Olive Branch Spa

I started getting facials a couple years ago and the first place I went was JEM Skincare in Saratoga. I did a cursory search for nearby spas for a good facial and JEM popped up. I didn’t get any personal recommendations. Luckily, my first experience was with Ashley who is by far the best. The great thing about Ashley is she takes cues well. If you want to talk she lets you control the conversation, but knows when to ease up if you’re ready to just relax and let her work her magic. I always leave with a glow and feeling beautiful. As I write this I need to book my next appointment!

I love this place. It is perfect for whatever need you have. I have been going to Ashley for years for all waxing needs. She is fantastic. She has also been doing my facials for a few years as well. She really takes the time and attention that is needed on your skin and makes it look radiant and I always feel so relaxed afterwards.

I got a gift card for my dick-​head ex from these people years ago. Can’t cancel it for a refund, can’t use it on myself.
Well, ok. It’s non refundable/​nontransferable. I get it. That’s fine.
But I’m STILL trying to get off their spammy email list! It’s been around three years and I’ve done the normal unsubscribe, the «reply with unsubscribe» option, emailing them directly at emails you’re not even supposed to use to unsubscribe, etc. Just leave me alone!
One day, maybe I’ll successfully be removed. A girl can only dream.

I go to Jem whenever I’m working from my Bay Area office. I’m consistently impressed by their facials. My skin is very sensitive and a tough combination of dry cheeks and an oily t-​zone. It’s important that a facial is based on science and high quality products to get real results over time. I recommend coming here. They take skin care seriously.

Jessica, Ashley and Michelle are all amazing here. Every time I come in for a visit I feel welcome and it’s so beautiful there. A+ service here!

I absolutely love JEM skincare, and have gotten a facial from Michelle, Ashley, and Jessica. They were all amazing and each of them treated my skin so well. They all had specialized recommendations for my skin, and every time I went I left feeling so incredibly relaxed and cared for. Beyond being an extremely relaxing experience, JEM skincare really focuses on results, meaning they’re not just going to do a so-​so facial, they’re going to really fix your problem areas. I recently moved out of state and if I had not moved I would definitely still be going to JEM.

Just an update since I have had facials for my wedding and repeat waxing services. Jemskincare made my skin look INCREDIBLE for my wedding. I know great skin doesn’t happen overnight and one facial doesn’t make you look amazing, so I was set for a facial a month for 4 months beforehand. Oh my god, my skin was the softest is ever had it!!! I am so happy and am a customer for life!

I got new customer facial last week. I read these wonderful reviews and went for it.
I liked the micro-​current treatment part of the facial and relaxing massage of Michelle. Other than that its pretty normal facial, leaving out my problem area (T-​Zone) pretty much as it was before facial. When the price tag is hefty, which is an indicator for high-​end spa, I expect the results to be excellent (that demands 5-​star review).
The reason for two stars is the result does not match up the facial cost.

I really liked the skin treatment and the results of my skin after going here. However, what over shadowed that and what I didn’t appreciate was the customer service. It was atrocious and the management was completely unreasonable. I was a new customer to JEM and I found them on Google app deals for a 20% off facial treatment. They charged me full price and didn’t honor the coupon. The management was really rude and uneducated. I wouldn’t recommend anyone I know to come here for skin care treatment based on their service.

I’ve been going to JEM Skincare off and on since 2008. When I go consistently, every 4 weeks, my skin is fantastic. It’s clear, well moisturized, and free of breakouts!
I was one of those people that was always going to a dermatologist for help with acne. I used antibiotics and retin-​a for years. When I got pregnant, I wasn’t able to use those medications anymore and suffered from horrible breakouts. Jessica helped me fully recover from that and kept my skin clear while I was pregnant with my second child.
When my skin was under control, I stopped going to JEM Skincare as frequently, but still used their products. In the last year, I’ve returned to JEM for monthly facials and I am so glad I came back. It does wonders for your skin to have someone who knows what they are doing check in with you every four weeks. Jessica always knows exactly what my skin needs and my face glows after I see her!
JEM Skincare and all of their products are amazing. I am a customer for life!

