Translation from English

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Ling Skin Care - Union Square

OK, mostly very good reviews but some serious complaints

Especially from one woman who HATED her ginseng facial and a few others like that

They have a line of cosmetics I understand...I would not know anything about that

Ling Skin Care

3.0 star rating
18 reviews Rating Details
Category: Skin Care  [Edit]
12 E 16th St
(between 5th Ave & W Union Sq)
New York, NY 10003
Neighborhoods: Union Square, Flatiron
(212) 989-8833
Nearest Transit Station:
14 St. - Union Sq (N, Q, R)
Union Sq - 14 St. (L)
14 St. - Union Sq (4, 5, 6, 6X)
Hours:
Mon-Wed, Fri 10 am - 7 pm
Thu 10 am - 9 pm
Sat 9:30 am - 9 pm
Sun 11 am - 7 pm
Price Range:
$$$
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
By Appointment Only:
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible:
No
Karolina P. said: "I went to Rio as a referral from my gf she assured me it i would love it there and i did!,, I never before had wax n I was rather scared of the pain. The staff was amazing, very friendly and made me feel very comfortable. They are the…" read more »
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18 reviews in English

  • Review from

    • 37 friends
    • 15 reviews
    Irvine, CA
    6/11/2013 1 check-in here
    I love Ling skin care products, I have a problem with clogged pores on my forehead, and their ultra sonic machine does wonders during exfoliation. My favorite product is the spotlight papaya, that exfolitates and brightens my complexion and the instant oxygen recovery mask, that really wakes up my skin. The facials here are the best, they really clean you face and put back the proper hydration and nutrients back into the skin, after each facial my skin is noticeably brighter and decongested.
  • Review from

    • 13 friends
    • 39 reviews
    Melbourne, Australia
    1/30/2013 3 check-ins here
    By far the best facial I have ever had (in my 40's so there have been many).
    I visited another famous skincare shop front upper east side the next day who said my skin looked beautiful... it did thanks to Ling the day prior!
  • Review from

    • 21 friends
    • 104 reviews
    New York, NY
    8/31/2012 3 check-ins here
    Ann has been my go-to-person at Ling's ever since 2 summers ago, when i experienced my first adult acne episode. After seeing 3 different dermatologist and spending wads of $$$ on cremes and treatments, nothing was helping. Till finally my friend recommended me to come to Ling's and they brought me back to life.

    Keep in mind I am not the type who usually goes to spa for facials. I only go on as needed base, and I think Ling's is known for treating problematic skins, not really for those who are looking for fancy spa experience or pampering. They fix you, and then you are out the door.
  • Review from

    • 3 friends
    • 19 reviews
    Brooklyn, NY
    9/2/2009
    I've been going to Ling Skincare in Union Square for about 5 years now and I swear they completely changed my skin - in the best way possible. No more breakouts and my skin looks amazing.

    Not sure which aesthetician these other reviewers saw, but I always go to Carol and she is phenomenal. My standard is the Ginseng Facial with the Triple Phase Peel and I sometimes leave the appointment a tiny bit red (it's normal when you're getting extractions) but I ALWAYS wake up with a gorgeous, glowing complexion.

    Products are pricey, but if you get the key ones, they're worth it. I would recommend the Oxygen Plasma Potion for people who break out, the hydrating toner and collagen cream for people with dry skin.
  • Review from

    Brooklyn, NY
    8/28/2007 First to Review
    So I was a Mario Badescu devotee for many years. Main reason I stopped going was I was tired of getting to the location. Someone suggested Ling...who was it....cannot recall. I made an appointment and went for my facial. The treatment rooms are lit and decorated so you feel like you are in 1927 Shanghai (at least this was how it seemed to me) you slip on a silk robe. Now the silk robe is awesome when you first get it on but as the treatment progressed I thought it was awful-it was too hot and did not allow me to breathe.

    The other thing I cannot deal with is selling you treatments and services when you are lying there, with your hands in hot mitts-no escape!! So the nice lady we will call her Claire-tells me i really may want to consider microdermabrasion. Why not Gisele Bundchen supposedly goes to this place if it is good enough for Gisele it is good enough for me.

