Let me start out by saying that I was a virgin to waxing . When I say virgin, I mean I hadn't even waxed my brows! I went the threading route and relied on razors for everything else. I have shaved all the way to "hair -free"several times in the past but it was never smooth, I would get red bumps everywhere and the grow back was very uncomfortable . I had been thinking about going for the Brazilian wax for a long time , but I had honestly just been a big ol chicken ! Last weekend I decided to start doing some research. I read through countless reviews for tons of places and finally stumbled into Amber. What I liked about what I read was that even when given a bad review , she addressed the concern . And was very professional with how she handled it. Coming from a service business, She won my respect on that point. Even on the rare bad reviews , it never had any wait to the caliber of work or the results people were receiving . That was a clear 5 star! For a first timer, I was so nervous! I decided to take the leap of faith and schedule an appointment . She had an opening on the day I had asked for . 30 minutes before my appointment i took a few Tylenol ... Just in case. I arrived a few minutes early and she greeted me at the door by name. Once she was set up, we talked about how this was my first time and she put me at ease. She gave me a choice of what exactly I wanted , along with her expert opinion. She explained that some people opt to keep a landing strip but when you go for the full Brazilian , when the hair grows back, it is softer so choosing to leave some hair may work better later down the road . I agreed and she went to work. She talked me through the entire process as she went, which took your mind off of the "situation". I was actually surprised to find that there were only a few moments where I was like "ouch! " but ...only in my head. The spots that are more tender, she put pressure on for a few seconds until the sting subsided. Before I knew it, the front was complete! Now onto the back ! Obviously .... The moment we all imagine is going to happen . Amber was awesome by making me crack up about all the ways other places may have people position themselves that were far worse than ...knees and elbows (aka doggy style) this ended up being the quickest and most sting free wax of it all! Easy. Overall, I am sold on the Brazilian wax , waxing altogether and on Amber. Glad my first experience was a positive one . I am already on a mission to find more friends I can convert over and send them to Amber. Remember to exfoliate people !! :-) read more

Great service provider. Amber was a flexible scheduler, professional (loved that she communicated that she was running behind and to come a little later), great on package pricing, comfortable environment, easy to park in the part of Montclair Village her shop is in, happy to have someone who is willing to schedule via text, great reward package for repeat customers, and more. The best part, though, is that she explains each part of what she is doing BEFORE she does it, and made me feel 100% comfortable with her. Very helpful when you are getting naked in front of total stranger. I also want to say that Amber is highly skilled: knew how to help me breathe so there was less pain, knew which way to lightly pull the skin to have things be as pain-free as possible, great pressure after each area was waxed so there's far less pain. Are you getting the picture - this was an almost pain-free experience because of Amber's attention to the details. I have already scheduled my next appointment for 4 weeks from today. So glad I chose to try Amber. read more

Amber is a waxing diva! She is very meticulous and pain free :). I've been going to her for a year now and finally had a facial, they are relaxing and my skin looked great afterwards! I can't rave enough about Amber, she's warm and welcoming, very knowledgable, makes you comfortable and will always do her best to fit me in even when it is sometimes last minute. Can't recommend her enough! read more

Excellent! My husband and I both go to Amber for waxing and wouldn't go anywhere else. Plus she is a hoot!

I went for my first brazilian wax with Amber and she was so good that I'm going back. She walked me through the process and made me feel comfortable right away. She has a soothing presence and makes it go quickly and with minimal pain. I highly recommend her! read more

I highly recommend Amber. I went for the first time last week to get an extended bikini - and I got much more for my money than at Stript or other waxing places I have been to. Amber is thorough and kind. Her prices are very reasonable - give it a try! read more

i love Amber and her essential touch! she is amazing, she provides all kinds of wonderful services, i but i visit for the waxing. she is gentle friendly, and knowledgeable, in all things beautiful, as well as having great life advice as well. When i leave Amber's i always feel like the sexy bitch i know i am! read more

It's been 4 years since my first review of Amber's Essential Touch. I am a happy, and loyal client because she is amazing at what she does, and always makes me feel like a priority. Amber's hands would have to fall off before I'd get my brazilian anywhere else. Her esthetics studio is comfortable, relaxing, and she makes you totally at ease. Don't cheat yourself, come see Amber read more

I could not be happier to have found Amber. I had been looking for a great place (where the hard wax is used) in Oakland after being a regular at Stark in Silverlake (SoCal) for years. She is super friendly and professional and put me completely at ease. I will be a regular customer for sure! read more

Amber is so great! She made my first professional waxing experience easy and was very efficient and clean! I appreciated her talking me through it, definitely made the time go by faster! I definitely reccommend her to anyone looking for a good bikini wax! read more

Another 5 stars for Amber! Amber's Essential Touch is really the essential touch. I have been waxed at several other locations but haven't been willing to try anyone new for three years since I've seen Amber! She always leaves me feeling relaxed and refreshed. I always look forward to seeing Amber every month. Try it out and you'll know why!!! read more

Amber is great! She is professional, makes you feel comfortable (a very important part of the service), and really cares about her business. On that point - she is currently experiencing issues with her phone (texts not going through), so if any of you are having a hard time reaching her by text, just call. You won't be disappointed! read more

I went to FIVE different places before I found Amber. She truly is the best. She is very welcoming and professional. At the end of your first session you feel like you made a new best friend. She is so friendly you truly do feel at home in her spa. It is SOOOO nice in there! There are flowers and candles and smell good things, you really feel like you're in a nice place, comfortable, not like European Wax where you feel like you're in a medical lab. She is efficient you're in and out within 30 minutes and you don't feel like you were rushed. I took my friend there for her first time she was so nervous and I told her she'd be fine and of course Amber made her feel very comfortable and it wasn't unpleasant for her at all. So if your first timer expecially with the Brazilian I highly suggest amber . when I first met her she thoroughly explain the process and how the hair grows and about care afterwards and why I had such terrible experiences with my previous waxers. Amber is a professional she truly does care about her clients and the service that she provides them. She is a busy gal, she does book up fast but she is very flexible and she stays open late. She always find a way to fit me in. As some have stated before, the texting is a plus. You can text her anytime AND she has specials! SO bring your friends and you both will get to take advantage of her %off sales. Whoo hoo! read more

I've been going to Amber for about 4 years now and I have loved her every step of the way. She is professional while also being fun and friendly. Getting a brazilian wax isn't always the most comfortable thing, but Amber puts you at ease. She is very flexible if you have to reschedule an appointment and always sends lovely reminder texts a few days beforehand. The best part is Amber does a fantastic job for a great price. read more

I came to Amber in a bind! I had an appointment somewhere else and they canceled on me the day of my appointment. My dilemma was I that I was also leaving for Hawaii the next day too! Luckily I was able to be seen by her. I have only been to one other place but all I know is I won't be going back there. Amber is professional, knowledgable, and very friendly. AND!!! It wasn't painful!! Which was news to me because the other place I been before was not like that. Anyways, need to be pampered? Go see Amber! read more

Hands down the best, most pain-free wax in all of the bay area. I dabbled with many estheticians before my first appointment with Amber and now I refuse to go anywhere else! Been going to her for a little under a year now, & am always so happy with how smooth and bump-free my wax is afterwards. She also gives great skin advice and is just an all-around personable and nice person. read more

I have been going to Amber for approximately two years for my waxing needs (as well as manicures and pedicures) and she does an amazing job!! She is friendly, professional and always flexible with her scheduling. If you are looking for a great, fairly painless wax service you should call Amber!!! read more