Townhouse Spa
39 W. 56th St., btw 5th & 6th Aves.
My birthday was coming up, and I was looking for a new place for pampering. Having recently started getting regular manicures I wanted a bit more than the nailpolish sweatshop. A search for "best of...'s" led me to Townhouse Spa, a recently opened lux pad that was just a block from my office. A nice surprise, and not that much more in cost than the other express manicure places.
I called around 12:30pm and asked if I needed an appointment. Made one anyway for 1pm, for a simultaneous mani/pedi. Got there early and found a sliver of a storefront that was not so obvious given it was hidden under a scaffolding and looking like a typical nail shop - glass storefront, products arranged within the view. I walked the walk through the products to the reception desk where a minimum of four ladies were situated, talking and looking busy and when one of them greeted me another searched for my name and confirmed my appointment. They ushered me back through a hip, masculine looking lounge and bar through to a back room of pedicure thrones and other nail spa things. I begged to use the restroom, and found a most delightful bathroom - spacious, beautiful tiny glass tiles on the floor and walls. They dished out for one of those Japanese toilets - the ubermodern ones that wash and dry you and welcome you with warmed seat.
The decor of the spa catered towards men, so the colors were dark and woody, the lounge containing red leather circular booths, and everything heavy and manly, but comforting for a girl. Even the nail room was masculine in decor, but had the same sense of comfort and cleanliness.
The room was not too busy, maybe four other patrons being serviced. Both the manicurist and pedicurist were young ladies with well honed, professional manner - fast and efficient and thorough. They chatted mostly to themselves in a foreign language (Vietnamese, maybe?) but quietly, and made occasional small talk with me. I was very relaxed and zoned out, enjoying the experience. I was led to the drying machines which, for once, had instructions on what the fan and lights were for. My pedicurist disappeared after that, and I was left sort of lost after the machines turned off and my toe nails were still not dry. Feeling kinda dumb and not sure what to do, I got up and shuffled to the lounge and sat in one of the booths. Many women walked by, all asking if I was okay and if I needed anything until I said I was just waiting for the polish to dry. One offered me tea, and I refused (still being annoyed at the undone polish and neglect) but then I relented. The herbal tea was hot, served in nice white china, and I started to relax again. After 15 minutes I headed out to the lobby to pay. Got a receipt that included the services as well as the names of who did them (nice touch).
And the end result, hours after leaving the spa?? A beautiful, flawless, glossy, evenly coated set of nails. It's been about two weeks now since the mani/pedi - no chips in the polish at all, and they still hold that fresh polish gleam. The manicure does need an update because nail growth, but the pedi could probably last another week. For $22 and $45, this is a great value for what you get. I plan on returning here often for my regular nail indulgences.
Showing posts with label spa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spa. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Friday, March 16, 2007
XO Blow Salon - review
XO Blow Salon
W. 14th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues
quickie services for a night out - blow outs, manicures and pedicures.
Pros: attentive bordering on sycophantic staff; good results - manicure and pedicure were quick and clean, the hair was a mere straightening of my mostly-straight hair, but the results turned out better than I thought
Cons: website lists makeup application services, but when I called 24 hours before desired appointment, there were unable to book one because "none of our makeup artists responded" or could do it. a sore disappointment for me - it's al ittle off to have your hair and nails done, but looking like your face just got out of bed. they should note on the website that they require 48 hours notice to make an appointment; also got a booboo on my little toe when the pedicurist filed my toe too hard, then tried to blame me that I already had some wound there - no, I don't think so, but she was appropriately sorry
W. 14th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues
quickie services for a night out - blow outs, manicures and pedicures.
