Definitely haven't been looking forward to writing this, but want to make sure it's there for those…read morewho need it. I truly do reserve this type of review for times when it's absolutely necessary, as I like to believe everyone is usually doing their best. But my most recent experience at facial bar was my last, and I knew it before I even walked out the door.
Quick history: have been going to Facial Bar for a variety of services since 2021/2022ish. It's so great to have a more accessible option for facial services. I have had excellent brow and lash services over the years as well, in addition to regular facials, that have up until recently been great - no complaints. My initial service provider was done by a manager who left for reasons unknown to me, and I switched to someone new. I don't find it necessary to include the person's name, as I think my issues are likely based on adjustments to the business model.
I have seen this new person a total of 3 times. Over the first 2 times I saw her, she sold me 6 different products - 6! She spoke intelligently, asked good questions, but I leaned in and give it a shot. Leading up to my 2nd appt, the 3 products I had incorporated had drastically impacted my skin (in a bad way). At my 2nd appt, she told me it was just purging and to give it 90 days, to which I agreed. I also purchased 3 more products from her that day. Within a week or so of that second appt with her, my skin was more acne ridden and inflamed than ever in my life - including my hormonal teenage years.
I felt at that time, it was no longer purging - I had destroyed my skin barrier and started scarring by simultaneously incorporating (with her guidance) 6 different products over 60 days. At this point, I switched back to my previous unfragranced, basic routine and my skin immediately settled down.
At my 3rd appt, I shared this with her - her response was to pick out 2 of the products I had JUST told her I switched back to (with immediate relief) and told me I shouldn't be using them. I was shocked and confused by that, this first time I had given clear feedback to a provider and felt completely dismissed - strike 1. Over the course of an hour, she continued to talk about MORE facial bar products to incorporate and made guesses as to what was causing my extreme sensitivity and discomfort. I told her firmly that I am okay with reincorporating their products slowly, one at a time - to which she also ignored, by the end of the appt she had advised that I add every single one of the 6 products back in at the same time - this was laughable, it made me feel crazy - like did she listen to anything I just said? She, at the very least as an aesthetician, should be able to recognize the issue and recommend a different, slower approach to incorporating the salon's products - but was more focused on pushing the product - strike 2.
As I was checking out, she doubled down on reincorporating the 6 products she had already sold me and then tried to SELL ME TWO MORE. Strike 3.
A note for facial bar - As service providers, please do better. Customers come to you as experts for help and guidance. Please care more about your clients than your sales. And if you care about your sales, do better for your clients. I showed her very clear signs and communication throughout that appt, but her directive or desire to continue selling me products that my skin clearly did not agree with was more important to her, and has cost Facial Bar a client.
If you'd like your brows or lashes done, give them a visit. But if you'd like honest, clear, collaborative guidance on skin issues, keep looking. I'm genuinely sad to part ways with Facial Bar after so long, but will continue to share this story if it means I can help someone put their hard earned money and time elsewhere to work through any ongoing skin issues, or even just regular maintenance. No one likes feeling dismissed.
