did the trick. I loved the color I chose when it was applied - it was a beautiful rich coral, and it looked great on my fingernails and toenails.

After my manicure and pedicure were done, I sat under the special blue light so my polish would dry faster. While I was there, I had a cup of herbal ginger and peach tea, and read a magazine. They do not rush you at Isle PediSpa but I imagine that if it is crowded, then you won't have as much time to dry your nails before leaving. The one thing I didn't think they handled well was the money; usually the manicurist has the client pay before their nails are polished so the client doesn't have to dig for their wallet and smudge their polish. Instead each client is given a check out sheet of paper with stickers on it to indicate to the receptionist which services were rendered. Fortunately my nails were dry enough to not smudge when it came time for me to pay, but I strongly suggest Isle PediSpa re-think their check-out procedure.

The other thing I found to be odd is that despite my telling the manicurist and pedicurist that polish does not stay on my nails, neither one of them recommended a product to help with that particular problem. I guess they don't make a commission off of the spa's products, so why bother? They also probably think that if my nails chip a lot, that I'll be returning more often. Supposedly they have a three day guarantee on all manicures but that is something that is listed on their web site - not something the staff tells their clients, so I wonder if that's true. They also have a seven day guarantee on their pedicures, but again it is not something they tell their clients. And if you do get a chip within the time frames listed, then you have to make an appointment and go back immediately - that's not very conveient for most people, especially me.

I would go to Isle PediSpa in the future, but the next time I go, I'm definitely asking for the herbal neck wrap, and I'm going to watch TV as to avoid any awkward conversations. They have a huge menu from which to choose from for your pedicure, but I opted for the basic service which cost $38 - not cheap, I know. I also got the basic manicure which was also expensive at $24. For more information on this salon visit: http://www.islepedispa.com/

Isle PediSpa has two locations: one in the West University area of Houston, and one in Sugar Land. The one I went to is located at 5819 Kirby, Houston, Texas, 77005. Their phone number is: 713-528-8802. Isle PediSpa is open Monday-Friday from 9 AM - 7 PM; Saturday 9 AM - 6 PM; and Sunday 10 AM - 5 PM.