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Face To Face NYC
Categories: Beauty and Spas Massage Beauty and Spas Skin Care Beauty and Spas Hair Removal Massage, Skin Care, Hair Removal [Edit]
20 W 20th StSte 603
(between Avenue Of The Americas & 5th Ave)
New York, NY 10011
Neighborhood: Flatiron
(212) 633-0404
- Nearest Transit:
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23 St (N, R)
23 St (F, M)
14 St (F, M)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 9 pm
Sat 10 am - 8 pm
Sun 11 am - 7 pm
- Price Range:
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$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Insurance:
- No
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
If there's anything we've learned from fashion magazines and reality TV, it's that everyone loves a makeover. But trade Photoshop for everyday lighting… read more »
29 reviews for Face To Face NYC
29 reviews in English
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Review from Kay P.
Brooklyn, NY
10/10/2011
This is a four star place, that got upgraded because of the amazing value.
Made an impulse booking for a spa week facial this morning and luckily they had a cancellation. Diane was informative, thorough and put a lot of care into the complementary shoulder and arm massages as well. Highly recommend.Comment from Enrique R. of Face To Face NYC 11/8/2011
Thank you so much for taking time to write this wonderful… More » -
Review from Tifani P.
Manhattan, NY
12/11/2011
I haven't had a facial done in a while and I hate when they try to push their products on you during and after your service is done. I have to say this was not the case at face to face. Not only was the facial and arm massage super relaxing it was not painful either. Enrique did a great job and he was super helpful with telling me how to take care of my skin and what was going on with it too. I will def be sending friends over. The place is very clean, not noisy and the staff is very polite.
Comment from Enrique R. of Face To Face NYC 12/12/2011
Hi Tifani, Thank you so much for this nice review!!! I… More » -
Review from May T.
San Francisco, CA
8/5/2011
Glad I found this place. It was very easy to make an appointment online and the building was also easy to find- something I definitely appreciate since I moved to NY. Gotta admit, I was a little thrown off by all the naked people on the website as other reviewers mentioned, but I was pleasantly surprised by how friendly everyone was here and the service was great. Diane is quick, thorough, communicative, and professional. Will definitely come here again!
Comment from Enrique R. of Face To Face NYC 8/17/2011
May, Thank you so much for your review!!! I really… More » -
Review from Graciete L.
New York, NY
10/12/2010
Went for a spa-week Foliage Facial, 50 mins 50$ not a bad deal at all. The place was empty because I was there at noon. I love when a spa is empty and I have all the peace and quiet in the world. The decor was like your trendy gay best friend's chelsea apt. Ikea-ish modern bo-concept kind of stuff. It's definitely not a typical spa that exudes relaxation by blasting Enya and instrumental music, and you wouldn't really want to lounge around and hang out/relax before your treatment. Obviously no saunas and that type of amenities, but there is a very clean private bathroom with shower and razors/combs for the boys. Another reviewer described it as someone's apt converted into a spa and I totally see that! The treatment rooms (3) were clean, minimalistic, and kind of industrial looking, and they were fine for a comfortable experience.
Now on to the actual facial... I had Igor.
Pros:
1) Igor was friendly, attentive, and he had super soft hands. Actually, the extractions he did were the least painful I've ever had. He explained to me what he was going to do next so I was never weirded out by any weird liquids squirted onto my face. He was also very skillful at doing the facial. My face feels clean and refreshed! I loved that he stayed quiet during most of the facial (some places can be chatty). He took a look at my skin and suggested micro dermabrasion (which would cost extra). He didn't sell too hard which I really appreciate. I turned it down. He also gently recommended a toner but I never felt pressured to accept.
2) I love the part when he put a hot/warm towel on me and I think he did it 3-4 times!
3) They must have soak the towels with cloves and eucalyptus because they smelled amazing. Very relaxing indeed.
Con:
1) Facial was advertised to have some acupressure massage to scalp, face and neck. I didn't get that at all. Just some massage on my arms/hands, which felt nice.
2) The Pumpkin mask smelled interesting.... I definitely preferred the clove and eucalyptus stuff in the beginning.
3) The music! It went from euro trip hop to show tunes. A weird mix that I didn't find too relaxing. I guess I'm more conventional that way.
4) the floors did creek (as another reviewer mentioned). perhaps they should consider getting areas rugs?
Overall the experience was clean and pleasant. I'll see how my skin feels in the next few days to decide if I will go back. -
Review from Aly W.
Brooklyn, NY
6/8/2007 ROTD 2/11/2008
When Face to Face NYC informed me that I could use this sweet goodness in order to make my girlie bits smooth and soft, I was, well, intrigued.
