The Upkeep Shoppe

I was overdue for a girl date with a friend of mine, so when she suggested we go for pedicures my first thought was «yes! A catch up session and no more hobbit feet? I’m in!» She works across the street from the Upkeep Shoppe, so she suggested we try it out. My friend had been there previously for a manicure or something so, she knew what to expect, but I had never been and decided to do some research.
It’s important to note that usually, I go to the types of salons where you can get a basic mani-​pedi for something like $ 30-​$ 35, so when I first saw the price listed as $ 55 for a pedicure alone, I was a bit… unsure. I can justify spending money on many things, my feet are usually not one of them (important note: I hate feet).
When we got there I took it all in, the space was small but well used and felt comfortable, not crammed. I was relieved to see how refreshing it felt. We were promptly directed to pick our colors, and when I was being my usual indecisive self, the staff were patient, friendly, and super helpful!
As soon as we took our seats and got settled in we were each overed a delicious tea, though to be honest I already forget what kind it was… I downed that sucker, fast!
The rest of our treatment was nothing but enjoyable. The water was the perfect temperature, they were thorough but not rough, the hot towel massage really hit the mark. I totally get why it was priced the way it was.
After doing some research I’ve discovered that a lot of high-​end places are priced as high as $ 65-​$ 70 for a pedicure, and don’t even offer the whole experience that I got, so now that it’s over I can 100% say it’s worth it. They take their time and don’t make you feel like you’re being passed through on a conveyor belt as the next customer comes in, and they’re super friendly and skilled at what they do.
It may be a bit out of my budget to do regularly but, I will definitely be back when I feel I deserve an extra special treat, and I will absolutely be recommending them to my friends.

I visited the Upkeep Shoppe a few weeks back with my mother and sister for pedicures. My pedicure has not chipped or peeled — STILL!
They were super friendly and chatty but did not dominate our conversation.
The white tea foot bath was a really nice touch and I loved the tea that they brought us to drink.
The nail bar was full, yet it still felt cozy and relaxed. They were also very accommodating to my mother who was recovering from a hip surgery at the time.
I think we found our new ‘go-​to’ for mani/​pedis!
–S

During our trip to Ottawa I thought it would be nice to try something new together and give my BF a little bit of pampering for Valentine’s Day. I found this place using Unilocal,was able to call and make an appointment easily. They were very professional and very good with providing me with explanations of their services. We were able to change time appointments effortlessly and the receptionist was very accommodating.
On the day of our appointment, we entered a cute little small salon that was cozy and clean. We were greeted, coats were taken, slippers were given to us, I chose my nail polish colour and were seated comfortably. We were offered any drinks and were able to sit comfortably next to each other. Because we have both never had a pedicure we were not sure what to expect. They brought out water tubs with a bag of herbs or something it seemed inside. The girls who did our pedicures were nice and very professional. We felt very relaxed and they made sure that my toes were wrapped up nicely so my boots wouldn’t ruin their hard work.
This was a very good experience and different from the nail salons I see back at home, they were very clean and took very good attention to making sure we were comfortable. All of the staff were very nice, very cute salon and cozy. Prices may seem a bit high but it is worth the service and care they provide. I wish they had a place like this back at home, I’d be a regular for sure.

Best nail bar in Ottawa! Hands down.
The salon is so cozy and clean. The staff there are ALL talented and very kind. I love having conversations while I get my nails done and the time just flies by! I also enjoy the cup of tea they serve with every service!
I have had shellac and regular mani. I don’t mind spending a little more to get my nails did by a professional, sanitary and gorgeous salon!
I haven’t had any other services done, but they also specialize in waxing and facials.
They have delicious assortment of house blended teas and carry a very luxurious brand of personal care products.
Ask about their referral program ;)

Friendly and professional — highly recommended. I visited this spa a few months ago and the experience was great! I will come back again and will be recommending this place to friends and family.

