New York Skin Solutions (Vivocity branch and Tiong Bahru Plaza)

New York Skin Solutions - NYSS (Vivocity and Tiong Bahru) - Same brand, 2 vastly different experiences.

NYSS - Vivocity

I have purchased tickets to NYSS to be entiltied to facials @$10 during one of their road shows in Suntec. I was told that it would be a basic facial with cleansing, extraction and mask catered to my specific problem. Sound fair, good value and so it was done and purchased.

Prior to the facial appointment made, NYSS displayed consistent and prompt service following up when I would be going down for the facial and which branch. As Vivocity branch was newly opened, they were very keen on promoting that branch though I specifiy that Jurong Point branch was in fact the nearest to my place. They assured me that for new branch, there would be additional benefits and etc and Jurong Point branch was catered for their regulars only thus they are not able to secure any slots for me there. My voucher was expiring soon so I guess I got to take it or leave it.

As I have read a quite a number of reviews about NYSS after purchasing the $10 tickets, I was not very keen and was ready to forfeit it. Eventually, I decided to give it a go and opted for the Vivo branch. I decided if I arrived half an hour later, the consultant will shorten the 1hour "consultation period" to half an hour. Honestly, I never had an HOUR fixed consultation throughout my facial experience (except for another salon Coslab with hard-core selling methodolgy). I guess I was "acting too smart" for my own good.

When I arrived, the consultant assigned to me was insistent that the whole consultaion process was a fixed ONE hr and in that case, I have 2 options:

1) Shorten my facial time to 1hr as I was late for 30 mins

2) Postpone my appointment (my voucher would have expired anyway)

Both options were out for me as these thoughts cross my mind:

1) Why can't my consultant speak faster and we have a 30 min consultation instead? Seriously, if you want to brainwash, you don't need an hour, do you? Results speak for themselves.

2) You mean I got to drive to Vivo another time when I freaking live in Tuas??? I paid the $10 and opt for Jurong Point and was unable to choose my preferred location. I got to settle for Vivo which you insisted is better, bigger, faster?? ( OMG: I sound like LSS!!)

I took the 3rd option, I INSISTED on having a refund and it took them an hour to agree to return me my $10 bucks???? I ended up paying the Vivo car park charges. Try them again? I say NO anytime...

My god, I should have told them I am also a sales person and I understand that only from service, you will have regular clients and referrals.

Will I recommend it to anyone?

No, unless you are LSS and or anyone who thinks like him.

NYSS - Tiong Bahru Plaza

By now, I seriously have very bad impression of NYSS with the amount of bad reviews I have read online and my last bitter break-up with NYSS Vivo.

Well, this time I am back for facial and eye treatments with NYSS as my dear sister had migrated to the States and wala, dear younger sister has to undertake the liabilities of all her packages. In case, you are wondering. Yes, I do have to pay her back in cold, hard cash whilst she earns her points on her credit card.... Damn it. She got the BEST of both worlds. Nonethless, she is still my dearest sister. =)

What I like about them/ their treatment?

Their treatments are very focused on products - ampolues and masks. One thing good is that they are also very generous with their masks.

After double cleansing, they will use a softening mask to soften the dead skin cells before the extraction. As my skin is pretty sensitive, the therapise use gtea tree ampoules+eye ampolues with a collagen gel with ultrasound machine to go over my problem skin and dark eye circles. This is meant to reduce redness and promotes healing of the skin and improving blood circulation. Note that only when my skin has severe breakouts, the therapist will use an additional anti-bacterial tingling machines to go on your spots directly - pricking sensation.

After the treatment, you will notice more clarifity in your skin, visibly smaller pores and lighter dark eye rings. I personally find this treatment helps to unclog impurities and creates a more revitalised complexion. Their treatments however are a tad too pricey which I think I can find a much better deal somewhere. Too bad my sister has an ongoing package which I am taking over.

What I do not like about them and will never do?

For one, I believe a reminder call one day prior to the appointment is necessary for me especially if I am a workaholic. This gesture would be a basic courtesy and for them to better engage their clients especially when competition is stiff in the beauty industry. I specifically told them on 3 occassions and it still happened until I approached the branch manager.

And mind you, my sister package is not a small ticket size purchase. Her total purchases with them estimated to be in the 5 figures range I believe.

I, on the other hand spurgle $900 on their ampoules during my 3rd visit when the therapist mentioned it would help and reduce the whiteheads as my products I use at home are too "rich" for me. Don't bother, I say as I still had the break outs. Nonethless, big or small clients, I think the attitude should be equal and not just focus on getting new clients to sign on packages. A word of advice: Your existing clients could be your best bet at the end of the day. (Oh ya, this is called the JY theory).

Would I recommend it to my friends?

Yes, I would as their treatments are pretty effective. But please ask them to cut the crap of consultation. Just ask them what will work for you and how much? Then work accordingly to your budget. If you like the treatments, I suggest you sign up and go to the Tiong Bahru outlet rather than Vivocity. Their attitude may put you off but lest, they are not that rude.