Roula’s Nail Spa

$ 62 for an express gel manicure. It felt like I was being robbed. Who charges $ 15 to take off gel? That has always been included and even at a nice place I can get a full gel manicure for $ 35.

I had never noticed Roula’s before and decided to drop in on a whim when I saw it across the street. I went in and got an appointment relatively easily even though the receptionist made it seem like I would be impossible. There were two receptionists, one was really sweet and I think she was new, the other receptionist was a bit rude. She just did not like me. She recited the store’s speech about the cleanliness of the salon and was pretty cold and uptight. I made an appointment for a $ 22 quick manicure and had a lovely technician. She did a great job with the shape of my nails, which I am usually crazy picky about. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed in the polish selection, there were very few colours and most were gloopy and half used. I probably won’t be going back because most other options were quite expensive and my experience was not all that great.

Expensive but lovely and quiet. If you’re in a hurry and don’t need much pampering but want a good basic manicure, you can get the Express for $ 22 in 20 minutes/​no lotion, no massage.

My services felt rushed, not pampered, and most of all unimportant. I was left alone in a room after my manicure was completed. The products like lotion was just basic the cuticle oil smelled old. For $ 27 I rather go to Isle pedi spa. Not coming back ever. Maybe 30 minutes after my manicure my nail polish bubbled up. Sad.

Cleanliness is very good. Receptionist is knowledgeable friendly and helpful. Technician for mani-​pedi could do a better job at applying nail polish. The massage chairs in the pedicure room need to go now! They barely vibrate and become annoying after a while since they don’t perform their function any more. I went in because I was in the neighborhood and was satisfied that they got me in. However, I would not drive back there nor recommend it to a friend :-(

I almost gave two stars, but then after thinking for a few minutes, I couldn’t think of any redeeming qualities about this place. I guess if you want an overpriced manicure that doesn’t last, this is your place. That’s a win, right? Maybe not.
I went to Roula’s on a whim one day after a delicious lunch across the street at Mia’s. Remind me to review that one later, if I haven’t already! Now that I think about it, I probably have. Go eat there — it’s good! But don’t go for a manicure at Roula’s after…
I went to Roula’s with two friends, and it was nearly impossible for them to get us situated. It shouldn’t have been complicated, and the place was empty, so I’m not sure what the deal was there. Strike one.
I had the classic manicure with gel and a soak off. They charged like $ 25 extra for gel and $ 15 extra for the soak off. Really? Most places don’t charge that much extra for either. My usual place (Jasmine. I love it. Go there!) doesn’t charge extra for shellac, the soak off is only $ 5, and you get the soak off free if your shellac was applied there. Strike two for Roula’s.
You ready for strike three? This is the big one!!! My manicure didn’t last even a week! Gel is supposed to last for two weeks! Mine started to come off within a few days. Less than a week in, half of my nails have come undone. Plus, my cuticles look AWFUL! Very poor work.
Roula’s, you’ve struck out.
I’m going to Jasmine tonight to get these nails fixed the way they should be.

It was my second time coming to this salon. I had excellent service today! My best friend and I had an appointment in the morning. We were seated on time. Kim did my mani and pedi. Great work! Mai did my best friend. She did a great job! After reading the above reviews, I can see how some of the salon can be updated. Also I’m willing to pay a little more for sterilized tools that the majority of salons do not implement. Roula has patented her own sterilization system that the technicians are very knowledgable about. I appreciate this very much! They also use disposable files and never double dip in the wax, etc. Very impressive. I have yet to find a other salon that sterilizes their equipment the right way as Roula’s does. You will be surprised at how many «high end» salons use barbicide or place their tools on the paper sack without truly sterilizing Their tools. I will be coming back!

Such an amazing, excellent experience. Super clean, everybody is lovely and speaks English. Manicurist was the best I’ve had in Houston, paid close attention to detail and put a lot of effort into the manicure, which was refreshing from the cursory manicures I’ve experienced thus far. Also had a wonderful selection of different polishes that you can’t find in other salons, including Vinylux (LOVE) and their own brand. Very reasonably priced considering the experience/​quality vs. the competitive pricing. I’m definitely going back and I highly recommend it for anybody who is looking for a clean, efficient, high-​quality salon that gives a great manicure.

