Yelena Spa

I found my new SkinCoach!!! Yelena. I loved my facial and thank you so much for explaining me in detail how I can improve taking care of my skin and your product suggestions!!! I will see you in 6 weeks for my next treatment!

Yelena is the best! I have been going here for over 10 years. Best eyebrows in town! I am very fussy about my eyebrows because they are thick and most other places make them too thin. With Yelena, I get compliments on my brows all the time. Yelena is super quick with waxing other areas, which minimizes any pain, and she is very thorough.
Her facials are fabulous. Yelena put me on a skin care régime that cleared up my acne and keeps my skin looking great! And I have a skin condition, but she is a pro that knows just what to do.
And have you had a pedicure there? They are a bit pricey compared to other places, but offer a pedicure unlike any I have had anywhere else. They use special tools to get all the dead skin off are give the most thorough experience I have every had. They make everything else look like an expensive polish change.
Go here for the best waxing, facial and pedicure in town!

I’ve been going to Yelena for over 8 years for brow shaping and facials. This positive review is long overdue!
On my first visit, I explained having a traumatic experience with a past eyebrow wax (I broke out for days after), so Yelena used tweezers… and continued using tweezers on me ever since. I’ve tried other aestheticians but returned to Yelena as I always feel better after a brow session and refreshed after a facial session.

This post is long overdue! Yelena is THE miracle worker. I saw Yelena for 2 years and never had any breakouts with her facials. Gifted when it comes to extractions and she used this amazing salicylic peel on me that did wonders. Recovery time was never more than 2 days max. To this day, I still make appointments to see her whenever i“m in SF (she is just that good!). Also, if you are looking for someone to craft an amazing brow, this is the spot!
She is also a wonderful woman and will give you some of the best advice you can ask for!

Just came from Yelena office, it is so nice and comfortable, the nail care room has so much light. There is a nice atmosphere throughout this spa.

Yelena is very talented and has a wall of framed accolades. She’s the only person I will go to now, I’ve seen a handful of facialists over the last 7 years
I don’t think I would characterize Yelena as being brusque (saw this in other reviews). Yes she gets down to business quickly, but I like that. She was very patient with me when I started panicking during the glycolic peel (it was burning because I had a very aggressive extraction session), she fanned me the entire time and was very empathetic
My first recovery period with her was 3 days (I hadn’t gotten a facial since I moved to SF over the summer, it was pretty bad) so that was expected. I read in another review, the expression «got hit in the face with a cactus». Now, the recovery period is 24 hours
She did sell me some products, which I was very reluctant to buy (have spent a lot of money and hope on products over the years), but I actually really like them, and will buy them again once I run out.
She books up weeks in advance so you’ll need to make an appointment

The absolute best facial experience I’ve ever had the pleasure of having. The immediate results says it all. Yelena’s shaping of my brows was amazing and although the thorough extractions were somewhat uncomfortable, I just can’t argue with the results. I was NOT «marked-​up» with any red spots, etc. and was able to go back to my office. The spa table was super comfy and cozy… I could definately sleep on that table! The cost IS pricey, but you will not be disappointed.

I just moved to San Francisco last year and Yelena is right around the corner from my work… She is AMAZING. I love the way she shapes my brows… her place is always clean, she is always on time, she is wonderful to talk to and be around… and you know she genuinely cares about the work she does. I will not go anywhere else but here!

