Mario Badescu Skin Care

I have been going to Mario Badescu for years, and I love it there. FANITA is my go to lady, and not only does she give you an amazing facial, but she also really knows everything about your skins need, AND she the most amazing eyebrow sculptor in the world !! Actually, she is the ONLY ONE allowed anywhere near mine, and I highly recommend her !!!! more

I love Mario Badescu products. (The drying mask is a life saver!) I got my sister hooked on the products as well, so when we went to NYC to celebrate her birthday (12/10) we made appointments at the Mario Badescu Spa. It was THE WORST SPA EXPERIENCE of our lives I can’t begin to describe how disappointed we were. We both opted for facials and expected a nice relaxing afternoon. Boy were we in for a surprise! They took me into a room about the size of a janitor’s closet and the pedicurist (who was surprisingly rude) slammed a plastic bucket on the end of the table I was laying on for my facial and bent my legs to put my feet into the COLD water. She began scrubbing my feet so vigorously that it was painful. She put a towel with the pedicure tools on my legs??? When she began working on my cuticles it was so painful I actually almost asked if I could just pay and leave. My sister, who is 5 months pregnant, said that she had tears running down her face during the pedicure it was so painful. We are both seasoned pedicure pros and have never, EVER, had a pedicure that we would describe as painful before. The facialist was in and out of the cold room (I assume she was doing multiple facials at once) and she had my hands in gloves wrapped in paper towels. I didn’t realize at first, but she had opened my robe, exposing my bra, and was leaving the door OPEN. She never explained a single product she was using and let me tell you, that was one painful pedicure! When I would flinch she would say “almost done”. I couldn’t believe it! The pedicure was going on simultaneously and I couldn’t decide which was more painful. The pedicurist didn’t even let my sister chose her toe polish color. She didn’t know when the pedicurist was applying color as she didn’t speak to either of us and when my sisters facial was over and she opened her eyes and looked at her feet they were a terrible maroon color. Then, they forced us out so fast my sister had no choice but to put her socks on over her wet polish. Her socks were glued to her toes. We were laughing so hard in the hotel room at what an awful experience it was. Truly, I cannot believe that Mario Badescu, the home of my FAVORITE products would have the worst spa I have ever set foot in. My review, great products, but avoid the spa! It’s the worst in New York. more

Unlike most New York spas, Mario Badescu Skin Care is an un-intimidating low-key place to get great services and beautiful products without spending your whole paycheck. While I've only ever gotten facials/add-ons and no massages, manis, etc. I have loved them. I started going before my wedding and just keep going back. It's my treat to myself and an easy gift card go-to for my husband at birthdays and holidays :) more

I have gotten dozens of facials in my life and never have I experienced something so terrible. The reviews below are 100% correct. The place is outdated and the rooms do not feel relaxing, calm, zen, anything of the sort. There were people talking in the hallways, and in other treatment rooms and because there were only sliding doors, you could hear everything that was going on. The facial started off with the woman slathering cream on my face, and not in a gentle way. then she drenched my face in some sort of water to get the cream off. She then proceeded to perform the most painful extractions that I have ever encountered. Not only did I ask her 3 times to PLEASE be more gentle, I was actually in pain. This was not my first time having extractions done and NEVER have I experienced something like this. She kept bullsh*ting me about how she "had to" squeeze my skin so hard. Then she applied a mask to my face and told me to relax and she would be right back. After 20 minutes, she returned, rubbed the mask off vigorously with what felt like a paper towel, proceeded to put yet another mask on my face and leave the room again for another 20 minutes. If i wanted to sit with a mask on my face for 40 minutes- i would have just stayed home. The other review was right, I just wanted to get up and go into the bathroom, wash the mask off myself and leave. This was the most unpleasant experience ever and I left feeling like not only had I wasted 65 dollars, but I was wayyyy more stressed out than when I got there. Pros: none more

