Andante Day Spa

09/17/09

Angie is fantastic but appointments are a problem.

by nvilleresident at Citysearch

I went to Andante for my first Brazillian wax. I was extremely anxious but Angie put me at ease immediately. She was so easy going and made me comfortable with what is a less than comfortable situation. I left the first time feeling sure that I would be back regularly. When I called to schedule my second session, I had no problems whatsoever getting in. I was so confident with Angie's services that I decided to schedule a microdermabrasion. I received a call one day prior to my appointment stating that my appointment was accidentally scheduled on a day that Angie did not work. When I asked if anyone else was available at that time I was told no. When I tried to reschedule, every date that I suggested there was no appointment available. I ended up telling them to just cancel the appointment and the person on the phone acted as if that was my problem, not theirs. When I called a few weeks later to schedule another waxing appointment , again, every date I asked for I was told Angie was unavailable. There was no effort to accomodate me with another person or to suggest a time she might be available. While I have found Angie to be delightful, I have found that the front desk staff has been deplorable. As much as I adore Angie I have not been back.

• Pros: Angie is amazing
• Cons: Interacting with the front desk is a nightmare

09/07/09

The best facial I've ever had

by CurioserStill at Citysearch

So I have to preface this review with some personal info.

Firstly - I have extremely sensitive skin. I also have the double "blessing" that it is also problem skin. I am a Latina with olive skin tone and so my sensitive problematic skin also has a tendency to scar after breakouts or rough handling. Lucky me!

Secondly- My view of facials is that it is a necessary evil. Why evil? My skin gets very easily congested and so extractions are a must to keep my skin clear and healthy - but extractions HURT!

So while the rest of the world gets to think of a facial as a pampering, relaxing experience full of herbs and steam and soothing masks....I get to look forward to it the way I look forward to a dental visit. I also get to look forward to exiting the spa with my face lloking like a red and swollen mess. Very embarassing!

Enter my review of Andante Spa and Angelia.

This was the very best facial experience I ever had. The spa itself was clean and quiet and soothing...all the regular spa features. I was greeted and offered a beverage. My choice was water. I was offered lemon or cucumber slice with it. I chose cucumber. Angie later informed me the cukes were from her mom's garden.

The facial itself was a standard European facial with a cleansing, steam, massage, extractions and mask. It was all done very thoroughly and best of all painlessly. (though I must note I took a couple of Advil before hand as I always do to combat pain and swelling - yes they're always that bad!)

The raving review is really about Angie. I have never ever ever in my facial history felt so at ease and so comforatble with an aesthetician. I have had facials in New York, San Francisco, Jersey, etc. etc. While I have my favorite (Mario Badescu in NYC) I have to still say that Angie is above and beyond any aesthetician in personality and her approach to her customer.

Where many aesths have made me feel guilty about the condition of my skin or made me feel like I had the worst skin in the world or huffed and puffed about how many extractions they had to do or huffed and puffed as if the senitivity of my skin was a character flaw in me...Angie did all the opposite. She did not force a blemish or congestion if it did not want to come out. This resulted in less redness and swelling and pain for me. Her approach to the extractions was a "us against them" attitude. She gave me tips on how to cleanse and how to moisturize. And lastly she never ever ever pushed product - which was a huge plus as other spas urge their workers to do this and generally they get you while you are in a very vulnerable position.

I am 100% confident that regular visits with Angie would result in great skin.

My only con? I'm moving! That makes the experience at Andante Spa and with Angie very bittersweet! But to all the other Nashvillians out there...take advantage!!!

• Pros: Angelia
• Cons: I'm moving!

07/11/09

Fantastic Facial

by StephanieWeichert at Citysearch

I had a facial with Jacqueline and really loved it. The location is fantastic and unpretentious, located just beyond a strip of antique stores.

Jacquenline has a thorough understanding of skin wellness. She coached me on which foods and products would be right for my skin. She also gave me tips on what not to do. Within one week my skin went from broken-out to clear.

If you are looking for the best of all worlds- price, product and knowledge I would fully recommend Andante. Andante is charming and the staff members were kind. Not to mention I received a follow-up thank you card from Jacquenline about a week later!

• Pros: Products, the atmosphere, the people