Isse Salon

This salon is a wonderful little place. The ladies who work here are very nice and are skilled with hair and nails. My mom comes here and has raved about getting great manicures so I finally went with her this week. I got a haircut from Nikki and my mom got her nails done. I was really happy with the cut and my moms nails looked great like they always do. I will be coming back again!

I’ve been here a few times, my in-​laws suggested it. The first few experiences were great. Little waiting, good service, nice atmosphere. The last time was not good, at all. I scheduled an appointment, which usually gets me in a chair in less than 10 minutes, today I sat for 30 minutes before being helped. People who walked in after I did were also helped before me. Not okay. The mani/​pedi were fine, the girl who helped me was nice and did a pretty good job for being newer, but I’m not okay with waiting for a scheduled appointment that long. If you’re going to take appointments, you should probably learn how to manage them better. I’ll probably go elsewhere until they can.

If you’ve read any of my other reviews, you’ve seen I’m a prolific writer. This experience was so bad, I don’t want to talk about it. I gave it 2 stars because I have to admit that the foot massage was fantastic, but everything else about my experience was horrible. Even the loud-​mouthed white trash regular in the chair next to me & her equally obnoxious mother needed to STFU & mind their own business. (Apparently I don’t care to be told to relax when my ingrown toenail is being ripped from my nail bed.)

The customer service was great, the person greeting me was very nice, the person who did my manicure was very polite and nice. Made sure I had a cup of tea before we started and overall my feeling there was comfortable.
Then it began.
I should have questioned why everyone was in a gold jacket, but this person was in a blue one.
She had a horrible time removing my previous shellac, which puzzled me because it had been so long since my last manicure, it was peeling off on it’s own. After soaking them (she was quite impatient) she tried to scrape, making little effort, then soaked them longer. During this soak she did the «hand massage». She squirted cuticle oil on my arms and then applied lotion and proceeded to rub this oily mess into my arms. She massaged my hands for about ten seconds, but I guess it was inconvenient since my nails were still soaking the polish off at the time. She then got out the power file, which really made me nervous on my real nails. Without checking to see if the last soak worked, she started in. I’m afraid to see what shape they’re in when this shellac is removed.
She kept asking, «are you ok». Hmmm… odd.
I asked for all of my nails filed to be a bit longer than two of my nails, which had broken. My nice 8 nails were cut and the one that I had voiced as «a little too short already», was filed down about another ¼ inch, ugh. I felt later than I should have said something, but she was filing like a maniac and it was done before I realized what was going on.
She applied one coat of base color and then the tip was two very thick uneven layers.
After leaving, I looked at the polish, all over my fingers, under my nails and one thumbnail was polished to my skin. Under my nails also was the remnants of the ‘not quite completely filed off’ nail. I probably should have gone back in and made them trim off the cuticle and nail parts that were done so poorly, but I did not.
I am just hoping the polish stays on until payday so I can have them redone elsewhere.
Sad panda.

I get my brows done here and I’ve had mixed results. Kittie did a good job on my brows but I let her dk my nails for the Marine Corps Ball this year and she did a terrible job on them! I can’t believe I paid anything for it. She cut my nails uneven, and I had a French Mani and pedi done, which looked like they were done by a kindergardener. The white went down too far and when I asked her if she could fix it she sighed and only attempted to fix one nail– it was still too sloppy afterward. I had to go home and repaint my nails myself.

Went in for my first visit today. I’m new to the area so I didn’t know what to expect and didn’t make an appt. Luckily I arrived at 955am, right before all the 10am Saturday appointments. Thus I got in with no wait. There was a rush of people right behind me so I’d recommend making an appt. I went in for a pedicure and it was the best one I’d ever had. Usually at other salons I feel beat up with the leg massage or abrasive skin exfoliates, but there was none of that here. One nice surprise was the hot periphen wax. Nice touch! The mood in the salon was also friendly and upbeat. My polish came out great. Overall a good experience.

