Mischo Beauty Review: Rescue Beauty Lounge

On Sunday, a friend and I traveled to New York to celebrate her birthday with the treat of spa treatments. We chose Rescue Beauty Lounge and Bliss due to their constant exposure in the chicest glossies (Vogue, Allure, Instyle, Elle, etc.) and the fact that they were started by fearless beauty professionals, like ourselves, who had the courage to step out on faith and pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.

Our first stop was Rescue Beauty Lounge (34 Gansevoort) for the Signature Pedicure. I have to preface this with the reminder that I'm a licensed beauty professional, as is my friend, who is an esthetician and manicurist. Upon entry you could see that the minimalist, chic interior could possibly benefit from an upgrade (which, in today's economy, could be daunting). The retail area had a variety of beauty products to choose from, but lacked a wide selection of nail colors. The staff was very friendly and very accomodating, but I was surprised to see that the nail techs' "uniforms" were individually chosen jeans and white t-shirts. They looked a bit uncoordinated and uncomfortable.

I would give the pedicure I received an average rating. The pedicure seating area was well-designed, but was small, leaving little room for movement of any sort. I'm an easy pedicure because I never have my cuticles cut, nor do I ever need to have dead skin removed (I do that regularly at home). So my nail tech cut and shaped my nails, pushed my cuticles back, applied the exfoliating body wash, moisturized my feet and polished my nails. She failed to massage my legs and feet and the steamed towels she applied after the moisturizer had already cooled. The rolled tissue, which was used as toe separators, easily leads to polished toes touching each other, and appeared out of place.

The nail tech did an excellent job polishing my nails with their Killa Red nail polish, which I loved so much that I bought a bottle, along with the Citrus Vert Exfoliating Body Wash (which was used as my foot scrub). I love the Rescue Beauty Lounge concept of the intimate boutique nail spa and the signature treatments and products, and I admire all that Ji Baek (the founder) has been able to accomplish.

I'd love to hear your thoughts? Has anyone been to either location?