If you haven’t stopped by this gem of a local business, I have no idea what you’re waiting for. Go! Now! The Upkeep Shoppe is a gender neutral skin and nail bar that has impeccable service and great results.
Natalie and her team are amazing. From the minute you walk in the door it feels warm, inviting and inspiring. Perfectly chosen colours on the wall and framed motivational messages along pairs with the lovely aroma of whatever tea they are brewing is make the atmosphere relaxing and inviting.
Services include all the spa services you could want (massage, waxing, nails, facials). They also run individual skin consultations which are wonderful. Their products are Canadian and they sell the wonderful tea that they serve. My sister swears by one of their skin care lines.
I think this would be the perfect place to come with a significant other. I know guys can be shy about heading to a spa, but this place is lovely without being feminine, and the staff are really approachable and informed.
The prices for some services here are definitely a but higher than other places, but the level of service and the quality is totally worth it. My lovely lilac manicure lasted way longer than usual, and the staff member really took her time to ensure I was satisfied. Big love for the is adorable Little Italy spot!

My first check-​in! I attended a Unilocal Elite event here (thanks Andrea!) and had the pleasure of experiencing some of the services the Upkeep Shoppe has to offer. We were incredibly lucky to have a mini neck and shoulder massage during our facial tutorials, and I enjoyed every minute of it!
I originally discovered this adorable little shop while walking down Preston in Little Italy, but hadn’t had the chance to drop in. So glad I finally did! All of the ladies there were so sweet, and the owner, Natalie, is a peach. I really respect and appreciate the fact that she chose to sell products in her store from a brand that she trusts and uses herself, B.Kamins.
I’m very wary of skin care products I haven’t tried before, as I have sensitive combination skin that was very acne-​prone in my teenage years. I also have mild eczema that has gotten better over the years, but I still have some redness and small bumps on my cheeks that worsen with the winter air. The B. Kamins representative was also there, guiding us through all of the steps on how to apply different products. I must admit, I was incredibly overwhelmed, but by the end, I didn’t debate for very long on whether or not to purchase the products. They aren’t inexpensive, but they are a very well worth it investment for those who have or have had skin issues. The combination of the cleanser, toner, moisturizer, etc. had a very positive, calming and smoothing, effect on my skin. I had a brief moment of buyer’s remorse the morning after, thinking I bought way too many things, but then I felt how amazing my skin was and was instantly happy that I decided to go with B.Kamins.
Also, side bar — the apple crumble tea is delicious!

I had never heard of the Upkeep Shoppe prior to the Unilocal elite event I attended here the other night. I’m glad to have attended the evening, because this is a great little spot. It’s located on Preston, just up the street from Absolute Comedy. The storefront is absolutely adorable.
When I arrived here, I was greeted by many smiling faces, and a staff member offered to take my jacket. I mingled for a bit before receiving my facial and was able to take the space in. It’s very cozy and warm feeling. I really enjoyed the faux (?) fireplace and the seating area, which is presumably for pedicures.
One of the first things I noticed about the store was the selection of products they use in the store– namely, China Glaze nail polish and B. Kamins skin care products. I have a few China Glaze nail polishes at home and really enjoy them, and are aware they are a more fancy polish, if you will. As well, I had heard of B. Kamins before, though never tried their products, so I was excited to learn more, because I was signed up for a facial.
I received a ‘Skin Bar facial’ which was different from any other facial I have received in the past. It seemed to me, to be more of a glorified tailored facial cleansing using strictly B. Kamins products. I liked this, because these products are Canadian and I really enjoy supporting Canadian companies. I was a bit disappointed the aesthetician was not able to tell me more about my skin type to tailor the session, but relied on the information that I was able to provide her with– and that is my skin is sensitive to products. I heard this feedback from a few other members, who weren’t sure what their skin type was. This may not be reflective of the store however, because it was a B. Kamins representative who offered me a facial this evening for the special event– and I’m not sure that she is a regular employee at the shop.
We began the session with a vegetable based cleanser, followed by the soothing cleanser, a moisturizing toners, a peel pad, purifying earth mask, vitamin c serum, ‘nia-​stem’ serum, BB cream, and lastly the eye cream. I felt like the peel pads used were a bit harsh on my skin, but I loved the BB Cream. And while I didn’t use it on my skin, I was introduced to a corrective mattifier, which I loved and took home with me that night (despite the hefty price tag of $ 54.00 for 50ml *cringe*).
Overall, I think the shoppe is very cute. The staff here are super sweet! I had the opportunity to talk to a few of them after my service, and they were genuinely kind. Specifically, the owner Natalie is really sweet and it would seem that she is really kind to her employees. I found the prices a little bit steep, but they also offer a variety of services, so you might find something to fit within your budget.
Overall, I would probably return here, and I will definitely recommend it.

