Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy

My gf and her boss have been to the Academy. Both have told me that it was a wonderful experience. Customer service second to none. Students very knowledgeable in the art that they have been taught. My gf is going in for her second appointment today. Affordable. Its worth it. So don’t wait go and see them.

I’ve never had a facial before, and I’ve always wanted to try. I just wasn’t sure about dishing out a lot of money for it. It wasn’t until I found a special on Instagram offering facials at a low rate that got me interested. (I may sound cheap but hey I’m a struggling college kid who needs some TLC here and there.) So I called the spa and the super friendly person got me all set up for my first facial! She did mention that it was students who will be doing the facials which I didn’t mind. they have to develop good practice somehow.
When I got there the spa was really nice, neat and calm. The receptionist was really welcoming and professional and the student aesthetician, Lin was already waiting and ready for me. She was super nice and professional and put me at ease. I mentioned I didn’t know what to expect from a facial and she was very knowledgeable in her work. She walked me through every step of the way. From beginning to end I was relaxed. She had the perfect touch and perfect pressure. The best part, she left my skin feeling nice and smooth like brand new.
I’m definitively coming back here, the bonus part; you get 50% off your next service if you book within 2 weeks. I highly recommend Lin she’s beyond awesome.

I love Makana! The students there provide great service. I’ve been coming since they opened back in 2007, and This day I come for facials, massages, and waxing!

First time here, and I had a great experience. I received a Brazilian and eye brow wax from Melani, who cleaned me up good! It had been about a year since i last got a brazilian due to moving to the island, so i knew i was in for some pain. However, Melani’s pull techniques made the pain i had imagine seem like so much less. It hurt, but a tolerable hurt, nothing where I had to stop her or cried. None the less, I am very pleased at the clean wax I received from Melani. She even saw small fine hairs that were left behind, plucked them and it really made me feel like i was getting detailed.
I’m definitely coming back from my follow ups and going to get a facial too! Best part if that this school offers free parking for up to 2 hrs!

First off i would like to thank all of the instructors including the owner for welcoming me to their academy.
On Friday April 24, 2015 aT 10AM I received my very first Brazilian wax from Melani! Yes, I am serious i have never had a Brazilian wax serviced on me before!
Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy is located in Na Lama kukui building right before city mill on North Nimitz Hwy. Room# 125D on first floor across from the piano store. There is free parking for 2 hours I would Park in the first two rows of the parking lot. The last 2 are reserved and you will be towed.
The ambiance is very clean, has great space and amazing fengshui where I felt relaxed and stress free. Over all I had a great experience being here. I am impressed, their students here are very knowledgeable, professional and are very caring along with respecting your privacy. Their hard wax is on point as in Temperature wise and I did not get any skin irritation. Melani made me feel comfortable and I did not feel any pain what so ever. I look forward to getting more services done here. I highly recommend everyone to get their services done here.

Amazing service and great deals! I came here twice so far… Definitely will be coming back for more!

I’ve been going to the Waimanu St. Makana location for years. I like to pamper myself, but don’t like to spend a load of money on it. I’m not afraid to let students try their hand on me for facials, etc. because hey, it’s better than I would do it myself. In addition, the specials can be so reasonable that I can even afford to spread the pampering joy and treat a friend/​sister from time to time :-)
I had a facial last week at the brand new location in the old Gentry Pacific Design center, which has been renamed. The facility is so shiny & new – I was the first one to receive services in that treatment room! I was told that all treatment spaces are now all individual rooms now (that’s less fun if you bring a friend, but nice & private for when you’re solo). Lisa was awesome, and super knowledgeable (she’s also an instructor at Makana, so I scored!).
Parking at the new site is awesome, and there’s a great café inside the building as well as some other shops – if you go on a weekday, plan to get a snack or lunch there. If you go on a Saturday, don’t despair. There’s plenty of other food to eat around the area.

Saw my girl Ansley and got the papaya facial! It smells like magic and my face feels so soft and well nourished. Never pass up on the shoulder and neck massage that come with a facial. She is small but she has strong hands that relieved a lot of my tension. Quite happy.
I give 4 stars because parking isn’t great. I would recommend you park at shopping center and walk. It is very unassuming from the outside, but once you enter, you’ll find the environment clean and relaxing. I spent 2 hours in traffic to get to my appt and left super relaxed.

My first time there and saw Moani, she was incredible. My experience was more than expectations predicted. I left Moani thinking I had left one of the best spas in Hawaii. This hidden jewel was not abrasive but quite calming. The beautiful staff displayed inner and external beauty which enhanced my experience. Moani not only refreshed my face she offered a through evaluation and recommendation for daily treatment. I can not await to return.
A must go to place in Hawaii

It’s very well kept but no parking and very over priced. I played more for a wax here than I would of at any other place and I had 4people looking at my goods. Pulse I till had to go home and shave what they missed. I don’t recommend t hi as place due to the high cost and UN proficiency of work. At least for waxing.

