Alchemy Face Bar — Local services in Boulder

I didn't intend to share any of my personal details on a Google Review, but here we are. I was a loyal customer of Alchemy, never missing an appointment, always tipping generously, and enthusiastically recommending Alchemy to others.

Two weeks ago, upon returning from an extended trip, I encountered unexpected difficulties obtaining my SSRI (anti-depressant) from a local Boulder pharmacy, resulting in withdrawal symptoms.

I had a $225 facial appointment scheduled at Alchemy, which I had booked the day before the withdrawals began. I called them to reschedule, initially citing a work-related reason for the cancellation, hesitant to disclose my personal crisis. I assumed that due to my long-standing patronage and the recent booking, they would be accommodating.

The woman I spoke with informed me that I would be charged the full amount.

I requested to speak with a manager.

When the manager called me back, I explained transparently about the SSRI withdrawal. After several minutes of discussion, she stated that the "best she could do" was offer a 50% refund.

I offered to provide evidence from the pharmacy showing my prescription (which I had managed to secure and would pick up the following day) and offered to show a doctor's appointment with my PCP, but she declined, saying it wasn't necessary. I could also have friends and family verify my situation.

Let me be clear, I fully understand and respect cancellation policies. What I find difficult to comprehend is the lack of flexibility in what I considered to be a genuine emergency. The manager confirmed that while exceptions are made for emergencies, my situation did not qualify.

As a business that specializes in promoting and commodifying self-care, I found this entire experience deeply disappointing and...

I had a facial here a few weeks ago and the experience was underwhelming for this “luxury” business. My esthetician was nice and the facial itself was good. The signature treatment included several products, and everything felt and smelled good. The business is cute, clean, and aesthetically pleasing. But the customer experience was lacking. First, this facility has no restroom. I was there for a while as I also received a lash treatment, dermaplane, and extended massage. I was about to ask to get up and use the restroom between my lash service and my facial, but I decided to just wait. Well, I’m glad I did because when my treatment was finished, I asked where the restroom was and was told it’s out in the hotel’s lobby. So, you’d need to walk out into the hotel wearing no top and just a towel wrapped around you. No thanks. I had to change quickly and then take care of that. Super odd for an upscale business to not even have a customer restroom inside. Lastly, I was just not a fan of the “community” vibe they are going for. It was really just listening to other people gab and staring into the bright lights while laying down that I did not care for at all. Many people enjoy facials to zen out and relax, and that was not happening at Alchemy. Some people may not like having a lack of privacy since you are getting a facial shoulder to shoulder with other guests in a communal room, although that didn’t bother me. It really was just the overstimulating talking, loud music, and bright lights that got me. I never received a follow-up email for any feedback directly to the business or to leave a review, so I am leaving this review here. I would suggest to others to consider if this loud, bright environment is what you want for your day...

EDIT: I got a call from management after posting this review, and I explained why I thought the expectation to tip was unethical. I’ll still stick to using medical professionals in the future for my injections, but I did appreciate the follow up call. Hopefully the front desk staff can be trained on how to handle better in the future.

I hate to leave a bad review because the service I received was fine. But I can’t stop thinking about the interaction I had with the girl at the front desk. I will never come back to Alchemy because I felt so disrespected. I got Botox done, and when I went to check out, the young blonde girl at the desk asked me how much I’d like to tip. I was confused and said “but this is a medical procedure…” She said in a cold, condescending, judgmental tone that tipping is customary but I can choose to do “whatever I’m comfortable with”. The snark was not appreciated, but I felt SO uncomfortable that I ended up leaving 10% tip just to get out of there quickly without the awkwardness. Afterwards I was so mad at myself. My husband is a physician - can you imagine if he asked for tips after doing procedures on a patients?? The injector was a nurse who was wearing scrubs! Tipping culture is getting so out of control and I’m not supporting businesses that treat customers this way anymore....