Element Beauty Lounge

11/02/11

Mediocre at Best

by Shell212

I decided to go to this place for a facial because they were listed on the Spa Week website, and I had a $50 Spa Week gift card to burn. I have been getting facials for the last 12 years, and have found the perfect esthetician that I have visited regularly for the last 3 years, but I found myself at Elements because of the gift card.

I made a reservation mentioning that I found them on Spa Week and wanted to use my gift card, and the receptionist told me that was ok and gave me an appointment.

The facial:

The facial was mediocre at best. The esthetician was heavy handed and the facial actually hurt at times, especially the massage. It was not relaxing at all. Then for the real kicker, she stopped to text on her phone at various times throughout the facial, and left her phone on the bed next my head.

Was this facial worth $52.95, no but I had a $50 gift card so it wouldn't have been so bad except at the end after I mentioned my spa week gift card on the phone, and at least 5X to the esthetician they decided to tell me that they don't take spa week gift cards.

Originally I might have given this location 2 stars but that was a major disappointment. Who does that?

I got swindled out of $52 out of my own pocket for one of the worst facials I have ever had, when it should have been a free Birthday present. I am just happy that they screwed up and didn't give me the more expensive facial that I actually asked for when I made the appointment.

I am sorry but I simply can not recommend this place to any one.

Spa Week Gift card Users Beware!

04/09/11

Good massage, but not so good mani/pedi

by clairelin

The massage by Carol was pretty good. I love the heated massage bed, but the sound proof was really bed. You hear exactly everything outside, people opening the boxes, talking and foot steps.

There maybe some other experienced manicurist, but mine was pretty inexperienced. Ga-in has very weak hands so her massage felt like nothing. I asked to be filed square, but they don't look so. She cut my cuticles and I obviously could see the wound, but she appeared like nothing happened. She could not apply OPI polish evenly, some darker, some lighter. The second I went to the drying section, I found a scratch already. She is sweet, but I don't recommend her.

11/11/09

Great Mani-Pedi, Rude Manager.

by Kawea

Element Beauty Lounge's atmosphere was pretty nice. I made sure to make an appointment early so I wouldn't be bombarded with a slew of fashionistas also waiting to get their Mani-Pedis. When I got there they were just setting up, which I thought was odd because I showed up 20 minutes after they were scheduled to open. The whole procedure was fantastic. Ako, who tended to me from start to finish, did an excellent job on my toes and my fingers. Even getting rid of EVERY ugly-dry cuticle!!!

Why did I only give them 3 out of 5 stars? To start, there were signs everywhere "suggesting" that the client give a 15-20% tip. I thought this was a little unorthodox, but may be helpful as they listed how much each percentage was worth for a 62 dollar value. (probably for the Groupon people, like myself)

Lastly, the Receptionist/"Manager" (she told another woman, that came in to complain, she was the manager)...who ever she was needs to either get a speech coach or learn how to speak English correctly. I couldn't understand a word she was saying over the phone or in person. After drying time, I personally handed my manicurist her tip and thanked her (more than 15%). When I was heading towards the door the Reception-Manager stopped me to ask me to give my Mancurist a tip! I told her I did and I left. I was surprised! No one has ever asked me to give a tip in my life before. It was as if it was Mandatory! I thought this was rude especially for a place of it's caliber. Tips are NOT mandatory, nor are the percentages! They are considered GRATITUDE for a job well done. Nail salons in the most ghetto parts of The Bronx aren't this rude!

• Pros: Great Atmosphere, Awesome music, lovely staff!
• Cons: Rude Manager. Pushy for Tips and how much to tip!

07/23/09

Great Manicure/massage/atmosphere

by Kris10F

I stopped in Element the other day and really had a great experience. Great staff, fresh/calm atmosphere. Huge selection of colors. The service was great, very quick and the technician did a great job, best of all I got a free shoulder massage!! Definetely will recommend Element to my friends.

• Pros: Manicure, free massage

07/22/09

Great E. Village spa!

by stopthehotpants

Everyone was really friendly from the moment I walked in and the atmosphere was really relaxing. They have so many hot colors to choose from too. Their new Essie summer colors are awesome, and I haven't seen them in a lot of the other salons I've been to. And if the color is a must-have, they will sell it to you for a really decent price. The mani pedi I got was great and a week and 1/2 later it still looks fresh which is really hard to come by. I feel like after going to most salons my polish looks bad even just a few days after but not here. I feel like the overall experience was better than most salons in their price range too. Highly recommend!