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Gemvie Medispa
Category: Beauty and Spas Day Spas Day Spas [Edit]
24 E 36th St(between Madison Ave & Park Ave)
New York, NY 10016
Neighborhoods: Midtown East, Murray Hill
(212) 447-8494
- $115 for $150 promotion lasts for 1 year from date of purchase. For another 4 years after that period, your Certificate is redeemable for the amount you paid, less any value you may have received. Not valid with other certificates or offers. Only 1 certificate(s) can be purchased for own use. 3 can be purchased as gifts. Subject to the Yelp Deals General Terms.
- Reg. Price $150
- Discount 23%
- Savings $35
- Nearest Transit:
-
33 St (4, 6, 6X)
Grand Central - 42 St (S)
34 St - Herald Sq (B, D, F, M, N, Q, R)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10 am - 8 pm
Sat 10 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Nick W. said: "I'm having a hormonal/cystic acne breakout around my chin/jawline My skin is super sensitive. My dermatologist suggested I go to Mamie's. She said, "Mamie will give you what you need." It's the truth. After another woman cleaned and…" read more »
23 reviews for Gemvie Medispa
23 reviews in English
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Review from Craige M.
9/7/2011
I am in shock that there are so many negative reviews of GemVie. I had a truly wonderful experience. But, I have had 2 other facials in my entire life, and only one was the extraction sort and that was 20 years ago. So, I'm certainly no expert. All I can tell you is that, based on my limited experience of medi spas, GemVie is a class act.
I had the LivingSocial deal for the Grand Classique Yon-Ka deep pore cleansing facial. It was an hour long and I did not feel at all that I was being treated like a second class citizen for having used a coupon.
Kasha was very professional and sweet. We did chat during most of the session, but I was partly responsible for that as I enjoyed chatting with her. The extraction was super painful, but I gather that's par for the course? That I don't know. What I can say is that my nose, which used to be all bumpy with tiny whiteheads is completely smooth today and, dare I say, less red than it used to be. Those bumps were a real annoyance for me and silly me -- I didn't even know a facial could take care of them! I am absolutely going to get facials regularly from now on just to combat the nose bumps.
Kasha told me I should be exfoliating twice a week and, yes, she recommended their Yon-Ka line of products.
I was all set to sign up for the package deal that I can buy for the next 2 weeks, but after reading the bad reviews, I just don't know. Should I try another spa first? But it's a bargain! Crap. What to do... -
Review from Maria R.
Brooklyn, NY
2/9/2012
Galina is great. She took it upon herself to prove to me my skin can get better. She was right. I have never actually gotten compliments before. My mom stopped me mid-sentence to ask if I had cover up on (I didn't.) I have gotten peels there from other people, and only once was it sub-par. So now I simply request Galina when I go and I couldn't be happier. They have a great deal on packages too, which are "interchangeable" - between facials, peels and microderm - so you can get whatever you need. (I bounce between peels and facials, so can't speak for anything else they offer.)
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Review from MIRA Y.
Brooklyn, NY
2/8/2012
I went here for a lactic peel with my deal coupon bought from KGB. The first thing I noticed was the wafting smell of cigarettes as I waited in the lounge area. After I got situated in the room while waiting for my technician, I was greeted again by the smell of cigarettes coming from the breath and hands (which were massaging my face!) of the technician. Not cool. Then within 15-20 min of barely putting any kind of peel on my face, the process was done. Not sure if it was a lack of interest, or really really speedy service. Either way, I see no results on my face. So, yea. Def do not recommend. Next time, I'll spend a little more and go somewhere who cares!!!!
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Review from sasha p.
New York, NY
Updated - 1/20/2012
I love this spa, I first came for waxing during the spa week discounts and have been coming back for 4 years. Galina gives by far the least painful, courteous and quick wax I've ever had- I am out the door in 20 minutes. I am also a big fan of their extraction facials with the electric zapping at the end and have been bringing the whole family here for those.
The staff always makes me feel very comfortable and welcome, so while its not a day spa kind of place it is nice and relaxing. And after so many years they can generally accomodate me on pretty short notice, which I really appreciate!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/23/2011
I have been coming here for 4 years. It started with a discount coupon for a Brazilian and after one… Read more »
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Review from Priscilla T.
New York, NY
7/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Went here to redeem the first of 2 Brazilian waxes I purchased on Lifebooker. Spa was nice, soothing, comfortable couches. No offers of water, tea, etc., though there was a small kitchen so I suppose I could have helped myself if I wanted to. Some of the staff members were taking breaks in the waiting room with me, which made me kind of uncomfortable - I think employees should always have free space to be away from customers on their breaks. The music was bizarre - "Everything I Do, I Do It For You" on panpipes?
