My experience here was thoroughly relaxing. I had a great masseuse, Allyssa, who did a fantastic job listening to my problem areas which I told her in our quick chat before the massage were my shoulders and upper back. She spent a considerable portion of the 60 minutes on these areas, which I appreciated. The ambiance in the waiting area is very calm and inviting and it's super simple to set up an appointment online. Overall a phenomenal experience. read more

Didn't feel private and therefore was not relaxing. The massage was decent but not great.

My Restorative Facial with Cara was amazing! There was a technique that particularly stood out for me, a muscle and lymph node massage around the jawline that was quite lovely. I also liked the glycolic acid application and hand and arm massage. I came out of this facial with nice, glowing skin. The feeling of added weight on my cheeks from clogged pores... gone! The dryness around my nostrils... gone! Yayy!! The facial is tailored to your individual needs. Mine was focused on extractions, since I had plenty of clogged pores from my experiences with hot yoga. I had no idea this place existed prior to this week. I'm glad I found this place. read more

It's been way too long since I've come here but I could not have chosen a better time... When I arrived I was met with a pleasant greeting from the receptionist, who checked me in and then reminded me where the changing rooms were. After I changed, I was greeted by the owner who then let my masseuse know that I had arrived. I was immediately escorted to the room where I was serviced. Before she started my masseuse, Nancy, asked me if there were any areas that I wanted her to focus on - during my session she targeted the right spots and also checked in with me during my massage to ensure that the pressure being applied was to my liking. I thoroughly enjoyed a 75 minute deep tissue massage; I felt less tense and really didn't want to leave but I knew that other clients required service too. I highly recommend Body Restoration for massages and facials (once this service is offered again). I always leave this place feeling refreshed and relaxed. read more

Body Restoration Spa - Hall leading to changing rooms - Massage Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Awesome prenatal massage! 75 minutes with Kendra and I felt like a new person. No super fancy frills but a perfect spa experience for those looking for someplace in center city that's affordable and with therapists who most definitely know what they're doing for expecting mamas. Highly recommend! read more

My husband booked me a prenatal massage over the weekend. *chef's kiss* My masseuse, Nancy (I think that's her name), was absolutely phenomenal. I was given the option of side lying with pillows or lying on my stomach with a donut like pillow. I chose the side lying because laying on my stomach at 37 weeks pregnant was way too uncomfortable. Nancy took the time to explain the entire process while allowing me to readjust when needed. This was definitely the relaxation I needed at this stage of my pregnancy. I plan to return and highly suggest for any expectant mother. read more

I got the full body massage. Kendra is fantastic. She has magic in her hands. I can't recommend her enough!

I had a prenatal massage with Kendra and it was divine. I definitely did not want to get off the bed at the end. She was communicative about the changes in procedure to accommodate my pregnancy, and it was a thoroughly relaxing experience. I wish I could come back every week--I'll certainly be back before this pregnancy is over! Thank you, Kendra! read more

This is my 3rd time going for deep tissue massage. Realized I never write a review for it so might as well start. I started working out a lot recently with cycling and weights, that along with covid stress/hunching over a desk all day made me feel like a bunch of chunky lumps. When Cara asked me where am I most tense, I said everywhere, I want everywhere massaged and she delivered, from the back of the head to arms/palm to back/legs all the way down to the toes. She was receptive and applied more pressure when I asked and eased up when I asked once or twice. You know it's a good massage when you come out with sinus cleared, lol. I really needed that massage and she delivered. I'd recommend this place if you need a good massage for a reasonable price. There are fancier places if you are looking for a pampering experience, but I just want a really good massage and don't want to pay extra $100 for fancy locker/shower/oils or a prettier reception area with chandelier. It's got the basics (spa water, tea and some snacks in the waiting area) and the online booking tool is pretty easy. I'm definitely coming here again next time I start feeling tense and stressed out. read more

