The Arcona Studio

Victoria gave me the most effective facial for my irritated, broken out and dehydrated skin. I went home with the Basic Five and have seen constant improvement in my skin everyday. I am beyond excited and happy with my skin for the first time in my life! Finally, I have smooth, healthy, breakout-​free skin that isn’t red, irritated or chemically agitated. I have tried absolutely everything and feel so so thankful to have come to Victoria to finally make me feel confident. I didn’t know that I could get these results without harsh products.
I am so hooked to this place and their products now!

Antonia is the most intuitive and profoundly healing, transformational body worker who I have ever let work on me. I have tendonitis from typing as well as lower back pain and a few scars on my legs from past traumas. Antonia’s touch has always been ideal. Her knowledge of the human body is comprehensive, her talents are immeasurable, and her generosity is unbounded. I could not recommend her work more highly to you.

There is the constant stream of organic products that come with the promise of the sun, moon and stars to clean & treat your skin just as great as the high pricey ones do. And, let’s get real — more often than not, they don’t, am I right? I agreed with that all-​encompassing theory until I stumbled onto Arcona’s products and magical enzyme peel.
Aesthetician brandi believes that the best way to some serious epidermal enlightenment is the old-​fashioned way — manually, religiously, & regularly. I love that she believes in double cleansing the skin as I never thought much about it, but have noticed since I took her advice, my pores are much more cleaner, skin is much more brighter and products penetrate much more deeper. After a 60-​minute enzyme peel (which left skin glowing not inflamed red) that includes an epic facial contour manipulation (think pilates for the face) in her tough-​loving hands, it’s going to be hard to go back to any other spa. Extractions were so light to the touch that I had to ask her twice if she even did them. But, the pore-​perfect results I saw two days later tell me she’s worth every copper penny I earn. So, I’ll be back.
if you’re into the baby fine touches of a detoxifying lymphatic massage, Antonia is your go-​girl at Arcona. She added a deep tissue sess right after, which was the best scalp and neck massage I have ever gotten in Santa Monica. #ArconaRocks
Parking Pro Tip: park in the garage down the street at 4^th St. as you’ll pay about $ 5.50 for the three-​hour time block but won’t have to worry about going over as the meter cops are in full force on the streets.

I am a huge fan of Arcona. If you are looking to change up your skin care products, or looking for a great facial, or both, I highly recommend. I started using their products several years ago based on a friend’s recommendation and I have been in love ever since. I never had horrible skin (luckily), but the issues I did have got so so so so much better after using Arcona products. Seriously major improvements. I just had a facial yesterday with Victoria (I think I am getting her name correctly), and it was 100% lovely wonderful magic. Everyone is always so nice and helpful, I just feel relaxed and better the moment I walk through their doors. Highly recommend.

Okay, I’m kind of afraid to write this review because I don’t want y’all to take my appointments with Brandi. That being said, she (and Arcona) have completely changed my life.
I’m in my late twenties and I suffered from severe acne for most of my adult life. I had my ups and downs with my skin but starting from the age of 16 I went on and off antibiotics, tried and retried proactive, got facials monthly (sometimes even more frequently) at Kate Sommerville, took birth control to help my skin, and even gave up gluten and dairy free for 6 entire months to no avail before finally finding Arcona.
By a happy accident, I was told about Arcona by a girl in a workout class after complimenting her gorgeous glowing skin. She told me her skin had been worse that mine, something truly hard to believe at this point, and that she had been through two unsuccessful rounds of Accutane before finding Arcona. I’m lucky enough to live down the street and her skin was so beautiful, so I decided to give it a go. This was after making the decision to go on Accutane, btw.
So, I held off Accutane and decided to give Arcona a three month trial run.
If I had a before and after picture I wouldn’t dare post it online but the results have been truly life changing for me. My skin is completely clear, my scarring is healing, and I finally get to let my husband touch my face without fear of breaking out. I agree to get in pictures instead of taking them. I actually leave my house to hang out with people outside of work instead of staying in due to embarrassment and total shame. I even went to work today with nothing but under-​eye concealer and mascara!
It has now been over a year and I get facials monthly with Brandi at the Arcona Studio and I use their cleasing (and anti-​aging) products exclusively. I am so passionate about this product that I told my husband the other day I would actually cry if they ever discontinue their products.
It’s expensive. I totally get it. And after trying and failing to remedy skin issues again and again, it can be hard to feel it’s worth it to spend that money. BUT, if you’re in a place with your skin that it’s effecting your daily life, I really urge you to give Arcona a try. I don’t work for them and there is zero incentive for me to write this review; I am just so grateful that I finally found something that works for me.
I wish you luck, fellow acne havers. I hope Arcona works for you as well as it’s worked for me.

My skin always looks and feels amazing after a facial at the studio. Love getting the Red Carpet Treatment which includes Brightening Facial with Contour, plus Hand, Eye and Lip Treatment, Oxygen spray, and LED. Brandi always leaves me with the Arcona glow.

