Pure Element Spa

Farah is AWESOME!!! I read a previous review and was offended because what happened to her could have been bled because she didn’t properly prep or whatever!!! Farah was my first and I didn’t feel a thing!!! She is amazing and I see her for EVERYTHING! BELIEVE you me… I’m such a hardcore b***** if I say she rocks… please believe me

(Brazilian wax) I really dislike writing reviews that aren’t positive. Everyone is trying to make it in this world and I don’t ever want a review to reflect badly upon someone personally. With that being said, this is a review and I do hope the review is perceived as ways that the service can be improved without taking it personally.
I purchased a groupon deal for a Brazilian wax but it was far from a good experience. Farah. though a nice woman… did not prep my skin before waxing, which I’ve always had… and her wax technique was far from gentle. Overly strong with heavy hands which resulted in ripped skin and me asking her stop semi-​complete because I couldn’t take it anymore. The approach to task seemed very amateur. I know she tried hard with the mission to leave the customer happy but it just needs work. I’m still in pain from the appointment. No finesse at all. And now I have to clean the rest myself. Also, it was very difficult to get a hold of them as I tried for several days to make an appointment but it took a couple days before I heard back. The only reason I gave a 2 is because I believe in honesty and that’s what my experience earned.

Farah is just great! One of the best Brazilian wax I had in USA so far. Fast, no painful at all (and I had really bad experiences in the past), I ll be def coming back and spreading the word among my friends!

I AM NOT SURE WHO THE HELL ON THE EARTH IS GIVING 5 STAR RATING TO THIS SALON… (IF ITS RELATED TO BRAZILIAN WAX)
I went to Pure Element Spa for Brazillian Wax. I got my serviced done by a short– fat lady (dont remember her name).I WANT TO CHECK HER LICENSE IF SHE IS CAPABLE TO DOING SERVICE. First of all, she didnt wear any gloves while waxing. She didnt even use a fresh spatula for every waxing stroke which is not hygiene at all as the same wax machine could have been used for others as well. At the end of waxing, when I looked at the wax are, at few places my skin was ripped off and was bleeding. She didnt wax the whole area neatly. I still could find some places with hair. She even applied the hot wax in inner lip area, which is not advisable at all. She was very rash and hard while waxing. Hygiene is the key for Brazillian waxing, which she didnt follow at all. After the service, for a day or two I was suffering with some much pain, that even if my panty touches that area, it would be unbearable. I wont recommend anyone for Brazillian waxing in this salon. The worst experience I had till date

I went in to get a gel mani/​regular pedicure. I walked in and the people in the salon didn’t know the schedule/​wait time for the nail technician, so I had to go upstairs myself to check. If you work in the same unit, shouldn’t there be a receptionist that can give you wait times? Anyway, I made my way upstairs and they were able to take me right away. I like relaxing when I’m getting pampered, so thankfully no one was real chatty while I was getting my toes done. Weirdly, I was asked if I wanted to go ahead and pay during the pedicure, while my hands were free to sign. I agreed (it would’ve been uncomfortable if I had refused) and I tipped 20% on top of it. Since I was the only one, the technician knew I was tipping her 20%- wouldn’t that make you want to give great service? After my mani, I grabbed my stuff and left. It was a bit dark upstairs, so when I looked at my hands in the daylight, I was shocked. For the pedicure, the color was on my skin and the cuts/​filing was inconsistent. For my mani, the nail polish wasn’t consistent and it looked like she had pushed back my cuticles on one hand, but not the other. I had also asked for a square shape, but instead they’re round and some nails still remain longer than others. The polish was all over my skin in some parts and since it was gel, when I tried to fix it/​unglue my skin, some of it came off. The technician also was using her nails to clean out the particles under my nail– I had to ask her to use the tools instead. The only good thing about this was the price cause I would have paid more than $ 55 for both services anywhere else– although hopefully they would have done a better job.

Was just in for a massage yesterday and felt like I needed to say ‘thank you!’ to Socheat (massage therapist) with a good review. I used a Groupon but will definitely be returning for more massages in the future. She was surprisingly strong and I am feeling amazing today. Very relaxed! The space was really nice — simple, clean and calming. She was so organized and had everything ready when I got there. I look forward to returning and trying the manicure/​pedicure services too! The prices are very reasonable for Old Town.

