Joie De Vie Salon & Spa

Cute décor, nice ambience, good service. Very comfy feel when you enter the doors. My go to girl is Erin. Shes more than awesome, i love her! If i’m in town visiting i make sure to see her. Ask for ERIN!

Dawn Hill is awesome. I can’t speak to the salon’s nail or massage services but I would definitely recommend getting your hair cut or colored by Dawn. She is fun to be around and does a fantastic job.

I like my pedicures and massages. So when I was treated to both to help me relax, I was pleasantly suprised with Joie de Vie. Kinda of great place, reminds me of brownstones from NY or Boston. It’s a split level place with the pedicures and massages on the bottom and hair on top. But a lovely little bar in back. I would be coming back every so often.

I recently visited Joie De Vie for a bachelorette party mani/​pedi session, we where thoroughly impressed with the free mimosas and super cute nail salon but were completely disappointed with the work! We had 6 girls for manicures and pedicures and showed up on time for our appointment and with 4 «manicurist» it took 3 plus hours!
Not only did the service take forever but it was beyond terrible, I can honestly say I have never had a worst manicure/​pedicure, I do 10 times better myself. The wedding was the next day and I had to redo my nails the day of, it was so terrible.
All in all don’t waste your time or your money going here. Such a waste, I spent 65 bucks for one mimosa, painted skin, and to short nails.

I recently went to Joie De Vie with a wedding party to get manicures and pedicures. While the salon is very nice and well kept, and the staff are indeed very friendly they do not know what they’re doing when it comes to doing nails. We had an appointment for 6 mani-​pedis starting at 10:00 a.m. and were at the salon until well after 1:00 p.m. Towards the end of our time there, one bridesmaid’s nails had still not been done and all of the staff had left except for one lady who said, «Oh I didn’t know you wanted your nails done, too.» The nails themselves were another situation. While I will say that my pedicure looked fine, I have never received a worse french manicure in my life. Every single bridesmaid and the bride had a horrible job done on their nails. Several girls had to repaint their nails the next day before the wedding! The maid of honor’s nails were painting, and so was her skin! The woman didn’t even give her a manicure, just slapped on paint and basically left.
In total, it was about $ 65 PLUS tax for the mani-​pedi. I have never paid so much money for such a horrible job in my life. DO NOT GO HERE TO GET YOUR NAILS DONE.
I wish I lived in Texas so I could go into the shop and demand for my money back, but alas I cannot. I would not even be interested in a voucher for future services.

Don’t go here. Oh wait, you can’t because they won’t book you. I called 2 times yesterday trying to get an appointment on Friday because I had a gift card. Both times my name and information was taken. The second time I called they acted like they had never heard from me. The takeaway was that none of the massage therapists or the esthetician are in the salon on Friday. So how is this a full service salon? Then I called AGAIN today because they had yet to call me back and told me that the esthetician was booked. They can’t get their story straight, they will not honor my gift certificate. I have my own nail tech and hair dresser and will not go to anyone else. That was the ONLY services they offered as a full service salon.
Don’t go here. Don’t go here. Don’t go here. Customer service sucks.

This review is based on Dawn Hill — she is absolutely one of the nicest, most talented hair stylists in Austin. For years, I’ve been visiting a salon that gave discounts if you used their new stylists, which I did every time. I purchased a Living Social Deal in 2010 for Joie de Vie and Dawn was my stylist. I don’t have overly complicated hair, but it’s long and I don’t color it. I was really pleased with how she cleaned it up and made it less frumpy. After a couple of months, I went back to discount salon and was highly unsatisfied with my cut. So I’ve been going back to Dawn every few months for my cut and it’s totally worth it. She is stellar!