First time visit:
Promptly greeted at the door by a very attentive receptionist. She immediately offered my boyfriend and I water as she checked me in. Janell, my skin care consultant, went over my concerns for the day and made sure I had no allergies or other concerns. Janell was very professional, yet had a great personality. Enough talking to make me feel comfortable, but not a chatter box — she wanted to make sure I had a relaxing experience. Each time she had to leave the room she let me know I was going to be alone for a minute or two. The instructor, Malia, came into the room briefly to check on us — she was not intrusive at all and I didn’t feel like she was there to correct her students, but simply to offer any assistance if it was needed. She let me know that my friend was comfortable in the lobby so I didn’t worry.
The price for the services was awesome. I never expected to get so many treatments in Hawaii for the price.
At the end, everyone wanted to make sure I was satisfied. This morning I wake up and I can hardly see my pores — that was my biggest concern of my visit. I definitely will be returning and hopefully before Janell graduates!

Love this place! Great location, friendly service and decent pricing! I had a very relaxing experience and my skin looks and feels great, thanks Nina! I have my next appointment already booked!

I bought a facial from Groupon for my bf and I a while back for a Makana Signature facial. I totally forgot about it until I was notified to use it. Anyway, we finally redeemed it this Saturday. Overall I had a good time.
This was our first experience getting facial treatments so we really didn’t know what to expect. After filling out a form, our estheticians-​in-​training came out to inform us on what they were going to do. My bf was led into a room first. By the time I got in, he was already on the bed, shirtless, looking quite uncomfortable while talking to his esthetician. While reveling in his discomfort, my esthetician gave me a tube robe and I was kind of dumbfounded bc I don’t disrobe in front of just anybody, even if it’s just my shirt. There were no extra rooms in there. But whatever. I know they are just students but I have to say my bf had the better esthetician (maybe it was my karma?). First off, his didn’t spill what I assumed to be hand sanitizer on his eye. Luckily, my eyes were closed so no pain whatsoever. And while he was getting his facial, his esthetician asked him about his facial routine. Mines never did. As for the facial itself, it was pretty darn relaxing! I thoroughly enjoyed each step. For noobs like myself, expect to have a steamer blown on your face to open pores. I for one loved it even though it was really warm.
Would I return? Definitely! Would he return? He said yes. Besides the fact that you leave feeling relaxed, you also get a 50% discount on your next visit found on your receipt (but it has to be within 2 weeks of your last visit). Well, they will be seeing me in the next two weeks for sure. :)

Sooooo relaxing~ I bought a set of facials through Groupon and I’m very glad that I did.
— Makana Esthetics is located on Waimanu Street. It’s about a block away from the new Chun Wah Kam. There’s street parking (metered) or you could walk over from Ala Moana. Really easy!
— From what I saw of the facility, it was very nice, clean, and well-​maintained.
— Don’t let the fact that its a school fool you – the students are VERY good at what they do. My esthetician was wonderful! She softly explained everything she was going to do and gave me an awesome neck/​shoulder rub. An hour passed so peacefully…(and quickly! I normally don’t fall asleep during facials, but I was so relaxed, I knocked out towards the end.)
— Two things to note, just so you aren’t surprised – If you’re going for a facial, you’ll most likely be sharing a room with someone. I didn’t think it was that bad, everyone is super professional and the other esthetician was really quiet. The other thing is that the instructors peek in every now and then to check up on their students, so don’t be surprised if you hear doors opening and closing.
— Like other Unilocalers have mentioned – you get 50% off of your next service with receipt!
I can’t wait to go back! I felt like my skin was glowing after I stepped out of their facility.

