Capital Blossom Day Spa — Attraction in Washington

PLEASE read before booking! Writing under a pseudonym for anonymity, but the spa probably will know based on the experience (Booking: 100746045287)

I planned the Valentine’s package weeks in advance for my boyfriend and me, and since I was visiting for the weekend I wanted to find something perfect. Heard and read really great things about this place when searching day spas in DC, and reception was super helpful in booking. But when the day came, we were surprisingly disappointed.

Massages were just okay. They were pushing us throughout to buy in to the add-on hot stones massage and CBD oil rub since our bodies had a lot of tension, and continued to suggest it even though we already said no the first time. They eventually looked through the booking and read that hot stones were included (that might have been the best part), and I eventually gave in to the CBD oil after 3-4 times.

The V-day package also included facials, which ended up being a nightmare. I've had sensitive skin lately because of the winter weather/PMS symptoms, so I was already expecting stinging or sensitivity on my end, but spa facials tend to be refreshing, even if only afterward. However, my massage therapist aggressively picked at every single bump she could see, and during the “extraction” portion I feared I was going to pass out from the pain and pressure on my face (at one point I thought my nose was going to break from the pressure, and was sweating profusely under the blanket). Besides the massage add-ons, we were also continually pushed to purchase their in-house cleanser and toner to treat my acne.

During the steaming portion, my massage therapist put the steam machine so close to my face that I couldn't breathe from my mouth or nose for several seconds and had to duck away to get air. She apologized and said it was her first time. Well, we could tell, because she did the facial down to my chest, and after the massage I sat up and discovered my (fairly expensive) necklace had been broken off. We were not told to take off any jewelry besides my earrings (which she ONLY asked me to remove mid-facial), and my boyfriend’s necklaces ALL remained intact at the end anyway. No reason a facial should go beyond my neck, and regardless it shouldn't be done so harsh as to breaking off jewelry. Never had jewelry issues anywhere else, though.

Left with my face feeling bruised, with all my acne bumps raised and skin visibly red for the rest of the day (that I had to cover with makeup), and a broken necklace I was going to wear to dinner that night for Valentine's. All they could suffice was 10% off, which we negotiated to 15%. Nowhere near relaxing as it should've been....and it felt like a painful way for them to market products to us. My boyfriend's therapist was good, she helped release a lot of his back tension and gave good advice for daily stretches. She was also more apologetic for MY experience at the end instead of my massage therapist.

Spa facials should NOT include extractions that harsh unless the person is a professional esthetician, and honestly there should have been MANY more precautions and transparency before and throughout the massage over what we wanted to do, the pressure of the massage and the facial, and how what to expect and how they could make the experience...

⚠️ May 14th,2024 I Went in on my Birthday for a Massage & Oxygen Facial left with chemical Burn from Chemicals that I was unaware was being used along with its side effects & ingredients or any recommendations for Treatment. My face is inflamed, red in some areas burned in others. I'm a hard working Woman not a Guinea Pig or Experiment to be used or abused. I will post Pictures Below, how my skin was Before and After. No going out for me until my skin heals. I called them after and told Technician durring and after procedure that my face was burning & later burned. They denied my Pain and Proof saying that there were no chemicals used, this was normal, I had fake photos, I look strong so I should be able to take, during procedure after complaining of burning on my face I was told "You takeYou take, It just Tingle" and the Techinician continued to add more Product slathering entire face until it was obvious that I was gonna get up myself and take it off or get loud due to pain .....Can't make this Up. My Dermatologist and Her Leading Aestician did say that some form of Acid/Chemical was used inorder to cause this kind of burn & or negligence upon service due to ignoring my Sensitive skin notes and complaining of Pain. As well as without consenting and informing Me the Client of possible effects and process for my First Facial. ACIDS ARE CHEMICALS, This Oxygen Rejuvenation Mask that I requested and prebooked should not have had any acids or chemicals but rather a Enzymes which is neither. Why ignore my Pain and complaint until You feel like proceeding forward with service? I noted on Intake Form & Online Note booking Inquiry that I have sensitive Skin and please be prepared and that I was willing to change Facial type...

I had an appointment for a scalp treatment and facial and received services from 2 different estheticians. I wanted to share my concerns with the services received from both.

During the scalp treatment and the esthetician massaged my body his hands were extremely cold and wrinkly. When he applied oil to his hands he rubbed his hands near to my face it splashed all over me. When I was told to shower to rinse my hair off the water was extremely cold. There was no instructions or indication if the water would turn any warmer. Since my hair was wet the attempt to massage my head was painful and uncomfortable.

My even bigger concern was the facial I received. I routinely get facials and I have never had this experience before. She scrubbed and washed my face so aggressively and every single product used went over my eyelids that I felt the need to keep my eyes held tight shut. I couldn’t even share my concern because the product was all over my lips and seeping into my mouth. The steam was so close to my face. And whenever she put a mask on my face I could hear her on her phone - never washing her hands before touching my face again. Again I have never ever received a facial where the products go on my eye lids or excessively over my lips.

my lips have progressively gotten more sore through the end of the night and starting to blister.

As a frequent visitor to DC I will not be returning and have reached out to get product list and...