Christine Chin Spa

11/23/09

best facials in new york city

by Maggi28nyc at Citysearch

Love the staff here, we (my husband and I) both come here about 2-3 times a month. We also love Orchard Street this block! We love the new Pilgrim shop at 70 Orchard Street that opened in may, great designer shoes, handbags and clothing (new and vintage -- really edited designer vintage). Best facials in town, lots of Vogue editors.

• Pros: love it, discrete, quiet and good
• Cons: none

11/17/09

Great skin care, hard sell on the products

by allisont at Citysearch

I had a facial with Christine herself at the recommendation of my medical dermatologist, who said "she will get your face cleaner than anyone." Once at the salon, Christine convinced me to get microdermabrasion as well.

Christine has a reputation for being no-nonsense and she is - she will tell you what kind of skin you have, what you've been doing wrong and how she can treat your skin problems. She won't sugarcoat anything, and she does name-drop her celebrity clientele. Having said that, she was honest and competent and not mean or intimidating at all.

The microdermabrasion was one of the most aggressive ones I've ever had - she went over the same spots again and again and I was sure I would escape with raw, scraped skin. As a woman of color, I would be hesitant to trust another aesthetician with this level of abrasiveness, but Christine is a master (I was reassured on this by my doctor). The microdermabrasion was followed by a soothing facial but with aggressive extractions - not painful but she went after everything. I was amazed when I had only minor peeling after both procedures and my skin has looked and felt amazing since.

The only negative was the hard sell on products at the end. I do love her mild toner, but her assistant and the young woman at the desk both pushed the rest of the product line (firming serum, daily serum, retinol lotion). None of the prices are outrageous for a celeb skin line but I hate coming out of a facial and having to battle with the front-desk staff about buying products.

Having said that, when I called a few days later with a question about use of one product, they had a record of when I'd been in, what I'd purchased, who I'd seen and notes that Christine had taken from our session. Impressive.

• Pros: Professional, competent
• Cons: Expensive, push products

10/29/09

Verena is amazing

by AmandaLES at Citysearch

Verena is the best aesthetician I have ever had, hands down. I came to her 8 months before my wedding and asked her what I needed to do to have the best skin of my life. She suggested a six-week rotating schedule of micro + facials, facials, and back again. By the time my wedding rolled around, I was getting regular compliments on my skin tone and smoothness, and plenty of comments about how I don't look my age (and what woman doesn't love THAT?) :)

Verena is kind, thorough, and dedicated to giving you the best results possible every time you see her. She will spend as much time with you as necessary to get it right: she never cuts a single corner, never makes you feel rushed, and also does a wonderful job of respecting your budget and not over-selling the spa's products and services.

She has become a friend over the course of the last year, and I genuinely look forward to seeing her every time I go in.....which is saying something, given that it's true what they say about the facials here...but no pain, no gain, ladies! ;)