Essential Spa (Elgin) - Essential Deep Cleansing Facial Treatment ★★☆☆☆

The Spur: My skin my skinnn... one facialist says my breakouts are not due to dirt but something internal, like diet or stress or hormones. OK. Anyway, fix it.

The Sticker: I have had two facials here. The first one was very good (G.M. Collin Water Radiance Facial Treatment $420), but I will only comment on my latest experience - Sothys Essential Deep Cleansing Facial Treatment ($420, 60 minutes). I had tried to get a last-minute appointment on a Saturday, and they were full. But they called me back when there was a cancellation, and asked if I had a preferred therapist - if not, "will [available therapist's name] be OK?" I should have taken that as a bad sign.

The Goods and The Atmo: The best thing about Essential Spa in Mid-Levels is location. The two small shops there are on the ground level, so very visible, always tempting you as you walk by, always on your mind. At least my mind. I've only been to the Elgin branch so can only comment about that one. There are two floors: the ground floor is the mani-pedi area, and upstairs is treatment rooms and the changing room. The ground floor is pretty and tidy with a mildly Asian design, wood floors, clean and neat manicure stations. Comparatively, the upstairs is a disappointment. It feels dingy and old. The cramped changing room has lockers, a sauna, two showers and a toilet. It doesn't even have hair dryers or other basic amenities. The provided robes and towels are thin and worn, which I hate, and it's one thing I complained about when asked by the staff if there's anything that could use improvement (I didn't want to say they could use a renovation). This always makes me do the math and wonder if the nice facilities at hotel spas are worth the doubled price tag. (Yes?) ★★☆☆☆

Treat Me! The reception staff is very courteous and friendly here, but more on that later. I was ushered into the dingy changing room where I undressed entirely, put on the robe, and walked out to meet the therapist. Her first comment was that it's not necessary to undress everything, since it's "just a facial." Uh, noted. She also confirmed with the manager that her lunch break was right after this treatment. Great. She sounded rushed already. The treatment rooms are spartan, not zen at all, and the towels on the table are equally horrible as the ones in the lockers. This therapist was just about the worst person to give a facial. Seriously. She obviously had a cold, since she was snorting like crazy. I understand that it sucks when you have to work and your nose is running. I have a sensitive nose and this happens to me all the time. But this was very annoying, or gross, depending on how anal you are about hygiene. So snorting therapist, never relaxing. Then the facial. OMG, everything was just slapped on and wiped off without any consideration. Loathe. Then. The absolute worst part about this facial. The "extractions." The thing about popping zits and squeezing blackheads is if you do it, do it all the way. Just half-assing is about the worst thing you could do to aggravate it. I felt the pain, but there were some unsuccessful spots that she just let go, which I wasn't surprised about when I looked in the mirror. I could tell just from her shit attitude. Also, I definitely had some blemishes that weren't ready (er, advance enough?) to be extracted, and she went ahead anyway. Of course, now my skin is worse. ★☆☆☆☆

The Service: There's something special about Essential Spa, which is their pushiness in selling packages. I have a friend who stopped going here because she couldn't take it. Anyway, it's interesting. I had told then that I was interested in buying a package after the first facial I got here, but had to think about it more. Then as I was paying for this treatment, the receptionist/manager tried to sell me. I was really considering it (what was I thinking?), but kept declining. The interesting thing is, after each decline, she would throw in something more for the same price. The offer just got better and better. After about three declines, she offered a few trial treatments at really cheap prices, which I will try. Just remember, ask for trial prices if you decide to come here, and play hard to get. It works so much better here than it does with men. ★★★☆☆