Jacques Dessange Spa & Salon

I've been to Dessange for massages, pedicures, and other treatments. While the treatments are good, the customer service from the desk staff and management is among the worst I've experienced. I've had them schedule appointments for services on days they don't do them, schedule me for a pedicure with people who only cut hair -- yet not offer me any sort of apology (let alone a discount on a future service) when they realize their mistake a few hours prior to my appointment that had been scheduled weeks in advance, mishandle payment, and misrepresent pricing and policies. I hoped to avoid some of these issues by using their online booking system, but its buggy too. I won't go there anymore -- I hate the hassle before and after a treatment, and even if I like the results, the hassle and lack of customer service are not worth it, and spoil one of the reasons I go -- to relax. Pros: Good spa services Cons: Horrible customer service more

Anon1900....I am so sad you had a bad experience. I have been a client for a while and have had many great experiences at Dessange. However, right now they are going thru some transitions and it was unfortunate that your request fell on "bad timing". During the month of May Dessange went thru a change of ownership which anyone in business can tell you, is a bit "painful". It is possible your emails & calls did not receive a reply because the owner you were trying to contact left for personal reasons. Give them another chance.... I believe you will be quite happy with your experience...... Pros: clean, friendly staff, accountible general manager more

I visited Dessange on 6/7/08. I was scheduled for a facial and deep tissue massage. Desange was recommended to me by several of my friends so I decided to give it a try. I read several of the reviews here and I have to say that they totally conflicted with my friends experiences. I arrived at the spa a little early and I have to say I was greeted extremely warmly! Everyone had a nice "genuine" smile on their face. I was asked to sit in the waiting area and I had a chance to see the interactions between the staff. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. I listened to the receptionist booking appointments and she was extremely helpful in trying to work around people's schedules. Their was a very professional atmosphere but at the same time very relaxed, as a spa should be. I read a review about the staff being un-professional, but I failed to see it. If anything they did everything they could to see to your needs. After a short wait I was asked to come back, they were right on time, actually a little early. All I have to say was the facial was the best I've ever had and well worth the money. Next was the massage. I'm an athlete and I train very hard. A good friend of mine recommended that I get a deep tissue massage to help my muscles recover faster, I took her up on it. I'm glad I did! I met the massage therapist, his name was John, and after talking for a short while, I knew I was in good hands. He was extremely knowledgable about what he does and is very passionate about helping people with his massage. I explained to him some of the aches and pains I've been suffering from and he knew exactly what I was talking about. We had some good conversation and the massage was very therapeutic. I left feeling much better, with alot of the aches and pains gone. I felt much stronger and my body felt healed up. All in all, I give Dessange an A+. Great service, great staff, I'll be back for sure! more

For the past three weeks I have been trying to book an appointment for a group mani/ pedi at Dessange prior to a friend's wedding. My friend left a deposit for the day, but I was in charge of confirming the time/ date and arranging the details. I've left a voicemail message, left more than 5 messages with the salon staff and sent an email to the owner with details about the event and a spreadsheet outlining specifically what people wanted. Needless to say, no one ever got back to me and when I finally was able to reach someone 2 weeks before the wedding, she was unable to accommodate us.
Although I would love to be able to go to the spa to give a more unbiased opinion of the services, first impression is what counts. Not only are they doing a disservice to their business by their terrible customer service, but they are clearly showing a lack of attention to detail and attentivenes. Considering that the best salons have great customer service, an attentive environment, attention to detail in their services and are professional, I would be wary about making an appointment here.
Two thumbs down for the unacceptable customer service and disorganization in general. I'll let others speak to the services if they were able to make an appointment.
** Update: They cancelled the hairdresser for my friend's wedding because the woman didn't realize it was father's day. Seriously? Come on people. Father's Day isn't something that changes last minute. I can't even imagine how someone can call the bride 2 1/2 weeks before the wedding and say "whoops, we didn't realize your wedding fell on Father's Day". Over it. more