Sugaring has existed in the Middle East for thousands of years, but is very new to our parts. (In fact, only a few salons in the city do the treatment.) An alternative to waxing, it is a form of hair removal using all natural (and edible) ingredients -- sugar and honey. Sugar has huge antiseptic and healing properties, as well, which means that if you have super sensitive skin, the redness will go away much sooner.
Sugaring also hurts way less than waxing, though your first time applying it to your bikini area is going to hurt, no matter what. Especially for a girl who has always shaved (My aestician explained to me that this is because shaving an area for years gives it a "beard-like" result, regrowth-wise, and makes removing that hair sort of like ripping a band-aid from skin. Repeatedly.)
That said, it wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting. (Images of writhing legs and cries for my mommy were in my thoughts all day.) It did hurt, and sting a bit after, but the entire process took about a half hour, and I will not have regrowth for about a month. This is very nice when you are used to daily visits with your razor. And even nicer, sugaring weakens the hair root, so less will grow back and when it does grow back, it will be thinner, softer, and much more agreeable to the sugar. (ie: next time, I may not even need those tylenol beforehand!)
Lessons I learned during my very first Brazillian bikini sugaring:
1 - Apparently my naughty bits were very excited to meet the sugar, and parts got moist. Even more interestingly, this is very common. (You'd think being naked in front of a stranger with hot substances would give the area pause̷ ;) The problem with this is that when you are sugaring, the area must be completely dry and oil-free. Otherwise, the sugar sort of sticks and has to be dried with powder to be removed. I hope I don't turn into a baked good.
2 -Because sugaring involves completely organic, water-soluable ingredients, it also can remove dead skin cells. So, while you think you are just getting your hair yanked out, you are really getting a great exfoliation as well. I love 2-4-1 deals.
3 - Let your hair grow before waxing/sugaring! I only stopped shaving about a week ago, and because of that, there were some fine blonde hairs too short to get. Without enough regrowth, you can't get your best results. And, by the way, if you have too much regrowth, you better trim, or you'll have trouble as well.
Much like giving birth, the euphoria of the results was so plentiful that I was able to hit two parties immediately after with a bounce in my steps and forget the pain -- which was in itself not nearly as bad as the hype. If you do go to Face to Face, ask for Diane. She's super sweet and happily will talk you through things. Which is pretty nice, with the whole stranger pouring hot liquids on your privates, aspect. -
Review from Sila S.
Rego Park, NY
6/7/2011
Great massage by Enrique! I agree with most other yelpers on the points like the nice decor, the look of the website pointing to something else than a spa, and then once you get there how professional and friendly they all are. So, I'll only add these: First, I very much enjoyed the music that played during my massage, I'm a sucker for oldies and it was very soothing, added a lot to my experience! The massage (The Ultimate Massage) and Enrique were amazing, I finally understand what it means "to get the knots out" :) And finally, it was a very nice touch to receive a hand-written thank you card in the mail from Enrique! I appreciate the businesses that value customer service this much.
Comment from Enrique R. of Face To Face NYC 6/21/2011
Thank you, Sila!!!! Look forward to seeing you again.… More » -
Review from Sejal S.
New York, NY
10/26/2011
Worst facial experience of my life! I've had many facials in the past and this one was absolutely the worst. I have never walked out of a facial feeling so bad. Diane used a lancet on my skin which she claimed is necessary. I now have blood spots on my face. I can't be sure they won't turn into scars. She also didn't do a thorough job with extractions. She probably only got the big ones.
Comment from Enrique R. of Face To Face NYC 11/8/2011
I'm really sorry we disappointed you. I'll make sure to… More » -
Review from Miriam W.
1/24/2009 1 photo
From the nondescript lobby, take the elevator up where you'll find Face to Face NYC's door. Folks looking for an otherworldly escape - at least from an aesthetic point of view - will not find it here. There are no candlelit hallways or panpipe love songs being pumped in. The space is tasteful, the bathroom serves its purpose.
To be sure, you come to Face to Face NYC not for the "spa experience" but for the men. In my case, Ray. Frankly, I'd much rather have Ray's masterful ministrations upon my flesh, and the aching muscles underneath, than some artifice constructed to "relax" me.
Besides, if you aren't relaxed after a few minutes with Ray, there's little hope that anything else might help.
Before a massage, I usually tell my masseur that I am quite ticklish. I explained this to Ray before we got down to business. And as he administered the most amazing massage I have ever had I was completely surprised to almost never get tickled.
