Urban Venus Nail Bar

I have up until now have had great service from this salon. I really dislike giving a bad review so you have to really upset me to even make the effort. The Mani Pedi shellac applications have always been great here and I have been to this place off and on since the Elbow drive location opened. I love the décor and it’s comfortable. Today the girl cut my cuticles back to the point it hurt, and the nail application is gross. It’s uneven, the sides are sticky and lifting. In addition to that there is actual clear coat that had dripped off and baked onto my finger. I have always had experienced girls who have done a great job. Today — awful!

I had some free time while in Canada for business and decided to try out Urban Venus Nail Bar. I do way too much with my hands to get a manicure, but I love a good pedicure. And boy did I get one! The technician showed me this gorgeous bright blue nail polish. I fell in love on the spot. She did a great job with the pedicure and handled my ticklish feet with care. I felt quite comfortable and didn’t want to leave! Thank you for giving me a treat that I wasn’t expecting.

This is for the Elbow Drive location. Unfortunately this was one of the worst manicures I’ve ever had — I chose a light color (shellac), but the manicurist didn’t apply enough coats so the color was blotchy and see-​through. She got shellac all over my cuticles so naturally parts peeled off within the day and overall it looked very messy and unprofessional. She also cut my finger, which bled for a good 15 mins and just walked away — leaving her colleague to get me a band-​aid (to put over my brand new manicure…). $ 57 should get you a decent manicure — but not here. Walking out of the salon I should have just asked them to take the polish off and go elsewhere. Maybe with a different aesthetician (my manicure started at the same time as two friends but finished about 15 minutes earlier), but this one was clearly inexperienced and cared very little about the job she did.

I went to the downtown location with a friend for a manicure. The girls were chatty and fun and it was just the four of us at the beginning. I liked that the tools they used came from an unopened bag, and everything seemed very clean! The girls were precise in their application of the nail polish, and overall the manicures were great! Will be back for sure.

Excellent products and service. I use the Elbow Drive location and am very happy with this business. Using cheaper companies results in ruined nails from bad undercoat etc and thus never happens here

I had a gift certificate for 72 $ that I had to use, so chose a nice little Saturday to come to Urban Venus Nail Bar for a mani pedi. I opted for the Shellac cause ain’t nobody got time for regular polish. The store is pretty cute, it’s teal in colour and similar to Frilly Lilly, has items you can purchase by the cash. The pedi area wasn’t what I was used to or expecting. The seats were a long bench along the wall with pillows and the foot sinks were… well, sinks. Like a kitchen sink? But for feet. Luckily for me they’d just put on BAD TEACHER with Cameron Diaz so we all kind of watched this movie haha. The movie had some raunchier scenes which I totally thought were hilarious obviously, but may not have been the most appropriate for a nail bar with customers in it. The Pedi took about 45 – 50 minutes. Then we dried off and headed over to the nail area where I had my mani done. That was about another 45 — 50 minutes. I guess I’m just used to having both done simultaneously? I did miss the massage chair I get to sit in at other places. The girl who did my nails was super sweet, she was quiet, but I think we were all just enjoying listening and watching the movie. She did a great job on my nails actually. Really spent time on them, they came out great! Her massages were awesome also! Also note they don’t do artificial nails (in case you’re looking)
So here’s the part where my brain is not computing.
I was here for. almost 2 hours. I saw an entire movie and the beginning of another one. I get to the cash to check out and hand her my $ 72 gift card. I understand my mani pedi was for shellac so I paid extra. Um, over 40 $ extra. So to recap: that’s a $ 110 mani pedi. Sweet honourable baby jesus jumped up christ in the garden. On what planet are we paying this much for mani-​pedis? For this price you’d almost expect a happy ending! I usually go to Happy Nails on 16^th which is gorgeous, super clean, super friendly, tons of colours, and for Shellac Mani-​Pedi it’s about 56 – 60 $. I was almost in shock. That’s too much money for a mani pedi. Especially when you don’t get to sit in one of those giant big chairs that massage your back and the bubbles on your feet. Sigh, lesson learned I guess. I have beautiful nails but for a price that’s kind of unreasonable.