First time back in several years. Service was great as usually. I love the fact that everyone speaks English around the clients and that it’s an appointment only nail spa. Additionally the fact that there are no tvs in this salon makes it a nice relaxation space.

Roula’s used to be one of the nicest nail spas in town. Unfortunately, after Roula got married she stopped paying attention to the details that made the place one of the best in Houston. She is rarely seen there on the weekends and the place seems like an episode of life after people. The décor is in need of a major update. The spa chairs are in need of replacement or at least reupholstery. The place is a far cry from what it was in its hey day. A business needs to be constantly updated and attended to in order to stay competitive. This place looks and feels old. And the service is also not what is used to. Website is an antique.

Not only is the salon OVERpriced there main gimic is that there «sterilization center» is over 20 grand and there the only nail place that cleans there tools. The water in the ultra sonic cleaner is never changed and the solution is never changed!!! How can you claim this to be your most amazing feature of the salon? Clean and sterile my butt! The owner is so unreliable and all over the place. There is never cash in the till, so they just charge your card and you don’t get the cash back? or hopefully the person who did your service will receive the cash. The front desk girls are sweet and very young. Roula the owner likes it that way, she manipulates the poor girls. I had an appointment at 9 am and I show up and the front desk girl is waiting to be let in by the owner. For 30 min! Roula once again does not pay her employes! this «business» is a sham and owned by a horrible manipulative woman who uses young woman. I would stay away and rather pay $ 25 for a mani and pedi

When will I learn my lesson? I like trying new nail spots, especially when I’m right next door and am too lazy to drive back to the Heights. Immediate gratification.
I walked in on Saturday and was able to snag a «express pedicure» and classic manicure. The way the salon is set up is nice because you feel like it’s a bit more private. The salon is also older, you can tell it has some wear and tear, but it is VERY clean. Everything has been disinfected, and they use all new tools every single time. This I did like. My pedicure was definitely EXPRESS, it lasted 20 minutes tops. Honestly, I think she just wiped off my toe nail polish and put on new one after a foot soaking, but the polish job was solid. Not for $ 30 though. The manicure was a different story, it look about 35 minutes, and was awful. The lady put so many coats on the nail that it looked like white out. She didn’t cut or file any nails, and barely cut my cuticles. I was in a hurry to get somewhere else, and thought I would settle into the color, which is why I didn’t complain or ask for my money back. $ 65+TIP later, I had to make an appointment the next day for an actual manicure. (which was $ 30 for a shellac and lasted 40 minutes) I think I finally learned my lesson.

I’ve been to Roulas five or six times in the past two years. I considered the $ 60 for a manicure and pedicure a special treat. However, what was once an upscale alternative to walk-​in nail salons has deteriorated. From the lobby packed with Harwin Street jewelry, the shabby and stained floors, the falling quality of the services and not least of all, the blaring joan jett 80’s rock music, the entire experience was a real disappointment in December. I would recommend a standard salon and treat yourself to a nice dinner with the extra $ 35 you will save.

$ 250 for 2 gals to get their toes and nails did. 2 of my nails popped off a week later. Service was fine, but just as fine as anywhere else. Overall, nothing spectacular.
One thing that I noticed that I HATED, was the other clients in the room where we were were so snooty and snobby! My sister and I were chatting about her upcoming wedding in our inside voices, but we kept getting glares and glances from the rich ladies at the end of the row. It definitely made me uncomfortable.
Sorry Roula.

They do a good job in both manicure and pedicure. The technicians are all quiet which is rare at nail shops. They do make you feel pampered. The eyebrow technician really knows her craft. Try getting your eyebrows threaded with her. She’s great.
I stopped coming here because I can never get an appointment when I am available. My nail chipped after getting a fresh mani pedi but they were already closed when I noticed. I called the next day to get my nail repainted but they were unable to accommodate me and repaint my ONE chipped nail the same day.
No hard feelings. I now prefer going to nail shops where they welcome walk ins.

