Beauty Maverick: Rescue Beauty Lounge

If you love RBL products (as I do), be warned- their spa may not be what you'd expect from the brand. My recent visit there was a rather deflating experience...

I was really curious/excited to see the birthplace of such a cool concept, so I stopped by their Meat Packing location earlier this week to try a basic mani/pedi service. At first glace, everything seemed on point. But then, as I walked past the reception area to my cell-like treatment chair, I quickly realized that I was in for something quite different than I'd signed up for...

The overall appearance of the (back of the) spa was that of a modern space that is aging poorly, with the individual seating areas creating a closed-in environment that (looked and) felt quite uncomfortable.

When I confirmed that I'd like both a manicure and pedicure to my technician (thinking one would follow the other), a second women proceeded to squeeze into my cubicle to complete both services at once. It was terribly claustrophobic and awkward to say the least.

After my services, I was left in the box to air-dry (which felt like forever) and had to hobble out of the area to catch the attention of a technician for assistance in removing the cotton, etc. from my feet. But that's not all, sadly. Though the two technicians that provided my services were sweet enough, their skill level left something to be desired. The person who gave me my pedicure scrubbed my soles so much that they actually hurt to walk on afterward. And my manicure was not much better, with bumps and bubbles left in the polish. Sigh.

Perhaps my experience was a one-off, but I think I'll be avoiding any in-store treatments and sticking to Ji Baek's lovely nail polish and body care collection for the immediate future...

Rescue Beauty Lounge
34 Gansevoort St. #2
NYC, NY 10014
212. 206. 6409