Karmen Pittenger
Lead Esthetician
Astrological Sign
Taurus
Chinese Year
Sheep
Favorite Color
Red
Favorite Food
Asian Food- Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese
Music Idol
Madonna
What do you do on the weekends?
Shop, try new restaurants, explore SF, spend time with the people I love
Favorite vacation destination
Anywhere with a rich culture and gorgeous beaches.
Hobbies
Shoes, bags, jeans and bathing suits
What inspires you?
Talented people, positivity, community
Favorite TV show/movie
True Blood, Gossip Girl… Friends, Sex in the City
What attracted you to the Beauty Industry?
I had a desire to help and nurture people and I always have been interested in skin care.
What do you Love about Aveda/favorite product
Natural sources for their ingredients
Favorite Era
Early 1900′s. I love art deco furnishings and jewelry
Quote
“In a world where you can be anything be yourself.”
In January I had a facial with Carmen — that was a real treat! The ambiance of the room, the foot massage to start and the Green Science product line that I’ve used since has truly improved the quality of my skin.
Submitted by Kay T.
Carmen does my eyebrow, they’re perfect.
Submitted by Nick R.
Got a facial by Carmen – loved the foot massage at the beginning, and everything that came after. Wonderfully relaxing!
So I’m a repeat client. 
Submitted by Andrea P.
Walking into this place is like walking into another world.
No matter how crazy Bay Street is, Sole is calm and quiet, and all the people there are friendly and helpful. Like other Aveda salons, it smells wonderful and they give you delicious tea while you wait!
I saw Carmen for a bikini wax. This was my first appointment with her, and she made me feel comfortable right away. She was quick yet gentle and did a great job.
I love this place!
Submitted by Diana K.
Great aesthetician, Carmen, at Sole Salon. Likely the best facial I’ve ever had. And I have had many.
Carmen is just fabulous and knows what’s she’s doing. Lots of product is used during the facial on your face and neck . And, there is lots of facial, shoulder, and head massage–Aveda has a 5-point massage style for their facials. The products are herbal, smell good, and are great for your skin. Carmen did gentle and not painful extractions, and used lots of steam on my face, too. Wonderful massage. The best.
The room where I received the facial was candle-lit, and very comfortable. Tony, director at Sole Salon, has a lot of great music, and there is a very nice sound system connected into the aesthetician’s room. So that added to the enjoyment of my facial.
The table/bed was comfortable with absolutely the softest sheets and loftiest blankets, and it was supportive of my back. Carmen uses a towel warmer so you don’t have to hear the bing of a microwave timer go off every time she needs a warm towel.
Submitted by Rose G.
i got a facial with carmen just before christmas. she was wonderful. my face never looked better. i can’t wait to do it again. this is the best gift you could give yourself. and you are worth it.
Submitted by Courtney M.
Stress is bad for you.
Bad for your heart.
For your mental health.
For your skin.
My skin was looking a bit congested. Stress combined with my junk food eating habits didn’t help either.
The Green Science facial is a signature facial here. Aveda products are exclusively used and Aveda not only cares about your skin, but their products are kind to the environment as well. I had an hour long facial that started with a 10 min. warm foot soak, now, how many facials start like this? I’m immediately impressed! The warm neutral brown colors in the room, Carmen’s calming voice and the plush soft bed put me in a relaxed state. This was only made better by a head, neck and shoulder massage. Aaaah…..
The facial. I love being under the steamer while having the chamomile enzyme mask on. Preparing the pores for extractions is easy, having the actual extractions is hard. (Girls, you all know the pain we have to go through to be beautiful) Carmen had gentle hands with moderate pressure, she uses the actual blackhead remover tool so if you’re used to extractions with tissue, well, this will probably hurt more.
The Green Science line is specifically formulated by Aveda for lifting, firming and reducing lines on your skin. This facial left me refreshed and my skin feeling new again. Organic argan oil is a key ingredient in this line (per their website it’s found in their creme, professional masque and eye serum) which has been long used in Morocco as an anti-aging product.
I’m giving Carmen two thumbs up. She has specials on Wednesdays and Thursdays for 60 minute facials at only $53, that’s a steal! Don’t let the bad take over, Carmen is your partner in crime in restoring the good in your life.
Submitted by Janice C.
I got a 60-min facial from Carmen yesterday for the first time, and it was AMAZING!!! She is so professional, gentle and really great at massage too. Totally worth every penny. My skin feels so refreshed and clear. I will definitely go back again.
Submitted by Catlin C.
I just had my first 60 minute facial with Carmen at the end of January 2011. She let me know what she was doing along the way and made me feel very relaxed. She was very gentle and calming! She was even able to recommend good follow up products for me to start with at home. Carmen is great and I will be back to see her!
Submitted by Joy H.
Just had a facial there on a deal from LivingSocial & LOVED IT! I didn’t even know about this cute little shopping strip in Emeryville, very upscale feel and quaint. Very clean.
Carmen gave me a great facial. She offered 3 different scents for me to choose from to incorporate into my facial, and always informed me of what she’s doing so that I wouldn’t be surprised (bright light coming, etc.).
All in all, a great, relaxing hour and I hope to find them on Groupon or LivingSocial again soon!
Submitted by DW
I love getting facials and I especially love going to see karmen. Shes so knowledgeable, and always gives me the best cleanings. My skin looks 100times better after a facial with her… I only go see karmen now!!!!!
Submitted by Minnie le