Rebecca came to get me from the waiting room, asking for "Belinda" before reading, over my shoulder, my name off of the new patient survey & saying "Oh, I mean Priscilla." Smooth.
She was nice enough, apologetic about the tiny waxing room & its tiny table, & making polite but sparse conversation. She just wasn't very good. I felt her go over a few areas repeatedly & when I asked her if she'd gotten it all, she assured me she had. When I got home, I could feel what I hadn't felt in the spa, which was essentially a stripe of stray hair down one side. She also had me holding certain places of my body to help out, which was completely ok. but with no offer of oil before or after this, I was left with wax on my fingers to take care of when she left me to myself.
I have fairly sensitive skin, which waxing doesn't usually disturb, but can. At the end, Rebecca told me she'd put some oil on me to clean me up & soothe my skin, & I appreciated both the oil & the explanation. I did not appreciate that sneak attack of what smelled like hand sanitizer that she slathered on my newly naked skin right after. It burned, I yelped, she said, "Oh, sorry. I'll just let you get dressed now." As soon as she left, I was in the baby oil. The alcohol from the sanitizer made my skin puff up in irritation, so I couldn't feel the stray hairs she had left.
The deal made the waxes cheap ($25 for 2, as opposed to the usual $65), but it was pretty clear that the spa was not willing to give me the best treatment since I didn't pay full price. I still have one wax left with them, & I may go because I have it, but only if I can request someone else in the hopes that that will make a difference. -
Review from Elmira M.
Forest Hills, NY
8/16/2011
I had great experience with them. I did laser hair removal and was impressed not only with the result, but also how qualified the technician was (I don't remember her name, unfortunately. Either Tatyana or Nataliya.) I did laser hair removal in other salons as well and I would say that GemVie MedSpa does deserve 5 stars.
The receptionist was always friendly and very helpful too. -
Review from Jerry B.
Brooklyn, NY
7/26/2011
I love this place! It is so serene and they make my skin amazing. I really feel like I am in a European spa when I come here. I am going to try their massage too bc i heard good things but their facials are definitely the best I've had in NYC.
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Review from Jane T.
Southampton, NY
11/8/2011
Pretty positive they just poisoned my friend's hooha. The only thing more painful than the premeditated p***y execution that occurred at this Frankenslum was sitting in the dank crematorium. Everyone had a look of desperation and hopelessness- it was the planned parenthood of spas. They purposely put music on to lull you to sleep so they could steal your organs, starting with your hooha. This place was reminiscent of somewhere that excavates your kidney while you're in for a "procedure"- direct quote.
Comment from galina m. of Gemvie Medispa 11/11/2011
We are sorry that your friend had a bad experience with… More » -
Review from Ashley S.
6/30/2010
This place and De Novo Spa (Midtown)
are under the same AWFUL ownership / management.
Terribly rude staff as well as low quality services.
Buyer beware of both of these establishments....
Head for the hills before they inject something into your face and you have a wonky eye for 3 months! -
Review from Steve M.
Manhattan, NY
5/17/2011
Blah treatment. Don't waste your time here. Plenty of other spa options in the city. Staff is unfriendly and in need of a de-stressing spa treatment themselves. Weird vibe throughout. Took several attempts to schedule an appointment since their "calendar was booked." The "therapist" didn't push any products to me since she said "I won't sell anything to you since you probably will not use it anyway." Nice sales pitch.
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Review from Tonya C.
10/21/2011
I bought a LivingSocial coupon for a facial here a while back. It was about to expire and I needed to use it. The spa was easy to find and right off of Madison avenue. When I walked in the receptionist was nice and had me do the regular fill-out-the-paperwork stuff. The office looked nice- pretty seems too big a descriptive word, I mean it was like a mini doctor's office lobby. After a few moments of waiting, I was led to one of the rooms by the lady that would be doing my facial, Gina. I've had a couple facials and one microderm before while still living in Texas. I have to say though that this one was quite relaxing. Gina talked to me almost the entire time she was doing my facial. She was very personable; I liked her. Once it was done, I walked out the room and back into the lobby. There was a slightly annoying push to try to sell some packages. I can't really take off that for the mire fact that it comes with the visit experience.
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Review from Sugar M.
Manhattan, NY
4/16/2011
Icky pooey! This place is so back alley. I won't get into specifics, byt after wasting 30 minutes of my time, I walked out. I wish I had the funny bone to have exclaimed "I question your licensure, sir! Now Good-day!". What a sham. Just don't. Icky pooey!