Unlike any massage before, mine at Face to Face NYC with Ray felt like it was really designed for me. It involved a great deal of stretching which felt amazing. And Ray is superbly intuitive and also has a keen understanding of anatomy. And he's wicked strong. Where other massage therapists feel like they're simply going through the motions, I felt like Ray was very present and had a genuine desire to leave me feeling better than he found me. I think Ray is actually gifted for this kind of bodywork. In a way that I, personally, have not experienced before. I had a massage elsewhere a week later and the entire time on the table I could only think of Ray. It is possible that he has ruined me for all others.
Many thanks to Enrique, Face to Face NYC's owner, for treating me to such a transcendent experience! Considering that the spa's about equidistant from home and my office, I forsee stopping back in again soon!Listed in: New York City Guide
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Review from Bryan J.
New York, NY
2/14/2010
Awesome. If you look at the website, it appears that if you go here, you will soon be cast in a soft core gay porn film. This is so not the case, though. I originally went here when I was given a gift certificate and was mortified by the website, thinking it was advertising a Chelsea orgy.
However, to my pleasant surprise, every massage treatment I've gotten here has been sublime. Emmanuel's express massage totally kicked my ass and he got all the horrid knots out of my neck and shoulders. All of the varied massages I've gotten from Enrique have been uber-relaxing and worth every dollar of the semi-steep price. And the other masseuses whose names I cannot remember have all been superb as well.
The place is spotless and relaxing, the rooms are serene and private, the receptionists and front desk girls aren't snotty or bitchy like at many other spas in Manhattan, and...you get free wine or champagne with every treatment...! This is definitely my favorite spot for massages in the city. It's a bit expensive, but they often have promos for special massage deals. Face to Face's professionalism and expertise is the precise antithesis of it's skeezy nudie website...! -
Review from Katie K.
Brooklyn, NY
5/1/2009
I had some rewards points to use up on Lifebooker from the Yelp BEautiful Week so I booked a massage with Enrique. I was a bit nervous about booking the massage without a recommendation because I have had some pretty awful massages in the city. I should note that I was only going for the massage, not a spa experience or anything fancy...I needed some theraputic work on some knots in my shoulders.
I was greeted nicely and offered a drink - water or Corona Light. The furniture is modern and the place is fairly tranquil with candles and aromatherapy and such. It is very clean so that was a relief.
I got the "Back-to-Back" 60 minute massage and it was great. I felt like Enrique was skilled and focused. He went right to work on the knots with the perfect pressure (I like it hard). Eventually, I fell asleep and that's the ultimate relaxation state so needless to say, it was a good massage.
There is a shower in the bathroom that customers are able to use, although I didn't, but it could be helpful to know.
BTW, the discount on Lifebooker was incredible - 60 minute massage for $60 (but I had some reward points so mine was only $54!!). -
Review from L L.
Las Vegas, NV
Updated - 12/19/2009
I just went back for another brazilian with Enrique. I think I will just keep seeing Enrique. He's awesome. I had the same experience as last time; he was very professional, very nice, and again, he asked me if I needed a break (he saw me wincing). He seems to take his time, which I consider a good thing; some people might think that they want hair removal (via sugaring or waxing) to go as quickly as possible, but I like that he makes sure that all the hairs are gone. He's thorough. I think there may have been some leftover hairs the last time I saw him, but this time? Nothing! My boyfriend's in Vegas and I was supposed to hop on a flight earlier this evening to see him, but all flights were cancelled due to the snow storm. Too bad he can't enjoy this. :P Well, he will... but not till Christmas Eve.
Anyway, when I walked in, I noticed that they had a copy of Pulp magazine on display with Enrique on it. There was also a copy in the waiting area, which I skimmed really quick. Here's a link to it:
http://www.psbottomlin...
I didn't know he was the owner of the place and it was an interesting read. He pointed out in the interview that most people expect female estheticians at spas, so he gets perplexed looks.
I'm not a shy person, even when it comes to exposing my vajayjay (I mean, as long as it's their job or something... like the gyno or if I'm getting waxed/sugared), so I was perfectly comfortable with him. But even if I wasn't, I have to say that his personality and demeanor makes you feel comfortable and at ease.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/4/2009
I've been here twice already, both for sugaring (brazilian).
The girl at the front desk is very… Read more »
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Review from Anonymous A.
Dayton, OH
9/12/2010
Awesome.
I found this place through yelp, read articles online, and checked out the website (I did my research). The website is a little deceiving as there aren't a lot of naked people walking around, but...props for taking the time to make the site look good.