JEM skincare is a lifesaver. i desperately needed my eyebrows done, and I got an appointment within two days. Michelle did my eyebrows in about 15 minutes, and they look and feel fantastic, and there’s no redness! Definitely go.

Kind and Professional staff. Ashley is awesome and Jessica, the owner, is such a wonderful person. I can’t wait to go in for a facial.
:)

Over due review from 6 years ago!
First of all, I wasn’t Unilocaling at the time, and I also had never experienced a facial before Jessica. So when my aunt gave me a gift certificate for $ 200, I was initially stoked then, then bummed to learn that I had used most of my funds on a single visit :(
At the time she was at Elements, I had no other experience to compare this to, other than knowing I loved what she did to my skin. Now as the years have gone by, I have had several other mediocre facials and service and now well into my 30’s and can tell when my skin is thirsty has been mistreated and Jessica has by far been THE BEST!
I love Jessica for her amazing facial, body scrubs and customer service. I highly recommend the pumpkin facial ahhhhhhhhhhhhh heaven!
I hadn’t been back in years because, I lost the pamphlet w/​the name of the place. Until a few days ago when I was cleaning out a ‘junk drawer’. Now I’m saving my pennies to come back!

I’ve struggled with breakouts for a long, long time. After a few sessions with Ashley, my skin is clear and looks fabulous! My husband told me my skin has never looked better! I love JEM Skincare!!!
The staff is friendly, the service is impeccable! A+++

[ Okay, this is incredibly detailed, but I figured maybe someone would find this useful! ]
Today’s appointment at JEM was the first time I’ve ever gotten a facial (which is why I wanted to try out a higher quality establishment). Mainly, I wanted to have a specialist look at my skin, which has suffered from persistent light acne for the past two years.
I decided to go with the New Client Welcome Facial ($ 120 for both a Signature Facial + phototherapy treament), and got an appointment with Michelle, who turned out to be very professional and courteous. She’s not terribly talkative, which on the plus side means she’s concentrating wholly on the process, but on the negative side feels a little standoffish.
Overall, it lasted about 1.5 hours. Michelle started off with a brief explanation of what she was going to do: facial cleansing, extraction, phototherapy, hydration, and light head/​shoulder/​back massages in between. The room is very clean and private. (It was a little embarrassing on my part because it took me a while to figure out that the yellow robe laid out was, in fact, a robe and not some kind of skirt. It leaves your entire décolletage exposed for the purpose of massage.)
The cleansing itself involved three separate mask-​like products, which felt cool and refreshing. The third had a strong fruity smell, which didn’t bother me, but if you’re sensitive to that sort of thing you’ll definitely want to bring it up ahead of time. Each product was gently wiped off by a warm towel, and the whole thing was followed by steaming, which came from a hose-​like contraption that hovered above my face. Felt super nice!
Prior to the actual extraction, Michelle brought out this electric skin scraper thing (I don’t remember the actual name), which sounds scarier than it really is. What it does is use high vibration, which — as it comes in contact with your skin — brings all the dirty stuff trapped deep inside your pores to the surface. What I really appreciated was that Michelle not only did my face but also the areas beneath my chin/​jaws and my décolletage.
Extraction was the only unpleasant part. It basically felt like a long series of sharp needle-​like pinches, but what is (eventual) beauty without pain?
Phototherapy was done with something that sort of looked like a handheld roller massager. It applies both heat and light using a series of flashing pulses, one section of your face at a time. What it allegedly does is even out the pigmentation and promote collagen production. (I’m a little skeptical here, but I’m guessing repeat treatment is needed to actually see results.) The pulses become progressively warmer but never get too hot.
Last was the hydration mask, the moisture from which is sent deep into your skin via ultrasonic (I think?) paddles. The entire treatment was then wrapped up with a final massage.
Right away, I got up to look at my face in the mirror, and I was really happy to see a visible difference: pores cleared out, acne reddened from being extracted, and an overall brightness. The feel of my skin was beyond awesome — I honestly don’t think it’s ever been cleaner or more taut than it was today. Definitely not a feeling you can replicate at home.
Michelle pinpointed my main problem: severe skin dehydration, which may have been exacerbated by the products I use regularly (e.g. Clearasil). And she recommended ways that I can correct that. Also, she showed me the product line JEM sells and recommends (Image Skincare), but never tried to push it on me, which I thought was exemplary in terms of customer service. In her opinion, she doesn’t want to force people to buy something new if they haven’t used up their existing products yet. As a bonus, she gave me free samples of two of their cleansers (Clear Cell and Vital C), so I can decide for myself whether they’re right for me.
I asked Michelle how often clients tend to visit, and she did say that JEM typically recommends one visit a month, but doesn’t want clients to come in when it’s unnecessary. In my case, she said if I start hydrating my skin properly, I may not even need another appointment!
Long story short: I highly recommend this place! It’s awesome.