I came on a Sunday, and I guess no one wants to work on a Sunday… Which could explain it, not really, but whatever…
It was an average experience. It was soooooo hella average! My treatment did not show any actual improvements. For the price point, I would rather go to Burke Williams, or some accredited beauty school. Just not special. The only highlight is, the studio is beautiful, and posh.
The service is snooty, since I’m not a flashy rich person, or a celebrity. I was very disappointed for the average experience. I had expectations of lavish Arcona studios! A skin center where celebrities go to for their red carpet ready skin! Offering an experience that would make me envious of the 1%, but it was an overpriced *YAWN*! I was under the impression they would at the minimum focus on improving my skin and how to work towards better skin, instead just a list items to buy and no time to go over the products with common folk, like myself.
I love the products when I purchase them from Nordstrom. Purchasing the product is what excited me to try Arcona studios to experience a skin treatment from a professional Acorna skin therapist. But it was just another esthetician, forced to work on a Sunday.
Parking was very difficult to find.
Arcona studios, was such an underwhelming overpriced experience. This teaches me a lesson.

Antonia for deep tissue massage is the best, She is intuitive and more than happy to concentrate on problem areas. She has the healers touch and great energy. I will definitely see her again soon!

I went back to Arcona a second time for a comp’ed facial and it was great. The waiting area is really clean and nice. The facial was good too. They did many more extractions than my first experience. It was very relaxing with a lot of massage therapy.
I really enjoyed the facial and learning about the new ways to take care of my skin – new exfoliation tips.
They did not try to sell me products after either. Instead, they provided me with samples. I purchased a chamomile AM/​PM lotion. Smells wonderful.
Thanks, Arcona!

I live and work in Hollywood where there is a terrible amount of aggregated pollution which causes the occassional scratchy red eyes and the inability to breath but after a while, I noticed my skin was starting to break out in the worst gremlin like bumps all over. Like worse than when I was a teenager. Any way, I went into Arcona today with a budget (their products are pricey but effective) and Gina kept me within budget and also sent me away with a generous amount of samples to try so I can build my regimen over time. I sure hope this works!

I finally visited the Studio after much life procrastination.
My girlfriend and I made Enzyme Peel Contouring Facial appointments long in advance to lock it in.
We both LOVED our Contour facial w/​Enzyme peel. Our skin which was in great need of a facial peel & workout looked amazing and like a baby afterwards. I am a fan of extractions which they do not do but was not a deal killer.
Get there with plenty of time for parking!

Dearest Unilocal family,
We are Antonia groupies! For years, Antonio has cared for us… You have never had a real massage/​bodywork until she has worked on you. We travel the world and, still, Antonio is the best. She listens deeply and her deft hands know how to heal our weary bodies. The experience is almost surreal because one goes in just expecting a massage but it is so much more. Antonia is knowledgable in body work, nutrition, but the emotional releases that seem to get locked up in our bodies– she intuitively understands just how to help us move through them with such softness and trust. Simply, we won’t see anyone else. Treat yourself!

Antoinette is a champion masseuse. Thanks for working my knots out and truly providing luxury service. From start to finish, my experience was pretty much flawless and absolute perfection from entry to exit — excellent reception. Thank you so much for your business — I would give you 11 stars if I could because Arcona is all smooth moves.

I just got my first customized Fruit Enzyme Body Treatment with Antonia at Arcona. Finally a facial for my body. Amazing. (My husband even noticed!) Having assisted a plastic surgeon for 5 years, my standards are high. I’d noticed a girlfriend’s fabulous summer glow, and she told me it was all thanks to this delicious concoction of fruit enzymes they slathered all over your body before they wrap you up like Cleopatra. It sounded amazing, so I booked an appointment right away. The girls at the front desk were wonderful, and Antonia performs a heavenly head and foot massage while the enzymes and fruit acids are polishing your skin. I left this elegant spa feeling like a queen!

I was lucky enough to score an amazing Gilt offer for Arcona, and I went yesterday for facial contouring with Brandi. What a treat!
The studio itself is lovely. This is not a huge spa facility so don’t expect the bells and whistles such as showers/​a sauna/​etc. This is a bare bones operation but the space is warmly intimate and tastefully decorated.
Brandi was knowledgeable and friendly. She didn’t leave the room for the duration of my treatment, which is a rarity, and my skin looked noticeably different after. She also left my skin in such great condition that I was able to walk around in public immediately after. There have been many times that aestheticians have left product on my face and/​or my skin red and irritated, so it was a pleasant surprise to leave looking far better than when I arrived. Brandi sent me home with some great Arcona samples, and I can tell I’ll be converted in no time. For those that are new to Arcona, their line is 100% natural and truly is high quality.
This is the place to go if you want great skincare with no frills. The only downside I can think of is that parking is HORRIBLE. Your best bet is to park at Santa Monica Place (I paid $ 1 for 2 hours) and walk 2 blocks over, but be aware that driving in this area can be a nightmare during peak hours. Be sure to leave ample time to park and get situated.

