This review is for Mia, the manicurist. She is super talented with nails and art! I had her do a full Apres Gel X set with ombre polish and art. She is new to this salon. I followed her here from another location. She is sweet, considerate, and always on time. A great addition to downtown San Mateo! read more

Susan's Salon & Spa - Apres Gel X full dry with ombre polish - Day Spas Near Me - San Mateo, California

I went here today w/ a couple of friends from work during our lunch hour. I'm always apprehensive about trying new nail places but was happy that I decided to join my buddies today! : ) The lady that did my pedi was really nice and super gentle. As I mentioned in my past review of Glamour Nail Spa in Dublin, the cuticle maintenance always makes me nervous - especially at new places! I explained my concern to Paula who was very understanding of my apprehensions and took extra care to help me relax and enjoy my pedi! Paid $25 for the pedi - not too bad since it came with a citrus-rub and a hot stone massage. It was sooooo relaxing! Just what I needed since shizz has been crazy! If I don't make my usual appointment with the folks in Dublin, I'll be more than happy to do the mid-day pedi again at this place! read more

I definitely will not be returning to this salon for a hair cut. Paola is very inconsistent with her cutting technique and this last time around, my hair was noticeably uneven. Any stylist that uses thinning sissors or a razor is lazy and doesn't have sissor skills, and that is the primary method of her hair cuts. As a result, it begins to grow out horribly and out of shape. And to camaflauge her mistakes, she uses a flat iron to smooth over the rough edges. Also, the few times I went, she was always late. In the economy we live in now, I don't know how anyone can get away with shoddy work. Save your money! read more

I have been going to Susan for at least 6 years. She is THE SINGLE only person I trust to wax my eyebrows. This salon is a great central location, right next to Talbots Toy land. Street Parking is usually easy, and the lot in the back always has spaces when I'm there. Susan is hard working and does a great job! This salon is does more hair than nails and waxing from what I can see. However, Susan herself does most of the nails and waxing. She's detailed oriented and always keeps a clean environment. She is friendly and enjoys chatting but will also totally let you zone out if you wish. I don't trust anyone else with my eyebrows and whenever she did my nails I always loved it. Susan will not disappoint! read more

This is the second salon I've tried in San Mateo and I think I'll stick with the other one I went to. To be clear - nothing was wrong with the services. In fact, everything was great. Great hot stone treatment, massage, scrub, everything. But they do seem understaffed and/or unable to keep a schedule because as I was getting my mani/pedi, another woman came in wanting a pedicure and they didn't have anyone on hand to do it so she had to wait. Maybe that's normal, but it made me feel kind of awkward - taking up the only person in the salon who was expected to accommodate everyone. But what really soured my experience was the fact that they had the radio playing throughout the salon, set to some soft/classic rock station. I was really put off by the fact that I was paying for a relaxing experience but was subjected to radio ads at the same time. It kind of ruined the experience for me. Can't say I'm rushing to go back. read more

Very disappointed. You don't cancel after I came since you told me I should rush to come in right now. It's not the first time you screwed up the appointment. So I guess you don't mind the poor review either. read more

Happened upon this place by chance. I came in looking to make drastic change from my super sad long hair to a sassy short cut. Miguel was super friendly and professional, asked all the right questions, and I walked out with a new 'do that I absolutely love. I'll definitely be back :) Thanks Miguel! read more

Great atmosphere, clean and professional. I've been coming here for about two years now. The owner (Susan) is very friendly and is always willing to fit you into her schedule. I get my hair cut and deep conditioned by Rebecca, she is great. Really listens to what I want and how much I want to trim (other places I've been to always end up cutting my hair too short!) Every time I walk out of there I feel like a new person, love it! Oh and if you're looking for an amazing scalp treatment - Miguel is your guy! read more

I found my hair home in San Mateo for two reasons: 1) I had my feathers put in at the Edge Salon in Palo Alto and Susan offered to re-place them where I really wanted them as part of the color service I went in for - loyalty! and 2) Paula's color work is beautiful. It's clean, subtle, is (two months later) fading really really well, and when she trimmed my hair she followed the lines of my previous haircut exactly as I asked. I didn't walk in out of the blue - I'd seen this lady in the line at Starbuck's downtown who had really nice highlights and she told me Paula was her stylist. Even better than word of mouth - walking proof:) Thanks, you guys. read more

