Apothecary Wellness

Since my original comments about this company they have tried to contact me and have me remove the comment, however they still do not admit to the issues I have noted. They work to force a change in my evaluation instead of offering better service. I still do not suggest working with this company when there are so many more out there that do a great job.

If you want to help change a upset customers mind it is not normally a good idea to keep telling them and others they are wrong. The better tact is to change the story and see how they can show their service is good.

The facial was soo relaxing and it felt like a long time; additionally my feet and hands were rubbed and put into a warm moisturizing bag.
It was a very pleasant experience however my skin didn't like the products they use and I broke out afterwards so I won't be going back. Additionally yelp removed my updated review (which had less stars) but had no problem leaving the original one up- but that's my issue with yelp not this place. Just wanted to give a fair review so I updated this review. Bottom line, I don't like their products so I'm not returning.

It was my first massage here, but I wasn't thrilled about it. I have two areas where I felt stress in my back and I came in, explained where the stress/pain was before the massage started, and got a really standard regular massage (with the addition of nails in my back!) that didn't concentrate on either of those areas. :/

After the massage, she asked how I felt and I said I was still feeling pretty sore and knotty. She said it was probably from not stretching after work. :|

I might go back here, but I won't have Nakisha work on me again.

DON'T BUY THEIR PRODUCTS

I can't speak to any of their other services, but I went in to buy a bottle of lavender essential oil. I was in a hurry, and was a bit taken aback at the register when a .25 oz bottle cost $25. However, I had never bought it before and didn't know how much it should be.

Once I was home, I got online and found that lavender oil, even high end stuff, is nowhere near that expensive. When I brought it back the next day (unopened, with a receipt), they told me they don't give refunds, but I could exchange it for something else.

UNACCEPTABLE! The reason I want my money back is because the products they sell are overpriced! $100/oz for lavender oil is way, way WAY too much.


RESPONSE TO THE MANAGER:

Christine, as a small, local business, I'm having a hard time understanding why you're being so unaccommodating to a customer. The sign at the register does NOT clearly indicate that returns are not allowed. It says, "Returns and exchanges with receipt only within 30 days of purchase."

If returns are not allowed, why even mention them on the sign? Or, just clearly state "No returns allowed."

The entire reason for the return was that I felt like your products are overpriced. Why would I want to spend my money on a DIFFERENT overpriced product?

And yes, your product is overpriced. The product I ended up buying was on Amazon for $5.80/oz: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002N0PY8S/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00

I also found some for $3.99/oz at Viacost: http://www.vitacost.com/vitacost-100-pure-lavender-oil and 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil on Amazon for $18.75/oz: http://www.amazon.com/Lavender-100-Therapeutic-Grade-Essential/dp/B002RSCP9W

It seems to me that a small local business that relies heavily on word-of-mouth marketing and recommendations would place a higher value on serving the customer rather than stubbornly sticking to self-imposed rules.

All I want is my money back, straight up.

I came to Apothecary Wellness for a custom massage and custom facial. Having had only two massages prior, I never was a huge fan of massages until I had my appointment with Michelle at AW. She was very attentive to my concerns about my back and the whole hour-long massage felt very comprehensive. It was as if she was actually working through problem areas, rather than just going through a predetermined series of movements across my back, legs, and arms, which is very much what my previous massage experiences had been. The table was heated, which was nice, and it was a very relaxing experience.

My custom facial was my first facial ever, and it was quite an experience. Who knew there could be so many treatments for just your face! I was a little apprehensive because I have a nose piercing that has had a history of becoming inflamed by the slightest irritation, but despite the multiple treatments and face massaging, it was completely fine. Each treatment smelled amazing and felt great. I left feeling slightly oily and red in the face, but I can only imagine that's what would happen after your face has been scrubbed 10 times over. But the next few days, my skin had never looked better. Plus, there's the foot massage while your mask is setting.

The only caveat with the facial is that I feel like if they were going for "relaxing," the esthetician could have been a little more considerate regarding her clean up. While I was laying on the table with a mask on my face, she was washing her brushes and bowls rather loudly in the adjacent bathroom, obscuring the soothing ambient noise soundtrack.

All in all, very nice employees, very clean and neat environment, a soothing and relaxing experience overall.

As with most Treat Yo'Self ventures, I came to Apothecary Wellness thanks to Groupon. After an insane month I decided to splurge on a facial and since this place was literally around the corner from where I work I figured it would be the perfect way to unwind. How right I was!

Everything about the experience was totally soothing and made me feel completely pampered. From the Lindt truffles and coconut tea in the waiting room to the cucumber water at the end of the service it felt like every little detail was thought about with care. The facial itself was incredible: so many different masks and creams and serums were applied and each felt luxurious and smelled amazing. By the end of it I was putty in Heather's hands and my skin has never felt so clean and soft.

She told me that they have a monthly program where the price for the facial is reduced to $70 and I seriously considered whether I should give up my cellphone in favor of glowing skin but instead I think this will have to remain a once-in-awhile splurge. But whenever the urge to be pampered strikes again, I know where I will go!

I attended the Spa for the first time this past weekend for my groupon 1 hour massage and foot treatment. The spa itself is very nicely decorated, the massage was very thorough and unlike other places that count the 10-15 min consultation against the massage time, this spa does NOT and gives you atleast a full hour of massage. The staff is friendly and helpful and the massage focused on alot of the upper neck area, which most places barely cover. The warm rags, eye covering and other small attentions to detail with the graceful adjustment by the massager made it a very relaxing experience.

The only bad side is the location, which has only VERY limited street parking and on a Raven or Oriole home game day forget it. After driving around for 45 minutes, I ended up parking at the Intercontinental Hotel garage near the Inner Harbor and walking 15-20 blocks in the 30F windy day.

Last week was the first time I have ever stopped in this spa, and I was very pleased. I was just purchasing a few odds and ends but I found the receptionist to be very pleasant. I really would like to go back and book a facial next time. By then I can really write a lengthy review on my visit here. I also like that they participate in the BodybyDonavon Rewards program that my personal trainer offers his clients, that is a plus to know that after you have an intense workout you can come here and utilize your card and save 10% on wellness products and massage service.

From the time you walk through the front door to when you walk out, it is truly a relaxing experience. The waiting room is like a living room (I instinctually locked door by accident!) and smelled great. The front desk is friendly. Love, love, love the decorations.

I had a custom massage and foot treatment (via groupon) with Rachel. She was attentive to my problem areas and was successful. The foot treatment was okay, but could have done without because the massage itself was great. I definately plan on returning!

Jen gives the best massages!