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Athena Karsant
Categories: Beauty and Spas Tattoo Beauty and Spas Makeup Artists Tattoo, Makeup Artists [Edit]
450 Sutter StSte 2422
(at Stockton St)
San Francisco, CA 94108
Neighborhood: Union Square
(415) 412-9700
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
7 reviews for Athena Karsant
7 reviews in English
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Review from Kate W.
San Rafael, CA
5/1/2012
It is no coincidence that Athena shares the name with a Goddess. Her work is simply divine.
After years of bad plucking and occasionally decent wax jobs, I grew tired of trying to get the brows to look right and researched permanent make up. With great trepidation I went to Athena.
She paid attention to the dimensions of my face, and saw the undertones in the skin color and hair tone. I'd been doing it all wrong all these years.
The result then was fantastic. To the few I have disclosed it to, no one could believe they weren't entirely natural ( fabulous, yes as well!)
Yes the service is expensive. but you pay once up front for Athena to do subtle work that may take several visits to achieve. I'd rather have it that way than a one and done that I get to look in the wrong mirror and regret daily.
I went back in about 5 years after the first session, since I use Retin A and that of course faded the color. Again perfection.
Then after seeing the results of one of her departing clients, and entering the age group that needs to use Cheaters, I decide to do the eye liner.
I'd hesitated because I like to play with color and thought that doing the liner permanently would close that option. Wrong. I can use the permanent line as a guide when I want color, or just wake up, slap on some mascara ( or not, they're that good!) and go.
The liner was harder to achieve since my eyes are not symmetrical.Athena was patient, and all the sessions where I wanted it just a little more here, just a tad darker there cost me not dime over the stated starting price.
I've read the review accusing positive reviewers of being Athena's friend. After having had her work on me, caringly and patiently, and with great results over the years, I can only hope that I might qualify as her friend. I certainly consider her mine. -
Review from Jennifer V.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 1/8/2012
Wait a year or so and then come back and write a review about how much you love her work. I paid about 6 thousand dollars for work (brows and liner) and they both lasted about a year and two months. I have gone in to have both redone by someone else and had to pay a bit extra in order to have the COLOR corrected because the colors were not mixed correctly. I'm not the only one.. Two friends had the same issue exactly .. by athena. Give it a year.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/4/2011
Work done nicely but did NOT last. VERY expensive. Also, I did not feel like I had her attention as… Read more »
Comment from Athena K. of Athena Karsant 2/7/2012
WHILE clients can lose color and pigment or change the color… More » -
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Review from B W.
Alameda, CA
10/14/2010
After trying to pencil in the "perfect " eyebrow for years and years, I woke up one morning and decided I didn't want to go into old age (like my mother) with no eyebrows because I couldn't see to draw them on anymore!
Thanks, Yelp, because all of you led me straight to Athena to do the very first cosmetic tattooing procedure I've ever done in my life.
Athena was a pleasure to consult with. She has an expert eye and really cares about her clients. She *wants* you to look your best and is genuinely happy and proud that her artistry contributes to the natural beauty of her clientele.
At any rate, Athena told me that the reason I was having a difficult time drawing in my arches evenly was because my eyebrow bone structure are differently shaped; this contributed to over-plucking eyebrow hairs that, over time, just wouldn't grow back in.
Just so you know: Perfectly tattooed brows don't occur in just one sitting, so don't let any person or professional tell you differently! In my first visit Athena said that I'd come back probably three times in order for us to sculpture my perfect eyebrows using the right colour palette and shaping (FYI that all touch-ups and work of this nature is FREE in the first year). I just came back after visit #2 and my eyebrows are nothing less than STUNNING.
Athena is passionate about making sure you look top notch and are satisfied with her services. She'll remember if you don't come back or keep in touch. Athena cares about her clients and wants you to call her if you have questions/problems/etc. She will call you to follow up, too!
All I can say is, pay the price to have Athena work her magic on you the FIRST time, rather than have it done elsewhere and have to pay more for her to correct a botched job.
Athena, thank you so much for correcting a lifelong problem that I have forever been self conscious about ! I feel-and look-beautiful!!! -
Review from SUZANNE O.