My second attempt at loving a nail salon in SM. LOVE Susan and her staff, what sweet, personable, honest people. Unfortunately both visits were confused and delayed although I'd made an appointment at least a week in advance. Also seems like a generally unclean environment, which is alarming and a no-no for a nail place. Hate to give a bad review, but that's a deal breaker for me... read more

I've only been living in San Mateo for a little over a year now, and since i had never been fully satisfied with any of the nail salon's in Redwood City, I had decided to try a new place in San Mateo. Last June I was 8 months pregnant when I walking into Susan's looking for a decent pedicure. What I got was way much more than I had expected. I got an over the top, completely satisfying and worth while pedicure. I WAS IN HEAVEN!!! It was a pregant woman's dream come true (since i was still working and on my feet all day long). The girl were super sweet, took they're time and were very curious about my pregnancy ; ) Susan (the owner) was very kind too. I have only been there a few times since I began to go there, just because I have a new born and it's hard to get out of the house on my own and especially to spend time on myself, and Susan has remembered me everytime. They offer pedicures, manicure, massages, waxing, and of course another lady does hair dressing. read more

I really like this place. What earns them 5 stars is that they are experienced and communicate well. I'm lucky to work around the corner, so appointment or wait is not an issue. They are always friendly and accommodating and I've been happy with my manicures and pedicures but what I enjoy is the overall experience. Not to mention the best haircuts I have ever received are from Amy (believe me, I've paid up to $200 for haircuts that I was not happy with).. So I will travel for Susan, Paula and Amy! read more

I used to wax my own eyebrows but then I became tired of doing it (btw im not a pro at it). My girlfriend suggested I go to Susan's Salon, and I did. Susan does an amaaaazing job on my eyebrows. She is very gentle and sweet. Love her!! read more

Hard to find someone you can trust when you are new to an area. Susan's was on a recommendation and so worth it. I will only come here for my nail fills, have not had a single lift problem, no nicking my skin when she files, pleasant atmosphere. No problem getting an appointment, reasonable prices. So happy with the nails gave one of the gals a chance on my hair. Color, highlighted, and cut. Love it. Lasted longer than anyone else too. Reasonable price on this too. Went to another salon before and it was like making a car payment. THANK YOU ladies for being there when I need you read more

Paula is great with my son who has delays. She is so patient with him and tries to make the hair cut at his pace and not scary. She also cuts my and my husbands hair. Her price for cuts and color is great. If I am ever unsure of something, she will spend extra time or redo. Susan is great for nails. read more

Im so mad that I couldn't see the reviews on this place before I went (yelp was down for maintenance). I needed somewhere to go that was open on a monday, not too expensive and close to my gym so that I could get my underarms waxed. Susan helped me right away and took me upstairs to where they do their waxing. Im used to the pain that comes with waxing but this time I think the pain was a warning. Both of my underarms were bleeding in a spot, I thought it might be normal (even though Ive never bled under my arms before when getting a wax), Susan was surprised and assured me that all her products were good and that she didn't understand why I was bleeding, neither did I! She put on some kind of blue/green liquid that stung like hell. She proceeded to tweeze the small hairs not removed when waxed. She had a magnifying glass with a bright light to help her see all of the little hairs, which I thought was genius! But then I guess that magnifying glass wasn't to helpful being that she was tweezing my skin every time she tried to get a hair, owww! I let it go because I was like whatever, at least she's getting all the hairs. Meanwhile my underarm was still bleeding, she put a few more dabs of the blue/green liquid, stung again. She put her stuff away, put some oil, then lotion, and boom I was off to pay. Everything went fairly well despite the discomfort and she was a very nice lady too. IT WASNT UNTIL I GOT OUTSIDE THAT I REALIZED MY UNDERARM WAS RED HOT AND SWOLLEN! THE LOTION WAS BURNING MY UNDERARMS AND I HAD TO SIT DOWN, GET A NAPKIN AND DAB THE LOTION AWAY BECAUSE I COULDN'T WIPE, IT WAS TOO PAINFUL. I TRIED TO PUT SOME DEODORANT TO COOL IT DOWN, NOTHING, BURNED MORE. I LEFT TO MY GYM IN PAIN AND A LITTLE ANGRY. I TOLD MY SELF, THATS WHAT I GET FOR GOING TO A RANDOM PLACE WITHOUT CHECKING YELP REVIEWS. TODAY (THE NEXT DAY) MY UNDERARMS ARE STILL SORE, HAVE PATCHES OF RED AND PURPLISH/BROWN, I REALIZE NOW THAT I WAS BURNED. MAYBE IT WAS HER TECHNIQUE OR WHATEVER BUT I KNOW I WONT BE GOING AGAIN. THIS MAY HAVE ONLY HAPPENED TO ME, BUT IF YOU DO DECIDE TO GO, BE CAUTIOUS. IF THE OWNERS READ THIS, PLEASE TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION MY REVIEW. read more