I'll be short and sweet. I have been in the skincare/beauty industry for 15 years. I am incredibly picky about who touches my face. Becuase of this, I can never find anyone "good enough" to give me a facial. Well, that all changed at MB. I have long loved their products: they are inexpensive, and very effective. So, I decided to give them a try for an acne/congested/acne scar facial. I couldn't be happier. Christy (who has been at MB for 18 years) was great: quick, effficient, knowledgeable, and she knew what she was doing. I got the facial (with 15 minutes of extractions---yikes!!!), and the amazing vitamin C mask. The facial came out to only $100, and I was in for over an hour. Nowhere in New York can you get a quality facial with an "add on" for that price. Trust me, I know. The facial was no frills, it was created to do the job, and send you on your way. I don't like "fluff facials". Since I am very acne prone and oily, I want something that will work. Considering all of the major extracting she did, I do not look like I was just beat up. I wasn't even swollen. I was amazed that I walked out of there looking good. Normally after that much extractions, I look like I was attacked by bees. I think it was the Vitamin C mask that calmed everything down...amazing. The only (minimal) complaint is that she left me alone while I was steaming, and while I had the mask on. In facial school, I was always taught never to leave the client alone. But, it's not a huge deal. I just would have loved a hand massage while I was laying there...something...anything!!!!!! but for $65, what do you expect???? As a professional in the skincare industry, I highly recommend the products and the facials here. I can't wait to go back and see Christy...FINALLY!!! I have found a place to go for facials!!!! Pros: knowledge, professional, low cost, effective Cons: I didn't like how they left me in the room multiple times more

I went to Mario Badescu for a facial because I love one of Badescu's skin care products (drying lotion) and because MB salon claims they specialize in deep extraction facials. I was aware of the ratings. However, I'm European and European facials are in general much more cleansing and more into extractions and it's been challenging to find a good facial lady in NYC for me. People are afraid to do good extractions here. Long story short I do not need luxury. However, the MB salon does have a very uncomfortable vibe and it is certainly very outdated. I did not feel well there and the facial was nothing special. I ended up cleaning my skin at home myself a day after I got a facial at MB. That is a sign of bad facial to me. I was not happy at all and wasted my money completely. Pros: good products Cons: Not great facial, old not inviting salon, bad experience more

I have to agree with the review below mine. I went there for a facial, and not only was the facialist in out and of the room constantly, but I ended up breaking out so ridiculously bad a few days after the facial that I was disgusted. I'm not sure if it's because they service two people at the same time and are transferring germs back and forth, or the right products weren't used. I've used Mario Badescu products and love them, but this particular facialist I had didn't even know what products to recommend to me. I'm too nervous to go back and make another appt. with someone else. I'm hoping the damage she did clears up on it's own. Sure $65+tip is a bargain in NYC, but you pay for what you get, and if you want more irritation, then go ahead and spend your money's worth. I would NOT recommend a facial here at all, but their products are another story. Pros: good products Cons: bad facial more

I recently had a facial appointment at the salon in NYC. To say the least, I was thoroughly disappointed. The treatment rooms look like they haven't been updated since the salon opened in 1967. There aren't proper doors to the rooms just sliding curtains so you can hear anything and everything going on outside the treatment room . . not relaxing at all. The woman that gave me my treatment rushed through it so quickly that it made me anxious. . .even the massage portion that she said would be relaxing was done at hyper speed so it just felt like one big frantic rush. The woman also left the treatment room a dozen or so times (probably to work on someone else; wonder if she washed her hands in between) and she left the door open on several occasions so I could see people walking by and they could see me. No privacy at all and again not relaxing. Towards the end I just wanted to wash the mask off myself and get out of there. I also felt she tried to dupe me into add-on services. She did not do as good of a job of extractions as other places I have been to and left my skin more irritated than any other place I have been to. I definitely would not recommend this place. Pros: None Cons: Not relaxing, out dated, lack of privacy, skin irritation more

The space could be more personal, and relaxing but Leah is amazing, great facials, great product line, with great price points, generous sampling and no pushy sales people. Pros: Leah,Leah,Leah Cons: kind of large and factory like more

I have used a lot of their products, especially the glycolic foaming cleanser, which has worked wonders for my face and skin. They are reasonably priced and well worth every penny. I highly recommend it! Pros: Awesome products at a good price more

The room I was in was in the back, next door to a room where I guess the staff hang out. I could hear them chatting the whole time during the facial, thus ruining the relaxing experience I was hoping to have. Someone opened the door and looked in while I was being treated as well. On the plus side the service was friendly and the price is very reasonable. The facial was fine--nothing amazing. Pros: Nice service Cons: Not relaxing more