My husband got me a gift certificate to come here because it was recommended for a good maternity massage, it was great! Stephanie gives an amazing maternity massage and I definitely recommend booking with her if you're expecting! I felt relaxed after and really enjoyed the experience. When I went to leave and use the gift card the girl at the desk kept saying she couldn't find the gift card in the system, which was embarrassing because other patrons were in the waiting room. I went from feeling relaxed to feeling embarrassed and instantly stressed out. When the situation was resolved no one apologized for the incident and the owner seemed annoyed with me. I ended up just leaving the remaining balance on the gift card (65 on a 135 dollar massage) as a tip instead of booking another service because at that point I just wanted to get out of there. What was supposed to be relaxing turned stressful. read more

I have been going to Ala for electrolysis for a little over a year now and she is AMAZING! To say I had a lot of chin/jaw line hair would be an understatement -- Ala has made it so I only have a few hairs now ! My skin has completely changed since removing the hair and I could not be happier! Not only does she take time to remove each hair individually, but the skin care before and after has left me break out free every time -- from someone with very sensitive skin and a history of breaking out, this makes me extra happy :) 1000/10 recommend Ala for electrolysis if you truly want your facial hair gone and have beautiful skin throughout the process ! read more

I've at this point become a regular here. They do a good job with their services. They target specific areas that you may need extra help with and put a lot of attention there. It's not as cozy as some other places, but they have quickly become a staple for me when I need a strong massage and don't need the frills of other places. The deep tissue massages are great, and they are very responsive to my needs. I'll be coming back (over and over again). I haven't done any of the other services, but I can attest that this is a great place for massages! read more

Kate was amazing. Boutique Spa that is adorable. Kate was professional and the massage was amazing with perfect pressure. Can't wait to come back. read more

I treated myself to a birthday facial here and it was worth it! Lauren spent over an hour treating me with a customized facial that left me feeling relaxed and refreshed. I had a random breakout on my declate and she even treated that! I have tried free and clear detergent, stopped wearing perfume, etc and nothing helped but I saw results the next day after the facial! The receptionist was lovely as well and the office was very clean and had a good ambiance. There was tea and water Finally, I thought the price was very fair especially for the attention to detail. I will be back! read more

Great first experience with Body Restoration Spa! I called on a Friday night with low expectations of scoring a Saturday appointment, but I lucked out and was able to book a 75-minute aromatherapy session for 12:30pm. I was surprised that Body Restoration's rates are higher on weekends. Also, all forms of massage are the same price, even deep tissue and sports massage. Definitely things to consider since I have a flexible schedule and could easily book a weekday appointment next time. I arrived a bit early and had plenty of time to change into a soft robe and relax in the peaceful waiting area. The changing rooms are private which is really nice. At my appointment time I was greeted by my therapist, Denise, and taken to the room. My massage was very relaxing. Sometimes it takes me a bit to fully ease into it, but before I knew it I was in a twilight sleep state and feeling great. The aromatherapy oils used were not as strong as what I have become accustomed to at my usual place. I think next time I might opt for a massage with more pressure, but for what I was going for on this visit, everything was just right. read more

I'm really on the fence about ever going back here. I called the other day and got the owner. Now mind you I have liked the spa on Facebook so i see updates. You would think they would put that they are having renovations done on Facebook. Nope. I also found out my fave esthetician is no longer there. I think that is mostly because she has decided to stay home with her children. You would think the owner rather than just telling me she couldn't help me this weekend that she would recommend another spa that uses blue wax or give me a discount for my next visit in because of the inconvenience. Nope. read more

I went on strike from the waxing services at Body Restorations (last one was disappointing) but was recently presented with a $95 gift certificate from one of my fabulous friends. Guess its time to return!! $95- perfect for a much needed therapeutic massage. Work has been kicking my butt- I needed some serious therapy.. I booked the 75 minute therapeutic massage with Alicia and could not be more pleased (or more relaxed). Work- what work??? First things first.. In a moment of complete retardness I decide to give myself 15 minutes to get into Center City from Manayunk and park in Rittenhouse during rush hour- yep total retard. I calll the spa thinking they'll turn me away in a huff.. The receptionist on the phone couldn't have been more professional (or more nice). They should have turned me away (rightfully so) but were completely accomodating. So I arrive- late- but I'm there..I loved the fact that they provide you with a locker, robe, and slippers. I felt like I didn't have to rush and could take my time.. As for the massage- awesome! Totally relaxing,. I definitely fell asleep at one point- a good sign. Exactly what my aching muscles needed. I will definitely be back for more! read more