I’ve been a regular here for almost a year, and I get color/​touchups every 3 weeks. Coincidentally, it’s been a year since the new owner took over. The horror stories of the past apparently can be attributed to the old owner who cut corners and pretty much ran the place down. Now, however, it is a vibrant and cool place to hang out while getting your hair did (as Texans sometimes say). It doesn’t have that yukky stuffy feel or the McD’s turnover get-​em-​in-​and-​out feel; rather, it’s like a group of talented friends who have a common interest to responsibly do their best while keeping it fun and lighthearted.
Parking is reimbursed, so don’t let the paid parking along 6^th street put you off. I’ve never had a problem with parking. I would, however, suggest parking on 6^th or around the corner, along the street, rather than at the gas station lot or the empty lot across the street (they tow).
The space is an urban loft type space with high ceilings, industrial look of duct showing, brick walls, and cool arches that allow the sunshine in and a view of 6^th street. They have a bar area in back, from where they get the drinks they offer – cokes, mimosas, etc. It’s a lounge type area where the hair dryers are located. Very cool and relaxed. In face, twice I’ve brought a friend along to hang out with me during my appt before hitting a downtown happy hour (Bess further down on 6^th St starts theirs at 2:30!).
I’ve seen an equal number of men and women as clients and not a single bluehaired one among the bunch :)
While they offer mani/​pedi, eyelashes, and massages (I think), I’ve only ever gone to have my hair done. Emily is EXCELLENT!!! I used to go to a pricey place in Westlake, but found better prices, better service, and excellent results from Emily here. Plus, she’s pretty much a Bumble & Bumble product which is a real plus!
Go. See Emily. You won’t be disappointed.

It was the closest nail salon to my hotel, so I figured I’d try it out. I needed a mani/​pedi STAT! I called into Joi De Vie to see if they had time for me and they did. Woo hoo!
I walked 8 blocks from my hotel in the hot hot hot weather and was happy to be seated in a nicely air conditioned salon. I was offered drinks and a selection of magazines. «Yes, yes I will have a mimosa. Thank you.» Props on the refill of my drink (2x).
When my gal was ready, I walked down the stairs to the nail salon. The nail salon looks trendy and clean. The pedicure chairs are on an elevated platform and your feet go into a big copper basin. It all looks great but when I scooted my tush to adjust my seated position I moved the bowl and a bunch of water sloshed out.oops. I guess you have to sit really still in order to avoid moving the foot basin. Me no likey.
My gal was fun to talk to and she did a decent job on my pedicure. It wasn’t great but it wasn’t horrible. It was definitely not worth $ 53 including tax and tip.
I’ll be sure to get my mani/​pedi from my local salon before I head out to Austin.

I absolutely adore this place!
I stopped in on a whim to get a manicure for my boyfriend’s company banquet. Joie De Vie was having some sort of client appreciation gathering so they were playing a lot of great music and serving drinks.
The nail treatments are a little expensive, but you definitely get your money’s worth. I don’t think I’ve had a better manicure… not to mention the two glasses of champagne they served me!

I’m updating my previous review after getting a very sincere and professional email from Tai L., the new owner of Joie De Vie. According to multiple sources that I’ve read, MICHAEL VASQUEZ, the previous owner that screwed us over, is a shady businessman that owes a lot of people a lot of money.
In Tai’s email, he assured that he is working to improve the salon and it’s image, even offered me complimentary services so I could see how they’ve changed for the better since Michael Vasquez left. Thank you, Tai!
My beef is no longer with Joie De Vie, but with Michael Vasquez and his business practices. I would advise anyone to avoid supporting him or his businesses. Dishonesty like that doesn’t deserve to prosper.
During one of our conversations, he told me he owned Tart, the frozen yogurt place on 2^nd Street. That’s a shame; I like froyo.

I was referred to Joie De Vie Salon’s hair stylist Dawn Hill by a friend! Not only was it the best hair cut/​color in about 5 years, (and I have VERY naturally CURLY hair), but the stylist Dawn was so amazing, nice and professional, the counter girls were very courteous and brought me a mimosa! By the time I was finished with my drink 2 people asked me if I wanted another! All the other stylists that were there that day were so nice, happy and such a treat to be around! And Dawn Hill is AMAZING! Love that salon!