The place is discreet, and the service was awesome. Diane was experienced, professional, and friendly. I highly recommend the waxing service, and highly recommend Diane. -
Review from DEE L.
Suffern, NY
3/4/2011
I recently went to Face to Face for waxing after seeing good reviews for the most part. I have to attest to a five star. The place is very relaxing and quiet. Diane was superb; she was sweet and very quick with her work. I'm glad I found this place.
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Review from St Claire G.
New York, NY
2/15/2011
I just wanted to say that everyone shares a different experience with everything. All the reviews even dating back over a year seem to be good lol, but my experience was completely different. The receptionist was rude and not friendly with giving directions. The prices were steep compared to most and the place was anything but spacious :) I spent around $300 and felt I wasted every penny and they weren't even friendly. Whether is was product pushing or trying to get me to schedule another appointment, the experience was simply.. no bueno. I'll give two stars to be nice.. and my experience was literally almost over a year ago, but I still think to this day that it was that bad.. bad enough to take the time to right about it that far down the road.. lol
Comment from Enrique R. of Face To Face NYC 6/21/2011
so sorry you had a bad experience with us last year. Call me… More » -
Review from MARIANA L.
New York, NY
4/29/2008
I was here for a massage during Spa Week. This is a smaller, boutique spa in a larger commercial building. The atmosphere is calm, serene. I know these guys are really known for their skin care, so getting a massage is probably like getting the Shrimp Scampi at a steakhouse. The massage was fabulous, and really deep tissue the way I like it. The massage therapist used this wonderful-smelling oil that relaxed me right away (and I usually HATE anything scented).
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Review from James R.
Elizabeth, NJ
8/1/2008
For my birthday I decided I would treat myself to a massage. Arriving a little after 2pm....damn NJ train. I was greeted by Enrique. He was nice and friendly and offered me a glass of red wine. After filling out the paper work I was led into a private room. Sandor the knot expert was excellent. I got a Stress-Busting massage and I can say that he was very professional and my first massage was a good experience. Will definitely come back!!!
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Review from Lisa R.
Fairfax Station, VA
8/13/2008
I spent my 4 years of college in Miami, so needless to say I had to keep my 'downtherea' pretty bare. Since leaving Miami, I haven't been able to find a waxing place that I felt comfortable. UNTIL NOW. This place is so relaxing, and very personal. Diane is AMAZING. As close to pain-free as a brazilian can be, and she didn't leave a hair behind. The wax hardens before she rips it off with a strip, but it's so fast you don't even have time to hurt. Even so, I always recommend pre-medicating with some ibuprofin if you've never waxed before.
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Review from Jennifer H.
New York, NY
4/12/2010
Um, I never thought I'd say this, but the best brazilian wax of my life was given to me by a man. Seriously. The gays may hate lady parts, but they certainly know how to clean them up. The four stars is due to the pricing, which is, well, pricey, even for a kickass wax. I used lifebooker and that helped to make it more do-able, which is great cause I am now hooked. Despite the fact that the website looks like an advertisement for gay porn, I highly recommend Face to Face for the ladies as well as the gents.
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Review from Brandi C.
Harlem, Manhattan, NY
1/2/2009
I went this week for the back-to-back massage. Andrea, the receptionist, was a friendly, offered me water and wine and made sure that I was settled in nicely.
Ken, my masseuse, came over to greet me, asked me a few questions to assess the type of problems I'd been facing and to gauge the type of work I'd need done, then got to work.
OMG! This was the best massage ever. The pressure was perfect, the room was cozy, the music was relaxing, and Ken, Oh Ken! He annihilated the knots that set up condos in my back and shoulders.
The spa was clean and very comfortable. The bathroom has a shower and products that you can test before buying at reception on your way out.
There was zero pressure to buy but I'll definitely be coming back to get another rub down from Ken. I'm also looking forward to trying one of their facials. -
Review from Dareen S.
Brooklyn, NY
3/26/2010
When I first made the reservation (I found the place through lifebooker) , I was worried that there would be a lot of naked men walking around in the spa... but I'm very happy that I actually found the courage to make an appointment. The spa is kind of difficult to locate, and the elevator was malfunctioning when I got there... When I walked into the spa, I was greeted by friendly girl, and was offered a glass of wine while waiting for the room to get cleaned. Salvador was my masseuse, oh-uh, very friendly, gentle and strong. A week after the appointment I received by mail a card with hand-written "thank-you for your visit". Looking forward for my next visit!
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Review from Juni D.