I have to say I think I have been to about every salon in the Philadelphia metro area looking for the perfect bikini wax. Amazingly I've only found two go-to places, and Body Restoration is one of them. (For the other, send check or money order to Caitlin Connors, or check out my other reviews). Although the establishment is small, it's clean, spa-like and quite. The only service I've ever gotten here is a bikini wax, but usually that is a good way to judge a salon and the personnel. This is the most pain-free bikini wax you will find as they use the expensive and hard-to-find hard blue wax, which is peeled off without strips. Be sure to ask for Cara Solomon if you can, and do insist she used the blue wax if she doesn't reach for it initially. read more

My husband and I had massages scheduled this evening for our anniversary. Sam did my massage and Nancy did my husband's. We both had an outstanding experience. The spa was very clean. Our temps were taken upon arrival. We felt safe the whole time we were there. The vibe is serene and the treatment rooms were cozy, clean and comfortable. They have lockers for your belongings and cozy bathrobes for use. We had a wonderful and relaxing time! We will be back! read more

Body Restoration Spa has the best waxes I've ever had. They use a hard blue wax that is so much less painful than strip waxing. The location has a great calming vibe. When you come in everything feels very comfortable. The location has several rooms, providing maximum privacy and comfort. Body Restoration is so clean, and as someone who is super concerned with cleanliness when it comes to spa services, I have never found a place that has better met my expectations. For waxing, they always wear gloves. Unlike most other spas, each wax job is performed from a new, untouched small pot of wax, so I'm never concerned about double dipping issues. Like I said, the wax has been the most painless I ever have and I'm always pleased with the outcome. Cara, the owner of the spa, is the best! She has great bedside manner, and is really friendly. She remembered me as a client even though I had come in only twice in about a year. The service in general is really good. They have a 24 hour cancellation policy and usually charge you if you don't cancel within that time. Last time, I wasn't able to make my appointment because my Amtrak from NYC had been delayed and needed to cancel about an hour before my scheduled appointment, and they cancelled it free of charge, since they knew that I was delayed because of the weather and because of forces outside of my control. Wish I could come here all the time! Definitely would if I still lived in Philly. read more

Great experience! This was my first time at Body Restoration Spa and my first time getting waxed period. From the time I walked in, I felt welcomed. Yarrow, the receptionist, was very friendly and pleasant to talk to! Cara did my wax, and she was also very friendly, professional, and helped me calm my nerves. Did it hurt? Of course it did! I don't expect my hairs being ripped out by wax to feel good by any means, but it was far less painful than I expected! Beautiful, clean, and relaxing atmosphere! I will definitely be back! read more

There's little snacks when you're waiting for your massage. I did not know that the massage starts 15 minutes after the scheduled time so I was a little antsy. I had Samantha, she did a nice job and what I like is that she asked areas I wanted massage and also areas I do not want to be massage which has never been asked to me at any spa/ massage place. read more

I was just reminded of this dreadful place after looking up massage services on Yelp. And I could not help myself but to write this review because of the terrible experience. I wanted to do something nice so I bought a $200 gift certificate from this place a while ago as a gift for my girlfriend. They have a good Yelp rating, but the rating is totally unfounded. DO NOT EVER WASTE MONEY buying a GIFT CERTIFICATE from this place. Their policies are terrible, you might as well give cash for a gift as your money will go to waste. She had scheduled an appointment and they wanted to charge her an extra $50 for a 'new customer' charge. After that was all done with, she had her appointment but due to traffic, she called them up to let them know she will be 15 minutes late. For 15 minutes, they ended up cancelling her appointment and charging the full $200 amount on top of a $50 charge. Trying to treat someone to a nice gift only to find out something like this happened is just a slap in the face. This isn't a review for the massage services, they were never experienced by either of us due to this unfortunate incident. This is a WARNING to anyone thinking of buying GIFT CERTIFICATES from this place. $250 for services NEVER rendered. What a SCAM. read more