Okay, so I bought the groupon for 3 facial treatments since this place is right down the street from me.
Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much considering the last couple of facials I have bought from Groupon kind of sucked. That, coupled with the fact that these are students. The outside is a little shady looking, but as soon as I walked in, I was comforted by the fact that it was a really nicely decorated area and everyone inside had a smiling face.
The receptionist had me fill out a form about my skin and then my esthetician came out to talk to me a bit. Her name was Tatiana, and she asked me about my skin concerns. I told her a bit about some issues I had been having with acne since moving to the island a few years ago, and she assured me that healing acne patients was a passion of hers because she had once suffered from it herself.
When I walked in the room, I was a little shocked that I was sharing it with another girl who was getting a facial (I alllmost docked a star bc of this, but I just can’t bc it was that amazing). I am assuming that was the «supervisor» that watches to make sure they are doing everything correctly. She had me put my belongings in a little baggie and then I laid down on the table. She came back in with all of her supplies and began with a neck and shoulder massage. I honestly think that her voice was one of the highlights of the whole thing. She had the most relaxing, comforting voice EVER. Seriously, I was about to fall asleep everytime she asked me a question.
The facial was absolutely, by far, the BEST facial I have ever received. Not only was it super relaxing, but she didn’t scrimp on products, nor did she scrimp on time. In fact, i’m pretty sure it was over an hour.
Afterwards, she explained the products to me that would benefit my skin, but I didn’t feel pressured to purchase anything (even though I did bc I was out of face wash at home). On my receipt, I got 50% on my next facial if I came in within 2 weeks, and that was combined with my remaining groupon deals! Awesome!
I am so excited I found this place. Don’t let the fact that it’s a school scare you away. It’s SO cheaper than the high end salons, and it was SO much better as well.

A great choice if you are looking for a nice place to get facials for a great price. I love microdermabrasion but hate the prices out here, but the school offers it at a very reasonable price. You also get 50% off coupon if you rebook within the next two weeks! The students are nice, and you do sometimes end up waiting for a few minutes, as they usually ask you to come a little early. Parking is best at the Ward Center parking structure, the rest is all meter street parking.

My wife purchased a Groupon deal ($ 59 for 3 Synergie sessions) and after each of her sessions she got a 50% off her next service to use within 2 weeks. So, not to waste a good deal she MADE me get an hour long facial. Since it was my 1^st facial I had nothing to compare it to, but it it must have been good cause I fell asleep. The only thing I didn’t like was the steam. felt like I was suffocating. Otherwise, friendly staff, reasonable prices and overall great service.

I made a reservation here on Saturday for 9:30am for a facial. I wasn’t expecting much since they are students. The price is not that cheap, compared to like the $ 20 massages at the massage schools. The facial is $ 45 for 60 minutes. I got there early 9:03am because they said I had to fill a paper out. I understood that I was over 20 minutes early. They offered me water while I waited. While I waited a lady came in for her appointment for a massage and synergy treatment. The lady at the front told her she couldn’t do both in one day and that she is sorry that who ever took the appoinment should have caught that. The lady was angry so another person came out to talk to her and recommended a facial instead.
I sat there and listed to the whole ordeal. At about 9:20 2 ladies came in. Sat down and their estheticians came out introduced themselves and took them in. I was pretty dissappointed that I had been waiting there for a while and the ladies went in before me. I was staring at the conversation with the other customer and worker and she looked at me and smiled. I asked her when I was going to go in because it seemed like they just forgot about me there. She asked me when my facial was for and I said 9:30. She said well its not 9:30 yet… It was 9:27 and I was still waiting… which means it was a less than 60 minute facial because she finished at 10:22am.
The only good part of the thing was the facial was pretty good, even though she was a student. The students seemed awesome. The leads just need better management since they were the ones running the front.
There was a lot of noise because they were teaching, the rooms were clean though, and the facial iteself was good even though she could have massaged the products in a little harder, she did a really good job.
I will go back again since they do offer a 50% off if you return for a service within 2 weeks.

First I want to say that the staff here are very friendly everyone that saw me smiled and greeted me. They also did a very good job on the service they provide. I bought the synergie treatment from groupon so I actually saved YaY its to soon to tell if the treatment work but it sure is very relaxing almost like I’m getting a massage I have another appointment again next week and Im looking forward to it. This is my first time doing this but Lauren made feel very relaxed and comfortable Thank you.

P. (M) S. Just noticed on da bottom of my receipt: «50% Off Next Appointment. Bring in this receipt within 2 weeks of the posted date and receive 50% off any single treatment. Cannot be combined with any other offer.»
Woohoo, I found my receipt in my recycle box and hope to schedule my first Brazilian waxing tomorrow!
Go hea fo’ a full list of all their spa services and prices:
They also offer facials, body treatments, massage, microdermabrasion, glycolic treatments, and more:
WAXING SERVICES
Full Facial Waxing: $ 40
Side of Face: $ 20
Upper Lip, Chin & Eyebrows: $ 12.00 each
Full Arm /​Half Arm: $ 35 /​$ 25
Under Arm: $ 20
Back (Female): $ 35
Back (Male): $ 45
Full Leg /​Half Leg (Female): $ 50 /​$ 35
Full Leg /​Half Leg (Male): $ 60 /​$ 45
Bikini: $ 25
Brazilian: $ 45
MAKEUP SERVICES
Makeup Application: $ 25
LASHES
Lash Tint or Brow Tint: $ 20
Lash Strip Application: $ 25