For clients, going to thewax saloncan be the ultimate treat or luxury. Working with a trainedprofessionalwho values their work and their clients to achieve thebest hair removalmakes a difference in a client’s routine, and gives them something to look forward to.
However, since there are so many types oflicensed beauty professionalsout there, it might not be so easy to find the best professional wax artist, or even know what to look for in someone who provides waxing services.
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If you're new to waxing or looking to make a change, knowing how to choose the right esthetician and what to look for in a waxing salon makes all the difference in not only what kind of results you’ll receive, but in your overall experience as a client.
From what to look for on asalon’s websiteand how to enhance yourskincare knowledgeandpreparationbefore your appointment, we'll show you how to get the best from your waxing experience. Plus, we’ve also got a questionnaire for you to determine if your wax pro is on the right track during your appointment.
READ:Dermatologist vs. Esthetician: Who’s Better for My Skin Care?
How to Find the Best Wax Salon
When looking for the right waxing salon for your hair removal, going into your experience with the right research behind you will allow you to not only choose the right professional for your services but also be properlyprepared for your appointment.
There are a few valuable indicators to look out for that will mark a good salon from one that isn’t going to work for you. From how user-friendly their website is, to getting recommendations from family and friends, these factors will all help you to decide where to go for yourhair removalservice.
READ:Best Esthetician Services to Offer Clients
What to Look For In Waxing Salon Reviews
The best way to find a reliable salon and esthetician who has a good track record and loyal client base is through both word-of-mouth reviews and recommendations, and online reviews.
When you begin looking for an esthetician or a waxing salon, the best way to find a good waxer near you is by asking around to friends or family who you know go for regular waxes and are loyal to a specific salon or esthetician. If you don’t know anyone who regularly goes for hair removal, you can also ask those in your wider social circle on social media.
From there, look up reviews on Google, Yelp, or other review sites to find estheticians with positive reviews.
For estheticians looking to increase their client reviews on these sites, you can try the following approaches:
- Make sure clients have access to multiple platforms where they can see and leave reviews on platforms like your business’s Facebook page, or your website.
- If people shout out your brand on Instagram, repost, and tag all the things! It counts as a review for our purposes.
- Start a referral program (word-of-mouth reviews are the ultimate!)
- Give your clients discounts when they leave reviews.
- Be blunt! Ask clients kindly to leave a review before they leave and if they’ll take a photo. You can even offer a free sample “for their trouble,” because honestly, most people forget about leaving reviews, but can feel pleasantly obliged to do so.
- Take a stronger look at where you can improve upon the client experience you provide to organically inspire clients to leave a good review.
Remember, when looking at esthetician reviews on these sites, odds are you’ll see one or two outliers with suspiciously poor experiences or whose services don’t seem to match up with that of the other reviewers. If this poor experience doesn’t seem to line up with the consensus as to the results and experience an esthetician provides, best take it with a grain of salt.
Finding an esthetician with great reviews and a positive customer experience is integral for deciding where to go, especially detail-oriented waxing services likeBrazilian waxes,Manzilian waxes, oreyebrow waxes.
Most licensed beauty professionals can remove hair using the right hard wax products and their hard wax warmer, but these services specifically call for the best in terms of not only products but technique and methods as well.
If you don’t see an esthetician with the right methods or experience, you could risk injury or irritation in sensitive areas or could have an adverse reaction to the waxing process.
Though it may seem convenient to have your facialist, manicurist, or hairdresser do a quick lip or eyebrow wax for you, you always should stick to a bonafide licensed waxing professional for these services - so do your research before making any appointments.
READ: The Complete Bikini/Brazilian Wax Guide
Navigating Your Esthetician’s Website
After you've done your research and have found an esthetician or salon with good reviews, it’s time to check out their website and see what services they offer and if they might align with what you’re looking for.
Look to see what kinds of professional wax this potential salon is using in their wax pot, including polymer or non-polymer hard wax, hard wax tablets or beads, soft wax, or roll-on wax. Do they use soft or hard wax for eyebrows? What types of wax products do they use - Starpil Wax wax products or something else? If the salon doesn’t use Starpil Wax, look up the wax product reviews for the formulas they use to ensure they’re using formulas of high quality.
Don’t forget to also see where and when your esthetician got their license, and if they’ve had any additional specialized training or taken extra courses.
Finally, take stock of the user experience of their website, and how easy it is for their customers to learn about services and book. Do they have an online booking or a client intake form to fill out? Their website should leave you feeling more secure and at ease than ever that you're making the right choice in booking with them.
For estheticians making their website, you should also take these factors into account to ensure your clients and potential customers are greeted with the best user experience from start to finish.
When crafting your website, ask yourself both these questions, as well as the following:
- Is your website easy to use?
- Does it provide stellar information on what services you have to offer and wax products you use and retail?
- Do you have ample education regarding how to prepare for their services or after-wax care intel?
- Does it explain where you or your staff were trained?
