Joean Beauty Center

Got a deal from groupon for a facial. They did a great job and took their time. Definitely recommend this place!

Total rip off. Just returned from my treatment which was decent. I bought the Lifebooker Loot that included the DermaLife Spa treatment and paid extra for the Deep Cleaning Facial. While in the middle of the facial one of the staff came in and said instead of the DermaLife Spa Treatment she suggested that I do the body scrub and 30 minute massage. Well I get home and read their menu of services and the DermaLife Spa Treatment includes the 30 minute massage and scrub in addition to the Spa Jet. If the businesses do not want to honor these deals, then they should not offer them. Will not be back.

I tried. Today was my 3^rd visit to this place to get a mani/​pedi for $ 26.5 with the tax. I won’t be back. I never expect them to offer a spa experience, but please don’t charge me for a pedicure if what you’re doing is a polish change. Geez.
The girl’s idea of exfoliating my heels was to tenderly rub them for 30 seconds with a scrubbing gel on her hands. Then she dried my feet and slathered on lotion (her idea of softening calluses, I guess). Now, I don’t wear flip flops, and I spent the day with socks and shoes on, so my feet were not super dry and callused. Still, it’s a pedicure – pull out a pumice stone and get rid of crusty skin! The whole pedicure took less than 10 minutes. Of course, by the time my feet dried, my heels looked as if I hadn’t been to a salon at all. The manager, annoyed, asked the girl to take me back to the chair and actually use an exfoliating tool, which she did… by slathering even MORE lotion on my feet.
The manicure was better because I kept directing and redirecting. At the end, she asked if I wanted to pay extra for the quick-​dry application. Really? I’ve never been asked that in other salons. What’s the point of them trying to get you out of there so fast if they’re skimping on the quick-​dry top coat?
The other 2 times were just as mediocre. Each time a different person did the world’s laziest mani/​pedis.
Just go somewhere else. You can get better results for the same price.

Joean Beauty Center is my go-​to for massages and facials.
If you’re looking for a fancy and spa-​like experience, Joean isn’t for you.
If you’re looking for a no-​frills, cheap, and relaxing experience, then Joean is for you!
I usually get their massages — 40 mins for $ 40. I like to go inside and get the laid-​down massages, which is done in a private room. Your masseuse will leave the room for you to take off your clothes and then return to once you’re ready. They don’t skimp on the pressure here and I always leave feeling relaxed without breaking the bank.
Whenever I’m in the area I like to get my nails done at the nail salon that’s adjacent to Joean’s. Again, if you’re looking for a spa-​like pedicure or manicure, this isn’t the place for you. If there’s one thing these nail technicians are good at, it’s a good and fast nail job. I’m always in and out within a half hour, which is great since I usually don’t have too much time to spend on these things.

I agree with Kim L. about most of the pros and cons of the facial. I really enjoy the massage portion. The extractions do hurt and the red spots take 1 – 2 days to go away, but my skin feels much smoother and cleaner post-​facial. The key is to go at an off-​peak time to get better service. Overall it’s worth the price you pay!

The good thing about this place is that it’s in close proximity to my job. When I can’t get to my regular spot I come here to get my chin waxed. I made the mistake of getting my eyebrows done here and it was a disaster. I explained that I only wanted my eyebrows cleaned and not made to thin. By the time she finished with my brows I looked like a cartoon character. My eyebrows resembled the McDonald’s golden arches. It took about a month for them to grow out than I went back to my regular girl. This experience made me appreciate my regular girl even more. If you don’t mind your eyebrows resembling the golden arches then this is the place to go. If that’s not the look your going for I’d think twice about coming here to get your eyebrows done.

Worst place ever for facials.
I went here at the recommendation of Time Out New York to just go for a regular facial. When I met with the head facialist/​manager, Michelle, she recommended a facial that cost $ 20 more for problematic skin. I agreed to it and at the end of the session, got suckered into buying a package of 5. Should have never, never done this.
I went for subsequent sessions to use up my package but after each session, which involved extractions, my face was left red, splotchy, and shiny. The extractions made my left cheek lightly blemished (takes a lot of work to heal and fade them). Sigh.
She also conned me into buy this $ 60 no-​name cream which did nothing for me.
Stay away from this place!

frightening facial. walk out much worse than you came in. also painful.