Came in on a spontaneous Friday afternoon after work since I had a few hours to kill before I met up with a friend and Yelena had a last-​minute cancellation. As soon as I walked in the door, Yelena didn’t mince any words and showed me to the treatment room right away. This might appeal to those who prefer the no-​nonsense approach to getting these things done, but not so much to those who like the whole ritualistic approach of being offered tea or water or sitting in a waiting area while the aesthetician preps the room, etc. I wasn’t in any particular rush but didn’t feel any need for the whole spa show so I didn’t really care.
The bed in the treatment room was AWESOME. I’m not kidding. It might be even better than my bed and I think very highly of my bed. It was the first spa bed that I’d ever laid in that completely cradled your body and had a blanket that was more plush than my comforter at home. Nap time!
Err, not really. Not as soon as the extractions started, that is.
I understand that extractions are sometimes a necessary evil but geez! These extractions hurt like a mother! I didn’t think that my skin was THAT bad… :-(
The foot massage sorta made up for the horrendously painful extractions. The whole foot massage part was a nice surprise since I’d never had a facial that threw in a foot massage (FYI, she did wash her hands before going back to my face). The fact that the facial included brow shaping was also a nice perk.
I left a little traumatized by the extractions but reasonably satisfied by everything else. That is, until I met up with my friend and while we were window shopping, she said «Ohhh… You have some blue stuff on the side of your face…» Turns out there were little streaks of leftover face goop on my face. Embarrassing much?

Hands down the best place to get your brows done and well worth the price. Yelena gives the perfect brow shape every time. The facials will leave you feeling refreshed and glowing. I highly recommend this spa.

I love Yelena’s Spa! Yelena does a wonderful job with my facials! And as a facial plastic surgeon I pay close attention to detail regarding my face. In addition to being relaxing, it’s always very thorough and my face feels much healthier and looks better afterwards.
Enjoy!

When I came last month to Yelena’s, I was in the process of moving to Los Angeles and needed a fresh new look. My face had felt worn with lots of build up and in need of some gentle & thorough care… and I received exactly what I needed. My esthetician Joanne was super cute and very professional. She made me feel very relaxed, and her room was calming. I felt like I could lay there all day receiving treatments!!!
It has been two weeks since my treatment and I continue to see my skin improving… it’s amazing and makes me feel confident and relieved. If you come to Yelena’s Spa, make an appointment with Joanne, I know I will every time I visit San Francisco!
Thanks Joanne!
:) V

Joanne is the best! She has helped clear my breakout-​prone skin. I have been seeing her for about a year in preparation for my wedding three months ago. I can’t see myself getting a facial anywhere else now. Though pricey, definitely worth it.
Joanne also did my makeup for my wedding day and did an excellent job.
I will continue seeing her despite the price because she is just that good!

Joanne is the best esthetician I’ve ever had! I don’t have a naturally great looking skin, but she turned it to look so. I’ve been going there since March, in preparation for my wedding in August. By August I had a radiant, flawless skin. I usually get the Signature Facial which includes eyebrows — I got many compliments for my eyebrows by the way — and last time I tried the oxygen facial. It is a little pricy but it’s worth trying it, especially before a special event when you want to look great. Joanne is very nice and gentle, she never rushes through the process, and makes sure that you are walking out flawless and happy.

I love Yelena’s. I’m a guy who doesnt have much experience with Spa’s but I have no reason to go anywhere else. The extraction process for facials is relatively painless. My face feels so clean and fresh when I leave and that way for the next 2 weeks. Joann gives me a lot of information on how to keep my face clean after that to make the results really last. Im a guy so Im not totally in to buying a whole lot of products and all that. But I can honestly say that getting a facial (spa treatment) is not just for women or metros, you’ll love the reults. You’ll also really like the whole aura of the facilities and location with it being a block away from Union Square, so there’s always available parking and of course The Cheesecake Factory nearby.

