GemVie MediSpa

Doesn't Recommend

blahblahblah123

Joined 3 years ago

Left with a bruises on my face because of Rebecca!. I never write reviews on here, actually this may be my very first so, so that should be an indicator of how bad my experience was at Gemvie Medispa. I've been getting facials for 17 years now, so I know. I went with someone else who had a great experience. If you do choose to go here- whatever you do- do not get your facial done with Rebecca! She was so amateur, I could have done a better job with zero training and a blind fold. I noticed immediately that she sounded congested, like she had a cold. Never a good thing when she was going to be near my face for the next hr. She then proceeded to clean and massage my skin but I did not once feel any sort of moisturizer on my face. It felt like she used a toner and was massaging my face, which was really just pushing and pulling my skin around. She talked to me the entire time which I found completely distracting. When it came time for steaming my face, she only steamed my face for 10 minutes (it should be 20) and she was there the entire time. What was worse, is she had a egg timer on ticking in my ear. After the steam was done was when it became unbearable and why I am begging anyone who reads this to avoid Rebecca like the plague. She proceeded to extract with such force around my nose that at one point I almost thought she was going to either dislocate it or break it. I am very used to extractions (especially around my nose) and so trust me when I say this was done in a unprofessional and dangerous way. I literally could not breath she had pushed down on my nose so hard. She also said you're nose is all red around here- which is weird. My nose was not red when I walked in. My nose is still sore, hrs having received my facial. After the traumatic extraction portion of the facial, she offered me a few mask options by reading off a bunch of names on jars but not explaining their benefits. She then proceeded to use the technique that a esthetician uses to apply and massage moisturizer to a face with the mud mask. After applying the mask she finally left for 10 minutes. Upon her return, she just sat there in silence and from what I could feel, hear and sense- was blowing on my face to dry off the mask. Gross! And she was congested. Double gross! As I read this, I can't even believe I silently sat there, but I think I was in too much trauma and shock to react like I normally would have. So once she felt the mask was sufficiently dry she proceeds to clean my skin with a freezing cold towel which was hard and borderline painful. I also believe this was the towel which she used at the beginning of my facial. It was hot then, it was ice cold now. At this point, I just wanted her to get away from my face. Once she was done, I expected she would leave so I could get dressed in privacy. Instead she stood there and was staring at me. At this point I knew she either had done some serious damage to my face (she looked scared) or wanted to watch me get dressed. This was the first time I had a facial in a room with no mirrors, so I used to compact to find out that she had pushed down on my nose so hard she broke capillaries and cause the side of my nose to be bruised and purple. I was so stunned that I just wanted to get out of there but when my friend who was with me saw me she knew something was wrong with me and noticed that I was purple. When she started to ask what happened I tried to brush it off to just get out and Rebecca had the gaul to say that my nose had been that red to begin with. I think I would know if my nose were red. Then the owner came around the desk insisting to look at my skin. When she went to touch my face with her unwashed hands was when I had had enough and told her not to come near me. If you still plan to go there and get a facial with Rebecca don't say you weren't warned

Doesn't Recommend

NYCRinne

Joined 3 years ago

Do not go for laser. I agree with the previous reviewer. This is a dodgey place.

I went here for bikini laser treatment and the equipment seemed old and outdated (I have had laser at two other BEAUTIFUL spas and this one was no where near as high tech as the laser machines as those two spas). On my first treatment with the laser nothing happened at all. I was assured that this was because it was the first treatment and the setting was just too low. Fine, so I go back for the second treatment, and my technician obviously decided to put the setting up MUCH higher, because the lasering was excruciatingly painful and left dark burn type marks on my bikini line that are only now, two weeks later, finally fading away.

I have, as I said, been lasered in two other spas (Equinox spa, and SkinSpa NYC, both of which I highly recommend) and I have never had a skin reaction, and both other treatments were nearly painless. There was so much pain during this treatment that I started sweating, getting dizzy, and feeling like I would faint. Moreover, at each place after each treatment, the hair fell right out and stayed that way almost until the next treatment.

I would not recommend this spa, at least for Laser. They gave me a third treatment on my package but I won't even be using it.