What a lovely place! As my friend and I walked across Preston, snow was falling, we were getting ready for the first big snow fall in Ottawa. The window was lit up, and we were greeted by smiling faces, laughter and cheer as soon as we got through the door.
The décor is just what you need in a spa, wood shelving, tiled floors, comfy stools at nail bars, benches, like couches, line the pedicure area [with foot rests that conveniently double as stools!
How much fun! There were only 3 guys and the rest of us were all girls! The spa itself was great though! Lots of natural and cool tones, so it was fairly gender neutral… these were very manly guys who came to the event, so I’m sure they appreciated that the spa wasn’t decorated with pink frilly non sense!
Annnnyway! After my coat was taken for me and I got my name tag, Brandi came and found me and let me know that she was going to be my esthetician for the evening, I had signed up for a manicure and shoulder massage. I was to choose my colours and join her at the bar!
I am quite indecisive, and therefore choose nail polish colours based on their names, as opposed to the actual colour they would be, but, as I was first, I couldn’t dilly dally, so I asked Brandi to choose a colour for me. She brought back two choices, and I’m so glad she did, because after humming and hawing about which to choose, I finally decided on both! *photos to come* a dark grey called Concrete Catwalk, and a dark shimmery purple called That’s Groovy!
So I sat down, with my wine, nibblies, and Brandi. Then! The community manager, Andrea B, sat down beside me! We got manis and massages together!
The girls who did Andrea and my nails, Brandi and Sarah, were just great! They did such a fabulous job on our nails, and were nice and chatty, just like Andrea and I! Haha
Unfortunately, I chipped my thumbnail today… :(
After the mani, Brandy moved to my shoulders. What a great massage! Wayyy too short though… which is selfish to say, because it was an event, but seriously, that good!
Once I got all dolled up I started snapping some pics! Liz and Richard getting their nails done! Christienne and Jeff getting skin treatments, Amanda and Alyson were sipping wine waiting for their skin treatments. We chit chatted the night away, all of us! Amy, Coy, Janet, and the staff, Natalie, and all the girls, I know I’m missing people, but so much fun was had, I just can’t remember it all!
There were more treatment rooms in the back for other services offered by appointment.
My gal pal and I have been looking for a new nail spot, this could do just the trick!

Visited The Upkeep Shoppe for Unilocal’s Pre-​Holiday Pamperfest for a complimentary skin bar facial. The shop itself is unpretentious… as a not-​always-​so-​girly-​girl I didn’t feel totally out of place like I sometimes do when I visit a spa/​salon/​etc type place.
My level of knowledge about my skin can be summed up by the beginning of the facial when I was asked, «What’s your skin type?» and I just blinked at her. Eventually I came up with a very roundabout description of my interpretation of what’s going on on my face that I sort of doubt was helpful. That wasn’t a problem though, we were guided through a process that could be done at home and by the end of it my skin looked better than it normally does with makeup. I had to firmly remind myself that I’m not done paying for my Christmas shopping (and that I still have skincare products at home to use up!) to keep from loading up on goodies for myself right then and there!
We were also treated to one of the teas sold at the shop, Apple Crumble, which was very tasty — not too sweet, and perfect for a night when we were waiting for a snowstorm to blow in.
Really enjoyed my experience. As I run out of facial products, or if I need my nails prettied, I know where I’ll go!

Fave nail bar in Ottawa. Nail and waxing services are excellent! Natalie and Brandi give great skin care advice. Different than all the other nail bars/​spas which is why I love it! Check it out.