Athenian Skin Care
Categories: Skin Care, Hair Removal [Edit]
4030 Birch StSte 106
Newport Beach, CA 92660 (949) 833-1338
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- By Appointment Only: Yes
21 Reviews for Athenian Skin Care
One of Athenian Skin Care's Favorite Reviews
i've frequented pink cheeks & wax poetic in LA and have had doubts about going to any salons in OC. i just couldn't find a place that specialized in waxing or had an extensive, satisfied client base.
Olivia at Athenian skin care is really great though. i think it's the little *tap*tap*tap* after the strips are pulled which eases the world of pain. Most estheticians probably know this but don't care to use it in their practice. She really made me feel comfortable and I'll definitely be going back.
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Made an appointment with Olivia for a brazilian wax...all I remember is..............OUCH! WTF! I don't know why this place gets such high reviews! I usually go to Queen Bee Waxing in Culver City; they are the best! www.queenbeewaxing.com I don't trust anyone else looking at my pom pom, but Queen Bee! Love this place! =P Athenian Skin Care....Blah, they will rip your skin out...and the esthetian is not friendly either! 1 star for having a nice bathroom. =)
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Decided to get my first ever bikini wax here after reading all the great reviews on yelp! My experience with Alexis (the owner) was quick and painless. She eased me in by chatting with me and asking me questions so when I was least expecting it... riiiiiiiiiiiiiip! *Grimace*. The pain was bearable, but I also took 2 ibuprofens 20 minutes before my appointment so who knows what it feels like without it.
The whole experience was much better than anticipated, but I'm sure it's because Athenian does such a great job. I had a 5:30pm appointment and left before 6pm. Now I'm all ready to take on the beach this summer... woohoo! I gotta say I'm feeling good and clean after my wax and am likely to try it again despite the pain.
4 stars because this is the only place I've ever gotten a wax, so I really have no mode of comparison. I can only say my experience here was great!
I was surprised at how small the actual place is. After the rave reviews I guess I imagined some crazy big, high end spa place, but this place was not like that at all - it had maybe a total of 4 rooms in the back. There was no pretentious, OC feel to it. So glad this place is only 1 mile from where i work - how convenient!
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I have seen nothing but great reviews on Yelp so I thought it was time to try this place. I have generally made the trek out to LA to Julia at Beba Beauty because she's a no fail job. I've always had great experiences with her.
Well I needed a rush job so I figured I'd try Athenian since it's pretty darn close to my work plus the great reviews. I wasn't able to get Olivia whom I kept seeing on the reviews, but another woman. I was told she had been trained by Olivia and she's been doing it for quite some time so I went with her. I wasn't going to be able to wait a few days or make the drive out to Westwood from OC on a weekday before 6ish.
I get there. It's quaint and chill. The lobby area is really small but no biggie. I go into the room, undress, wait for the lady to come back, and it begins. It had been a while so it definitely hurt a bit but no big deal at all.
Ok. Now here's the kicker. What the F happened? She burned me.
Um yea... Down there. Thunder down under dude. Or shall I say forest fire. I don't know if it was the waxing stick or the wax itself but something burnt me. She was about halfway done so I figured she may as well keep going. The first part wasn't so bad so it was just a little mistake. Well.... [sigh] she burnt me again a few more times (thank goodness for my high tolerance for pain) and then she was done.
Don't get me wrong. The experience in terms of inital waxing, the lady herself, comfort level, etc was great, but I had never been burnt before and I was traumatized. I must say I am still traumatized.
*sigh*
I guess IF I EVER go back, I will HAVE to try Olivia I guess. Otherwise I might just cry. LOL [Loser huh?]
:/
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After reading all the good reviews about Athenian Skin Care, I finally decided to make an appointment here. I have been seeing Alexis for about 6 months now and she is great!! Like a lot of women out there, I dreaded my first Brazilian wax. Although I have become used to my monthly appointments, I still have to say that waxing always hurts for me.