I have recently delved into the world of Brazilian Waxing and based on Yelp and friend recommendations I chose to do so at Body Restorations. I am really glad that I did. I have done it twice now and wanted to wait until after the second visit to review since I'm still a little clueless in this process. I have seen Pam on both occasions and will most likely only see Pam for the rest of my occasions, she kind of rules. If I'm going to have my hoo-haa splayed out I want to feel comfortable and Pam makes you feel comfortable with her friendly chit chat and explanation of events to come. She also remembered a lot about me on our second visit so she was actually listening. Thanks Pam! Now let's get down to it- Brazilian Waxing is no joke- it hurts like a mother and it is very embarrassing. I wish I had known a few things before I went in so I'm going to share them now. 1. You have to grow your hair in for about 2-3 weeks before your first appointment. Pam instructed me it should be soft like when you let your leg hair grow too long in the winter months and it feels soft to the touch. This will ensure maximum hair removal and will hurt less. 2. Pain levels will be different on different areas and apparently vary person to person. Thigh meets crotch is my oh my god I'm going to die area. 3. The first waxing might not remove every single hair, especially if you haven't let it grow in properly. Do not freak out, do not give them bad reviews, wait for the next appointment and it will all be gone. When you get waxed it's bad to reapply the wax to the same section over and over again so when hairs don't come out some will be tweezed. My first waxing left behind at least 10-20 random hairs since mine wasn't long enough to start. 4. The second waxing hurts way less than the first one, at least it did for me. 5. Eat yogurt for a few days after your waxing. It's like a safety net for your junk, as if you were on antibiotics. Introducing any foreignness to your junk can cause problems so just be safe and eat the yogurt. 6. The waxing lasts about one and half to two weeks and then the next two weeks are all about growing it back for your next waxing. When I originally called and asked how long they last I was told 4-6 weeks which is not the case. They were referring to your next appointment which will be 4-6 weeks after your initial waxing. There is a big difference in my book but I'll chalk it up to a miscommunication. 7. The more you do it the finer, softer and sparser your hair will become. I now want to try some of the other services offered here and hope to do so in the future. The prices are average for the services offered and the waiting area is adorable and soothing. Thanks for all your help in my hoo-haa hair removal Body Restorations! read more

Here's how I can tell I'm an adult. I'm getting married next year and I have paid to have my crotch waxed. Deal with those facts! Going to go ahead and cross both of these monstrously epic events off my bucket list. This review is going to cross into potential TMI territory, so proceed with caution. A few weeks ago, I decided that the time to take advantage of the $15 Brazilian wax training special you see featured at the top of this page was now (then), so I called and made an appointment. That appointment was yesterday. $15 for an $80 service is a luxury and a steal. As a previous reviewer noted, when you're spreading your legs for a hair removal service, the addition of an extra party in the room really makes no difference. Not to me, at least. If you have extra time to spare (since it, obviously, takes longer than a regular session would), and aren't self conscious, I HIGHLY recommend taking advantage of this special. Cara, who personally led the training session (a Yelp Owner comment regular - bonus points for giving this page attention!), knows what she's doing and is a total pro - asks the right question, applies the right pressure, and gets the job done quick. She knows exactly what she's doing. There is no awkwardness in any position here, it is a very clinical procedure and the main goal is aesthetic satisfaction. Yay. The $15 training session is just that - Cara training new-to-Body-Restoration staffers on the use of the hard blue wax they use (not found in many other spas or waxing locations), so if you're looking for small talk, look elsewhere. In lieu of chit chat, I learned a lot about the product they use and the waxing process, which I kind of enjoyed. I plan on returning for some maintenence when the time comes. The process is painful (but the painful sensation only lasts for a split second - so can you really complain?), but they strive to make sure you're satisfied with what you end up with and try to get it over with quickly. Bravo! Five stars! read more

