Spa Josephine

I’ve been getting facials regularly for over a decade. I found Josephine about a year and a half ago and she changed my life. I feel so much more confident about my skin. If there is ever an emergency or event I can go and get her N-​Oxyfusion facial and see results the same day. It doesn’t take a night or two days — you literally walk out of the appointment glowing. The amazing thing is she makes her products — natural has never really worked for me — I typically need the strong stuff. Whatever she is doing, works. Not to mention her skin looks amazing. We recently moved to San Diego and I will continue to drive every month to see her.

I just had a massage with David. He was very attentive, inquiring about pressure and focusing on the problem areas I had identified. I would definitely go back!

My spray tan is AMAZING. The spray doesn’t smell weird like a lot of other ones do, and it doesn’t feel icky on my skin. Natural, smooth, and instantly tan. I got a 3-​pack!

To be clear, this rating is more so for the overall experience, rather than the quality of the actual massage that I received, which I would rate as at least 4 out of 5. My husband and I went down to Laguna Beach from LA for our babymoon. We stayed in town for the holiday weekend and were looking forward to our massage appointments at Spa Josephine, which was down the street from our hotel. I was particularly excited because of all the wonderful reviews that I had read here on Unilocal.
When we arrived, we were greeted nicely, and about five minutes before our appointments, which I had scheduled at the same time, the receptionist said that they could start with me and that my husband’s therapist was running late. I assumed that maybe she was running late with a massage that she was in the middle of. So, I went on in for my massage while my husband waited in the waiting area to be called in.
My prenatal massage was great. My only complaint is that she didn’t go anywhere near my feet. She did a fabulous job on my shoulders and lower back, but I just thought it was a bit odd that she never got to my feet. I’m 31 weeks pregnant and was very much looking forward to my swollen feet and ankles being worked on, and assumed that someone skilled at prenatal massages would know to target feet as well. But, again, great massage overall.
As I was leaving to return to the waiting room to meet my husband, I was greeted by a lady, whom I assume was Josephine. She inquired about my massage and apologized that the massage didn’t work out for my husband. I was confused and all kinds of thoughts ran through my head– «did he really not like the therapist and stop it mid-​massage?» (I thought that was unlikely) OR «did the room in which the massage was supposed to take place in all of sudden flood?”(also unlikely). I mean, really, what wouldn’t work out? I asked what she meant and she said that the therapist had been caught in traffic and never made it. She said that they offered my husband a complimentary 30 minute massage during the week but that my husband had told her that we weren’t from the area and we would be back home by then. I confirmed that this was the case, and she apologized. I was still a bit confused as to how this was handled so I went out to the waiting area. My poor husband, who had been looking forward to a massage (after an especially stressful month), had been waiting for me in the waiting room that whole hour. I could tell he was upset/​annoyed, but was trying his best to keep his composure. The recpetionist also told me that they could offer a complimentary 30 minute massage during the week, but I reiterated to her that we weren’t from the area. She just apologized and that was it.
It wasn’t until after we left that my husband told me that they never offered him anything directly. So, apparently, all they did was apologize to me. Honestly, I’m not sure how else this could have been handled other than to have been more honest about the circumstances of why the massage therapist was running late so that we could have decided for ourselves whether to reschedule for later in the day or cancel altogether and try to book appointments elsewhere. To just have an «oh well, sorry» attitude isn’t really the best way to ensure that we would ever want to come back here, despite the nice massage that I was able to enjoy. That wasn’t the point of scheduling appointments for both us during our special babymoon trip.
We ended up booking an appointment for him on Sunday at another local spa (Athena) and he loved it.

Awful, awful, awful customer service experience!!!
My wife and I went to get a nice couples massage. At our appointment time my wife’s massage therapist was ready to go but mine had not yet shown up. She was apparently «running a little late». Ok, she’s now gonna be late, fine we’ll deal with it. My wife goes off with her therapist. That was our mistake: never again will I fall for that one: if you’re having a couples massage or massage at the same time, wait until both therapists are there and ready or nothing doing – because in the spa’s business eyes, the have at least one of us in the bag.
At the point where my therapist was not there and going on 25 minutes late, the not-​at-​all-​concerned person overseeing all of this, Cecilia, says, «She is still stuck in traffic so…» I immediately, visibly angry then said, «well, forget it, then. It’s obviously too late for an hour massage» and all she says in return is, «yeah»…sort of a sucks for you attitude. Never offered any other plan and this is the part that is the worst: my wife was lied to about the whole incident by Josephine herself! Was she passing on misinformation or was she trying to cover-​up without verifying what was happening. She tells my 7-​months pregnant wife: «sorry about what happened to your husband». My wife, shocked, asks what happened. «His therapist hasn’t shown up and we offered him a complimentary 30-​minute massage and he turned it down.» !!! Total lie, never happened. I would have completely accepted that. Cecilia not only never offered me anything of the sort, she did the exact opposite the whole time I sat there fuming as I waited for my wife – she just completely ignored me. And to be clear, she never offered any words of apology to me, never offered anything – a drink? Some more water? A discount on my wife’s massage, NOTHING.
So that’s the part that gets me the most. Cecilia was disgusting. She says she just helps on weekends but this was no help. I don’t know if it was racism, I am a dark haired, tanned, younger looking Mexican-​American. I resist resorting to thinking that racism was involved but I don’t think this would have happened to a starchy, middle-​aged Caucasian man.
And oh, yeah, went to Athena Spa and got treated with great respect and had a wonderful massage. My wife says her massage was good but said the therapist never touched her feet or arms and hands. (She’s writing a separate review).
Do what you want but I will never set foot in this spa again. Great work «helping out», Cecilia.