I will never go here again.
I will tell everyone I know to never try this place.
It’s horrible.
We have a 1pm appointment. We are running late. We call to let them know. We arrive at 1:07.
We stand there. We wait for SOMEONE to talk to us. Finally a young woman does. We give names and she tells us to have a seat.
We sit
and sit
and sit
It’s 1:45 and nobody has said a word to us. However, during this time, they are trying to figure out where their staff is, who has what and what is next. Fabulous.
We ask what the hold up is. We get no answer, but are offered a complimentary bottled water. *note to Joie de Vie: this doesn’t fix that at all.
We wait.
Nobody talks to us.
I finally get up and ask the young woman at the front desk to cancel my appointment.
She then wants to talk to me… really?
I tell her it’s a little late for explanations, that I’ll be going elsewhere.
The End

I haven’t fallen in love with a stylist since I left Los Angeles where I’d been loyal to the same stylist for years. That is until I met Dawn Hill who is the head stylist at Joie De Vie. I can not say enough about Dawn, and I hesitate to do so because I never want her to get too busy for me! But she’s worked with the biggest musicians, biggest models and actors and has remained completely humble. She’s an artist. My cut and my color has never consistently looked so good. And I’m never content…
The salon itself is okay– not much style. Definitely needs a face-​lift. The location is easily accessible and usually there is plenty of parking.

We went to Joie de Vie in a group of four girls with the plan to get mani/​pedis. We had two girls working on us but it still took four hours to get everyone done. Overall the toes came out fine, but the fingers.. .YUK!
Two friends got french manicures with the white looking blobby and sloppy. I left with polish all over my cuticles. To top it off, they cut so deep next to one nail that it was red and swollen by the time I got home. It gave me a good excuse to remove the polish and get some neosporin and a band aid on my finger quickly.
The interior of the salon looks pretty thrown together and not especially clean.
At least my toes look ok.. .

Upon seeing my original scathing review, the NEW management at JdV contacted me to ask that I give them another chance. They told me that they no longer participate in the sort of promotional shenanigans that I experienced, as clients are never happy with the outcome of that sort of deal. I haven’t yet had the time to get back downtown to take them up on the offer, but I appreciate the effort to win me back as a customer. If I’m ever in the need of a spa in the downtown area, I’ll give them another shot.

I have been meaning to update this review and I guess there is no better time than now. Four weeks ago, so well before the ROTD, Alexis (you see her post Joie de Vie events) PM’d me and gave me the info to contact the vendor of the teeth whitening product to see about a refund.
I did not do it because, I really think that the results I had are reasonable. Like I said, I want Ross’ teeth. ;-)
So kudos to Joie de Vie for reading the reviews and reaching out.

I have $ 500 in gift certificates that these guys are refusing to honor because the are «under new ownership.»
That’s just bad business.

How can this salon not have an awesome review yet?
I have been going here for about a year and a half and have recruited my b/​f to also go.
The staff is friendly, accomodating and the place is clean and wonderful!
I was referred to Shondi by my friend’s g/​f who drives in from San Angelo to see her. Shondi is AWESOME! She listens to what you want and does it. None of this bs from other salons where you tell them one thing and they do another.
Also, Shondi is the first person I allowed to color my hair. It was my choice but I have dark hair and a tan skin tone so going too light is not an option. We started off very conservative with my highlights and now I have branched out and have lightened my hair up just enough so it looks cute and not tacky.
I highly recommend this salon! Parking is kind of a nightmare but you can valet at the hotel behind the salon and they will validate your ticket.

I can see why Joie de Vie offers specials to get people into their spa. I got a discount on teeth whitening and decided to go on Saturday. The problem was, when I got there at 3pm, they told me that my appt was at 4:15. OK then, I check out the E.A.S.T. for an hour. Then I got a call saying they confused me with another Emily. I told them I could come back, but that I was on foot. They seemed a little pushy, but it was their fault and I’m walking so they can wait. Of course everyone was apologetic, but I was still annoyed.
But this isn’t the only reason why they get 2 stars. The facility just wasn’t what it could be in this beautiful brownstone. It was the interior design equivalent of their logo typography, which is one step above Curlz. If you have any formal understanding of typography, or taste, you are gagging. It was like stamping Curlz onto handmade rice paper. It’s my opinion that a salon and spa experience should be all encompassing.
A word on the positive side, my teeth look great. And I got to take home the extra bleaching gel (it’s from Zoom Bleaching I believe). The girl that did it seemed to know her stuff.