New York, NY
Updated - 9/2/2009
Recently used them to a couple of manly things waxed, and I have to say Enrique was not only highly professional but also very good at keeping me relaxed. The wax they use is excellent, and less painful than regular waxing. I booked my service through http://lifebooker.com and was able to get 35% the services, which makes Face to Face the best place for waxing in NYC!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/14/2009
Eeeh.. i've definitely had better spa experiences!
The massage therapist was a bit awkward, and… Read more »
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Review from Michael C.
New York, NY
8/15/2008
I have to say that I had HIGH expectations for this place based on the ads in Genre and other glamorous magazines. Unfortunately, the ambiance did not live up to my expectations. Although the massage I had with Roy was fantastic. It is a pretty small place with only about four rooms. I am still searching for the perfect place.....
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Review from Portia Z.
ASTORIA, NY
10/14/2009
This was my first time there, and I went due to it being Spa Week and Time Out NY recommended their Autumn Rub. I love rubs and I love Autumn so I thought this would be perfect, and it probably would have been, had I actually received that service. All I got was a massage. There must've been a miscommunication somewhere, because I was in the schedule for an Autumn Rub. Ken administered the massage, and he was okay, but seemed a bit rushed. I've had better.
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Review from Genny B.
Manhattan, NY
2/11/2011
I found this place through YELP and researched it in Facebook. The receptionist was friendly and professional, the masseur, Wendell was excellent. I highly recommend this Chelsea/Flatiron place, it's very clean and wonderful. I would go again in a flash!
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Review from Laura B.
New York, NY
1/2/2010
I booked a massage through lifebookers with Enrique but got Tim as my masseuse instead. To break this down let me give pros/cons.
Pros:
- 1) TIM - he was very attentive and his hands are incredible!
- 2) Cleanliness - the spa was v. clean and made you feel v. comfortable
- 3) Price- I only paid 70 dollars (+ tip) for a 1 hr massage
Cons:
- 1) the floor - it is squeaky, creaky wood so you hear everyone's movement, including that of your masseuse
- 2) the music - oddly enough the first 30 minutes of the massage were accompanied by rat pack music (not the most relaxing music to get your flesh pounded to) but then they did switch to more relaxing spa music
3) the lighting - half of the massage is face up and there are specially placed spot lights right on your face which leave you squinting.
In conclusion, I'd recommend booking a massage with Tim and requesting a change in the music, etc. His hands are truly magical. -
Review from Jayden R.
New York, NY
8/23/2010
Got great massages from Joe here. Does anyone know where he's gone? Hope he is just on vacation or something, because he really did a great job.
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Review from e l.
Brooklyn, NY
3/9/2009
this review is for the bootcamp facial. it started out fine, i had no problems with the environment like the reviewer below. i thought it was really odd that the hot steamer to open pores wasn't used at all. i haven't had a ton of facials, but i've had a few and this was definitely an anomaly. then the extractions weren't nearly as painful as, well, they should be.
first off, this facial wasn't even 60 minutes long while it is advertised as being 70 minutes long. i don't know if this was because of the yelp special, but i do find fault with it. i use the restroom right afterward and there, plain as day, i see all my whiteheads, clogged pores, etc still there. was the aesthetician doing a pretend extraction?? the description for this facial says "deep pore cleansing... lots of extractions." i'm really not sure what i paid for here: lotion to be lightly massaged into my arms and face? this is the worst facial i've ever had, i really regret going to this spa.
other notes: it would be nice to be told what is being used and for what, like before a warm liquid is put on my face. the aesthetician was nice and pleasant, but kept bumping into the otherwise very comfortable recliner. it's not relaxing to be jolted every few minutes. -
Review from Victoria B.
New York, NY
5/15/2010
After finding a Lifebooker Loot special for Face to Face, I decided to try it out for their Brazilian Bikini Wax with Landing Strip. Diane did the wax and she was phenomenal. Considering she was waxing a very sensitive area, the entire experience was as pleasant and painless as possible. She was thorough, but quick (without going too fast and missing hairs), and she was very professional. Two huge thumbs up. It was a little pricey, but I'm willing to pay the extra money in order to have clean, professional, and great service.
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Review from jill b.
New York, NY
11/4/2009
When you walk into Face to Face you are greeted warmly and offered something to drink, either wine or water. The restroom is clean and the environment is calm and spa like. When you get into the room it is dimly lit and the atmospheric music is perfect. Enrique has hands of gold. For those people looking for the hoopla of a dressing room and a large space isn't looking for a solid, go to over and over again, massage. I love coming here for massages and facials. They are so reasonably priced as well.