Do not recommend

I like this place a lot. The first time I went I got a bikini wax and the woman who did it was super professional but also talked to me through the whole thing and joked with me and overall just made me feel very comfortable. I didn’t catch her name but I need to figure it out so that I can ask for her again.
The second time I went in I got a shellac manicure and I am very pleased with it. I’ve gotten them before at other places and I feel like the person doing it always goes really fast and is kind of sloppy, like they just want to get it done and be paid already. This was not the case at Isse. Again, I do not remember the woman’s name, but she took her time, made sure the polish completely covered my nails, asked if I wanted another layer to make it darker, and was super sweet all at the same time. My nails look perfect and I will definitely be going back. Good to know — they also do hair there!

I guess the one star would have to go for their service. Very friendly ladies but also very inexperienced with shellac. Only lasted less than a week and before walking out the door noticed several issues. Bubbling, cracking and just not done properly. Didn’t go all the way to the edges and looked grown out from the start. Got a full manicure and was extremely disappointed. Went to my place by my work to get them removed and needed a brand new manicure to get rid of their mess. Will not return.

Service was not bad. I got a pedicure that was okay other than the fact that she piled on the nail polish so not only did it take forever to dry, but it smudged really bad a few hours later! Their nail polish color selection is very small compared to all of the other nail salons I have ever been to. I suggest going somewhere else.

I have been very hesitant in seeking out another stylist. I am a very loyal woman and have had the same stylist for 2 years. My hair isn’t easy and I am very particular in how my hair is handled. Nonetheless I think I found my new stylist away from my stylist.
Thank you the girl for doing a wonderful job on my hair and for being understanding to my hair needs. She is an excellent stylist. The technicians are friendly and professional. I leave the salon every time now absolutely loving my hair and am always complimented by others on it. I will go back.

Really enjoyed my first experience at ISSE. I was treated to a deluxe spa pedicure and shellac manicure, and was very impressed by both the service, cleanliness, attentiveness, and detail. I came early and was one of their first clients, and by the time I was finished with my services, there were quite a few other clients in the salon — and everyone seemed to be receiving an exceptional level of service and care.
The pedicure involved the normal maintenance work, but also included an exfoliating rub, moisturizing, massage, hot stone massage, paraffin wax, and color. It was so very relaxing — especially in the massage pedicure chairs! The shellac manicure was quite speedy — they did the nail and cuticle trimming, arm massage, and paraffin wax while I was still in the pedicure chair.
I’ve been to many salons across the greater Portland area — some very upscale, and some not so much. I would not consider this to be an upscale spa experience; but it was very close, and in fact I appreciated the price point and service here much more than some of the fancier spas I have visited.
The women were friendly and accommodating; and space was very clean and organized and I liked the fact that the salon staff were dressed nicely instead of in matching smocks.

I came in around 6pm on a Wednesday afternoon. I didn’t own a nail kit, so I didn’t bring one. I was scared with the reviews, so I just went in thinking they’d have one for people to buy. I had Acrylics that I had broken off, literally. There were still remainders left on my nails.
I got there, immediately a nice lady asked me what I wanted done, and she showed me where to sit down. I told her I wanted Shellac, and withing 2 – 5 minutes I was already sitting at a station. This lady was super sweet, and she spoke some english which is always nice. She did a good job removing the remainders of the Acrylic. But she was off, so another lady filled in for her.
This new lady, spoke better english but had an attitude. I asked her if she had any kids, and she told me two girls in college. And I asked if they liked to get their nails done and she replied with a condescending comment like «No, they focus on school not getting their nails done.»
I told her I wanted zig-​zag/​chevron and she told me she attempted before and wasn’t successful. Which was nice for her honesty, but I wanted a heart. on my accent nail. Next thing you know, she makes a weird looking heart, I assume shes never done a heart before. She asked me if I wanted the heart to be «bigger» It didn’t really make much of a difference. At the end, the other hand’s heart looked way better, and didn’t look symmetrical whatsoever.
At the end, she gave me a punch card, after 10 visits I get 10 Dollar discount off. And that’s nice I guess. My total was $ 30, I got Shellac, the nail kit, and a design I think they charged me for.
I don’t know if i’d go back, with that lady’s condescending comment.