    Boy do I wish I had firmly told Carol no-what ensued was torture literally-fuck impeachment Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld should be subjected to this. Claire taped my mouth and eyes shut (a layer of gauze pads over the eyes first) and then proceeded to use the vacuumy looking Cozmo that feels like rock salt is being rubbed over your face-it really hurt. The silk robe only complicated matters as sweat was pouring down my back.

    Now get ready to laugh I agreed to buy a series of these treatments!!! I did not see any discern able difference and have not been back since Jan 06.

    ON THE PLUS SIDE-they have this oxygen plasma complex although  stuff they sell that did really work wonders although quite pricey.

    I am willing to shell out money but for the cost of the products and services I did not see that major a difference in my skin.
  • Review from

    • 6 friends
    • 18 reviews
    New York, NY
    6/24/2008
    Ling Skincare's claim to fame is their facials.

    I usually go to my regular place,  but decided to stray b/c i'm Asian, and I thought... "hey! maybe i should check out my own peeps.  Plus Ling's gotten a lot of publicity, so..."

    Man, was I wrong.

    The aesthetician who did my facial was a Japanese girl who extracted all my blemishes but somehow didn't do them the right way b/c i ended up with huge, swollen red marks all over my face immediately afterward. I *never* experience this when getting a *real* facial, where my face is milky white and calm after I'm done.   I still had blemishes for days afterward.

    I have never felt so embarrassed to walk out of Ling, paying at the register with my completely red spotted swollen face, trying to hide from the other clients.

    And i think this is where Ling snags them.
    The "allure" of asian porcelain skin and the ritual "techniques" to get that way. Everyone wants it. But this is just a marketing hook! I'm Asian and i am completely ashamed of my experience here. Look around and you will NEVER SEE ANY ASIAN CUSTOMER here.  It's all white people...

    What i see a lot happening in many day spas are frustrated, young, inexperienced facialists who jump from place to place, role to role, with high turnover, so that no one really does their job expertly for years, gaining the experience to perform extractions.  Anyone can massage the face, but it takes real skill to do extractions. And you just can't risk that with your one and only face.

    Ling: thumbs down.
  • Review from

    • 48 friends
    • 353 reviews
    Brooklyn, NY
    6/30/2010 3 photos
    I got my first Ling facial in 2003, and when ever I was in the city I went back to get this amazing facial. Since I moved back in 2008 I still get regular facials here.

    I can't emphasize enough the thorough cleansing and amazing glow afterwards! It's so important to have clean and clear skin, and having an expert regularly maintain your skin is essential.

    Ling Skincare focuses on facials so you know you are getting serious results. Their skincare line is just as amazing, try the Replenishing Hydrator!
    • Ling spa room
  • Review from

    Brooklyn, NY
    10/5/2011
    I'm not generally a person who gives five stars, but when I try to think of reason to knock Ling down to 4, I can't!!! Ling is as good as it gets.

    I love going to Ling, as soon as I walk in the door, I start to relax. Every detail in the decor and atmosphere work together and feel genuine.

    I've been there 4 times over the course of 5 years, and every experience has been outstanding. My only hesitation is it is an expensive experience.

    I've worked with Cherry and H.J. and both are sweet, knowledgeable, careful, and amazing at what they do. I've had pleasant conversations with both of them, they always told me what and why they were doing what they were doing, if they left me for longer the 15 minutes they asked if that was ok, and it always is. Those creams are magic.

    Note: I always bring a book to help the 20 minutes go by faster.

    Ling is big on hydration, and they are very loyal to their products. I always buy one thing and I let the esthetician decide.

    Stefanie will book your appointment and help you with product selection. She is very also very knowledgeable and incredibly helpful.

    I read through some of the older reviews and it made me wonder if there are two different Lings? I can't believe how diverse the experiences there can be. Admittedly I have often been up-sold, but never regretted it.

    Like I said, they are BIG on hydration, and we live in a dry, dirty city and I know I do not have a good skin care practice.
  • Review from

    New York, NY
    Updated - 12/5/2012 4 check-ins here
    Almost 10 years going to see Carol at Ling and I'm still as happy as the first day I stepped foot in Ling. It's great! I get compliments all the time on how great my skin looks. So yes, maybe it's genetics but it also has something to do with the amazing treatments and great products. Don't believe the haters! Try it for yourself and experience amazing healthy glowing skin.