I’m in town on business and needed my non chip manicure repaired before my meetings. I called Urban Venus and they fit me in right away. More importantly, the service was very high quality and attentive. My nails look beautiful and the experience was very pleasant as well. Thank you Urban Venus!

My fiancé and I came here before our vacation, as I had heard of them through friends and discovered that they carry a massive amount of shellac colors. The first time I was here for a polish change, I wasn’t entirely happy with the end result, but I wrote it off to my color choice and decided to give them another chance. The spa is very busy and loud — lots of wedding parties and big groups. They sell an assortment of products, from bath bombs to lotions to nail polish to sandals and bags. Really cute décor to keep you occupied while waiting for your service. I did notice that the waiting room chairs were quite worn, but not the end of the world. We were taken in right away and allowed to choose the lotion of our choice — they have a TON of different scents. I ended up choosing Pina Colada, which smelled divine!
The ladies here are very young and chatty — it was fun to be social but they did seem a bit inattentive. The conversation was great! However, our services were not. My manicure ended up looking fine, but there were still visible cuticles and dry skin around my nails. We both received pedicures, and while they WERE relaxing, our feet were still extremely rough afterwards. We actually went home and used a pumice stone on them ourselves afterwards. The massage was very short and overall I just didn’t feel that we got our money’s worth. Our services ended up costing over $ 200 and we left disappointed — safe to say I won’t return and will stick to my trusted Sunshine Nails from now on.

My sister hosted a «Maid’s and Mom’s» mani/​pedi party at Urban Venus in preparation for my wedding on a Thursday night. Both moms only had a pedi and myself and bridesmaids all had the combo. The booking process was a bit frustrating as I am not sure they actually have a dedicated receptionist, but when we arrived they seemed to have everything sorted out. They allowed us to bring some delish snacks and offered to allow alcohol with a $ 12 liquor license, which we opted out of. During our services, they had the movie ‘Bridesmaids’ playing which was quite adorable.
The services themselves were done very well, I haven’t had such great looking cuticles after a mani without paying a fortune at a high end spa. Both the shellac on my hands and polish on toes look great and have lasted beautifully so far. The prices were very reasonable for the quality of the services.
The only downfall that I would suggest is that there could be a lesson in professionalism amongst the staff. In our one on one dealings they were great but the discussions and minor disagreements about who could leave when left me rating them a ³⁄₅ when without those conversations it could have easily been a ⁵⁄₅.

I went to Urban Venus Nail Bar this past month while on vacation in Canada. It cost me less for a manicure/​pedicure together than the manicure service the hotel I was staying at offered. The service was fantastic for the value. The staff was attentive and very detail oriented. Did not feel rushed at all. It was great to relax and enjoy my vacation without having to spend a fortune!

Generally mediocre. Staff is young, inexperienced, and are more interested in talking amongst themselves. The prices are reasonable but not for the quality you’re receiving. I had a subpar experience and I won’t be returning.

My first and only visit to Urban Venus Nail Bar was over this past holiday season, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable one.
I opted for gel polish (OPI), which I had never had before. I was always skeptical because I have heard that gel polish tends to chip quickly even though it is supposed to last much longer than regular polish. Nevertheless, the polish application that I received was flawless, and lasted weeks without chipping! I was not in any way careful with them to avoid chips or scratches. I cleaned the house many times, cooked, did dishes, etc without any issues at all. Overall, I was very impressed and will definitely return to this studio.
Customer service was very attentive and friendly. My nail artist, Sonia, was very skilled, polite, and fun to chat with.
Highly recommended!