Got a cut and color by Amy! She is the best. She has a very outgoing personality and she keeps you entertained throughout your stay. Her intentions on getting to know her clients well is a plus. She is very versatile in her skills and I'm definitely coming back to her for an Ombré :) read more

I've been going to Susan's for awhile now and I think Susan is fantastic! She does an amazing job! I went to her for an eyebrow and a bikini wax and told her I have very sensitive skin she was so careful and did such a great job I haven't gone to anyone else! She's also very experienced! She's been in business since 1986! read more

I went to this salon for my birthday to get my hair done. i wanted to get ombre on my hair. It was the worst experience ever! i wanted a brown ombre and my hair came out orange! i can't believe it it was horrible its was probably my worst birthday. it looked nothing like the picture i had showed her. i will defiantly not go back to this salon. read more

I have been a customer of Susan's for 5 yrs. One of the things that has kept me coming back is the cleanleness of the equipment. I am a nurse & would never go to an establishment that was dirty. The massage chairs are great & I always feel pampered. read more

I have been Susan's client for almost 20 years. She is always available on short notice and does a wonderful job. Rebecca consistently cuts my hair to perfection. Miguel always gives my husband an outstanding haircut too. We highly recommend this salon and spa which is also in a great location and very easy to get to. read more

I have been going to Susan's Salon for many years now. All of the services offered in the Salon are exceptional. The staff is well trained in their areas of expertise. It is a very friendly atmosphere and a great place to go and relax while being attended to. I have my nails done regularly and also get a pedicure and have my eyebrows waxed. As a special treat to myself today I had a facial. You can be certain that it will be on my list to do a lot more often. Susan always does her best to try and meet your schedule when booking an appointment. I highly recommend your trying this salon. I do not think you will regret it. read more

I walked in and got a haircut from Susan. I have a pretty standard haircut and I know how I like it to look. Susan was very careful about cutting my hair how I wanted, but explained that she would stop short of exactly what I was saying so that my hair would look better. The result was excellent, although a little shorter than I expected, but I could probably have spoken up earlier to prevent that. The salon seemed pretty clean. Having read some of the earlier reviews, I should note that Susan only used scissors on my hair and told me that if I go somewhere else, I should make sure they only use scissors. read more

I go to Rebecca who rents her spot at this salon. She is a one stop, she does my manicure and pedicure. Also, my hair cut and color. She is good, very professional and does her best to get your hair to exactly how you want it. Gives a very relaxing shampoo. Thanks, Rebecca. read more

i have been going to susan for over twenty years. i have watch her business grow and expand, but she still gives personal and profession services. susan's salon is always clean and comfortable. her staff is always friendly and ready to please. i recommend susan 's salon and spa to all my friends!!!! read more

I have been coming to Susan for manis and pedis for over 20 years. I had acrylics for years and had a salon I used in the City but once I had them done by Susan I never went back to the salon in the City. She was very gentle and conscientious about the care and cuticle snipping which elsewhere had made me very nervous. I now just have regular manis and pedis, and I will still go nowhere else. Her salon is always clean, the women who work there are kind, gentle, and take the utmost care with you. I am very sensitive, and Susan always reminds whoever is doing my nails of that if she isn't doing them herself. I typically call in for an appointment and rarely do I have to wait a day - 95% of the time I can get a same day appointment. Susan is also a smart businesswoman and has kept her prices competitive and her services up to the minute. The salon was recently remodeled and looks quite chic. I have no qualms about recommending Susan's Salon & spa. read more

After reading some of the negative and unjustified reviews, I thought I would post my review. I've been going to Susan's for over 15 years, closer to 20 years. Even though Susan's is a full-service salon, I have only had manicures and pedicures there, and Susan is the only one who has done my nails, so I can't comment on the other services or other staff. I have never had any issues with any of the manicures or pedicures I have received at Susan's. I find Susan's to be clean and professional; believe me, if it wasn't clean, I certainly would not continue to go and would not recommend them to others when asked. I always make appointments, but Susan does accept walk-ins, and may not always have staff available to take a walk-in at that time, but she does tell them when her next available opening is for that day. If you haven't given her a try, please do, and I'm sure you will have the same experience I do. read more