Rockridge Day Spa

The best thing about this place is the friendly receptionist that greets you when you walk in. Zephyr did my make up and boy did I feel like a goddess for my NYE Eve night.

Love love love the ladies at RDS!!!
I have seen Sarah, Dumi, Brandie, Krystal, the famous Elizabeth herself all for facials/​hair removal. Everyone is extremely knowledgeable and caring! I have fallen asleep many times, and always leave relaxed.
My most favorite thing is the non-​surgical facelift! It is the most dramatic improvement in my skin’s texture, firmness, and glow. Absolutely amazing…
I try to go every few weeks for my facials (I am also a huge fan of microdermabrasion, I’m in love with that machine) and every 4weeks or so for the sugaring for hair removal. I used to wax, but the sugaring technique they use lasts longer and my sensitive skin likes it a lot more. My skin is never red when I leave, so I am able to go right back to work or go out to meet friends for a happy hour. I still need to get eyelashes, I’m just waiting for a fancy occasion for an excuse ;)
Now for hair, another well-​educated crew! I love coloring my hair, I think it’s fun to change it up a lot. This has led to some disasters in the past before I moved to Rockridge. Shannon is great, Allie is great, Skylar is great, the deck is stacked with this place.
I am always a last minute kind of person, but can always get in to see someone for my hair or skin.
They also do make-​up, which if I ever decide to wear, I will definitely go to RDS to get the proper colors ;)

My review is mostly for the hair salon as I haven’t yet used any other services at Rockridge. The spa itself is gorgeous and clean. So many great products (7 Salon and mineral makeup), and the staff is always so friendly.
For the hair… I cannot recommend Alli enough. She is so great at what she does and truly cares about you as a person. Not to mention she is incredible when it comes to coloring. She transformed my dark brown, long, and thick hair into beautiful J. Lo-​esque blonde via balayage and foil highlights. I love it and her so much that I drive an hour just to get my hair done. Seriously, Alli is the one!

I don’t think I can say it enough– I LOVE Rockridge Day Spa!
I started coming in May 2015. I needed a bikini wax before a beach vacation and was looking for convenient place in the neighborhood. Elizabeth was so welcoming and sweet, treating me like she had known me for years! Since my first appointment, I’ve become a regular. I see Elizabeth for my brows and bikini (and sometimes Brandi, who is also WONDERFUL and gave me one the best facials I’ve ever had) and Alli for my haircut and highlights. Most recently, Adam joined Rockridge Day Spa and I enjoyed one of the best massages I’ve ever had!
I really look forward to my appointments and seeing the women (and now Adam!) at Rockridge Day Spa. It truly feels like family and they consistently deliver exceptional service. Elizabeth has put together a fantastic team. I’ll never go anywhere else again!

Rockridge Day Spa is a great local, women owned business with lovely staff. The owner really wants to hear your feedback and serve customer needs. Let her know about your experiences both positive and negative! They also just started sugaring which is the BEST! If you are usually a wax person. I recommend you try their sugaring services. They are GREAT!

Great service. Appointment was on time. Waxing by Brandie was INCREDIBLE! I will definitely be returning. Unilocal discount was also an added bonus.

After 9 months of growing a complete and perfect mini human, my face was a bit of a mess. Not only do little hands smear oil and drool into my pores, my hormones have an agenda of their own and have done everything to multiply the number of black heads on my nose. Although I couldn’t love my little bundle more (I seriously love that cute face), it was in this desperate state that I managed to escape from work and secretly meet up with Dumi.
She is unbelievable!!! She knew right away what my skin needed (even when I couldn’t put it together) and worked her magic thorough the best hour facial ever. While waiting for the mask to dry, Dumi even massaged my arms and neck. My skin looks the best it has in years (even before the mini-​me); it was the best midday getaway ever. I can’t wait to see her again; because no doubt I will be back.
Also, I couldn’t review the service any higher; their front desk, the owner, everyone is super friendly.

I don’t really want the secret to get out, but this place has great customer service that they deserve a great review. I needed to relax and de-​stress mentally and physically and the massage by Adam was just what I needed. My measure of a good massage is when you don’t feel like getting up at the end of the service, and I really didn’t.
I also got a lash tint, which was also great. I can remember my beautician’s name, but she went so far as to give me a hand massage while we waited for the color to set. I’ll definitely be back.