I had a good experience!
Massage therapist was kind and helpful with questions about my problem areas like lower back pain. The room was ready when I arrived– nice and warm, music playing essential oils in the air. I’m big on that. Hate walking into a cold room with cold bedding waiting while the therapist arranges things.
She was really strong and worked on my knots. Professional customer service. The massage area is upstairs and hard to locate from the street because it says the name of the hair salon downstairs and only a tiny blue sign by the steps says pure element.
I got a peel earlier from a different place and my face was on fire from resting on it during my massage. She was kind of enough to help me out with that too and recommended I get the facial after next time. Duh. What was I thinking?
I reserve ⁴⁄₅ star reviews for only the best places. Like offering smoothies or booze, have fruit, wine, spa robes, and saunas, etc. 3 stars is still pretty good. No complaints.

I went in for Brazilian, so this review is strictly for that. Bought my trial through Groupon. The lady who give me wax said she will charge me $ 45 next time, I can go to other places with equivalent or better prices so I don’t think I will be back next time. The place is nice and clean but nothing special either.
All I can say is «meh»

What an amazing massage we had at this cozy spa! I arrived at this spa with my friend for an afternoon treat and we received a warm welcome from the owner who served us hot tea, it was perfect for a cold day. She chatted with us briefly before service. I asked her to focus on my neck, back and shoulders. She was the best massage therapist I ever had, all my pain is gone. I can wait to come back very soon!!!

Although the lady was nice. It was an awful manicure. The salon is located on the top of a hair salon and she only takes cash, which I thought was strange. The manicure was $ 20 which is very pricey. It is actually more expensive than Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, which I will be going back to for sure and it is a much more professional.
I didn’t want polish and just needed a good manicure to clean up my cuticles and buff my nails. She literally did none of that. Well that’s not true she tried to do it but it failed. It was like it was her first time. There were no overhead lights and it was very dark up there, so she really couldn’t see my nails. I mean I could hardly see them. She was using an old towel that had seen better days. She spent a total of about 2 mins on each hand. Then put some strange scrub that felt nice that she massaged into my hands for 30 seconds then told me to wash my hands. She then put lotion on my hands and then said I can put clear on for you. So I said sure. When I got outside it looked like a child did nails. The clear polish was outside the cuticles and outside of my nail beds. It is bad when your husband says what is wrong with your nails. So bad that I am now redoing my nails today. After spending $ 20 for what?
The kicker was when she told me I see you are married. I said yes, she said how long? I tell her then she said thats long enough time to have babies now. #mindyourbusiness

Wonderful massage! I’m always a little nervous to try a new place, especially with a groupon, but I was beyond pleasantly surprised. I had a 60 minute Swedish massage.
Socheat was very friendly and gave a massage with perfect pressure. So relaxing and will definitely be back!

What a wonderful massage I was given, and by a massage therapist who was really in-​tune with the bodywork she customized to exceed my needs. Loved her holistic, integrative approach to healing. I can’t wait to come back!

I purchased a Groupon for an hour long deep tissue massage based on the great Unilocal reviews and I couldn’t have been happier. I got there 15 mins late but Socheat was so nice and welcoming, she said she’d add the lost time to my next massage. (How awesome is that?) I informed her that it was my first massage and that I might need some extra attention in my neck, due to a past car accident, and she adjusted her massage to my needs. Great conversation and very relaxing. I’ll be coming here for my massages from now on :)

Phenomenal – best massage I’ve had in the DC area, and I’ve tried many places. Highly recommend, no caveats.

Wow! This modest and beautiful space above a hair salon in the heart of Old Town Alexandria blew me away. I woke with a terrible crick in my neck on Friday morning. You know the drill, right? The kind of crick that makes you wince every time you hit a bump on the road. I called and thankfully got an appointment for a massage on Saturday afternoon. This small spa offers all the delights one would expect from an exclusive and super expensive spot. Most importantly, the massage and masseuse were AMAZING. FRIENDLY. Family like atmosphere!
I like to chat a lot during a first massage just because it helps me get to know the person behind the magic hands kneading my knotted up flesh. After that connection is established, I know whether or not I want to return and, thankfully, my masseuse did not seem at all bothered and readily conversed openly with me about a myriad of subjects without ever missing a beat. She paid careful attention to the issues I addressed and was attentive to the things I liked and carefully avoided the things I don’t — read, please massage my scalp and ears, but avoid my super sensitive feet. This was just a great experience all in all. I already have another appointment and I can’t wait! As for the effectiveness? I took a yoga flow class and experienced almost zero pain in my neck and shoulders and even felt a little more flexibility overall.

This place is very tiny, but cozy and hidden upstairs directly across from Hard Times on King. You will not be disappointed. Stephany did an awesome job on my nails – I went with the mani/​pedi. She was meticulous and gives an awesome leg/​foot massage. She also used a scrub on my hands too! And cuticle oil. I haven’t found any other nail salon that does that. The prices are competitive for Old Town. Definitely make an appointment they’re open til 7pm Tu-​F!