However, Alexis does such a great job of not letting the pain get to you! We always have fun conversations and she is very sweet! She also explained the entire process, educated me on what kind of wax she would be using, and gave recommendations on products I could use for ingrown hairs without any pressure to buy, back when I had my first appointment.
I am so glad that I found Alexis and highly recommend her!
K...My first review on Yelp! Alexis, the owner of Athenian Skin care has been great for my face! Each month I arrive, she always customizes the facial to what my skin needs at the time. I love that! Some salons always give the same facial, regardless of season, skin dryness, breakouts, etc. How can skin always require the same treatment? I am ever-changing! I love how relaxing the facial is and how great Alexis' neck massage is (don't tell her I told you, just ask her for one!!) She also doesn't push you to buy products, she just makes suggestions for certain ones that would help - no pressure!!! Alexis is nice, talks if you want to, or lets you fall asleep! Isn't it amazing what a simple thing a headband is, yet how great it can feel when put on by Alexis' caring hands! enjoy.
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In the past, Brazilian waxing, for me was a major....Yelp!
I know I am a big baby and try to avoid discomfort at all costs, which is why I only go to Athenian skin care for all my beauty treatments.
I was referred to visit Athenian Skin Care and was told that I should make the appointment with Olivia. Well, I did my Yelp research and based on the good reviews I decided to book an appointment and get my very first bikini wax done..... I normally shave but I'm over it and wanted to try something different. I was honestly nervous. For starters I was worried about double dipping and I also heard many horror stories of painful waxing experiences.... So, I showed up on time for my appointment and was greeted with a smile by Olivia who also offered me water while she set up the room...... So, here it goes..
I explained to Olivia that this was my first time ever getting a wax down there. She just smiled and said that she would explain everything to me. I then asked her about double dipping and she honestly told me that yes they do double dip. By the way I did appreciate her honesty. But, she doesn't reuse the same spatula on each client, she throws them away. I was a little apprehensive about it. She then told me about her experience in this field and talked about the establishment. And based on the reviews I just felt that I would be in good hands. Indeed I was. There was a few uncomfortable moments but that was it. I honestly did not want to scream nor cry nor whine nor was there any shead of blood. I was shocked at how in and out I was. My appointment was at 6:00 pm and I was out by 6:25.... I love that!!
Olivia is great.. I highly recommend Athenian Skin Care and I highly recommend making an appointment with Olivia. I seriously had NO pain... We also chatted a bit about skin care and facials..
So seriously if you are in the market for a new look down there or anywhere or a facial (even though I have not had a facial with her yet) I would recommend seeing Olivia...
Plus the prices are very reasonable...
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I too had a brazilian with Olivia. Like the other reviewers mentioned, she's extremely nice and easy to talk, and very accomodating towards the client. I told her it was my first time and so she suggested that we start with the bikini wax and see how I can take the pain and go from there to gauge if I want to get the brazilian. This was my first time getting a bikini wax and she definitely made the experience not traumatic. The pain isn't nonexistent, but it's definitely not as horrible as I imagined. (albeit, I took all the precautions... ie. advil 20 minutes before, etc.) If you've waxed in other areas (legs, underarms), I would say that the pain is no worse than waxing those areas.
I got in a little after 10, filled out an information sheet because it was my first time, the actual waxing was maybe 15-20 minutes, and I was in my car by like 10:30.
I definitely recommend Olivia and Athenian skin care.
EDIT 02/2008: Olivia has recently changed locations. Check out this YELP review for more!
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
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I didn't go for this...but my gf did.
This was her first time and she definitely took to heart everyone's reviews and comments about it. Aside from the slight pain and soreness for being a newbie...she's completely happy with the results.
Olivia was great and she l fitted an appointment for 9am Saturday at the last minute. With Olivia's recommendations and sociable personality, the $40 was definitely worth it.
Thanks again for everyone's reviews for finding this gem in Corporate Land of Irvine.
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I cursed myself on the way to Newport Beach for forgetting to take some ibuprofen. This being my very first bikini wax EVER, I wanted to take all the precautions. Thankfully, the best precaution was checking out yelp.com for recommendations!