Pros: attentive bordering on sycophantic staff; good results - manicure and pedicure were quick and clean, the hair was a mere straightening of my mostly-straight hair, but the results turned out better than I thought
Cons: website lists makeup application services, but when I called 24 hours before desired appointment, there were unable to book one because "none of our makeup artists responded" or could do it. a sore disappointment for me - it's al ittle off to have your hair and nails done, but looking like your face just got out of bed. they should note on the website that they require 48 hours notice to make an appointment; also got a booboo on my little toe when the pedicurist filed my toe too hard, then tried to blame me that I already had some wound there - no, I don't think so, but she was appropriately sorry
Monday, March 12, 2007
Yin Beauty & Art - review
Yin Beauty & Art
22 E. 66th Street, NY NY
between Madison and Fifth Avenues.
Well this is a preview. Called this morning to make an appointment for their Yin/Yang Qi special, $145 for a body and facial treatment, and yes that really is a bargain. I was all excited, this being a spa based on Chinese medicine principles. Made my appointment for Wednesday, at 10:30am. The person who answered the phone sounded authentically Chinese, but really really tired. I hope this is not the owner or the person going to do my treatments. Sure, I guess 10am is a tad early for some, but still... Will update when I get the treatment.....
Real Review:
In my life I've had a fair handful of facials, and I can definitely rate the one at Yin Beauty to be the best I've had.
I made an appointment for the Yin/Yang Qi 2-hour treatment special, but at the last minute, just before going into the treatment room, I asked if we could switch to the slimming/detox treatment. Tracey, my facialist, was very accommodating, and was able to do it since she didn't have a next appointment. Not only did the treatment last an hour and half, but she charged me for the original special price of $165 - what a bargain!
Began with this essential oils scalp massage - something I always poo-pooed as frivolous until I had this one - it was deeply relaxing and I felt it through my whole body. And this was just the beginning.
The Slimming Treatment involved focus on the "problem areas" like the thighs and tummy, and involved a dry brush (felt like a cat's tongue), smothering of this pepper-like lotion that turned and stayed very hot on your skin, wrapped and rewrapped again and stayed that way until the end of the entire treatment. Then my feet were hoisted onto this machine that was to "imitate the motions of a fish swimming" as it basically wiggled my legs side to side, moving the lymph stuff around and out. It was a bit odd, but not terrible, and if you just accepted it and let it do its thing, then it was somewhat relaxing.
The facial was endless. I felt like she kept putting some lotion on my face, then taking it off, about a dozen times. On, then wipe off; on, then wipe off, again and again. I'm sure it was different stuff she was putting on, but I couldn't tell. The extractions were not so bad, though I still have the blotches from it 24 hours later and that I think is a little long for the blotches to still be hanging around.
After I was done, I was offered a rose tea to sip, and given some sample green tea bags to take with me. It was almost like there was no mention of paying, and they were in no hurry for me to leave - a switch from most other spas.
Pros: I felt like a new person when the treatments were done; my aesthtician was superfriendly, caring and accomodating; no pushing of their products; my face is the smoothest it's been since I was maybe 12 months old? Great atmosphere and decor, small and cozy space with not a lot of people about, but very relaxing and down to earth staff.
Cons: she could use a little more experience I think - I had to stop and ask for a tissue so I can spit out some of the face product that got into my mouth and tasted incredibly bitter; my face is still blotchy after the extractions, 24 hours later, and I've never had blotches last this long; treatments were on the high end of the price range, but with the specials they run, it's not so bad on the wallet.
Recommendations: For facials and body treatment, Yes, absolutely! A bit on the pricy side, but they apparently run specials all the time, so check their website before booking.
AND ONE YEAR LATER....
I returned here for another facial/body treatment, feeling so positive for the previous one. And yeah, okay, so it took me another year to return, but I've been busy, so leave me alone.