Ok, so I have a love-​hate relationship with this place (I come here for the facials).
Pros:
1) cheap
2) best massage-​seriously
3) though you end up being unattended at times, at least you’re giving the mask and steam time to work themselves
Cons:
1) the extractions hurt like hell. When I say that, i mean I pretty much always tear up. I have had facials elsewhere in manhattan and abroad which have not hurt as much and been thorough (the key is that people need to use the right tools and go slowly! obviously in a turnaround-​focused place like this though, going slowly is not an option). The prices were at least a good $ 25 more though. So take this with a grain of salt. In general, I am a big fan of Japanese facials, though I have had one awesome facial in Beijing that was the highlight of my life.
2) it is a «feed the meter» type of the place wherein people will attend to other customers at the same time that your service is taking place. But remember that you are paying less…
3) There will be two other people in the room with you, so no privacy (unless you go during off-​peak hours of course)
4) they don’t push products on you, but they will try to sell you other services
In general, you’ve got to be pretty objective about this place. If you can handle pain and your objective is to walk out with less gunk in your face and not pay a fortune, this is the place to go. If the amount you pay for a facial isn’t that important and you can handle the $ 25 increase, I’d say go elsewhere for a nicer experience.

This review is for the nail salon on the left side of the Beauty Center: Nail Sail & Beyond. I think
Right off canal street, peaceful and quiet.
Quick work, warm towel on your legs and hands.
Mani & Pedi — 26 $
They accept cards but ask for tip in cash.
The people were friendly, but SO fast.
So if speed is your main concern, come here.
But if you are looking to indulge and relax and stay out of the cold for an hour, I’d go somewhere else!

I’ve been getting microdermabrasion facials with Lillian for the past 5 months and I’m a very happy camper. At first, my skin was dull with large pores and blemishes, but after rejuvenating the skin every 3 weeks, my complexion has a new glow and smaller pores. The facial lasts 1.5 hrs, starting with the microdermabrasion, followed by the steam and facial/​upper body massage which is very relaxing. Extractions are mild. The mask is very calming. The only downside is that when you go in the first time, the ladies try to sell you the package of 6 facials for the price of 5. I gave in, and starting my second package. Can’t wait to make my next appointment!

I completely agree with everything the other commenters said, especially Sandra B. and Parked S.
My first time there was a good experience in 2008 (and I assume before everyone and their mothers read the NY mag review) so I opted to sign up for the package. Starting my second visit, service just got worse and I can’t help but think it’s because they already have your $ 275. While the massage might be strong, it’s not exactly a «facial» and definitely not what I paid in advance for. The lesson — don’t buy a package, the others won’t be the same as your first one!

A friend of a friend recommended this place a couple years ago. I worked nearby and decided to give it a shot.
I wound up signing up for a ‘card’. Basically if you pay $ 275 up front, you get five 55 minute facials and a sixth one free. Each facial costs $ 55, so it makes economic sense. Thing is, the ‘facial’ is more like an extended massage, with a token ‘microderm abrasion’ and minimal extractions.
I’ve had a facial at Aveda which cost twice as much. But then, you have your own room at Aveda, some aromatherapy, and actual extractions. Plus, the cosmetician doesn’t try to sell you other products.
Today I went back to Joaen after months of not going, because i still had $ 150 on the damned card. Take note, when you have a prepaid card, they sulk at you. I already paid my money months ago, they’ve earned interest on my $ 150 but I was still sulked at.
As soon as I use up the rest of this card, I’m never going back. Personally I’d rather spend my money on a more expensive facial but actually get my money’s worth.

After reading the New York magazine review, I went to Joean for a facial. The facial was amazing, and the lady did a great job with extraction and gave me a thorough neck /​face massage. I liked the facial so much that I purchased the 5-​facial package. The second facial I received there (from the same lady) was a horror. The extraction process hurt way more than it did the first time I was there, and the facialist simply explained it was because of my «dirty pores.» The thorough neck massage was replaced by a 30-​minute mask while I waited for her to service other people. I don’t understand the down-​grading of service, and now I regret purchasing the facial package.

