Balm Pearl Beauty Studio & Med Spa - Portland, Oregon

Montserrat Cota

Beware of Brow Lamination at Balm Pearl District - Burned Skin

I had an appointment at Balm on Saturday at 8:00am for a brow lamination. When I arrived, the esthetician I scheduled with did not take the appointment. Instead, another esthetician greeted me and assured that the other esthetician would join shortly, but she never did.

The esthetician who greeted me proceeded with my brow lamination, inquiring me about allergies and retinol use. I shared with her that I have no allergies and haven’t been using retinol. This was my first visit to Balm although I have had many brow laminations done successfully in other places in Portland.

The Process

Minutes into the lamination process, I felt an unusual burning sensation, especially under my left brow. When I mentioned this, the esthetician promptly removed the product but at this point we were in step 2 of the process.

She went to find a balm-cream that she described as “keratin” to reduce redness and moisturize my brows. At this point she offered to sugar-waxing near my eyelids as I didn’t let her do the rest of the shaping.

When I look into the mirror, and because of the lamination not being finished my eye brows looked worse than when I arrived, and the skin was extremely red.

The “Solution”

I told the esthetician how stressed I was feeling and she brought her manager, Mykel, who kindly tried to remedy the situation by shaping my brows with sugar-waxing and assured that the redness was normal. She put the keratin balm again on my eyebrows and other product to give them a “lamination effect.”

They did not charge me for the service, and although I left with better eyebrows my skin around the eye brows was very irritated.

What happened next?
I ended up canceling all my weekend plans as I did not wanted to be exposed to the sun.

By night, the redness and swelling around my left eyebrow persisted, and it hurt to wash my face just with water.

This morning I woke up with burned skin and ongoing redness.

I’m choosing not to name the estheticians involved because my intent is not to spread negativity about them. Mykel, the Pearl manager went above and beyond to ensure I left the place feeling good, however the owners at Balm need to ensure their estheticians are properly trained and the products used are of high quality.

I now have to see a dermatologist unexpectedly. I have had many brow laminations in Portland before without any issues.

Please think twice before booking an appointment for brown lamination at Balm.

Ashley Hambly

I have been to Balm a few times but I had to leave a review about the visit I just left. My mom and I both got the Signature Facial, my mom also got a brow shaping and tint and I got a brow lamination and tint and I have to say, we both said that was the best facial experience we have ever had when we left. Our skin feels amazing and looks healthy and glowy. My mom’s brows look natural but more defined and my brows are the most perfect brow lamination I have ever had. My mom’s appointment was with Emily and mine was with Angelina and we are both planning on returning to them, I even chatted with Angelina about lash extensions next time as well. I will always recommend Balm to anyone looking for any skin services!

Karina Guru

Wonderful first experience at Balm this weekend for the milia facial. Milia has always been an issue for me, I’ve had them extracted at my dermatologist but they were charging me per milia ~$100/ ten and the scaring was awful.

The facial at balm included extractions (which were less painful than a derm) AND actual skin care (exfoliate, mask, cleanse, red light therapy).

Mykel was wonderful too. Very friendly, personable and answered all my questions.

Will definetly be coming back!

Mary Olson

I’ve been going to Jordan for facials for about a year, and she’s wonderful! I look forward to getting facials even with a busy schedule because of her. She is attentive to my skin issues and gives the best facial massage and extractions. Definitely try a facial with Jordan and you will be so pleased.

Joyce Schofield

I had IPL laser with Emily. She is incredible! I think it's the best and most thorough treatment I've ever had for my Rosecea. They are extremely clean and efficient. I really appreciated that they called when they had an earlier appointment opening. Will definitely be a regular there.

Morgan Vilhauer

This is my happy place! I go to balm when I need a little me time. My skin thanks me every time. I’ve had laser hair removal, IPL, microneedling, injections, teeth whitening and relaxing facials. The Balm gals are the BEST! Can’t recommend this place enough.

Elise

THE best in Portland. I’ve had facials, brow sugaring and waxing, microneedling, and chemical peels - and loved every single one. Reasonable prices for a truly luxury experience, and usually lots of street parking available, being right across from Fields Park. Britney the owner is a genius and creates the most magical experience for guests to get pampered and feel really beautiful.

Edit: saw Celeste for a microneedling treatment and WOW. Best ever, with so much time for education and intentional placement. It felt like Celeste went the extra mile in so many ways, and my skin will be all the better for it. Can’t wait to see Celeste for microneedling again!

Edit: Had to make my way back!
Once again, another treatment, and it all continues to be the best experience coming to Balm. I had the clarifying facial treatment from Shanna, and she went above and beyond. It was a truly luxury experience. My dry winter skin was glowing walking out, and it only gets better. Thank you, Shanna, and thank you, Balm

Amanda haataia

UPDATE: I received a phone call on this review and I really appreciated the protectiveness. The girl who helped me was new and so they offered to rectify my experience in a meaningful way, which I really appreciate. I am leaving my review below so anyone can hear about the experience but knowing my aesthetician was new provided some clarity and I’m willing to be graceful.

I’m disappointed that I even put two stars (check my profile - I usually only give 5s!).

I paid for the HydraFacial which was $299. While I was somewhat happy with the results, it was supposed to be 55 minutes with a massage and LED red light facial. It ended in between 40-45 minutes! That means every minute should be worth about $5.50 and I missed out on between 10-15 minutes? (Or in other words, $55-$82 worth of services)!

Next, I got a full leg wax and I came home to hairy ankles, hairy knees, and inner thighs. I get wax regularly, so I know what you should expect.

I spent nearly $500 with tip and walked away pretty disappointed. My aesthestian was proud how quick she worked but I wasn’t happy with the results. I still tipped her maybe $75 for the day but when you just aren’t pleased, it’s upsetting.