- Are there photos of your salon?
- Can you book from your site, or do you have to call?
- Can you purchase retail from your site?
READ: How to Start a Waxing Business in 2022
How to Look Up Your Salon on Salon Media
Another way to confirm where to get your waxing done is to look at a potential salon’s social media.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do they have before and after photos of their services (especially eyebrows)?
- Do they share great educational tips regarding skincare and waxing?
- Do they have videos of them using different waxing products or formulas, like blue hard wax or wax beads, for example?
- Do they write blogs about waxing or skincare?
- Do they have a newsletter to keep clients informed about the salon’s latest goings-on, products, or procedures?
The more they showcase their waxing credibility, the more you can get a feel for how great a wax experience you'll have.
By the time you've gone through all of their available information, you should be able to garner a firm idea of what the waxing process will look like for you, how clean their salon is, and their commitment to hygiene and customer experience.
READ: How to Use Hard Wax Like a Pro: The Complete Guide
How to Prepare for a Waxing Appointment
Here is a list of tips that you can use to best prepare yourself and your skin for your next waxing appointment.
From simple life hacks to essential skincare processes you should always perform before a waxing appointment, these tips will keep your skin in its best condition and will make your service go smoothly, keep you comfortable, and keep skin looking its best post-wax.
24-Hours Prior and Day-Of Waxing Prep
- Eat clean the day before/of – a diet full of antioxidants and high-water content. Avoid alcohol (a glass of red wine is OK), sugar, white flour, fried foods, or saturated fats
- Drink a lot of hot water and cold water (not tea or coffee!)
- Avoid excessive caffeine intake
- Exfoliate with dry brushing and/or a gentle scrub
- Avoid excessive sun exposure
- Wear clean moisturizers and lotions
- Take an anti-inflammatory about an hour beforehand
- Do all your sweaty, wet stuff beforehand (working out, pool, sauna, etc.)
- Don't self-tan beforehand
How to Prepare for Facial Waxing
- Avoid wearing makeup to your appointment
- Book an appointment on a day when you don't have to wear makeup after
How to Prepare for Body Waxing
- Wear comfy, loose-fitting, cotton fabrics
- Be freshly showered
- Avoid wearing heavy creams beforehand
READYour Salon More Inclusive
What to Look for in a Waxing Salon
Even if you think that you've found the perfect place for your service, here are some things to look out for once you’ve arrived at a salon for your first appointment - and to use to determine whether you’ll come back or not.
Add a point for every question answered positively. Fifteen to 20 points would be ideal!
How to Know if a Waxing Salon is HYGIENIC:
- Were you given an intake form to fill out?
- Was the salon impeccably clean?
- Was there literature on the salon, the professionals working there, or the wax products used?
- How was the waxing table or chair? Was there a new paper on the waxing table, or could you tell if the head and armrests on their service chair were cleaned before you were seated?
- Did you notice any Barbicide (the "blue water stuff"), or a sterilization autoclave anywhere to be seen?
- Were you sure that your pro washed their hands or was wearing fresh gloves?
- Were there multiple wax types available for different skin types and uses?
What to Look for in an Esthetician:
- Were you greeted kindly and in a hospitable manner?
- Did your technician go over your intake form?
- Did your esthetician go above and beyond to determine your skin type and waxing needs?
- Did your waxer use or select a specific wax type for your skin type?
- Did your esthetician offer any education on what/why/ how they were doing something or using a specific product?
- Did your professional go into depth to explain everything behind which products they were using on you and why?
- Was your esthetician on top of assessing or anticipating your needs?
What to Look for in a Waxing Service:
- Did your pro prep your skin by cleansing it?
- Did your tech test the wax's temperature from the warmer or inform you that it was pre-checked somehow?
- Did the wax professional use a new waxing spatula every time they dipped into their professional wax warmer? (No double-dipping, please!)
- Was the actual waxing service done in a clean, timely manner?
How to Have the Right After-Wax Care Routine:
- Were you given an after-wax care treatment of some kind?
- Were you given after-wax care instructions to practice at home?
- Were you recommended the right after-wax care products for your skin type to use at home?
Bonus Questions:
- Did they achieve the results you were looking for while keeping your skin healthy?
- Are you satisfied with your experience? Were you comfortable with your esthetician and their service manner?
READ: Calendula Benefits for the Skin
Final Thoughts
In the end, it's always about your best judgment and using your instincts to determine if you’re comfortable with an esthetician or have found the right esthetician for you.
If you got a great vibe from your wax salon and loved your service results, continue working with them! If not, keep using the above tips as a barometer for finding the best wax salon in your area, or just an esthetician better suited to your needs.
Remember, you should never feel pressured or obligated to keep going to a salon or professional you’re not completely happy or comfortable with.
Don’t feel bad trying out a few different salons before you find the right one for you - your estheticians will always want you to be comfortable and have the best waxing experience, whether it’s with them or someone else. Good luck in your waxing journey!