This review is for the shop near West Springs on 85^th. The shop was very nicely put together, appears to be clean and fun décor. I enjoy that they sell a wide assortment of lotions and nail colours of their own brand.
The service was polite, but slow. Unfortunately, it took over an hour and a half for a basic pedicure and shellac manicure — I was late for my next appointment due to this. One of my friends’ manicurists didn’t even start on her pedicure until we were almost halfway done with ours, and the manicurist acted as if it was our fault she was late getting started! Um… We’ve been here for the last 30 minutes, we made an appointment two days ago and we showed up 5 minutes early for it. I don’t know what to say.
My other concern is that my shellac polish chipped the day after it was put on, under no special stress. I was opening up my purse and rip! Almost my entire left index fingernail lost its polish. Came off like a banana peel. And no, I hadn’t been doing anything that usually causes this — no dishwashing, no tanning.
I won’t be going back.

I winced at the price, because I’m not from Calgary.
But almost 3 weeks later, my nails haven’t so much as chipped! They’re growing out, but they still look great.
The ladies were really nice, and the atmosphere was perfect and relaxing.
Next time I’m in Calgary, I’d go again.

I think this establishment, like many in downtown Calgary, is loved by the locals but for those of us that branch out and/​or come from different cities, Urban Venus is just fair.
I walked in and was greeted by a friendly but young receptionist who’s sugar sweet voice made me want to plug my ears. This nail bar wishes to be modern and chic but the décor is just a bunch of Ikea furnishings thrown together and there was definitely a ‘budget’ feel to the place. After sitting on the most uncomfortable bench accompanied by sloppy sliding pillows for an hour, for my pedicure, I was glad to move on to my manicure.
The technician who performed both my mani and pedi was very formal and stiff, we probably exchanged 5 sentences in two hours. She kept looking at me, giving me this fake smile that made me uncomfortable after a while. She didn’t ask about my comfort at any time during the session. While the manicure was well done and the shape of my nails looked good, the polish job was crap and I had chips the next day. By day 4 my mani was done and my pedi wasn’t far behind. I paid $ 104 including tip. Wouldn’t go back nor would I recommend. By the way, they had an entire season of Modern Family playing on the TV., episode after episode. Try some music next time.

I have been to both locations, if I have to go again (which I don’t think I will be) I would go to the downtown location.
They’re prices are reasonable, but the quality is questionable. The last pedicure I had was at the Aspen Hills location, they called me barely 20 minutes before my appointment to tell me my lady was sick, I could either reschedule or I could have a trainee do my pedi, which would be under supervision. I really wanted/​needed a pedicure so I said I’ll go with the trainee.
She cut my cuticle so close I bled (which scabbed and was a mess for close to a month), the polish smudged and she missed all the corners. I have a problem with not tipping (I know I shouldn’t care so much), so I gave a small tip. But I have no returned and doubt I will.

I recently moved to this area of the city and since I’m going on vacation wanted to get a pedi & mani done. I walked in Saturday afternoon and the girls were able to fit me in. $ 116.00 dollars later (tip included) and two hours sitting at this location I have to say that the manicure is one of the worst I have received in my life (and I have gotten hundreds). The manicurist was pleasant. I did bring in my own nail polish and I know it’s not it since the pedicure is totally fine. The mani nail polish bubbled up by the time I got home, and since I do not have time to go back and have the re-​do it (as the price was pretty steep!!).
I’m very disappointed, so sad. I will have to go back to my old manicurist in the deep south but at least I know they pride on their work and will be saving 50% off the price.

Got an appointment on a walk in basis.
26 bucks plus tip for an express manicure. Polish is already chipping, one day later and my cuticles don’t look great. BUT the shape of my nails is good-​hence the 3 stars.

I love coming to Urban Venus — both downtown and the location in West Springs. The girls are great, it’s a fun place to go with girlfriends, or even on your own for some Me Time.

Great place, I booked my fiancé an appointment here after several recommendations from friends and twitter.
Really great and relaxed environment!
Reports from the fiancé are that she really enjoyed herself.
The only downside is that they are actually proud of the fact that Justin Beiber got his nails done there (picture on the wall). I don’t have anything against him, but I’d rather see the kid riding his bike in a park or something.