    1 Previous Review: Show all »

    • 12/22/2010
      I've been going to Ling since 2003. For me, it's the best place for facials and skincare products.

      I… Read more »
  • Review from

    New York, NY
    4/16/2011 1 check-in here
    I came here for Spa Week Facial on a Saturday morning. It was not crowded when I stopped by. The receptionist was nice but not exactly friendly. They didn't ask me to fill out any form, which was weird. I only waited for 5 minutes and I got situated already. The facial lady is Asian and I don't know if it is due to language barrier or what, she didn't really speak much.

    She didn't even tell me what stuff she is putting on my face. None. There was a steam machine blowing on my face for like couple minutes but I think it was too close for comfort. I could not breathe too well. She never asked me if that felt alright. Then there was something else she put on my face that really stings but then again, she didn't pre-warn me or asked my opinion. Then, she left the room.

    Overall, the result was decent. My skin was soft and radiant afterwards. But it is just odd that they didnt bother to ask what skin conditions I am concerned with or if I have any allergy or illness. Good thing I don't because otherwise, I might get some products I cannot use!

    It is also strange they don't tell you what they use on you and what effects they might have?! I felt totally in the dark but good thing is the result is fine.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 32 reviews
    New York, NY
    9/25/2011
    It's been a day since my ginseng facial and I'm practically deformed.  I've gotten redness from extractions but never a reaction like this.  I suspect I've received a skin infection and will see my doctor this week.  My entire face has broken out not in pimples but tiny red, incredibly itchy bumps.  It's hideous.  My face looked fine when I left the spa, but the infections emerged over the next few hours.  It's insanely irresponsible of Ling's Skincare - they're working on people's faces! With sharp instruments!

    Carol was also so focused on selling me additions that she didn't even have the patience to listen to my explanations for why i couldn't go a three-step peel and all the other stuff.  Instead, she talked over me, as if I didn't know exactly how much stimulation my skin can take, and claimed that because I didn't do add-ons she wouldn't be able to do a good extraction.  Also, I have incredibly clear skin on my cheeks and I needed extractions on my chin and forehead, but she kept pricking my cheeks with her needle and now my skin looks incredibly dieased.  I know, it's super gross.

    Also, 80% of this facial was lying in boredom with masks on (which they wiped off with rather harsh tissue papers).

    I really, really hope my dermatologist can heal my skin.  What a fucking disaster.

    P.S. My room looked only vaguely like the photos. Much smaller and very drab.
  • Review from

    • 17 friends
    • 24 reviews
    Brooklyn, NY
    1/10/2011
    A great facial for super-sensitive skin. Be warned: they take their extractions seriously! You will be pink for two days, but you will see results almost immediately. My skin is softer, smoother and more hydrated thanks to HJ, who recommended a papaya exfoliator before the extractions, and a peppermint calming mask after. It's pricey but worth it for a baby soft face.
  • Review from

    • 7 friends
    • 87 reviews
    New York, NY
    Updated - 4/6/2012
    I like Ling facials, although there are so many spas in the city that offer similarly good facials at comparable prices, hence I have not gone back as much. My update is about their products.

    I have been using the Ling skincare regimen for a year now, and am very disappointed. Initially I was happy with the products, this was my first skincare regimen. During winter, I used the hydrator a lot on my combination skin. It has only made my skin more dry. Despite using the hydrator, lotion, etc., the dry areas of my skin have started flaking. I started having many breakouts, and no matter what I did - cleanser, papaya peel, etc., nothing worked. I was embarrassed, the breakouts would not stop. I went to another spa and tried their organic products and got a facial there. I have stopped Ling and am now using the organic products. My skin looks and feels much better. It is still slightly dry, but not as much as when I used Ling. I do not recommend Ling products. The large bottles of cleanser and hydrator are still lying around, and their eye and lip cream too is in my refrigerator taking space. Eventually I will throw them out once I stop regretting the $$$ I paid for these.

    I will not buy another Ling product again. I like their papaya peel and still use it on weekends, but I will not buy another product. They made my skin very dry, and did nothing to prevent breakouts. The products stopped working for me. I am very happy with my new organic regimen.

    1 Previous Review: Show all »

    • 11/2/2010

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