Doesn't Recommend

greggerla

Joined 3 years ago

dodgey dodgey place. I went in for standard botox after shopping around to get a cheaper price, I've had it before in Europe and the states, despite this the doctor didn't really listen and went into an hour long explanation of what I could do...He wouldn't go into the price of the procedure at all. I agreed to do it in 2 areas, they left me in a room for over 20 minutes waiting on my paper sheeted chair, then the doctor came in with a needle lying in a tray and some ice packs...I asked why he wasn't injecting the product from the bottle there and then as most specialists do talking you through the product and procedure so his assistant tried to explain the product to me....I said that I just would have preferred to see him taking it from the bottle before injecting as most specialists do so they went off to find the bottle which took a further 15 mins. By this stage, over an hour later than the appointment with not another client in sight for any treatments, I thought I should make an escape when he came back with a tiny bottle still with some liquid in the bottom I explained I wasn't getting the usual service or reassurance or confidence I expect, he wasn't happy I left and there were a few words between us, but I feel like it was a lucky escape.

Recommends

Rachelleny

Joined 3 years ago

woo hoo - no hair!. This is actually my first review on Citysearch - and it's taken me 3 visits to Gemvie to write this - just to make sure I liked their services. In truth, I should say service, as I've only used them for laser hair removal.

I found them when passing by & noticed some cards/coupons for laser hair removal outside their door with a really great deal on laser. The picture was horrible - a lip covered half with dark, ugly hair. Almost made me not want to look into them. But the price was too good.

So I looked at their reviews online & they seemed pretty good. I had been to a couple of other places - Tribeca, Completely Bare & had ok experiences - through SpaWeek. The coupon for here was for $40 or $99 depending on the area. I booked it.

I really liked Daria from the start. No nonsense, yet friendly. Put me at ease. In the end I had my underarms, brazilian, and lower legs done. Yes, there are some areas that definitely are NOT fun... but for the most part it is not painful at all. And those not fun areas aren't fun when waxing either.

I've now been there 3 times & am scheduled for my 4th visit next week. There's a few hairs left it seems - but I think I'm the only one who notices them. Faint, light barely there hair on my lower legs which I don't think the laser works on (needs to be dark hair). So not noticeable that I don't even shave in between.

I would highly recommend Daria - and have to several of my friends. I booked 6 sessions for each of the areas so that I could get the reduced price & paid about $1,600 I think including tax - which was really reasonable versus all the other places I checked out. And they aren't pushy like some (laser cosmetica turned me off because of that).

I think I've said it all. Whether you go here or somewhere else though, I highly recommend laser. It's been so great not to wax or shave!

Recommends

Fwiley

Joined 3 years ago

Fantastic Facials. I visited Gemvie Spa for the first time in Fall 2008 during Spa Week. I heard about Gemvie through good word of mouth before booking an appointment.

I have been to literally hundreds of spas in New York City and Gemvie is one of my favorties - The atmosphere is relaxing. The staff are friendly and helpful. The prices are affordable.

I find the facials to be relaxing and very thorough. My skin just shines after each treatment.

I usually go for facials but I did try the hour long massage and it was fantastic. I slept like a baby for a week after the massage.

Book an appointment sooner rather than later.

Recommends

marina fef

Joined 3 years ago

Could not be any happier.... I’ve done my first Botox injections with doctor Morgovsky. I was 110% satisfied with my experience. I was given a complete consultation, doctor patiently answered all my questions and believe me I had quite a few : ) ( as you might know doctors not always do that). Before and after photos were taken and I was explained how I can benefit from the injections and other treatments that they offer like micropeels and etc. Going to the injection room I had no doubts that I came to the right place. A week later all the effect of Botox appeared, Doctor did a beautiful eyebrow lift just as I wanted to. All I can say that I could not be any happier with my visit and results!

Doesn't Recommend

suzy s

Joined 3 years ago

Do Not Waste Your Money. The atmosphere was horrible. The "Techno Spa" music was too loud, but I could still hear the staff laughing and talking in the front room. My masseuse kept going into the connecting room to get warm towels – very distracting – and what if someone was using that room? The table was covered with paper and then I was sort of covered with a small towel – no sheets. There was no bolster for my legs.

I don’t even want to rehash how awful the woman at the front desk was.

I tried the spa because I had a Groupon – even at a discount – this was a total waste.

Recommends

citygirl0801

Joined 3 years ago

Great Spa/Great Service/Great Value!!!. My first visit to Gem Vie was during Spa Week 2009 and I've been happily going back for facials once every month since. I recommend all spa goers and anyone looking for a new spa home give Gem Vie a try like I did during spa week. For $50 you can't go wrong. Gem Vie's expert services produce results you can see and feel.

