Essentia Salon & Spa, An Aveda Exclusive Salon

Honestly, I really do not like leaving negative feedback. I try to see the good in all things. But I really feel like the management should know how this experience made their first time customer feel. I went in to get a pedicure. For me, that is a splurge and something I don't get to do often. So when I looked at all the choices of where to go in Topeka I saw that this place had a good rating. A lovely (I assume the manager) greeted me and said she could get me in and told me the pricing up front, which I love. There is nothing worse than getting through you pedicure and then a place tries to make you pay double what they said it would be. I waited only about 10-15 min, which was great. Now comes the reason I only gave 2 stars. The woman who did my pedicure was clearly irritated. When I sat down she asked me if I just wanted my toenails "shaped up" with a nail file? Or did I want her to actually trim them and file them? I had told her it had been months since I had them done. Honestly I thought this was a given that I would want them trimmed and shaped. Every single step of this pedicure was rushed thu and very quick. I didn't get to soak my feet more than a few seconds in between steps. I honestly thought she was going to skip the massage but she did each foot for about a minute at the end. There was absolutely no "spa" experience in this. Very disappointing. Then I look at their website after I left and turns out I was charged more than what their posted prices state. I was charged $55 when their website says $53 is the rate for the pedicure I received. I did leave the woman a tip because I was raised to be kind. As soon as I was done the woman clocked out and took off. I was waiting to be picked up and the manager was cleaning up. I mentioned that the woman who did my pedicure seemed very irritated. I apologized if she was upset. She said "at what? Our hours are til 4:00. You shouldn't feel bad. We are here to make money. She knows we are open til 4:00." But she walked out the door just after 3:30. My husbad got there to pick me up and said wow..that wasn't very long. I said you're right. So disappointed. The two stars I gave were for cleanliness and the fact that they don't hassle you to upsell like other places. And my toes look better than they did. Just felt for that much money I shouldn't have been rushed thru and left feeling short changed on the service I was supposed to receive. Edit: Changed to 1 star after I got home and saw my feet in the light. I have never had a pedicure where they didn't smooth out your nail at least some and removed any bits of polish that made it on your skin while painting. Really sad.

Ricki is absolutely incredible! She gave me an amazing massage the perfect mix of relaxation and pressure, and she checked in to make sure I was comfortable the whole time. I also got my eyebrows waxed for the first time, and she made the experience so easy and comfortable. My brows have never looked this good! Ricki is professional, kind, and truly talented. Not only that but she’s basically a therapist to talk to if needed. She helped me through a lot 100000000/10 I’ll definitely be back!

Ricki was so nice and did a great job. She is a very skilled Esthetician. The atmosphere was so peaceful and comfortable. All of the products she used smelled really good. After an hour long Swedish massage and an hour long facial I left feeling refreshed and relaxed!

If you are looking for an esthetician, Ricki is amazing at what she does — super professional, kind, and makes you feel totally comfortable. The overall atmosphere is comfortable and welcoming. I always leave feeling great and completely trust her work. If you’re looking for someone who’s not only skilled but also genuinely cares about her clients, I highly recommend her!

Highly recommend this place, very professional and super clean and comfortable, I had Ricki as my esthetician today she did amazing. I got a lash lift and never knew my lashes were this long! I also pre warned her that I have very sensitive skin and get reactions easy, she kept it very clean no products touched anywhere but my lashes thank you so much Ricki Long will come again 10/10