I went in to have my underarms waxed. As soon as I stepped in, I felt relaxed. From the smell of the lightly scented citrus to the calming music and the dim lighting, I loved my visit here. My caretaker was friendly, courteous, and gentle. Definitely worth recommending and coming back! read more

I went to this spa based on the reviews here on Yelp for a Brazilian Bikini Wax. It was just ok. The job was not even close to being as good as I have had it done at other spas for $25 less. I decided it give it another try since sometimes it takes two times with a business for it to work. When I went to switch an appointment because of a work meeting being changed I was told, "It's fine if you want to reschedule but you will still be charged the 20% for the cancellation today." They were not willing to work with me or anything. I will go to my appointment today, might as well but I will never frequent there again and will make sure to let all my contacts know how ridiculous they were. read more

Well. I am conflicted. It's in a nice location on Walnut. Both times I've gone for a bikini wax, the people have been very nice and I've gotten appointments fairly last minute. Prices were not too terrible at all. The blue wax concept is pretty remarkable (doesn't hurt nearly as much as normal wax!) However, I found that it wasn't nearly as effective as normal wax either..... so is it worth it? A little less pain but less pay-off? I'm not sure, but I'll probably go back. read more

I loved my Swedish massage! The staff here was professional & friendly. They helped me to reschedule my appointment when I was running late due to traffic. My massage therapist was amazing. The entire experience was so relaxing. I would definitely go back! read more

Nobody responded to the buzzer (have to be buzzed in) when I arrived 15 minutes early as instructed. I called on the phone and nobody answered. 5 minutes later someone came out of the building and that offered me the opportunity to get to the reception. Nobody to be found. I clear my throat a few times. Nothing. I call the office and hear the phone ringing repeatedly - nothing. Finally 3 minutes before my scheduled time, a lady arrives. Then I have to wait for another customer who came out with the lady to pay her bill, and then I have to fill out the new customer paperwork, which starts cutting into my massage time. As for the massage, I had a deep tissue - $90. My therapist was Lisa. And overall it was pretty good but one complaint was her going over a particular muscle with the elbow 5 times to loosen it up. Okay, I am in pain now, move along. I actually had to speak up because the sounds of pain I was making wasn't getting the message across. She also did some weird move with her fingernails pressing into my spine and parts of my back that left scratch marks. Wasn't a fan of those two parts. The space looked nice, had good lockers and fantastic gelly flip flops. You can only leave a tip with cash. read more

Came back for another Couple's Massage with the GF. First off - they seem to have streamlined their entire process to be modern - payment with the iPad, etc. Kudos to that. While you wait for your service, they have Two Leaves and a Bud teas on proffer as well as cucumber or lemon water, protein bars, and salted cashews. The waiting area is quiet and serene - but the real joy is when you enter the massage area. The GF had Lisa again and I had Stephanie this time around. Stephanie was amazing. I asked for a deep tissue massage (firm) - targeting my tension headaches (back of neck region), lower and upper back, and my knees (still sore from a marathon I ran last year). She also worked my right shoulder really well - she could clearly feel the knot and was trying to knead it out. If you can withstand a little pain that is welcome, and are looking to work out your kinks, Stephanie and Body Restoration can definitely deliver. We'll be back! read more

Now I love a good massage, and have experienced enough of them to know the difference. When I get one I expect 2 things. 1. to feel good. 2. to be relaxed. This place achieved neither. When I walked in, the receptionist was cocky, pretentious, and incredibly unfriendly, he didn't acknowledge my presence when i came in, and ignored me still when I tried to pay/leave. There was more that occurred to give me this impression, but it's not worth wasting my time on the details. I received no direction as to the location of the lockers, what to do next, or that there was complementary tea and water...all of these i discovered on my own Needless to say, the massage was mediocre, the place seemed cold, and when I woke up the next morning i was in incredible pain and couldn't move my neck/ turn my head for over a week. I will never go back. read more