No one is exaggerating about the professionalism and care that Olivia offers. I felt comfortable as soon as I walked in the door and Olivia introduced herself, which really helps put any first timer at ease from the get go. She's so quick and easy-going that I went in planning to get a bikini wax and I left with the works! I can't say it's pain free, but it's not as bad as one would expect considering hair is getting ripped out! I didn't need the ibuprofen at all!
The prices are reasonable ($35 for Brazilian; $45 for full), the service is exceptional, friendly, and sanitary, and they offer a whole slew of other services too.
I don't know how others compare, but it doesn't matter. Olivia is fantastic and I don't need to go anywhere else!
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if you're going to have anyone groom your naughty bits, I highly recommend Olivia. I think ours was the nicest conversation I'd had all day.
for those of you who are contemplating your first brazilian, I say go for it. Olivia makes it fast, bearable and friendly.
great atmosphere and uber calming.
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AMAZING~! my new place for brazilians, and olivia is the lady to see~!
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After reading the reviews, I decided to try this place out. I was early and Olivia took me in right away. She was very quick and got every last hair out. I don't know what she did but my full wax hurt way less than the other place I went to. I was in and out of there within 20 minutes. I'll definitely be back for more.
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EDIT 2.22.2008 - Just heard Olivia is no longer there!
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Ok. Waxing to me is one of those things that you HAVE to know is going to hurt no matter what you do. I am NOT going to sugar coat it, it hurts like hell.
BUT Olivia does do the best job of NOT letting the pain consume you. Like it almost did to me. Key word: ALMOST. She is very friendly, even offering me snacks because I was on my lunch break and making me feel at ease and not nervous. She talked me through it, even when I kinda, almost, screamed. Ok I did a little.
I did take an Advil 20 minutes before my appointment. This is a MUST if your a newbie to the waxing ways. I had NO ingrown hairs.
Luck? Maybe but I also think Olivia's precision was to account for it.
If you need a waxer go to Olivia! I do not think I will go to anyone else!
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I haven't had a bikini wax in years and decided to try it again. After reading reviews from this site, I like others decided to try Athenian. I requested Olivia but she was on vacation and I was recommended Alexis (the owner) who was able to take me on short notice. She was very professional, informative, and made my experience very pleasant. Athenian offers great prices and I've already booked my next appointment. Highly recommended! Thanks again Alexis.
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Olivia is a gem! I have been going to her for a few years now and will keep going to her as long as I can. She is amazing! She is so knowledgeable, professional, and even though she is inflicting pain on me, I never notice because her technique is awesome. I won't trust anyone else for my brazilians. She also waxes my legs and underarms. She has also recommended great products for my skin. I love Olivia and highly encourage any of you that get brazilian or bikini waxes to make an appointment with her. You won't regret it, and you will become a regular client of hers too.
1/08 - Update: Olivia is switching salons. She'll be at Kayla's on 17th Street starting at the end of this month. Go see her there.
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dear male species,
we can talk about how hard it is to be a man these days after you have a bikini wax, just once at least. otherwise, shut your mouth, kick back and thank god for making the better half for you, namely female species.
if you insist on trying, just to see how great women are, i highly recommend athenian skin care.
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I had my brazilian with Olivia. Great lil lady! Very relaxing and quick. I definitely recommend her and the facility in general. I go back in a month again!
The cost of the wax isn't nearly as much as I thought it was going to be too. A brazilian will run around the same as in one of the Asian nail salons, yet way more professional.
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Performing a good Brazilian is truly an artform, and Olivia NAILS it. She makes you feel relaxed, she's professional, she's thorough and NO ONE can rip that strip off quicker than she does. After just one visit, Olivia has definitely won my business.
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I'm with Cassie on this one. I went to Athenian Skin Care for a bikini wax and it is the best wax I have been able to find in Orange County. It was really quick and as painless as waxing possibly could be. If you are looking for a great waxing job than this is the best!
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