Okay, so here’s an update for my most recent service. I loved my facial so much that I decided to come back to get a lash tint and brow wax (skin is still looking wonderful, btw!).
I can’t recall the name of the woman who did my service, but she was very kind and we chatted throughout the service.
First, the lash tint: The process itself was unusual as I’m not used to having stickers under my eyes and lash dye dabbed on, but it was not uncomfortable or painful in any way. That said, I’ve had contacts since I was 12 so I’m used to work being done to and around my eyes. I was a little disappointed with the results, but I think that has more to do with my eyelashes themselves than the dye job. On the plus side, I won’t have to wear mascara on a daily basis, which will hopefully allow them to grow a little longer and fuller.
Now the brow wax: I have never had my brows waxed before, and my technician was wonderful and listened to the style I wanted. My brows are neat, full, and nicely groomed. She used hard wax, which I definitely prefer from other waxing experiences. However, I will say I now have a small patch below my right eyebrow that is still red and a little raw more than 24 hours later. I’m not sure if that’s because I have never been waxed before, because I have sensitive skin, or the result of a waxing mistake. I’ve been treating it with Neosporin and hope it heals soon, since it’s not very pretty.
TLDR:
Lash tint was great but the results were limited by my own stumpy eyelashes. Still, won’t have to wear mascara everyday — 4.5 stars.
Brow wax created a great shape, but left a small raw patch under my right eyebrow. — 3.5 stars.
Average rating for both services — 4 stars. Still plan to come back for facials.

This is a wonderful salon. I needed a new cut and color and made an appointment with Shannon Kennedy. She gave me a totally updated look and was extremely knowledgeable about color and cut. She listened to what I requested and then we thoroughly discussed what her plans were for my hair and if I was agreeable to the plan. I am so very happy. My look is more youthful and my color is more natural. Everyone including the receptionist, manicurist, and other stylists welcomed my mother and I. We were offered cucumber water, wine or tea. While we waited we relaxed in therapeutic massage chairs. The atmosphere is light and breezy. I highly recommend this salon and of course ask for Shannon for your hair care needs she is extremely talented and professional.

Tricia is awesome! She had some great ideas for my manicure. My heels were the softest they’ve been in a while!
I also had a 60 minute massage and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Friendly staff (they even served champagne).
I will be returning =)

Today was my first experience with RDS. I followed my esthetician Dumi to this establishment. Dumi is Awesome!!! (I’ll go more into how awesome she is in the next paragraph.) I was pleasantly surprised by this little jewel in the heart of Rockridge. The décor and ambiance is tasteful and clean… it says «Day Spa». The staff is very friendly and they offer a range of accoutrements to make you feel welcomed and relaxed. This place has great energy :)
I have been receiving waxing services from Dumi for several years. She has more skill in the brazilian bikini and under arm area as it pertains to minimizing pain and preventing in grown hairs than any other esthetician that I have ever patronized. She gives great facials and recommends appropriate products for daily care. In addition to ALL of that, she has a SPARKLING personality!!!
Save yourself pain and trouble… Go see Dumi!

I love this place. You walk in and feel immediately relaxed. The staff are so professional and good at what they do while also being warm and welcoming! I’ve seen Brandie for about two years now — I travel from SF to Oakland just to see her, and I couldn’t be happier with every visit.
Honestly, everyone there goes above and beyond the call of duty. Case in point: I once walked in dripping wet and freezing cold. Mike (who wasn’t even scheduled to take care of me and was, in fact, in the middle of styling someone else’s hair) got me hot tea and put me under a hair dryer to dry off for 15 minutes so I wouldn’t catch cold. If you want to be taken care of, this is the place.

Trisha is a wonderful manicurist. She is very friendly as is the rest of the staff. Great foot and hand massage and good wine. Very relaxing!

I found this place through a Groupon in 2011 and have been a loyal customer since. Elizabeth and Brandie are the BEST waxing techs you will find anywhere. Having been to some of the top-​notch spas in SF — I kept coming back here for the nearly painless removal and the reasonable prices. Brandie is excellent at sugaring, a procedure that exfoliates your skin without being too harsh and cuts down any discomfort by 80−90%.
An easy online booking system and packages for regular services, makes scheduling and paying a breeze.
They are still a growing business so I can see why some commenters disliked their nail services. They have new nail techs now who are experienced and do a great job so give them a try! You will not be disappointed.

Best place for Brazilian wax! Best lady to do that is JUDY! Very clean, conscientious, meticulous… just Great!
No double deeping, clean & nice waxing room :-)
Judy you’re the best!

Encouraged by the rave reviews, and excited that this salon was a short walk from home, I purchased the mani/​pedi groupon thinking I had found my new salon. Sadly, I unfortunately had the same experience as Amy C, which is to say the worst manicure of my life.
To start with, confusingly, the salon doesn’t really seem set up for mani/​pedis. No massage chairs, no drying fans or stations, and the selection of polish is poor and poorly maintained (see below).
The young woman who did my nails was very distracted and strange. It was by the far the most silent and uncomfortable mani/​pedi experience I’ve ever had, not to mention the longest. Despite being painstakingly slow at every step (I had allotted two hours for the appointment, assuming that would be enough, but I barely made my dinner with a friend afterwards) the woman didn’t execute them well, and I couldn’t help feeling as I gently «reminded» her of the steps that she was giving the first manicure of her life. She didn’t want to cut my nails despite my request, then sanded forever but somehow left my nails really uneven. No massage on hands or feet to speak of. When it came time to apply the polish, the color I had chosen was thick and lumpy– she said herself it was getting too old. When I requested to change she said that it would take too long to remove it, and insisted that it would be fine– so I shut up. I wish I hadn’t.
I dashed out at the end of the appointment (as I said, I was almost late to dinner) leaving a generous pity tip, which again, I wish I hadn’t. Upon arriving to the restaurant, I looked down only to discover that she had ENTIRELY FAILED TO PAINT ONE OF MY PINKY TOENAILS. I was embarrassed that I hadn’t checked before leaving, especially considering that I knew that the woman clearly needed supervision, but c’mon! By the end of the meal, polish was «bubbling» strangely on my fingers, which I have NEVER seen before and cannot even imagine how it happened. I had booked the mani/​pedi for a wedding I was attending the following evening, but by the next day the polish had almost entirely peeled off (in full sheets, not just chipping) and I was forced to run out for emergency polish remover and drug store polish to salvage my nails for the ceremony.
TLDR: don’t be tempted by the Groupon and do NOT go here for a manicure.