I have been going to Yelena’s spa for almost 4 years now. So it’s a shame I haven’t written earlier. I am a devotee of Oksana as are many of the girls in my office. I am constantly referring people there because of the complements I get about the services they provide me. Overall I go here for excellent service and expertise.
I am splitting my review into three: EYEBROWS, BIKINI WAX, and FACIAL, if you’re looking specifcs on either one.
EYEBROW WAX:
There is one complement I get over and over… you have amazing eyebrows. I do, I really do. Genetics aside though, there is always a great aesthetician behind a great eyebrow and all credit is due to Oksana. She is meticulous and very detailed about designing the shape of your brows which really matters in terms of giving your eyebrows a clean, smart look. The thing is their eyebrow wax is costs a little more ($ 30 – 35); it’s not a $ 12 wax you can get at your mani-​pedi shop so that can take away from the fabulousness of the service a bit if you’re not into the price. I’ve been getting my eyebrows done since I was 13 years old religiously every 3 – 4 weeks, so I can tell you this is an awesome eyebrow wax, but it can be pricey if you aren’t connoisseur like me, but hey my eyebrows look perfect after Oksna is through. A note: their eyebrow wax is included in their signature facial so it’s a good way to average things out if you get facials regularly.
BIKINI WAX:
Again, they are experts at Yelena’s. Especially if you are considering getting something like brazilian or even something more daring like a sphinx for the first time. I agree with the other review they make you very comfortable about the whole experience and they are fast so its over quickly, use good products that make the wax pull off easily, and are meticulous about shape (I know, but its important –you’re paying for it after all). Trust me its good to have a really decisive and efficient Russian woman at the helm of such work. Again, not your pull the curtain closed at the mani-​pedi place wax job, so it’s more expensive.
FACIALS:
I have acne, but you’d never know it. I have had a million facials at a million different places over the years to keep on top of my acne and the Signature Facial at Yelena’s is the best I’ve had. One reason: Value. A lot is included in the signature facial: an eyebrow wax, a hydroxy peel, a real 10 – 15 minute massage, plus all the normal stuff like deep cleaning and masks and stuff all customized to your skin type. Try adding up all those items ala carte an dyou will see what I mean about value. It’s $ 140 for the signature facial, back out the eyebrow cost ($ 35) and I think that’s really reasonable for a great service.

For the price, this place would have to be a WHOLE LOT more special. I love Eastern European estheticians because they really clean your skin, but this was a tad too agressive even for my taste (am not a wimp, and like I said, I like a good cleaning) and just all around not spectacular. The esthetician spent about 30 mins of the facial outside of the room. Now, for $ 140, that is just not acceptable. Btw, I had scheduled the classic facial and got charged for the signature one — I did not want eyebrow shaping and did not get it either — but also did not want to complain after the fact since she did take 75 minutes. Btw, just read Spa G.‘s review and it rang surprisingly true to what I experienced.

I’ve been going to Yelena’s Spa for over two years now and still have not found anyone as superb as Oksana. Every single time I have gotten a perfect eyebrow or bikini wax and have never gotten burned or redness afterward. I also love the Yelena Signature Facial that is completely specified to your skin. The spa is also conveniently located downtown right next to Union Square and is easy to get to after shopping or during your lunch hour. I never feel pressured into buying products, but when I have they have always been fabulous and worked perfectly with my skin. I recommend Yelena’s to all my friends and many have become just as much as an addict as me. In fact, I recently moved to NYC and still have not found anyone I like as much as Oksana and routinely visit the salon as soon as I can on business trips back to SF.

I love visiting spas. Even though I’ve only been to this place just once, I’ve recieved only the most exclusive attention. I pre-​informed them I was very nervous of waxing, but I was going through with the full leg anyway. Oksana was really nice and gentle. She was professional and kept to the interpersonal topics. She gave great advice of my skincare regimen, keenly aware to not pass any judgement. Specs: The wax they use here comes in the form a roll-​on, and they use muslin strips to take them off. Very clean, it won’t burn you, and speedy process. I was done in no time.
Be extra smily to JoAnn the receptionist and she’ll give you some cool samples.

Went there a few days before my wedding for my (first) eyebrow and Brazillian wax. I explained my situation when I made the appointment and the receptionist recommended an appointment with one specific woman (and when I find her card, I’ll update this review!) She started out offering me a glass of water, talked to me about the procedure, calmed me down and took care of business. Yes, it hurt, but not as bad as I had thought and the results were great. I will be returning.
The only reason why I chose to post four stars rather than five is because of the price of the eyebrow wax. Yes, she looked at what I had, made a recommendation for how to grow it a certain way and then waxed, but I didn’t feel it was worth the price that they charge ($ 35) and will find an alternate place for future brow waxings.