My skin looks AMAZING since Josephine has been caring for my skin! I am getting complements on my skin all the time! I have very sensitive, acne prone skin and have never found an aesthetician who didn’t break out my skin by over stimulating it or using to too harsh a product… Josephine has my skin glowing and her MENWE SERUM is the fountain of youth! What a wow product!!! The serum has change my skin, not only on my face, but in my hands, neck, chest and I put it int body lotion. All my friends noticed a difference and wanted my «secret» and they are using the MENWE Serum and I even send care packages to family and friends back East! Josephine is the best and so are her products!

Josephine is simply the best. I come from L. A every 2 weeks without fail. I have been a customer for about 8yrs. She has my eyebrows looking flawless. I have also had facials and microdermabrasion done. Her facial scrub jo jo brooks skin care line has my face feeling soft and smooth. I love her lotions they make my skin so soft and I smell so good I’m always getting compliments. I would highly recommend spa josephine if you’re looking top notch work done to your face.

Wonderful experience with Josephine. I have been waxing for over 10 years and that was by far the least painful EVER. I am on a trip to Laguna and checked out Unilocal reviews and decided to call them. I called to make sure they have the wax that hardens on you and then is pulled off and they said yes. Not only do they have that wax but Josephine uses this amazing technique with the wax that makes it so you barely even feel it. Unreal.

I have been going to Spa Josephine for over 5 years and I LOVE IT!
Excellent service, It is kept very clean, and the environment is very peaceful and quiet. I have never met anyone to make my eyebrows so perfect and even. I love getting facials as well and after my face feels brand new. I live in Carson, Ca and I go all the way to Laguna Beach with traffic and all, and no one can compare to how good of a job Josephine does. Parking is not a hassel and she is always on time for each appointment. I also use her wonderful facial scrub everyday without fail, it keeps my face really soft and I don’t have any break outs. I highly recommend!

Love this spa! Josephine is wonderful and so attentive! Had a massage and another treatment… Was great. Highly recommended.

I have been going to Spa Josephine for many years and recently relocated to Florida. Boy, do I miss Laguna, but mostly I miss my treatments at Spa Josephine.
Josephine has such a magical touch and the products are so unique I wouldn’t even consider replacing them. I still order them online, in bulk, so I never risk running out. I wish I sure could order the microdermabrasion online.
My trips back to Laguna always center around my visits to the Spa. Josephine is an artist in all that she does. Going to Spa Josephine is a gift I give to myself.

If you need your eyebrows waxed GO TO JOSEPHINE !!! I live in Philadelphia and wait till I come out to Laguna to get my brows waxed even if I have to wait a year. I have sensitive skin and she leaves minimal irritation afterwards and I get complemented of my brows for weeks. Note that she just change addresses (as of 3÷27÷12). So make sure you go to the right place.

I’ve been to many salons in Orange County and this is the best one yet. The owner Josephine is the sweetest woman you will ever meet and she has years of knowledge about her industry. I came to her almost ten years ago with bad skin and horrible eyebrows. I drive from San Clemente to Laguna Beach almost every month to get my eyebrows done and a facial. I also love her microderm scrub, I use it every morning and every night and haven’t had a break out yet.
Love this place!!!

I went to Spa Josephine for the first time yesterday at its new location (1833 South Coast Highway, at the corner of Pearl Street & PCH where Madison’s Day Spa used to be) for some waxing and had a fantastic experience. Josephine is highly skilled, professional, extremely thorough, and friendly. I was in next to no pain and barely noticed the waxing process while chatting with her. I’ll definitely go back!

I’ve been going to Spa Josephine on a monthly basis for 2+ years and seeing Alisa for 3+ years for waxing (bikini, brazillian, brows, upper lip), facials and airbrush tanning. Alisa is the greatest! She knows what she’s doing, knows the products and the science behind why one works better for one skin type or the other. She was even able to help me get rid of my sun-​spots /​pregnancy mask, which my dermatologist had had troubles with. Most importantly makes you feel very comfortable and relaxed (even during not-​so-​fun bikini waxings!)
The salon is very clean and well kept and quiet as I make appointments after work. Parking is metered street only and can be tough after work … but I hear they’re moving down the street to a bigger salon with parking! Very flexible with appointment times and very reasonable pricing! I’d never go to anyone else and highly reccomend Alisa and Spa Josephine!

I have been one of Alisa’s many dedicated clients for over a year and a half. I cannot say enough positive things about her. She is passionate about what she does, knowledgable, friendly, and always has my best interest at heart.
My brazilian waxes are quick and PAINLESS. Alisa doesn’t use painful cloth strips. She uses a special wax that leaves my skin feeling smooth and never irritated.
I use to suffer from adult acne and hyper pigmentation of the skin. I use to feel insecure about my dark spots and blemishes on my face. The results I have received with Alisa’s microdermabrasion with the LED light are remarkable. I now have an even skin complexion, significantly reduced blemishes, and virtually no enlarged pores on my face. My co-​workers and friends have commented on how my face glows. During the micro Alisa is thorough and customizes the procedure to your individual needs. I wish I would have known about the benefits of microdermabrasion with an LED light sooner.
The home-​care products sold at Spa Josephine are top notch. The crystal facial scrub makes my skin feel fresh and clean. The carrot cream leaves your skin feeling hydrated and smooth like velvet.
I would recommend Alisa and Spa Josephine to anyone who enjoys pampering with results!
–Kristina