NO.
I love the no frills for less service (see Maiyomi Traditions for massage) but this was the worst experience ever. I wouldn’t come here for free if I knew what I was getting into. No privacy at all, not relaxing in the least, hard sell all the way through and a waste of money for the service I received. Hardly any extractions (this is probably a good thing, as she had no idea what she was doing, but generally this is my favorite part of the facial), slapped a few masks on me while she ran around attending to the other people and $ 60 later I looked like crap. Much better to spend a little more and go somewhere reputable.

As other reviewers, I went to this place for a facial on reccomendation from the New York magazine. I actually came here and was pushed to upgrade to the one hour deeper cleansing facial for $ 55+. Then they tried to sell me a 10 facial package during the facial. I hate when people do that.
I’ve received many facials over the years and I can say that this was not a great place. First they remove your makeup (they didn’t do a good job because after the facial my eye liner was smeared around my eyes). They left off a micro-​beaded scrub that most places usually follow up with. Then they mist your face to prep it for extraction. They did a horrible job. I could tell they didn’t properly do my whole face afterwards! This is followed by an extensive face, head and upper back massage. This was great! It was the saving grace. Lastly, they put a peel mask on your face. It was OK. I think the clay masks are much better.
Usually when you get a facial, you leave with very smooth skin free of blackheads etc. That was not the case here.
Overall, I would definitely go to another place for a facial and not waste your money here.

30 Minutes for 30 Bucks!
I had been picked for Jury Duty and was on a long-​ish lunch break when I happened upon this lovely gem in lower Manhattan.
Its not fancy, I got a manicure first and even though the girl was nice, she did a crappy job and I overpaid for my manicure. But oh well…
I asked about massage as an afterthought and now I am so glad that I did… She called the girl over and I was taken to a massage room where I was instructed to strip from the waist up. If you are the shy type you have to get passed this part. Fortunately for me. I am half an exhibitionist… so I just bared all and plopped down.
She came in, dimmed the lights and put on some soothing music and got to work. She didn’t talk too much just rubbed… with tough little hands and vigorously. At about minute 27 she got a warm towel and plopped it down and wiped any excess oil from my back and let me chill for minutes 28 and 29.
When I finally got up off the table I was dizzy and giddy… It made the day pass so much better and I was the happiest camper in the park!
Or the jury room in my case… lol
If you are down there or if you want a great massage or if you just want a crappy manicure… go down there… its worth the trip.

So, first of all, for those who read the New York magazine listing, it’s not accurate. I liked this place just fine, but would probably have liked it more if the review hadn’t overstated the amazingness.
The $ 35 facial is listed as 30 minutes, not 90. In reality, it will probably be longer, because this salon subscribes to the go-​eat-​takeout-​in-​the-​back-​room-​and-​talk-​on-​the–
phone-​while-​the-​customer-​lies-​there-​feeling–
vaguely-​freaked-​out school of aetheticianalism.
I got the $ 60, 60-​minute «acne» facial because I had a pimple. It involved a thick, gooey blue masque that dried on and was then peeled off in one piece, which was absolutely worth $ 25 extra. The facial lasted for 95 minutes for the reasons listed above. Frankly, I don’t care about people talking on the phone or eating; this is not supposed to be a high-​class joint. I actually feel less guilty for exploiting the working class when the workers can go out and have a bite in between dealing with my various skin issues.
The massage portion of the facial lasted maybe 10 minutes, not 25, which is fine, actually. I could have used maybe two 10-​minute massages at intervals during the long lie-​down. I bet if you asked they would do that. They’re relatively nice.
The extractions were the most painful I have EVER experienced — I would ask for them to go easy (or go to Tamago on East 13^th, which is $ 45 for an actual 60-​minute facial, and it’s better-​done).
Anyway, for the fun factor and a pretty good treatment overall, it’s fine, but it’s not my favorite place.

After seeing this place listed as a «cheap Chinatown facial» in New York Magazine I figured I would give it a try. .. I’m so glad I did! I got a 90 minute deep cleansing facial and it was so relaxing. The extractions hurt like heck, but that’s sort of par for the course. All of the shoulder and neck massage was amazing, I walked out feeling better than I have in months. After the redness wore off (about 24 hours) my face looked amazing. Definitely worth it.