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Review from Rob P.
Astoria, NY
9/17/2009
I purchased a 30 minute swedish massage here from the groupon mailing list a few months ago. Being a NY state licensed massage therapist myself, I always like to receive massage myself, and experience how other therapists are working, etc.
From my initial call to setup an appointment here it was off to terrible start with this "spa". The person who answered the phone spoke with a heavy eastern euro accent so it was difficult to understand what she was saying other than the tone of her voice sounded annoyed someone called. When I told her what day and time I would like the massage, she just keep saying "WE'RE BOOKED"... she didn't offer alternative dates/times, so I just had to call back a few days later to check for times and hoping someone else would answer more helpful.
After several attempts to get an appointment, someone finally scheduled one for me. Upon arrival, I was told to hand over my groupon ticket and then someone took me back to a room. They didn't offer water or ask how I was feeling - very cold an impersonal reception. I felt more like was being taken to the doctor's office in some cold clinic, rather than a holistic warm, medi-oriented spa.
When I got to the room I was told to "take off my clothes and get under the sheet". The person then turned OFF all the lights and closed the door. I tried to ask her a question about the massage but she just quickly closed the door and I was left standing in a pitch-black room with only a tea candle emitting a glow of light for me to undress and get on the table.
The "massage" table was covered with a dark-shag-rug-like type of blanket that did not appear to be in the cleanest of conditions. Instead of a soft linen sheet, they use cheap paper disposable covers which was not very comfortable to lay naked upon. When I tried to move a little I would hear paper crumpling sounds and ripping noises.
After waiting for about 5-10 minutes in the dark room, there was an abrupt knock on the door and my "therapist" entered. She basically just said "hello" in a thick eastern euro accent and went around the table to slap some lukewarm WET towel on my back. I was a bit started. She then proceeded to quickly press the towel on my back, ripped the wet rag off my back and began a very fast-paced light "swedish" massage.
I usually prefer slow, deep pressure, but the therapist didn't ask what I wanted worked on, or how I was feeling, so she just began her "cookie cutter" get em in and out factory style massage on me. After about 5 minutes of her jabbing, I spoke up and told her that I preferred my lumbar and sacrum area worked on (since I had some lower back discomfort that week). She then proceeded to work on my upper traps! I was truly annoyed and in disbelief that this licensed massage therapist would not know (or she was just not listening to me) where the sacrolumbar region would be.
I didn't feel like asking her again so I just kept quiet and waiting forever for the rest of the massage to be over so I could get out of that place. After she left and I went to the front desk to leave, the receptionist gave me a dirty look and said "THAT'S IT?" when I told her to give the massage therapist $5. I usually tip 20% for massage, but because the experience was so poor, I didn't think they deserved it. I think it was also rood how reception commented on the tip itself. She should be grateful she even got that. -
Review from Jenn T.
New York, NY
8/24/2010
Yikes, I didn't know there were so many bad reviews for this place here! If I had known, I probably wouldn't have gotten the voucher for a wax job from http://BuyWithMe.com. Fortunately, I did give this place a chance... and while I am still loyal to my usual waxers at J'Aime Day Spa, this place isn't too shabby either.
The lady at the desk seemed nice, though the girl sitting next to her looked extremely bored. My waxer was friendly and chatted me up while she went to work on my 'area'. I wouldn't say she looked very experienced, but it was good enough job. My friend just got a voucher for a facial here but now I'm nervous for her... I'm sure she'll post her review soon! -
Review from Mike S.
4/3/2009
I went with my buddy for their micropeel - microdermabrasion and a light chemical peel. It literally felt like a cat was licking my face, I need to ask for full power next time I get this done.
My friend finished first and later he told me what the front desk girl said during his wait, "what is your boyfriend here for, he has perfect skin." That second my heart sank and never again will I return to Gemvie. -
Review from Kim L.