My sister very recently got married... Her wedding was extremely untraditional, which may or may not have anything to do with everything also being very last minute. I called Body Restoration on a Wednesday to ask if they could accommodate four of us for Friday. Tina helped us over the phone and was a complete sweetheart. She told me to call her back with what everyone wanted done and she'd find a way to get us all in together. And she did! Fast forward to Friday when we actually went... A+!!! We were warmly greeted at the door. She got everyone's names from me on the phone before we went, so it was kind of cool that she greeted all of us by our names. I got the deep tissue massage, two friends the stone massage, and my sister a sensitive skin facial and body burner wrap. All of us only had great things to say of the services we received. I had Rachel for my deep tissue massage and she was wonderful. Asked if I had any areas I needed focus on, and took care of them. Checked throughout the massage how I felt about the pressure she was giving me. Very helpful. :) We all walked out feeling great, and I walked out feeling even better because I knew how little time I had to try to make it all happen... Thanks to the staff at Body Restoration for making it all work out! :) And actually, the prices aren't that bad considering what you are getting!!! read more

I was really interested in getting a very close waxing, to say the least. I booked back in May of this year. I remember the young lady sounding very friendly over the phone, so that was a plus. I really tune into tone of voice. When the time came, I was late, but I was still greeted in a friendly manner. There was a locker to hang my things. Came out of that area and there were nutrition bars and tea to sip on. Bathrooms were nice and clean. The owner performed the waxing and it was a very nice experience, although, I wish she could have talked to me more to help ease my anxiety. I think I remember asking her to talk to me. But anyhow, I know I didn't waste my money there. My first waxing lasted for about a good 2 and half weeks. I really loved it. The owner was def a business woman who took her job seriously, I left satisfied. I will go back again. read more

This was the second time I've been here for a deep tissue massage. I am a web designer who is 5' tall, so my body is constant pain/tension. Both times I had Trilisa. She is rather skinny, so I was afraid she wouldn't be able to do anything. However, that little woman sure knows how to work it! Trilisa got (almost) all of my knots out! (And I say almost because I have about 50 REALLY bad ones.) Everyone there was very nice and very professional. They even provide you with a robe,slippers and a locker! It may sound weird, but there a lot of spas in the city that have none of those. The prices are reasonable compared to most other spas. I will definitely come back regularly. * Pros: Ambience, staff, price, quality of service, ease of appointments * Cons: location is hidden, but not really a "con" persay read more

This place has amazing massages and facials in the heart of the city for a good value. Everywhere else around here for spas are charged astronomically. My boyfriend got me a swedish massage for 75 mins and mini facial. The massage was one of the best I've felt. I just was finishing up with a cold and it cleared me right up. The facial the last used an led light, that I havent tried yet and it was a cool experience. Hot to the touch but really helped with collagen production and any breakouts. I would be back in a quick second to this place for any spa treatment. read more

I can't say enough good things about Body Restoration. The owner/manager, Cara, is fantastic. She's really considerate and observant of her clients needs. The receptionist is always really nice and accommodating for my changing appointment times on the fly. I've been going here for over 2 years and have had massages and waxing done. This is the best Brazilian that I've ever had. I think they've gotten the "Best of Philly" award for it a few times. They use a special kind of blue wax that's gentler than the honey-colored stuff that most places use. And with the blue wax, they don't use the white strips to peel off the wax. It makes for a much cleaner and less painful waxing experience. Also, the entire place has a great ambiance. It's on the 3rd or 4th floor above Walnut Street storefronts, and feels like an oasis away from the busy city streets. They recently redid the place (maybe a year ago at this point). They even have Rothko prints in the hallways - how random and cool! One downside is that they don't accept gratuities on credit card (cash only). I definitely miss Body Restoration now that I've moved to the west coast. If anyone reading this knows of a comparable place in SF, message me! read more