Strange business practices. RDS doesn’t seem to be looking for new business.
RDS cancelled a Groupon I bought (and had scheduled) without reason or notice, two days before it would have expired. I offered to keep my appointment and pay the same value in cash. No deal.
Months ago, I called before my wedding looking for several appointments (facial, massage, eyelashes, etc)– upwards of $ 400 – 500 in services. I asked if they could work with me on price if I scheduled all of these things with them. No deal.
I stayed for a bikini wax and after the appointment, got an email offering a 15% discount on my «next» spa service. Couldn’t that have been offered for one of the others I was inquiring about? The waxing was decent and Brandie’s a sweetie.
The services themselves were a solid 3 stars. About what you’d expect, without anything special. Business practices: 1 star. They just don’t seem to have a mindset of bringing in or keeping new business.

I am reluctantly writing this review about the manicure that I received at Rockridge Day Spa which was — in my many years of manicures — far and away the worst manicure I have ever had. While I’d come in with a Groupon, this place is very convenient to my home so it was an opportunity to try out what could become a regular service for me. While everyone was nice enough and the young woman who did my nails was very sweet, the experience was bizarre.
First, my nails were never soaked (which I’ve always had done elsewhere to soften cuticles). I did ask, but was told it was unnecessary. Some cream was put on the cuticles, but they were so dry and tight that my fingers remained sore for days from the forceful pushing that was done with the instrument to peel them back. They were never clipped and cleaned and so looked, well, pretty awful.
Then the sanding: the sanding was uneven so that each nail was not symmetrical but rather was higher on one side than the other. When I pointed this out, the manicurist immediately acknowledged that this was the case, complimented me for my perceptiveness, and tried to fix the problem, which she only partially succeeded in doing.
I wanted a French Polish, and the manicurist seemed somewhat unfamiliar with the technique. After painting the tips of my nails white, she had planned to stop and leave my nails otherwise bare with white tips. I had to inform her that the rest of the nail required a neutral shade. She was happy enough to do this when I asked but seemed quite confused.
Finally, and most concerning of all, THE POLISH BEGAN PEELING OFF MY NAILS BY THE END IF THE DAY. I’ve never seen anything like it. It was as if the polish was a plastic sheeting that just separated itself from the nail and peeled back, like the plastic on a new smartphone screen. For the couple of nails where this didn’t happen spontaneously, I had to peel the rest of the polish off myself (which I was able to do quite easily) as I had a date that night and my hands looked terrible.
Thinking this might be a quirk and the consequence of a badly inexperienced manicurist, I mentioned on my way out that she could use supervision and then emailed the spa when the polish came off entirely after I’d left. I also left a telephine message requesting a call from the owner or manager. No one ever returned my email or call. A complete waste of a Groupon and poor judgment on the part of a business that actually has many local competitors. I will certainly use one of them in the future and would not return to RDS for any service.

I’m literally writing this review as the nail technician (Katie) is doing my nails because that’s how disappointed I am. She did a terrible job on both my friend and me. She was extremely slow, it must have been her first week doing nails, even though she said she had been working here for 2 – 3 months. It really hurt when she scraped off my cuticles, and she didn’t scrub my feet. Isn’t that basic service for a pedi? So no dead skin removed at all during this session. Her painting technique was bad and uneven, and the nail polish must have been a year old because by the end, our nails had air bubbles on them. AIR BUBBLES! And we came here to beautify our nails before graduation!!! :(
I feel bad for bashing on Katie’s service because she’s such a nice girl. But this has to be said.
Color selection is extremely limited. They have Whet polish and some other unheard of brand. ~30 bottles total. I’m used to having a whole wall of color selection, which I did not get here. The Whet polish is vegan, whatever that means for nail polish, and takes like 10 mins to dry. They don’t have a fan or UV light here to quicken the process.
There are only two chairs, and one manicurist a day, except Thursdays. So don’t expect to get an appointment with a friend.
I don’t think I’ve ever been so stressed while getting a mani/​pedi before. arghhh never coming back here!