New York, NY
9/26/2011
Went in for a facial and anti-cellulite treatment on two online coupon deals. I don't have time right now to do my own and it's nice to get pampered for once. The body treatment was v good. I don't mind being wrapped up in plastic like a mummy and then strapped into a heat blanket. You can ask to keep the heat v low, which I didn't until the end. Wow, it can REALLY get hot! I had booked the facial the same day and specifically asked how long I'd need to block out of my schedule. I was told both treatment times would total 2 hrs. My esty left the room after she wrapped me, telling me to relax and if I needed anything she would be close by. She came right back and announced we were doing my facial now; mngt told her to? I didn't argue but I should've refused to combine treatments. Because I was wrapped I did not receive an upper body or hand and arm massage. The facial massage was non-existent. The extractions were v v good though & the quality of product tops. My esthetician had a nice touch and I appreciated her skill at extraction. It's a shame to not have been able to enjoy a full experience, especially when the front desk had said 2 hrs for 2 full treatments! It was also a lot to be in a hot wrap and receive a facial w steam too. I only gave 3 stars because of the abbreviated facial and they did not have a shower or blowdryer. I was covered in product and sweat and my hair was wet from the wrap. It was the first really cool day outside. Not pleasant!
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Review from Ro R.
Brooklyn, NY
9/8/2011
I had a really great facial there, and I am going back tonight to get another one. Stay tuned!
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Review from Zinat M.
4/20/2011
I bought an online voucher for the laser hair removal, which I was trying for the first time ever. I had done research on the place before even buying the voucher and thought it was well enough. On the establishment itself, no complaints. Clean, well lit, private rooms, a back room and porch to lounge around. The back room had a mini kitchen, with teas and lemon, magazines, beautiful mural paintings and with a charming, yet chic and understated decor. The treatment room was similarly clean, well lit and warm, the vibe wasn't clinical or cold. As for the service, again, no harsh complaints. Like my star rating suggests, I've experienced better. I actually appreciated the fact that when I showed up for my appointment, the woman at the front desk, who I think was the manager, notified me that the technician who was better versed at treating skin of color would be there in the evening, and she had the better machine for my skin type, versus the other machines that weren't so good at removing hair on persons of color. So I appreciated that she offered that information because I wouldn't want to go through something like that if it wasn't the best, or not going to do the job. So I did come back hours later and that technician was there. She was qualified, her credentials posted up in her exam room. She fielded all my questions well, and was very thorough in her explanations. The procedure was painful, she didn't misrepresent there either, but I stayed in the back room with an ice pack afterwards for as long as I needed. She was attentive and I definitely appreciated her expertise and care. Upon leaving I was given the talk about buying packages, on different services, by that manager woman. I didn't feel she was pushy, but she was trying to make a sale, which I get. Overall would I go back? yea, no real big issue. But I have my go to places, and I'll stick with them.
Listed in: Indulgence
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Review from Y C.
New York, NY
8/18/2010
I never write reviews on here, actually this may be my very first so, so that should be an indicator of how bad my experience was at Gemvie Medispa. I've been getting facials for 17 years now, so I can say with confidence that I know exactly what is supposed to happen when I get a facial.
When I went to the room to get my facial I expected a reclining chair (which is normal protocol), instead there was a standard massage table. Also, they do not have the hand warmers, which to me is standard at a legit place that does facials. The problem I had was with the facial itself. I went with someone else who had a great experience. If you do choose to go here- whatever you do- do not get your facial done with Rebecca! She was so amateur, I could have done a better job with zero training and a blind fold. I noticed immediately that she sounded congested, like she had a cold. Never a good thing when she was going to be near my face for the next hr. She then proceeded to clean and massage my skin, which was fine, but I did not once feel any sort of moisturizer on my face. It felt like she used a toner and was massaging my face, which was really just pushing and pulling my skin around. She talked to me the entire time which I found completely distracting.
When it came time for steaming my face, she only steamed my face for 10 minutes (it should be 20) and she was there the entire time (typically, they leave the room to give you some time to relax) and what was worse, is she had a egg timer on. So on top of the weird jazz compilation that they had on the loudspeaker system, I could only hear the ticking of this timer. After the steam was done was when it became unbearable and why I am begging anyone who reads this to avoid Rebecca like the plague. In conversation, I mentioned that I get facials for the extractions. Well, I should have mentioned the fact that I would like the extractions done by a trained professional. She proceeded to extract with such force around my nose that at one point I almost thought she was going to either dislocate it or break it. Like I said before, I am very used to extractions (especially around my nose) and so trust me when I say this was done in a unprofessional and dangerous way. I literally could not breath she had pushed down on my nose so hard. She also said you're nose is all red around here- I should have been tipped off that something was up because my nose was not red when I walked into the spa. My nose is still sore, hrs having received my facial.
After the traumatic extraction portion of the facial, she offered me a few mask options by reading off a bunch of names on jars but not explaining their benefits. She then proceeded to use the technique that a esthetician uses to apply and massage moisturizer to a face with the mud mask. For anyone that has used a mud mask before, you know it is a hard and thick substance that can't be easily moved around once on the face. So basically Rebecca was trying (and failing) at moving around thick mud on my face, which resulted in her pulling and pushing my skin. After applying the mask she finally left for 10 minutes.