Gilt City had a deal going on and so I checked out Unilocal before purchasing. I couldn’t believe just how high Arcona rated on Unilocal and thought I should definitely try them out. I have been needing to find new places to replace all my old indulgences in the LBC, so why not go with a good deal on a good place?
In reading the reviews, what stood out the most was that everyone rated the product itself as particularly great. I haven’t been loving my current product, Dermalogica, much lately — not for any reason except that it just doesn’t feel like anything special anymore, and I have often considered switching over to more natural products so this ticked off another reason to check out Arcona.
I have frequented other businesses in other Archstone buildings without issues regarding parking, but apparently you don’t get the courtesy with this Archstone. This made my arrival particularly stressful since traffic had already delayed me a couple of minutes and then I was told they would not let me in, but that I could instead park around the corner for 3 free hours. The 3 free hours is great, it’s the getting into the lot that’s the problem. So, heed the warning: get there early and park in the lot across from the old Michael’s on 4^th.
The staff were very nice when I arrived late, and despite my flustered state, assured me it was all good and encouraged me to chill out, as one should when they’re about to indulge. Melissa was the esthetician who worked on me and she was a delight. We talked, laughed, and touched on some subjects one should never discuss in a first meeting. It was that good, and funny. In a flash my facial was over, but not without Melissa answering every question I had along the way and giving me her insights into my skin care needs. We discussed my current use of Dermalogica and that it’s time for me to consider a more «grown up» approach to my facial care needs.
Melissa provided me with a generous amount of samples to try, and instructions on how/​when to use them all…
Cleanse/​Tone:
Kiwi Cream Bar — Super nice! Felt great and left my skin so smooth.
White Tea Purifying Cleanser — Feels good, and my skin is nice and smooth again.
Cleanse/​Exfoliate:
Golden Grain Grommage — gritty, but feels like one of the best exfoliators I’ve ever used.
Triad pad — these are for those times I was lazy and didn’t want to fully wash my face. They’re cool, but I found, just like any other lazy wash towel that it doesn’t get my eye make up off all the way.
Regenerate:
Gentle Solution — used every other night, left on alone. I like the convenience of it.
AM Serums:
Booster defense serum — feels nice, nothing remarkable noted.
Hydrate:
Peptide Hydrating Complex — This feels SO good! Fresh and minty. I like this a lot, but the sample went quick!
Eye Treatments:
Eye Serum (firm) — I received a large sample of this as part of my Gilt City deal. I like it. We’ll see how it works over time.
Desert Mist (protect) — I hated the smell at first, but I’ve gotten used to it. I think this is the one product I’m not sure I get and and would discuss with the staff when I go back, just for a review.
Ultimately, I love the feel of the products. I would need to use them long term to see any effects, but I immediately FEEL great skin when I do. I am currently waiting to use up the rest of my jumbo bottles of Dermalogica before moving on, but Melissa was so awesome that she mailed a coupon for me to use when I do make the switch! I love coupons and can’t wait to get me some Arcona!

Had a great experience here. I was disappointed that they switched my facial and massage around because it really does not make any sense to have a facial before a massage. It was also my first facial ever and I just might have to go back and get another one. This says alot considering I hate having my face touched.
Side note… There is NO parking. You have to park in one of the garages around the corner or park on the street!

Had a wonderful facial and a wonderful experience. I love the simple, clean and serene décor. The facial bed was very comfortable. Could see the result of my facial upon leaving, my skin was glowing for days.

Truly love this place… this brand… the whole Arcona philosophy… I almost don’t wan’t to Unilocal about it as it’s such a niche-​type well-​kept secret, but they deserve the praise.
Arcona products are a revelation. You can’t imagine how great they are until you try them, and then you’ll be hooked. Yes, there are some misses, perhaps some you can do without entirely, but largely these are skin care products that can change your whole belief system about what you should be putting on and in your skin. I’ve only had experience with the current staff, i.e. anyone working there from October 2012 on, but I’ve found them to be some of the kindest, sweetest, most helpful ladies I’ve come across in this industry. Zero attitude & really top-​notch customer service. They even replaced a defective, «spoiled» product that I’d purchased from another Arcona retailer, for free, sight unseen. That’s spectacular service in my book.
I can’t speak for the services offered as I haven’t experienced them, but I’m willing to bet they’re exceptional.

Someone else said it perfectly… their products ARE legit! Usually, all natural ingredients means the product doesn’t work as well. Not so with Arcona products. They do what they’re meant to do and then some! Theirs is one of the purest, cleanest ingredients lists I’ve witnessed. I LOVE their kiwi cleansing bar, the magic white ice hydrator and the hair products ROCK. The body lotions are great too (a little goes a looonnggg way), as is their wine hydrating mask. I’ve tried a lot of their products… they all work wonders and smell incredible with one exception: the primo amino shampoo comes in a small bottle and I found it to be very drying!
Customer service was lacking the last time I checked (which was awhile ago, as I now order their products through
).
Lastly, if you order from them online next Friday and Saturday… they’re having a 40% off deal… free shipping for orders over $ 50. Coupon code is ‘black’!!! Hooray for huge savings!!!