My review is mixed - I though the place looked a little more run down than the previous year. The beautiful Oriental decor got mixed in with storage space. The seats looked a little run down, and the bathroom was neglected - burnt down candles, empty bottle of fragrance, empty dishes with leftover soap residue. It was sad to see. I had the same esthetician, and felt she was a little more... harsh with her touch, a bit more careless. Again, got facial product in my mouth, as well as in my eye (I wear contact lenses so this is a big concern for me). I got the month's facial/body special but she talked me into getting an additional treatment to salve the redness of the extractions - at the cost of another $50. The 2-hour treatment went to 2.5 hours, and by the end I was stiff and cranky and tired and wanted to just leave. I got the products push when I was getting ready to pay, her even telling me that the products I use just weren't good enough, how terrible my skin is (yes I have problems with it, but did she bother to think it might be laziness on my part?). I was already smarting from the extra $50 fee tagged on, so I refused the products.
On the upside, my skin on both face and body felt amazingly soft for a good week afterwards. My skin rarely looks this good, and I did look more refreshed and even younger than I have in a while.
So, the end result is great, but they left me feeling not so great - and isn't that the whole purpose of spa indulgences, to feel awesome and pampered and comforted?
I heard rumor they might be opening a second location - I would recommend they put the money into keeping up the first location as it sorely needs it.
22 E. 66th Street, NY NY
between Madison and Fifth Avenues.
Well this is a preview. Called this morning to make an appointment for their Yin/Yang Qi special, $145 for a body and facial treatment, and yes that really is a bargain. I was all excited, this being a spa based on Chinese medicine principles. Made my appointment for Wednesday, at 10:30am. The person who answered the phone sounded authentically Chinese, but really really tired. I hope this is not the owner or the person going to do my treatments. Sure, I guess 10am is a tad early for some, but still... Will update when I get the treatment.....
Real Review:
In my life I've had a fair handful of facials, and I can definitely rate the one at Yin Beauty to be the best I've had.
I made an appointment for the Yin/Yang Qi 2-hour treatment special, but at the last minute, just before going into the treatment room, I asked if we could switch to the slimming/detox treatment. Tracey, my facialist, was very accommodating, and was able to do it since she didn't have a next appointment. Not only did the treatment last an hour and half, but she charged me for the original special price of $165 - what a bargain!
Began with this essential oils scalp massage - something I always poo-pooed as frivolous until I had this one - it was deeply relaxing and I felt it through my whole body. And this was just the beginning.
The Slimming Treatment involved focus on the "problem areas" like the thighs and tummy, and involved a dry brush (felt like a cat's tongue), smothering of this pepper-like lotion that turned and stayed very hot on your skin, wrapped and rewrapped again and stayed that way until the end of the entire treatment. Then my feet were hoisted onto this machine that was to "imitate the motions of a fish swimming" as it basically wiggled my legs side to side, moving the lymph stuff around and out. It was a bit odd, but not terrible, and if you just accepted it and let it do its thing, then it was somewhat relaxing.
The facial was endless. I felt like she kept putting some lotion on my face, then taking it off, about a dozen times. On, then wipe off; on, then wipe off, again and again. I'm sure it was different stuff she was putting on, but I couldn't tell. The extractions were not so bad, though I still have the blotches from it 24 hours later and that I think is a little long for the blotches to still be hanging around.
After I was done, I was offered a rose tea to sip, and given some sample green tea bags to take with me. It was almost like there was no mention of paying, and they were in no hurry for me to leave - a switch from most other spas.
Pros: I felt like a new person when the treatments were done; my aesthtician was superfriendly, caring and accomodating; no pushing of their products; my face is the smoothest it's been since I was maybe 12 months old? Great atmosphere and decor, small and cozy space with not a lot of people about, but very relaxing and down to earth staff.
Cons: she could use a little more experience I think - I had to stop and ask for a tissue so I can spit out some of the face product that got into my mouth and tasted incredibly bitter; my face is still blotchy after the extractions, 24 hours later, and I've never had blotches last this long; treatments were on the high end of the price range, but with the specials they run, it's not so bad on the wallet.
Recommendations: For facials and body treatment, Yes, absolutely! A bit on the pricy side, but they apparently run specials all the time, so check their website before booking.
AND ONE YEAR LATER....
I returned here for another facial/body treatment, feeling so positive for the previous one. And yeah, okay, so it took me another year to return, but I've been busy, so leave me alone.