GREAT SPA - very relaxing and tranquil. When you first arrive (if you're early) you're greeted & seated in the lounge and offered tea, biscuits, etc. The lounge leads out to a beautiful outdoor garden where you can sit and sip your tea in nice weather. If you come just on time (like I sometimes do after work) you're immediately directed to one of the cozy treatment rooms to begin your service. The soft music, scent and decor immediately begin to relax you after a long day. Galina's soft hands do the rest.

GREAT SERVICE- my skin is very oily. I experience break outs once a month, every month during my cycle and I have old ance scars from it. Galina has been expertly alternating between deep pore cleansing facials with extractions one visit and microdermabrasion the next. My old acne scars are fading and I have less and less new acne. My skin has never looked better or clearier since my teens when I first started getting acne. I'm 30 years old, which is not old but, I definitely looked my age. Since coming to Gem Vie my fiance tells me I look like I did when we first met back in high school. I've been getting carded again at bars/nightclubs. It's unbelievable!!! My skin is softer, its smoother, and I experience less and less break outs. My skin now has a glow that it's never had before.

GREAT VALUE - we all know that spa treatments can be very costly but, Galina (the owner) worked with me and designed a plan that I can afford -I don't know any other spas willing to do that. I've tried at least 6 other spas in the midtown area and none compare in customer service or value. At other places I always feels like they're in a rush to get me in and out and get as much money out of me as possible. They try to push you to book a package but, take no real interest in you as a customer. Galina never makes me feel that way. There's no hard sales, no pushiness, no rush. The staff members at Gem Vie are all very friendly, professional and knowledgable.

Recommends

Fazalia

Joined 3 years ago

Spa Finder facial!. I get facials every month; this is what I have to do to keep up with

my oily skin. Since it’s not the cheapest thing to do I always look

for promotions and deals. Before to find a really good deal I had to

wait for spa week but this time around I found out about Spa Finder

Week! I was really happy when I saw GemVie’s Deep Pore Corrective

Facial for just $50! Deep Pore Corrective means that they are going to

do extractions and clean your pores and yes, it was exactly what I

expected. I came in a little earlier and the receptionist put me in

the “lounge room” very nice and quiet room with the view on their

super cute outdoor patio. I was offered tea and gladly accepted. After

about 10 min Galina came and took me in the facial room and started her

magic. Facial was great, she began with hot towels and breathing

exercises… it was amazing I was relaxed right away and forgot about my

stressful day at work. She put the steam on and while I was under it

she massaged my shoulders and arms, awesome! Then followed the

extractions, not my favorite thing but we all know the rules and a

mask, I could really feel that the mask tightened my pores! I was very

satisfied with the results and the whole experience! Definitely will

be back and recommend it to all my friends!

Doesn't Recommend

NORIS

Joined 3 years ago

NOT PROFESSIONAL. I booked a facial at Gemvie, to take advantage of the SpaFinder deal days this past week. This medical spa is not what I was expecting. The facial itself was descent, I give them that much, but I didn’t like the staff that attended me or the environment there. I thought that it being a ‘med’ spa it was going to be nicer. The girl at the front desk - who probably was not older than 18 - looked like she had just gotten up. The lady who did the facial was not professional.. she kept making lots of noise: set up an alarm clock (I am guessing to keep track of the time) that was making more noise than the background soft music. She was opening/closing drawers carelessly. If I didn’t ask what products she was using on my face she wouldn’t have said a word (her greeting was actually "are you ready?" when she walked in the room). At the time of the extractions the lamp she put over my head kept making this quaky noise the many times she moved it around my face. I felt it was about to fall on me for a moment. And towards the end of it all, when this lady put the last mask on my face, she left the room for what felt FOREVER… I was about to get up and go check if they had forgotten about me when she walked back in the room.

When I came out the facial room, and walked towards the bathroom, I noticed the same lady who did my facial, seem to be setting up a washing machine to wash towels!, so no wonder she left the room for a good 15 minutes towards the end of my treatment.

I felt like not even tipping her, but felt bad because she was pregnant.

I am not a spa expert, but I have been to quite a few spas and I will definitely not go back to this one. And do not recommend it if you are looking to have a relaxing spa treatment after a long day at work.

If this is how they do with all their customers (maybe it went like that with me because I was using a spa deal) I don’t understand how they stay in business.