Edit: I'm giving another star as Kristin issued a refund, which was nice (although the only decent thing to do).
I have mixed feelings about writing this review, hoping that perhaps my impression was off, mostly because I spent so much money that it's too depressing to think it was at least partly poorly spent. First off, let me just say that I'm not exactly a facial aficionado; I only get them about once a year during the summer when the oil gets to be too much and clogs up my pores. But, it's also not as though I've never gotten a facial before and have nothing to compare it to. The reason why I only get facials once a year is because previous estheticians were able to give results after the first facial that lasted a long time. My skin tends to be pretty good most of the time, until around August when the oil takes it up a notch, and I get a lot of oil build up/blackheads/etc.
The positives: she never takes a break. She's there from start to finish. If a mask is on and she needs to leave it for a while, she'll give you a massage. That takes a lot of extra effort that other people just don't put into their work.
However.
Kristin is very sweet, but at the end of the day, what counts is my skin. (Actually, I should say, she acts sweet, but I can smell fake niceties a mile away. When I told her my Clarisonic broke after several years of use, she gave me major attitude, side-eye, and said "Hm....I have never heard of anyone's Clarisonic breaking...." Um, if it's a machine Kristin, it can break. Give me a f-ing break.) And I'm disappointed to say that, despite my high hopes (look at these reviews!), $200 later (treatment, tip, skin care purchase), I can't really tell I've gotten a facial...and my boy toy is making fun of the girl in me, spending vapid amounts of money for beauty that nobody notices. Womp, womp. Honestly, my skin has been getting worse since the facial and erupting a lot, something that doesn't usually happen to me...maybe I have an intolerance to something she used.
I teared up during the extractions, she was really going in there, so I thought they'd be more effective - and I'm not doubting that she was able to get a lot of stuff out. God knows I've got a million and a half blackheads on my nose that I'm sure poured out like lava (sorry Kristin). So...I know my skin is still in better condition than it was when I came in. However, when I ran home to my mirror excited to see the oil build up around my chin finally emptied out, I was immediately able to see it. Still sitting there. Then I extracted the damage myself right then and there. And some more on my nose...and around my nose...and some on my cheeks..and my forehead. Um, really? If they're not that hard to get out, they shouldn't still be there after I've just gotten home from an expensive treatment.
Not only that, but in the following days, I've experienced no glow, no compliments, no nothing. I've REALLY tried hard to be happy with what I got, trying not to be frustrated over the amount of money lost, but after spending so much, it's hard not to be disappointed...when the things you thought you were paying a pretty penny to get rid of are still very much there...and there aren't any *noticeable,* visible results anywhere else.
I don't want to rag on a person that I'm sure worked hard during my facial regardless of the less-than-perfect results. I'd be willing to accept my skin being particularly difficult, or that maybe it takes more than one visit to get rid of all the congestion in my skin, if not for the fact that I was able to easily extract the things left behind myself upon returning home (I just usually like to leave it to a professional, as they can make sure it's done correctly and I don't scar)...or the fact that I once had a facial that got rid of everything in one visit after not having seen an esthetician for over ten years. Again, it's just summer oil build up; I don't have any big acne problems.
And don't you just hate it when you go home, re-read the reviews, and find out other people got free stuff while you didn't? I know I do. Maybe next time I'll tell my esthetician I'm engaged.
After various late night appointments, I'm beginning to think you should never schedule any treatment (facial, massage, haircut) after 4pm. Maybe they're all just tired by then and want you to get the hell out. I know I would. read more