The salon really deserves a 3.5 stars but I am giving it 3 because it is so dated. And some of their best people have left recently
The quality of service is great — and the staff in the front are also very polite. And– for once in Houston — parking is great. I have acrylic nails and most people do not know how to make them real (not too long or thick, etc). But Roula’s does a good job.
However, the whole salon /​décor is dated and old and needs to be re-​done. Quite frankly, because the services are good and they have so many pedi-​chairs, Roula’s could dominate the River Oak’s area for nail salons. IF it updated its look and brought in more, current nail polishes (although they are getting better with the latter).

I Just Don’t Know What’s Up… This place used to be terrific and I felt very good recommending it. What was remarkable was the durability of their polish. Your pedicure would look perfect for 2 – 3 weeks. They changed their polish in the last year or so and this new stuff is awful. Your pedicure polish clips in less than 5 days! They have evidentally gotten some complaints because the last time I was in there, they added some sort of new base polish step. Well, that didn’t work either. And don’t get me into the quality of their appointment and front desk staff. I can honestly say that I have never met such incompetent people in my life. First the apppointment times are just stupid– no other word for it— 2: 20– come on– that’s stupid. And you can spell your name– 2 – 3 times and they still don’t get it. Huh? Its not brain surgery and that is your job.
I used to meet some girlfriends there and we would share the time together. We all have had lousy experiences. So– I’m offiicially done with Roula’s. There are too many other places in town to deal with low quality services and stupid front desk.

The worst experience ever. Almost $ 100 for a deluxe mani pedi. It was done in less than an hour. Salon was clean and nice, but expected the techs to not have on faded college shirts and I went to Ulta next door where all of them were smudged and noticed my feet were not moisturizered and still had cuticles that needed to be tripped.
I went back and asked them to fix the mistakes (the entire poorly done experience). There was not time, so I said I would come back after my hair cut. Less than an hour I was back. Then I was told to come back in 30 minutes! I waited a total of 50 minutes!
What should have been relaxing left me frustrated, less $ 100 and doing my own nails. Owner was not there and young receptionists didnt care. Techs didnt understand any English. Techs told me my polish would not be in dry in an hour or two. It was my fault. No apology or concern!

Roulas has been at this location for nearly 10 years!
When they first opened, they were so busy they were by appointment only– these days I can go in without an appointment and they have spots available.
To my knowledge this is the only nail spa in houston that offers OPI AXXIUM– which is the best gel system. A basic mani with gel is close to 60 dollars with tip– a bit of an ouchie…
This spa was also voted cleanest in the city many years in a row– I like the services, not the price and I think that they need to update the inside.
1. Music is like you are in an elevator
2. Décor is a bit dated
3. Pedicure room is too quiet/​boring

I have been going to Roula’s Nail Spa now for over 2 years, not for the mani/​pedi but for the waxing/​threading services performed by Fari.
Now the secret is out! She is the best. I myself am a licensed esthetician and for years waxed myself (not very good, if you know what I mean) ;-)
I have very sensitive skin and was very apprehensive about trying someone else after previously having my skin ripped off by 1 other esthetician, so for me to totally trust Fari without knowing anything about her was more out of desperation that anything else. She has never let me down.
I see Fari once a month for my waxing and threading services and can’t imagine going anywhere else. She is clean, personable, professional and does a wonderful job! I have never felt uncomfortable with her performing any waxing service on me.
Roula, the owner is very nice and courteous. The spa is clean and they are serious about sterilization (always a good thing, trust me).
The girls at the front desk, their customer service skills can sometimes be hit or miss but on average they are pretty good. They know me when I walk in the door, not because of anything bad but because I have been going there for so long.
I am not much of a mani/​pedi girl (do my own), but I may one day breakdown and have it done here.
I absolutely love Fari and Roula’s Nail Spa! :-)