SKINCRVFT

SKINCRVFT is a facial studio on North Ravenswood Avenue in Chicago, run by its founder, Cristien Marcotte, who works as the facialist. Marcotte brings more than a decade of work as a licensed esthetician and massage therapist. The studio's facials are massage-focused rituals, and the menu also includes technology-based and resurfacing treatments.

Each facial is adjusted to the client's skin needs on the day and aims at tension, circulation and nervous system regulation. Treatments are meant to bring gradual changes in how skin looks and feels over time rather than quick results. Sessions run 75, 90 or 120 minutes, and pricing and session contents are listed on the booking page. Some treatments carry timing or health limits: Gua Sha and sculptural lifting are not recommended within two weeks of facial injections, buccal and intra-oral massage within four to six weeks of injections, Gua Sha is not advised in the first trimester of pregnancy, LED light therapy is not used during pregnancy, and microcurrent is not suitable for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have epilepsy, a pacemaker or active cancer.

All appointments are booked online, and changes and cancellations are handled through the same booking system. Phone calls and messages about scheduling are not accepted. A card is held on file for every booking to support the cancellation policy, and nothing is charged unless the policy is broken. Cancellations made at least 48 hours ahead are free; later cancellations are charged 50 percent of the appointment cost, and a no-call, no-show is charged the full cost, which cannot be refunded or applied to future services. Fees must be paid before new appointments can be booked, and the studio may decline future bookings if issues continue.

Appointments start and end at the scheduled time, so arriving late shortens nothing. Clients more than 15 minutes late may be subject to the cancellation policy. Clients should not arrive early: the studio is private and has no waiting or reception area, and early arrivals may be asked to wait outside. One reserved guest parking space, number 9, is in the gravel lot on the south side of the building. Gift cards come as eGift cards in amounts of $50, $100, $150, $200 or a custom value, and must be shown at the time of service either as a physical card or as the digital email with its barcode. Clients can join a waitlist through the booking software; openings are texted and offered first come, first served, and a text does not reserve the appointment. No refunds, payments or portions thereof are granted for services rendered.

The studio takes a whole-face approach that addresses tension, restriction and circulation, with an emphasis on gradual changes in skin appearance and feel rather than quick fixes.

A private studio with no waiting or reception area, so clients are asked to arrive at their scheduled time.