Okay, this is my update. I’ve been here as a regular for about seven months and I have to say my opinion of this place has improved! The technicians are friendly for the most part and have gotten to know me. In particular, I suggest if you want a professional nail treatment go to Katherine. She is terrific! In fact most of the young ladies are friendly, professional and helpful. I will continue to come to this place. They are also friendly to young kids as well, and my great niece loves to get her mani/​pedis done here.

Just had a pedicure on 6÷18÷13. I was a bit leery after reading reviews here but my experience was great! I walked in at an off time without an appointment and they were able to get started immediately.
All of the staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Jenny did my pedicure. She was thorough and careful. She paid attention only to me; we chatted much of the time. My toe nails look great (and others have complimented me on how nice my pedicure looks!)

For the price of $ 35 I got a Pedi and Brow Wax. The Brow wax was fantastic, and the lady who did it had a good eye for detail. As for the pedicure, I’ve had better. My paint job was sloppy, and she only applied one coat. I asked her to work with a spot in the bottom of my foot, formed by my flip-​flops. She did, but didn’t remove that rough spot all together. She was very chatty with her neighbor, constantly texting on her iPhone, and was up running around the shop more then she was working.

Nikki is the best. I love having a nail technician who listens to what I want and does the job quickly. Love this salon — super friendly people, NICE pedicure chairs, great service, and they do a great job on my acrylic nails. The prices are very reasonable, too.
Update 9÷27÷13 — Had a less than great experience this summer when Nikki was out on vacation. The girl who did my nails that day was beyond rude. Bottom line — if I don’t feel valued as a customer, I’m not coming back. I was so clear that she didn’t want to be bothered to help me that it whole experience lame. Nikki has since called to ask if I’ll return and to apologize for her employee’s actions — so I might go back but I found another shop that I like even more. Customer service is so important to me — I’d rather spend my money where I am valued.

Date Visited: Thursday 4÷18÷13
I basically needed a one-​stop shop where I could get a pedicure and haircut without paying a fortune. After reading the variety of reviews on-​line, I decided to give Isse Salon a try and even made sure to avoid some of the issues by making an appointment.
I arrived a few minutes early, but they were ready for me and asked me to select a color for my pedicure. Since I didn’t want color, I was immediately shown to one of the pedicure chairs. This was only my 3^rd pedicure ever and I have to say that I didn’t really enjoy my previous 2. A portion of the nail polish of my very first pedicure did last an entire year, but I remember it being uncomfortable as I have sensitive feet (I guess). This one was pretty comfortable. The nails were trimmed, sanded, and all cleaned up. It all felt really «fresh» and refreshing.
I was then led right to the chair for the haircut. I had trimmed my own hair (badly) and needed it cleaned up. I think it turned out really well and my hair has shape again.
It’s a nearby place and I can’t complain about either service I had done. I don’t get manicures or pedicures often, but when I am in need of either, I will definitely re-​visit Isse Salon.

The staff is rude. I have been going here with another woman and she drives a Mercedes so they are overly fake nice to her thinking she has money. I drive a brand new Mustang and get treated like crap. At first I didn’t understand why I felt as though they were so rude to me, then it hit me. They are nice to people they think have money and treat everyone else like dirt. Customer service is important, there is a nail salon on every corner and I will not go back here because the customer service is BAD!!! They are fake and only out for the money, when I went to write the check they lean over me to be sure they get a tip, very rude people.

Wow. This place has totally ruined going to other salons for me.
My old salon on the east coast was pretty much show up, pay and listen to the people working there talk to each other while they rushed to get your nails done. Isse is the opposite of that.
My friend made me go with her to get a shellac, and we got to sit in massage chairs and sip our coffees while we waited for a spot to open up. They offered us soda/​tea as well.
The staff were all friendly and super nice. The inside of the salon was cute, clean and well decorated.
They ask you to buy a set of emery boards for a dollar that you get to keep. They also ask that you bring this to all your future appointments to keep things as sanitary as possible. My nails came out gorgeous, despite having just had acrylics removed. They were seriously torn up and awful looking but the shellac I got makes them look totally healthy again without having to further damage them.