Skin Studio by Paula Mauter, LE

Read the reviews here and was really looking forward to trying this place as I am in search of a new place For my weekly facial regimen. I have been going to the same place for over 20 years and my favorite lady is moving on. As a business owner myself, I have our company on LivingSocial so thought what the heck… I’d give it a try. I’d never purchased a voucher before and was definitely concerned about purchasing one for anything having to do with my face. Found Paula and was excited at the idea to try. I followed the instructions which state to contact her by a phone number. Left a voicemail message… was in desperate need of my facial… I had been without it for two weeks. A week passes and nothing. So I decide to give it another go and call her again. Two days go by, nothing. So I decide to text her even though I feel as a business texting is inappropriate and I didn’t want to disrespect anyone’s personal cell phone. I send a text and got a reply «who is this?» «I think a portion of your message cut off» I repeated the message and that I had tried to call her twice and had gone ahead and requested a refund from LivingSocial as it had been two weeks. She replied that she was confused. Huh? How about pick up the phone and contact a potential client personally? Since there is obviously some sort of technical miscommunication and you’re so confused? I replied back «I never received a reply from you so I’ve gone ahead and requested a refund for the $ 115 I paid to LivingSocial» I was shocked at her reply back to me, no apology, no concern, nothing! Here’s her reply to me «Online booking available ²⁴⁄₇ with section for any messages to me… no worries though! Best of luck!» Wow! Mediocre customer service… to say the least. Rude as well… I let her know that the redemption instructions say to call her at this number. I am not sure how I was supposed to know that there was online scheduling available? But had Paula taken the time out to pick up the phone and return my call over two weeks ago we wouldn’t have had an issue.
My advice to you Paula at the skin studio is 1. return your clients phone calls within a 24 hour.
2. update your offer to show the link for online scheduling as a redemption option as post to your phone number.
New clients aren’t important to this place.

I get facials every month and have tried many places over the years but this is probably the best facial I’ve ever gotten for so many reasons.
1. She customized everything she did specifically for my skin. She asked lots of great questions and truly HEARD what I was looking for and requesting.
2. She was SO gentle, yet thorough with the extractions. And it wasn’t even painful. I also absolutely love that she didn’t use any tools, because I have sensitive skin with some ruptured capillaries and she was conscious to that. (I have had bad experiences with those tools from other facial places before)
3. She is a great listener to what I needed and wanted which is so important to me.
4. She gives an incredible massage as part of the facial
5. I love all the products she uses
6. She never tried to push products on me… although i liked them so much i wanted to buy some. :)
7. My skin looks and feels better than ever and I will ALWAYS go back to her.
I highly recommend Paula and her place! You will not be disappointed!
Thank you Paula! You’re not only talented and knowledgable but lovely as well!!! :)

While I’m happy to see other people have had a good experience, I’m very disappointed at how much Paula messed up my skin. I have pretty clear skin, but sometimes I need a facial for some congestion I have under my skin that causes bumps and roughness, so I found Paula after searching for someone good with extractions on Unilocal.After some very harsh extractions ONLY using her hands (she refuses to use any tools claiming they break capillaries, etc.) I now have a mess of painful acne on my forehead and a huge pimple on each side of my nose. I never even get pimples! I wasn’t going to post a review, but it’s been five days since my facial, and my face is a mess, which has been very upsetting and the fact that I actually paid money for this is even worse. Two stars because she tried her best, was very thorough, and gave a very nice neck massage. Wish I never got this done though.

Paula is the bees knees.
In the past I’ve gotten facials where afterwards I look like I’ve eaten something I’m allergic to because of my red blotchy state. Not with Paula! I could get a facial and go to the MET Gala & everyone would tell me I look like I’m glowing. True story. Her prices are reasonable for her level of expertise! She’s truly amazing and I will never go to anyone else.

Paulaaa why have I foresaken yooou?
OK, a little over dramatic, but I foolishly tried another aesthetician via Lifebooker and never again. First of all, the faciai was in a woman’s living room and second, well this is about Paula and why I am running back to her!
I’m not the type to bounce around buying deals and never returning, but after a lavish European vaca, I wanted to save money and still freshen my face, so I decided to try another place. BAD IDEA. I missed everything about the location, service and care Paula provided and not to mention the results!
Paula’s studio is a mini oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of LA, tucked away right off Melrose with easy parking (YAY). I immediately felt relaxed and let Paula examine my skin and extract literally every little nasty that had invaded my pores. It hurt so good! The peel was effective and not one of those bs organic fruity peels that smell nice but ultimately don’t do much for your skin. And the massage! Heaven. Totally unexpected, yet it completed a wonderful, relaxing experience.
So I will be back once I reign in my crazy travel spending, I promise!

Be prepared to get grilled. Paula asks a million questions, but only skin related questions! I was actually grateful for all the questions because I could tell as she asked each question, she was thinking in her head, given that my client does X and wants Y, I should do Z. She was constantly customizing as we went through the whole appointment based off of what I wanted and what she thought I needed. And yes she actually does read the little skin history chart that most facialists give you but don’t bother to read.
NEVER did she try to push product on me, though she did give me some motherly advice about my skin (mainly to drink less coffee). I appreciated the few tidbits (including product advice) that she did share because 1. she didn’t try to prey on many women’s (including my own) desire for a miracle cure in a jar; and 2. because her advice was clearly attuned to my preferences as a client (namely to use natural products).
AND she’s a total sweetheart. I just wish that she wasn’t so far on the westside.