Simply the best! After a ton of research on where to get a bikini wax in Philly, I decided to test the waters with Body Res & their fancy blue wax. Four years later, I'm still very happy with the results, the facilities & the staff. Jenne (pronounced juh-nay) is the go-to girl when it comes to waxing. I find myself able to carry on a decent conversation with her throughout the process without jumping off the table. Cara also does a great job. I'm always surprised by the relaxing ambience of the facility given its location. There's a comfortable waiting area that feels like a lounge with calming music & warm lighting. Body Res sits directly above American Apparel & below a Yoga studio on Walnut St. The service is definitely worth the extra few bucks. read more

I had a 90-minute sports massage at Body Restoration thanks to my friend Kimberly, and it really was an amazing experience for me. I know that sounds a little corny, but I'm not joking. Kimberly and I went here for a massage after running our first marathon. We both told our respective masseuses about any lingering soreness, pain, etc., and I think Kimberly and I were pretty similar. Yet afterward when we were comparing them, Kimberly and I found that we got very different massages. The incredible thing about this is that they were EXACTLY the massages that we needed and wanted! HOW Rachael and Jessica intuited this information, I have no idea, but it kind of blew our minds. I don't know how to describe my massage from Jessica without sounding silly, but I kept thinking that she seemed very present and compassionate during my massage. She didn't seem like she was just going through the motions. Okay, maybe I'll say it this way: I felt like she actually cared about me and WANTED to give me an amazing massage. I know that sounds strange, but I had that feeling throughout the massage and it made a big difference. Jessica also massaged my face, which I had never had done before, and it was one of the best things ever. It was possibly my favorite part of the 90 minute massage. Honestly, now I want people to massage my face all the time. Bonus: I liked the delicious peach water they had available outside the rooms. I could not have been happier with my experience here. read more

I'd been toying with the idea of getting another full Brazilian (my first was done during competitive swim season by a woman who thought she was the Marquis de Sade-ouch!), and decided for the $15 price of being a model, well sure I could test the waters. I actually had a groupon for a Brazilian at another spa, but the reviews for that place scared the beejezus out of me and the reviews here were all so glowing that I cancelled that appointment and booked here. First, I have to say that the receptionists were darlings, both on the phone and in person, so first points awarded for that. I got there day of (thanks to previous reviewers for pointing out where to look, I had no issue finding it above the American Apparel) and the spa. is. gorgeous. Seriously, it was pretty and relaxing and all sorts of ambience you want in a place like this. nicely done! I checked in, waited a little bit while the receptionist helped another client, and then was directed towards the comfy quiet waiting area with all the little snacks and flavored water. Perhaps because it was hot and I was thirsty, but I love lemon flavored water, so the pitcher that was in there really hit the spot. I hadn't been waiting long enough to finish my glass before Susan, my esthetician, came out to greet me. Now, I may be a little daft, but I thought that the "training model special" meant that one of the spa's established waxers did your session while explaining to new, never before waxed someone people. I expected to be waxed in front of a group of people (and yes I still went for it! hey, a $15 awesome brazilian! I was going to be waxed by someone new, I figured the levels of embarrassment wouldn't increase exponentially with each additional person in the room :), but instead, it was just the lovely Susan. And seriously, Susan was amazing. She's new to the salon, I think, but not new to waxing, and the owner Cara (also very nice!) came in three times to check on our progress. Susan chatted with me throughout the process and was very patient with me, which I greatly appreciated. She made the process fun, and while I won't lie, there were times when it didn't hurt so bad and times when I thought OMG OUCH, she kept letting me take a breather after a particularly involved pull. it really made the whole experience that much better, and she did a great job. And, as I was paying and getting ready to leave, the receptionist gave me two sample bottles of Tend Skin for post-wax care against ingrowns. I don't know if it'll work (it's day 2 and I've been applying as directed, but I didn't have any ingrowns to start, which I'm going to go and attribute to Susan's awesome job because shaving always leaves at least some). Now, I don't know if repeat customers are allowed to take advantage of the training special more than once; I'll definitely ask as I'm booking my next appointment. However, the results are WAY better than shaving, so if the answer is 'no,' then I'll just have to save up for the pricey maintenance wax I guess. But I'd HIGHLY recommend this place. You will leave smiling, even after a Brazilian! read more