Mario Badescu products are great... affordable, effective and they have products for every skin type, every problem, and every part of your body. The facial was great here. I got a nice neck and shoulder massage as well and my skin was glowing afterwards. The hydrating part of the facial is awesome and leaves your skin feeling moist and supple. I don't think the Vitamin C add-on is really necessary but isn't bad to try atleast once. I highly recommend this place if you need a good thorough and relaxing facial. Make sure to reserve way in advance as appointments fill up quick. Pros: Good products Cons: Women at the counter more

I have had a few facials elsewhere I am not an expert But I have been going there for 30 years no kidding. It really depends who you get. Angie is great but she only works 2 days more

I had the worst facial of my life with Corina a few weeks ago. First of all, I showed up 15 minutes early for a 7 pm appointment. I was called in at about 7:25. I wouldn't even be complaining about that if I'd then been able to enjoy a relaxing and invigorating facial. I was treated to the exact opposite. Corina was extremely rough with my skin, plus it seemed like she was in a major hurry. She pretty much slapped my face around and was very rough during exfoliation. My skin looked red and raw when she was finished and I broke out severely the next day. Pretty much the exact opposite of what I'd had in mind. Honestly it looked like she added years to my face. On top of that, there were several points during the treatment where she left the room for 10-15 minutes (at one point to go start treatment on another client) and left the door open, so I could hear everything down the hall. It was HELL. Nothing about it was relaxing or beneficial to my skin. I would NEVER see her again nor would I ever go back to mario badescu. This woman and this place are horrible. If you care about your skin, DON'T EVER GET A FACIAL WITH CORINA!!! Pros: none Cons: rude and unprofessional staff; terrible facial; gross ambiance more

I have been going to Badescu for about 10 years and the service and products are wonderful. My skin always looks amazing when I leave there. I ahve been using the same facialist for years and she is the best. I definitely recommend getting a facial here and please ask for Irina. She is warm, funny, friendly and extremely professional. She makes my skin glow! more

I have been going to Mario Badescu for the past 10 years for my facials and I highly recommend getting a facial from Marinela. She is wonderful and very knowledgeable about skin type and skin care. I always leave there looking and feeling so much better than when I walk in. She is very gentle and has kept my skin glowing since 1999! The facial plus the exfoliating glycolic peel (total $110) is a great combination. I have tried the Vitamin C mask and recommend that as an extra as well. I also love the products which are very affordable. I use the cleansers and the masks that were recommended to me at my initial consultation. The healing cream is great for breakouts. Every time I have a facial I always get free samples to take home. I can even request the samples that I want. I have read the other reviews on this site and my personal feeling is that I go to Mario Badescu for a good quality facial and not so much for a fancy atmosphere. So if you would like a relaxing and thorough facial, I suggest making an appointment with Marinela. Pros: quality facial, affordable products Cons: sometimes crowded more

I had a facial here many years ago and remember all the horrible things that other patrons are reporting. I would like to note that the glowing reviews are written buy screennames that have only written one review. I suspect that that is just Badescu staff trying to do some damage control. I actually like some of their products but their clinic is a upsale driven -1972 decored- rude -tacky european old lady esthetician dump. more

based on a friend's recommendation, i went to get a facial with larissa because i've been struggling to get rid of my blackheads on my forehead. she was nice enough, but i definitely felt like i didn't get that much service but got suckered into paying extra for a glycolic peel when i didn't really need it. why don't they tell you it costs extra? it's definitely not a relaxing environment. the door was kept open and i could heard everyone talking. the next morning, my forehead broke out. it's probably due to excessive squeezing or the wounds weren't cleaned properly. needless to say, i will not be going back. more

I can only comment on two things here: the lip wax (this is the ONLY thing that works on my dry dry lips!!!!!) and the eyebrow threading. I have been coming here forever to pick up my beloved lip wax and the last time I was there I asked if there was anyone who could thread my brows and fortunately it worked out. Lana was my threader and she was great! I hadn't had my brows done in a while because I feel like it never comes out the way I want it to- usually too thin, etc- but I told her I didn't want them too thin and anyway whatever she did made them look perfect. I will be back! more

Was very much looking forward to getting a facial there....entirely disappointed....should save others the trip....from the get-go....service was off and distracted and rather rude...the facialist kept on scratching my face and when I told her to be careful...she continued on....didn't listen to me at all...felt like they were doing me a favor by having me there...left mid-way through....very old decor, felt dusty/out-of-date....your neighborhood corner spa would do a better job... more