My review is mixed - I though the place looked a little more run down than the previous year. The beautiful Oriental decor got mixed in with storage space. The seats looked a little run down, and the bathroom was neglected - burnt down candles, empty bottle of fragrance, empty dishes with leftover soap residue. It was sad to see. I had the same esthetician, and felt she was a little more... harsh with her touch, a bit more careless. Again, got facial product in my mouth, as well as in my eye (I wear contact lenses so this is a big concern for me). I got the month's facial/body special but she talked me into getting an additional treatment to salve the redness of the extractions - at the cost of another $50. The 2-hour treatment went to 2.5 hours, and by the end I was stiff and cranky and tired and wanted to just leave. I got the products push when I was getting ready to pay, her even telling me that the products I use just weren't good enough, how terrible my skin is (yes I have problems with it, but did she bother to think it might be laziness on my part?). I was already smarting from the extra $50 fee tagged on, so I refused the products.
On the upside, my skin on both face and body felt amazingly soft for a good week afterwards. My skin rarely looks this good, and I did look more refreshed and even younger than I have in a while.
So, the end result is great, but they left me feeling not so great - and isn't that the whole purpose of spa indulgences, to feel awesome and pampered and comforted?
I heard rumor they might be opening a second location - I would recommend they put the money into keeping up the first location as it sorely needs it.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Metamorphosis Spa - review
Metamorphosis Day Spa
127 E. 56th St., 5th floor, NY NY 10022
Dark simple decor, such that a man would probably not feel out of place there. My experience was awesome when I had my favorite facialist, Vera - but that was three years ago, and the other two times I had a facial that was from someone other than Vera, they were heavy handed and nearly drowned me in cold cream. Maybe I have a small face and they have large hands - dunno.
My first visit was maybe 2002? New Year's Eve, and my best girlfriend and I went there on a package deal. I liked it so much - well I liked Vera so much that I went back, got a whole microdermabrasion series done over the course of three months to erase away those last traces of adolescent acne. As I continued to have money, I kept going back. Then I quit my job and went to graduate school, and stopped going because graduate students don't go to expensive spas to get facials. Even if she lives in Manhattan. I did go back about six months ago, to do some wedding prep. By that time Vera was gone, and while my facialist was ... well meaning, she just wasn't Vera.
Overall, the spa gets good reviews. It also did some nice search engine finagling because if you google "spa nyc" the first listing is Metamorphosis. Could account for the reviews. It seems to be more known for their couples treatments and massages, and they seem to offer more and more medi-spa services, things that involve electricity.
I wouldn't NOT go there again, but with the hundreds of spas in NY, I'm willing to try other places and see how they measure up.
127 E. 56th St., 5th floor, NY NY 10022
Dark simple decor, such that a man would probably not feel out of place there. My experience was awesome when I had my favorite facialist, Vera - but that was three years ago, and the other two times I had a facial that was from someone other than Vera, they were heavy handed and nearly drowned me in cold cream. Maybe I have a small face and they have large hands - dunno.
My first visit was maybe 2002? New Year's Eve, and my best girlfriend and I went there on a package deal. I liked it so much - well I liked Vera so much that I went back, got a whole microdermabrasion series done over the course of three months to erase away those last traces of adolescent acne. As I continued to have money, I kept going back. Then I quit my job and went to graduate school, and stopped going because graduate students don't go to expensive spas to get facials. Even if she lives in Manhattan. I did go back about six months ago, to do some wedding prep. By that time Vera was gone, and while my facialist was ... well meaning, she just wasn't Vera.
Overall, the spa gets good reviews. It also did some nice search engine finagling because if you google "spa nyc" the first listing is Metamorphosis. Could account for the reviews. It seems to be more known for their couples treatments and massages, and they seem to offer more and more medi-spa services, things that involve electricity.
I wouldn't NOT go there again, but with the hundreds of spas in NY, I'm willing to try other places and see how they measure up.
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