I have been going to JEM Skincare since Jessica did it all herself and was in San Jose. She, Ashley and Michelle all rock! They always take excellent care of me. I have very bad rosacea and have used them for everything from waxing to facials to depilar and now phototherapy. they are always on time, and it is a quiet comfortable place. When the girls are working alone the front door will be locked, so don’t worry, they will let you in when they finish with the current patient!
I highly recommend them for any facial, esthetician or waxing service.

I got a massage here with Michelle before the bar exam, and it was just what I needed in order to start out the weekend with some relaxation. The location is a bit difficult to find. It is on the same side of the street as Rose International Market, but is located in a unit behind Big Basin Café. Even the front door is very discreet: It has a sign that say «visits by appointment only.» Well it was a good thing I had an appointment! The interior is very soothing, painted in light pastels with the blinds slightly drawn. I filled out a little bit of paperwork to indicate what I wanted out of my massage and was asked if I wanted any water and directed to a secluded waiting area with armchairs and cushions. She also showed me where the restroom was located.
The actual massage itself was quite divine. The lighting is dim, the table is super comfy, and the music is just audible enough to put you into a trance. Michelle, the masseur, was very professional. If I weren’t a starving student, I would definitely get regular massages. If I have the chance to return, I am tempted to try their facials, as it looks like the reviews of their treatments are glowing.

I’ve been going to her for years for my waxing, and she always does a great job.
But the real reason for the update from 5 stars to another 5 stars: her skin products. I’ve been using it for the past several months, and my skin has NEVER looked this clear and radiant EVER! Jessica quickly scrutinized my face for 5 minutes and asked a few questions. made a recommendation to start me on a travel sized cleanser, mask, lotion etc. When i have time, i use all the products, when i don’t I just cleanse and hydrate. I can tell when i’ve been lazy and haven’t been cleansing because my face starts to break out right away. start back up again, 2 days later, i’m golden (again).
I love my skin with her products.

My new favorite place to get a facial and wax. I spent a day off from work with a friend at JEM and I wished the experience lasted longer. Jessica was awesome for my facial and eyebrow wax. I have had too many facials where they overdo the sales pitch without caring about your skin and what not. Jessica was great. We chatted for a few minutes about my morning routine and my skin never looked better. I especially loved the eyebrow wax prior.
I had an hour massage following the facial with Iveta and she worked out all my knots. JEM is located in the heart of downtown Saratoga tucked away from the main street. It’s a small and quiet place that is for a perfect for a spa day.
I highly recommend Jessica for your facial and waxing needs.

JEM got a 5 star bump.
Why? Because Jessica is awesome, that’s why.
I have been going to her on a monthly basis since August and my skin has improved many times over.
I love the fact that she kindly diagnoses your skin issues WITHOUT pushing products on you. I hate when other salons do that.
She is gently and firm with her hands and GREAT on extractions. She takes her time and my skin feels like new after every appointment.
Her prices are reasonable which is superb, especially during these economic times. She also sends out a newsletter from time to time with specials.
Great person, great service, and great place.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND.