Bonsai Skincare Studio

Berkeley, United States

4.5

Closed now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards
By Appointment Only

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 510-280-3884
Website:
www.bonsaiskincare.com
Address:
1551 Solano Ave Ste A, Berkeley, CA, 94707
b/t Neilson St & Peralta Ave
Berkeley Hills
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
110 ftSolano & Peralta
440 ftSolano & Curtis
450 ftSolano & Tacoma
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
No
By Appointment Only
Yes

Today

Today 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Berkeley) 22:42 Friday, 29 November 2024

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Thursday 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Bonsai is here for all your skincare needs! Results oriented and oh so relaxing, cost effective and located on lovely Solano Avenue, Kylie provides her clients with the full spectrum of skin care services — custom facials, PCA Skin peels/​treatments, face/​body waxing and lash/​brow tinting. Bonsai is by appointment only and there is free 90 minute parking along Solano. You may also park on any of the side streets which have no time constraint. Online booking is also available. Please visit Bonsai’s website for details.

History

Established in 2012.

Bonsai Skincare Studio was lovingly founded on the principle that skincare treatments should offer results, reprieve, and cost effective solutions. Having worked for five star spas and an SF based cosmetic surgeon, my eleven years as an Aesthetician finally brought me to my dream — to open my own studio! I am now offering my expertise and knowledge to the East Bay community (and beyond).

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20 reviews of Bonsai Skincare Studio

No registration required
Place rating: 2
Berkeley, CA
The lady was 15 mins late for the appointment. Place was kind of creepy with weird ‘calming’ (stress inducing) music. Room also seemed to to have a miasma of perfume or something. I myself did not get a treatment, I came with someone else, but that was enough to see that the services here are ridiculous. 1st half of treatment seemed more like a casual chat than a facial. Afterwards she charged a preposterous amnout of money, and pushed us to purchase her products.
Place rating: 5
Albany, CA
I’ve had many a facial from many an esthetician and Kylie, without a doubt, offers the best I’ve ever had. She is so knowledgeable about skincare and has given me excellent product recommendations. I’m particularly pleased that the products she recommends are not insanely pricey and have been available from Amazon. The facial itself is «no nonsense» and what a facial should be, imo. Plus you get a brow shaping as part of the deal. There’s no massage, as another reviewer pointed out, and no steam if Kylie doesn’t think your skin needs it. But I can tell you that my skin tone has become so much more even and the slight acne I’ve lived with all my life is completely gone. If you’re looking for that new agey experience I suggest you go to Aveda. You will pay more and you will get the music and the soft lights. But if you want a really great facial at a great price, go see Kylie!
Place rating: 2
Oakland, CA
The handful of times I went to see Kylie, I was happy with the results. However, I am disappointed that I will now have to find somewhere else to go. I recently made an appointment online and took time off work to go to it. I stood downstairs ringing the door bell and there was no answer. I called her answering service and the girl told me Kylie was probably just with someone else. I waited awhile longer and then knocked on the door. Someone else that works in the same building came down and said that Kylie wasn’t there today and that I was the second person to show up looking for her. I left a note with my contact information to reschedule. I waited a week and did not get a phone call. Two weeks passed and I called her answering service and left another message. I really wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt but it’s been over two months now with no explanation or follow up.
Place rating: 4
Berkeley, CA
Now that we have finally had an appointment, Bonsai is fantastic. The owner really understands different skin types. My daughter’s skin has improved amazingly with the regiment she was given and monthly appointments. I’ll take my older daughter to Bonsai when she gets back from college. I think Bonsai ditched the answering service which seemed to be the big problem.
Place rating: 4
San Francisco, CA
I started seeing Kylie from a Groupon, and then wanted to keep visiting – her sessions are so lovely and relaxing, my skin feels great after, and she’s a lovely person. She also approaches her treatments as occasional check-​ins, and I never had the sense that she wanted to book frequently to drive up her business – she wants to empower her clients to take care of their skin in the intervening months between visits. The unfortunate challenge: I’ve had tremendous difficulty reaching her in the past months via email or phone, but she just finally reached back out to clear up the confusion – and to offer me a free visit as she had to cancel our last visit, which is very kind.
Place rating: 3
Santa Rosa, CA
I really like Kylie. The ambiance of her place is very nice and serine. She uses really nice products which work well for my sensitive skin. She listens and really tailors to your skin type. She’s also a master extractor!
So why not 5 starts? I went to her twice and at neither of my sessions did she use steam, do any kind of massage, or anything extra. She was great but for $ 75 I expect a little more. For me this is a lot of money to spend on pampering, and a treat I allow myself only once in a blue moon.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
Kylie is a genius! My skin looks years younger after one visit! She is a lovely person as well and is sensitive to your every need — music choices, level of conversation, tea. She is a gem.
Place rating: 4
Berkeley, CA
I have only been here once, and I have no complaints about my experience. Kylie is very sweet and thorough. It’s interesting that she doesn’t use a comedone extractor, but I don’t consider that a deal breaker when it comes to extractions. She still uses a needle and gets everything to squeeze out– so she fulfills my purposes of an extraction. after the scabbing flaked off, my face was clear and had no marks. It sucks that she is always booked, hopefully she expands her business.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
The is the finest facial and skin health experience i have experienced.
Kylie has offered clarity and genuine concern for the client. I trust her with full confidence. Thank you so.
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
I went for a Brazilian wax a couple of weeks ago for the first time, and had a great experience. The atmosphere is relaxing and the place is very clean. Kylie is super nice and expert at what she does. The Brazilian wax was very well done, it took less than 30 mins., and most importantly, it was much less painful as I expected. I’m definitely going back.
Place rating: 5
Albany, CA
Kylie is really helpful. Nice facial.
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
Just had to update. I’ve been seeing Kylie every few months for facials, more often for waxing. Several times in the last year women – strangers! – have approached me to say things like «your skin is amazing»! I’m telling y’all. It’s Kylie. Get in here.
Place rating: 5
El Cerrito, CA
Groupon purchase. Kylie is great! She’s so gentle w extractions. The whole treatment was very relaxing. I’ve had a number of facials & they usually end w/​a big sales pitch of skin care products. She gave me a recommendation to get rose water on my own to use after my cleanser, oh & to exfoliate. She’s going to email me w/​other suggestions but she doesn’t give the vibe that she’s out to push products.
If you want an appt before a special event be sure to book way in advance as openings seem limited (a sign of a good business). My 1st appt was cancelled shortly before due to illness, initially an inconvenience but I sure was happy about her conscientiousness. Kylie rescheduled me w/​in a week plus gave a complimentary future appt for the inconvenience — much appreciated customer service! Looking forward to better skin under her care.
Place rating: 5
San Mateo, CA
BONSAI SKIN CARE IS THE BEST!
My skin looks and feels fantastic after my first session with Kylie. She definitely knows what she is doing and really makes sure the client is informed and comfortable throughout the whole process… Also plays an AWESOME relaxing playlist… not your typical boring spa music. I will definitely go back.
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
Best facial I’ve had. I’ve tried so many different spas and Bonsai is the best. She is very knowledgeable about skincare and she doesn’t skimp on the extraction. Many spas shy away from a deep extraction but I need it. I highly recommend Bonsai.
Place rating: 5
El Sobrante, CA
I think that Kylie is AMAZING!!! I am a woman of color and she has managed to even out my skin tone, clear up my acne and help my skin become more supple and alive. She’s very personable and explains the treatments prior to starting. Most of all, she doesn’t try to sell you a trunk load of skin care products. I can’t and will not do without her. She’s a diamond in the rough.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Kylie makes me trust this industry again. She is sweet, knowledgeable, honest, and not in it to make a a buck. I have sensitive skin, and i break out from everything. I’ve spent years fearing these places bc i inevitably get a reaction from what they put on my face. on the flip side, i fight adult acne, scarring from teen acne, sensitivity to sun, and other issues… and the dermatologist is one place i am tired of going to. kylie was absolutely amazing and my skin has improved. despite living in LA, and only part time in the Bay area… I will continue to use and refer Kylie as my esthetician.
Place rating: 5
Hayward, CA
A few notes:
1. Yes I am a guy reviewing a spa
2. NO, I did not get a waxing by Kylie, I got this deal via Amazon and gave it to my girlfriend
3. NO, Kylie does not wax guys
This place is a little hard to find on Solano Ave as it is just a small door between two Boutiques (
)
Other than that, after picking up my girlfriend from her session with Kylie, she HIGHLY liked the appointment with Kylie. The atmosphere is private and calming, and the products that she uses was painless, which my gf liked about her. My gf is willing to go back to this business, and also refer her to other friends.
With this said, my gf is really picky about her health spa/​cosmetic/​human aesthetic places and she is willing to throw down if a place was bad. To which, this place was not, and getting a referral from her is a big thing in her circle of friends.
As a guy, I’m just glad she’s happy, and that means more time to watch football.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
Bonsai Skincare Studio: Where my Platinum Cat gets waxed…
Bonsai~the name that evokes contemplative cultivation and consideration of its environs, its resources, and its evolution. How perfectly befitting of Ms. Kylie’s studio, her strength, and her adept skillfulness. Immediate transformation begins the moment one reaches the top stair-​step to bliss. It is a rare gift to find someone who combines graciousness with adept clinical speed; I have found that gift in Ms. Kylie. She does not wax, she waxes poetically. When my VVS1 needs polishing, I lay my gem in her delicate and purposed hands henceforth, now and forever more.
Post Script: Name drop, «Tamara Houston» and receive 20% discounted toward your first of infinite service. I’ll see you there in passing.
Place rating: 5
Alameda, CA
Purchased a discount coupon for a Brazilian wax at this studio. The vibe is very serene and calming, and Kylie is great! Once she found out I had never had a Brazilian before, she was keen to explain everything about the wax she was using, the location of each strip, how she would be removing it, and how many strips would be left to do.
She is a very lovely women who obviously takes great pride and care in her craft; I did not feel as though I was being rushed or «just another paying customer.» She really took time to talk to me, explain the entire process, and chat on a personal level.
I greatly enjoyed the experience and have already shared my opinion of the shop with several co-​workers and friends. And I will definitely be coming back!