Newark, CA
1/26/2012
After enjoying many years of cosmetic tattooing suddenly my eyebrows turned green. My dermatologist was reluctant to laser them off. So she explained to me that there are many vairables that can affect the color and referred me to Athena for color correction. Athena explained that SEVERAL treatments might be required to lift the color but whatever it took was included in her fee. I appreciate knowing exactly what it would cost to take care of these issues. I am EXTREMELY HAPPY with my brows!!!! My contract is almost up and Athena encouraged me to come back to refresh my brows for the coming year. I've enjoyed working with her. She has always explained to me what she was doing and why she was doing it. I sincerely appreciate her artistry and WOULD NOT HESITATE to refer friends and family to her. She is honest, straight forward & sincere in her approach. Thank you Athena. You are very much appreicated! I am constantly getting compliments on my perfect brows that DON'T LOOK TATTOOED!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!! Looking forward to getting some more permanent make-up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Review from margaret l.
San Francisco, CA
3/10/2011
Athena is a caring and experienced practitioner.
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Review from Sarah T.
CA
8/3/2009
I spend no less than 10 minutes per day filling in my eyebrows. Add that up and that's over 60 hours. I knew the insanity had to stop. Not to mention I have a toddler who gives me approximately 5 minutes to get my makeup on in the morning, so efficiency is key.
At my last appointment with Dr. Ellis at Gentle Spa (see my separate review of GS, it's the shit) I told him about my eyebrow plight. Dr. Ellis mentioned that some of his other patients had gotten their brows tattooed by Athena (I think the professional term is "permanent makeup"). I trust Dr. Ellis, but I still wanted to check out Athena's reviews. So, I "yelped" her and was thrilled that all of the reviews were amazingly positive. I was, admittedly, a little apprehensive about getting my brows tattooed because I know some people say it hurts really bad and not all my friends who have done this procedure have been satisfied. But, I have 3 tattoos so I figured I could deal with the eyebrows and didn't think that all of Athena's enthusiastically positive feedback could be off.
I called Athena on a Monday and she answered her phone immediately. She booked me for that Friday (this past week) at noon! I seriously had no idea what to expect when I ventured into the city for my appointment. First of all, Athena is on the 24th floor of her building with views of North Beach and the Golden Gate Bridge. The lighting in her place is amazingly perfect. Athena was super warm and made me comfy in her stainless steel tattoo shop meets barneys with some lounge-y music playing in the background type of office. Athena talked to me about what I wanted - color, thickness, height of arch, length of brow, etc. She was very thorough and took a lot of pictures each time she outlined my brow as a guide for the ink. Once we settled on the perfect brow she went to work. Athena applies a topical anesthesia so you're fairly numb during the procedure. I was a little worried it would feel just like a tattoo, but it wasn't bad at all. A couple of the brush strokes made me wince a little, but nothing bad. Athena had me check out her progress and involved me in the process. Once she was done and handed me the mirror I almost started crying because she made my brows more symmetrical and the arch was perfect. Seriously, they look freaking great.
Athena charges a flat rate for her services and you can get touch-ups as much as you like for a year. I didn't even bother to ask how much it was because I knew she was the best. You'll definitely spend more than other places, but Athena really is an artist and it's your FACE!
My brows are healing perfectly and although I don't think Athena will have to tweak anything, she's still called me 2 times already to check on my progress.
This morning it took me 90 seconds to do my makeup. 90 SECONDS! My face and my toddler are both indebted to Athena forever!Listed in: Keeping my look right
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Review from Sue U.
San Francisco, CA
2/15/2007
Athena is more than an artist - and when it comes to her work she is completely knowledgeable about all the latest medical cosmetic enhancement procedures available for men and women. She guarantees her work and consistently strives for perfection. She has done my lips and eyeliner and no one can ever tell that I have permanent makeup. Athena always provides helpful aftercare products and instructions. Most important, she uses topical anesthetic creams that make the experience painless...and believe me...when you are getting your eyeliner tattooed--which is extremely unnerving process--Athena says and does the exact right thing to make you feel comfortable!! She has a good heart and really cares. You will pay more for her services, but you GET more.
