Morgan L.
Yelp
Products are so lovely! Staff is definitely hit-or-miss.
I just returned from a morning of treatments at Naturopathica. The line has such an awesome reputation, I took it for granted that the spa would be less than lovely, and considering that this is an expensive, seemingly very high quality spa, I think I was in a bit of a shock after my experience. Driving home, I thought to myself, was that really as bad as it seemed? And after reading some other Yelpers' reviews, I realize that I'm not the only person who has had this experience.
Like others, when I booked my massage and facial, the person on the phone did not seem to be able to answer any of my questions about which massage and facial would be best for me, and seemed annoyed that I was asking. She kept cutting me off, like she was rushed for time and needed to get me off the phone.
When I came in this morning for my treatments, while waiting I noticed a staff member with a loud, wet, nasty sounding cough. To myself I was thinking, I hope this is not my masseuse! I work closely with new mothers and their newborn babies, and because of the delicate immune systems of newborns, I cannot knowingly come into close contact with any person who has a contagious illness like a cold, flu or virus. Sure enough, this person emerges after a few minutes, putting out her hand to introduce herself and take me back. I was put in the awkward position of telling her I had heard her coughing, and asked her if she was sick. She replied that "she was, but she is getting better." The staff was very nice about allowing me to have my massage with another masseuse, but while I waited the front desk manager informs me that the original masseuse actually was not sick...she coughs because she is a cigarette smoker! I'm not sure which is worse in my mind... a professional body worker exposing her clients to cold germs or carbon monoxide...
That being said, the therapist that did take me was FANTASTIC and as a medicinal aromatherapist myself, the eucalyptus and ginger essences were perfect and good quality. The room was very cold, but aside from that, I would request this massage therapist again. She was excellent - warm, funny, and very good.
Then my facial followed - thinking back, I have to kind of chuckle. My facialist was "prickly" to say it nicely. I disliked her immediately because she had a harsh, impatient manner that made me bristle. Taking me back, she asked how my skin was as she switched on the light to take a look. I told her I had combination skin, with light hormonal breakouts and that sun damage and protection was a concern because I live in Los Angeles and cannot avoid my skin being exposed to bright sun most every day. She responds that I actually have very, very dry skin and that she should do the signature face lifting facial instead of the vitamin c facial I had requested. It crossed my mind that she might have been up-selling a more expensive facial, but I agreed because I already felt bad about requesting a different therapist for my massage. I've gotten facials religiously in most major cities in the world, once a month for over ten years. No facialist or esthetician has ever told me I have very dry skin (because I don't...). I mentioned to her that I had been traveling a lot lately and that perhaps she was seeing the effects of the airplanes, but she cut me off, saying, "no I can see. Your skin is just very dry. You also have a very long black hair growing from your chin."
I think I stuttered...that I did not know how to respond to. Luckily she didn't say much else during the treatment, except pausing again to ask me if I wax, and telling me that they also do waxing and it could be scheduled along with my other treatments today. I told her no, honestly because at that point I was starting to feel anger toward her. I had just been too busy in the last few months working over 100 hours a week to keep up with all of my self-care, and besides that I found her comments so out of line and hateful.
She also massaged my scalp and hair with product all over her gloves, getting scrub and face products into my hair. When I left, my roots were so greasy I had to drive home and shower before continuing my errands for the day.
I had planned to pair my facial with purchasing a few products and had hoped my facialist could recommend a care routine for me or educate me on their products. At the end of the treatment, this facialist asked me if I needed any products, and I asked her in general what she recommended and tried to explain what I use now, but she cut me off after I said the word "cleanser." What type of cleanser do you want? A milky cleanser?" There is one with chamomile that is good for calming sensitive skin. (I don't have sensitive skin...) She showed me the cleanser and as I was reading the ingredients, she impatiently said loudly "OKAY THANK YOU." And left me at the products. I purchased nothing.