I went to see Olivier for a "consultation" about thermal reconditioning (Japanese straightening) today. They were very nice on the phone, as was the receptionist when I got there. She attempted to tell Olivier I was there for my appointment and he walked past saying "I do not have time" when she called his name. Strike one - I thought "how rude"! I was kept waiting around 15 mins, then he came and did not bother to introduce himself or say hello. According to their website, the consultation is $25. Luckily they didn't charge me, as he didn't actually do anything except give me attitude. First, he told me that I'd have to come on a Wednesday to get the straightening done - he can't do it on the weekend as it's too chaotic and "draining" to him to spend the day with one client. It takes 6-8 hours to do the process, and it costs $125 (!!!) per hour. You have to pay a deposit to book the treatment. The consult did not include him doing a strand test, or any other type of testing to see if my hair could withstand the strong chemical process. Even though I told him I've had it done before and had a LOT of breakage (Beauty First at McIntyre Square, don't go there!). Overall, I thought he was a total poser and rude, arrogant man. I would not pay to go to him, let alone to spend $125 per hour (approx $1000) for the pleasure of his company. Nice salon, nice receptionist, pity the stylist was a total tool. I'll spend my money elsewhere. Cons: Difficult parking, bad attitude from some stylists more

I agree with the previous comments that the staff was a bit rude. I was also unhappy with all of the services I had done here. I received a bad eyebrow wax, haircut, and balyage. Also, when I got the balyage done, (not very good results), they charged $30 extra to blow-dry my hair (nobody bothered to mention this). I will not go back to this salon. I was very disappointed. Pros: Clean salon Cons: Everything I mentioned above more

I received a gift certificate as a birthday present & decided to get a manicure before a wedding. The salon itself is lovely, but the manicure was really bad. The technician filed my nails unevenly, and the polish didn't even last through the night. One of my nails chipped just a few hours after the manicure, and by the next day at the wedding, they were a mess. For $30 +tip, I expected the manicure to last more than a night. I've had far better luck with walk-in nail salons. Pros: Beautiful interior; nice waiting area Cons: No parking; bad manicures more

I was seen for a facial recently by Nicole, whose service was above and beyond. Besides teaching me about my own skin and giving me information on all the products she used (which I find helpful--it inspires confidence), she also gave me a biz card on which she had written down the names of every one. There was no sales pressure; when I mentioned I used Kiehl's prooducts she didn't poo-poo my choice and make me feel guilty about not taking sufficiently good care of my skin, not drinking enough water, not coming in for regular facials, not using sunscreen, etc. Rather, she pointed out the many benefits of my products--and complimented me on my skin-care. My facial included a foot message with warming booties, a face/neck/decollatage scrub, mask, and scalp massge--which almost made me fall asleep! Also, she has exceptionally gentle extraction technique, a real nice surprise. My skin looked great afterwards, not read or raw. Highly recommended! more

I AM NOT HERE TO JUDGE THEIR SERVICES, BUT ONE CAN USE THEIR TOP DOLLARS IN ANOTHER SPA/SALON WHERE YOU WILL BE TREATED WELL. IT'S NOT ABOUT THE $$$$ , IT'S ABOUT HOW YOU TREAT PEOPLE. I SAW OTHER PEOPLE THERE TREATED IN A POOR FASHION. SO IT WAS JUST NOT ME. I GUESS IT'S THEIR IDEA OF A SPA PACKAGE-NOT TO BE NICE! Pros: NOTHING NICE Cons: RUDE & NOT PROFESSIONAL more

I received a full massage package as well as hair coloring, cut & styling. Their knowledge of products and treatments was outstanding as well as personal kindness. I never looked so great! I?m getting married and planning for my bridal party to make an appointment. They made me feel beautiful and healthy with just one visit. I recommend them for all their beauty & spa needs. Pros: Staff Knowledge and skills, of course the atmosphere...very clean, calming Cons: Parking, but there's a garage down the street. more

Very rude staff and extremely overpriced. I will never set foot in there again. Pros: learned from mistake Cons: service, attentiveness, cost more

I expected much better quality service considing the prices. My manicure & pedicure were substandard. I have gotten much better for far less money and plan to do so again in the future. NOT worth 1/2 the price I paid. Pros: clean Cons: , overpriced, not quality work more

This is the kinda place you go when you win the lottery and have no concerns about money. It's very pricey but they do treat you well. They have many interesting types of treatments and services that you don't find everywhere. Love the sugaring treatments. Location is well placed in Shadyside with parking, although it's limited. I was never pressured to buy anything either. Pros: Services available, Parking, Friendly Staff Cons: , Expensive more