Upon her return, she just sat there in silence and from what I could feel, hear and sense- was blowing on my face to dry off the mask. Gross! And let me remind you she was congested. Double gross! As I read this, I can't even believe I silently sat there, but I think I was in too much trauma and shock to react like I normally would have. So once she felt the mask was sufficiently dry, she proceeds to clean my skin with a freezing cold towel which was hard and borderline painful. I also believe this was the towel which she used at the beginning of my facial. It was hot then, it was ice cold now. At this point, I just wanted her to get away from my face. She claimed to put on more moisturizer, but again it just felt like toner.
Once she was done, I expected she would leave so I could get dressed in privacy. Instead she stood there and was staring at me. At this point I knew she either had done some serious damage to my face (she looked scared) or wanted to watch me get dressed. This was the first time I had a facial in a room with no mirrors, so I used to compact to find out that she had pushed down on my nose so hard she broke capillaries and cause the side of my nose to be bruised and purple.
I was so stunned that I just wanted to get out of there but when my friend who was with me saw me she knew something was wrong with me and noticed that I was purple. When she started to ask what happened I tried to brush it off to just get out and Rebecca had the gaul to say that my nose had been that red to begin with. I think I would know if my nose were red. Then the owner came around the desk insisting to look at my skin. When she went to touch my face with her unwashed hands was when I had had enough and told her not to come near me. If you still plan to go there and get a facial with Rebecca don't say you weren't warned -
Review from Helen H.
Maplewood, NJ
12/15/2010
Just went yesterday. The young lady that attended to me was wonderful, therefore, the three stars. I was there for the cellulite treatment ii bought via living social. The treatment seems like voodoo but time will tell. I have another treatment next week. The place was tired and the hot blanket that she wrapped me in had seen much better days! I took two stars off for the blanket. I'm going to call them and give them that feedback because they were nice and the treatment was a special outing for the price.
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Review from Rina H.
Brooklyn, NY
7/22/2009
if they're new, i'm sure they will be great in a year. if they're established...well, maybe better management is in order. the outdoor patio is beautiful and the location is pretty great, so hopefully they'll get better.
the esthetician was mildly condescending but fine, the half hour swedish massage (which i got through groupon) was pleasant, but the calming music cd started skipping a few minutes into it, and the girl at the front desk was too preoccupied with her conversation with a friend to notice, so the masseuse (same woman as who just waxed my lady area) had to stop and poke her head out the door and yell down the hall to her to get it changed. also when i paid i tipped well (as i'm wont to do) and the confused desk girl tried to give me my money back like it was a foreign concept. kind of annoying -
Review from Kai R.
New York, NY
7/15/2008
Um, the facial itself, while it was happening was enjoyable, and extra long. The extractions were painful, but I hoped that I would come out of the affair with clean pores and a fresh start. Well, that's by enlarge true, except for the DOZENS OF SCABS all around my mouth and chin. I've had many facials, with many extractions, and I didn't leave looking like I had a bad case of the chicken pox. Perhaps even more disturbingly, the technician put cover-up all over my face after the treatment (unbeknownst to me) so after the treatment my skin looked clean and clear, until I got a closer look, and saw the bumpy, red, and eventually, scabby truth underneath. I can tear my own face apart--I don't need to pay 115 dollars to get that done, thank you very much. I really am not the type to negatively review people for no reason, and this is the first negative review I've written, in fact, but I should be able to walk outside without embarassment two days after a facial, and I currently can't, not without coverup of my own.
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Review from Christine K.
Scarsdale, NY
5/16/2009
I've been to several spas in Manhattan and this was one of the worst for the price, especially for a Medi Spa. In general I feel like Medi Spas tend to be higher service since the prices tend to be a little higher for medical grade products. However this spa was pretty unprofessional even in terms of a regular day spa. The main point was there was no feeling like I was being pampered at all. No calming music in my room, no pillow for my head, and my aesthetician kept going in & out of my room to fetch things because the room was not properly stocked. My small narrow room was not decorated at all and the aesthetician had to squeeze by the bed each time she left the room. I had a micropeel done (which I've done before at other MediSpas) but my aesthetician Alex was very rough with the dermabrasion machine and was very no frills with the overall treatment. No mask at the end, she kinda just cleaned the peel off my face and put a towel on my face for 5 mins and I was out the door. Don't waste your money here when there are plenty of better bangs for your buck spas in Manhattan.
