If you are a regular waxer or a newbie, check out my recs for the two best waxing salons around.
My A-Number 1 is definitely Doll Wax. They have locations in Gambrills and Crofton with another location opening shortly in Annapolis.
My first time going here was the most pleasant, painless waxing experience I've ever had. I used to just get waxed at my nail salon because it was cheap and easy, but my gel manis from there barely lasted a week so I was on the search for a new place for both nails and wax.
I tried Doll Wax in Crofton for the first time yesterday and it is amazing!! I will never go anywhere else. They offer online booking, which makes scheduling quick and easy. With a confirmation call and email, you'll never miss your appointment. You can also request your favorite esthetician while booking to ensure you are satisfied. (I had Melissa, but have read that all the estheticians are wonderful.)
The salon has many special offers and promotions, making it affordable and worthwhile. If you book your follow-up appointment within 5 weeks you get a discount. For a Brazilian it is $63 the first time and $48 thereafter if booking within 5 weeks. Also, if you check in on Yelp you can get a $13 eyebrow wax. And the deals don't end there.
Doll Wax offers a loyalty card. After five visits you get $10 off your service.
They also look out for the younger ladies, offering $10 brow waxes to those 17 and under between September and June.
Another, more important reason I love Doll Wax Salon is that I am very picky about things being sanitary. After I spent a summer working for a doctor who was obsessive about things being clean I have developed some high standards. I used to clean the step stool for the exam table (read: not one minuscule speck of dirt) with a one-sided Q-tip. I was only allowed to use 3. He was a miser. Doll Wax has absolutely no double dipping, and is completely sanitary, tossing each stick and using new muslin strips with each pull.
The decor and atmosphere are soothing and inviting. Chandeliers float above you, large fluffy flowers sit spilling over silver vases, making you feel more like you're at someone's home than at a salon. The table is comfy (softer than most in my experience) and the room is warm, which is important if you're stripping down.
Hershey kisses in a small bowl, sat next to me as I got waxed. Chocolate will help you forget the pain in no time. And if that doesn't work, check out the motivational pictures on the wall ("You got this"). Honestly, though, there was hardly any pain at all. More of a tinge than an ouch for sure.
The staff is welcoming and knowledgeable, your service is not rushed and you feel like they really enjoy what they do there. When you enter the room, the technician explains everything to you and leaves while you undress. There is a cleansing wipe left for when you undress to freshen up before you begin, and a towel with which to cover yourself for the more "personal" procedures. You ring a crystal bell to signal you are ready and the esthetician re-appears and begins your service with a smile.
Aloe gel is put on immediately after the wax strip is pulled (very cool and soothing), and there is more soothing post-wax with the all-natural, homemade essential oil spray you apply before getting dressed to close pores and soothe the skin. There is also a warm wipe for your use to ensure all the wax has been removed. I did not experience any pain post wax at all. I've never had this happen before (probably because I used to get waxed at my nail salon). She didn't have to tweeze at all, she took her time and everything was removed the way I wanted. I seriously can't wait to go back. It is worth the money, and worth the drive. You can tell the focus is the customer and giving them a positive, clean, pleasant experience rather than pushing products (there was no mention of products at all actually). Thank you, Doll Wax! You should book today.
I tried another reputable waxing salon, The European Waxing Center also. It has many locations and an online booking system. It is very sanitary, has very modern decor (think Miami - shiny white counters, frosted glass doors, red and black accent colors) and they use hard wax, not the hot wax with the muslin strips.
The rooms look more like a doctor's office, which I liked because it told me it was sanitary but perhaps comes off a bit cold on the warm-and-fuzzy meter. Despite a great wax, the pressure from the esthetician and the front desk to buy the products was overwhelming and, in my opinion, inappropriate and unprofessional. During the whole procedure I felt like I was in a sales pitch (and I kind of was).
That being said, the staff was very courteous and very knowledgeable. It was also very quick and pretty painless. I get they have to sell their products and make a living but I felt I was viewed more like a dollar than a patron. If you don't mind the sales pitch, try it out. Some people are good at saying no. I'm not, I walked out with $100 worth of products. Eek!
They do have a great promotion for first-time clients: first wax is free and 20% off products. And I have to say the products are pretty awesome. I bought the exfoliating gel (can be used anywhere on your body).
Slather it on, let sit for a second and then, rubbing in circular motions with your hands, the dead skin magically sloughs off! Very soothing gel with many vitamins and is very effective. I'm always glowing afterward. After you exfoliate, you can pamper yourself in the shower with their body wash which smells just divine.
A little bit lathers a long way so it'll last a while, which makes my wallet feel better. Lastly, the ingrown hair serum helps prevent ingrown hairs between waxes and is rubbed on after exfoliating and waxing.
The esthetician recommended using the exfoliate every three to four days, the body wash daily and the ingrown hair serum daily. I wish I can say I keep up with that, but with two little ones I'm just lucky to get a shower sometimes. I do my best and it gives good results nonetheless!
If I had my way I'd go to Doll Wax for the service and buy The European Waxing Center's products.
