This is easily my favorite place for waxing in the city. The front desk staff are amazingly personable and kind. Their attention to detail is fabulous (they keep track of who I see and even let me know when one of my specialists of choice was going on extended leave WELL IN ADVANCE of the date so that I could have time for a last minute appointment - and they recommended another specialist while she's on leave). I see Yamuna for my brows and Durga for the rest of my waxing (no reason in particular that I split this way but since I know each of their techniques and am fully satisfied with their work, I saw no reason to switch it up). Yamuna is careful to remove exactly what I want to remove, makes no assumptions (given that I'm trying to regrow a few areas, this is key), and is in general wonderful to work with. I've been seeing Durga since she started training here and have watched her skill transform as she gains experience. She's fast, courteous, and always treats me well. read more

I am a loyal shobha NYC customer and I was not disappointed by their outpost in DC! The space is well decorated, kept very clean, the front desk staff is friendly and very helpful, and my tech named Mamata was swift and efficient. Will only come back here should I need threading and waxing in he DC area! read more

Okay so my very first Brazilian I can confess I thought I saw JESUS and maybe one of his disciples but I have to say Yamuna was GREAT she is one of the best techs there. I have tried others but she makes it all worth it. The customer service is AWESOME and very helpful they make you feel like you can ask them any question out loud even talk to them about your experience using your grow-up voice ....not your OBGYN receptionist voice. KEEP UP the GOOD WORK! read more

Yumana and Durga are both great -fairly quick and they give your eyebrows a nice shape. I love the look and feel of the salon and the fact that they specialize in hair removal (I don't trust places that think they can do everything). It's pricey but if you get a package you can save a little money. Complimentary tea is a nice touch and you always get a cool rose water compress and hydrocortisone (if you need it for redness). PS you can also get a little numbing lotion before the threading as well. read more

I went here once and thought it was decent. Went a second time and the place was totally empty but asked me to come back an hour later for a full face brow/wax. Makes no sense and will never go back again. Poor customer service. read more

Save your money. This place claims to sugar that's a misrepresentation. They use sugar wax and strips to wax off hair, that's not to be confused with sugaring which is traditionally done with a wax ball no strips and an expert waxer who's done in 15 minutes. Compound the misrepresentation with a 'new' waxer and the experience was just awkward. Waxer didn't leave the room to allow undressing, she wiped me down like I was a baby, had me hold one leg up and out and tighten my own skin. Really just the most awkward waxing and/ or sugaring experience ever. The only reason I'm giving two stars is because the new waxer was really nice but seems completely untrained. read more

In and out in 15 minutes for a brazilian wax! I like to get it over and done with as quick as I can and all hair was removed. I was very satisfied and was never concerned about 'double dipping' or cleanliness. I will say that I think $60 for a brazilian is over priced. read more

I went to this amazing establishment after deciding not to go to my regular place. I was reluctant because of the cost. I'm so glad I went this place is amazing my brows never looked better it was definitely more expensive by a few dollars but well worth it. They also have student discount so definitely check them out!!! read more

Fair experience - first and last time though. I was going out of town and my usual place was booked so I Yelped and found Shobha - booking online for Brazilian wax was very easy. The salon is easy to get to and near Metro so that's convenient. Salong was tidy and clean and desk staff are very nice. I received 20% off services because the waxing tech was new. I'm a veteran waxer and prefer sugaring which she did, but used muslin strips to remove it!? Usually the wax is applied and then is pulled off - it doesn't require the muslin strips so this was odd. Also, it's been just one week and hair is already growing out which is really unusual for me. I'm typically hair free for at least 3 weeks. Anyway... it was affordable so that's a bonus. read more

This is not my first time with a wax/sugar appointment, but it had been quite a while since my last one. I waited the prescribed 3 weeks between shaving and booking the appointment, but I won't be back. I did opt for a new associate, which gave me a 20% discount, and I went with sugaring, as that was the procedure that worked best for me the last time I went. That was the end of the positives of my appointment. It was uncomfortable and strange that she didn't leave the room while I got undressed, and the sugaring procedure was not what I expected based on my last experience. Despite the fact that I booked an appointment for sugaring, when I walked into the room, she was confused that I didn't want wax. After she had finished most of it, she went back over it with wax, and then used threading to keep going. I have never in my life experienced such pain. I can imagine it's one thing to get your eyebrows threaded, but to have your bikini area threaded after sugar and wax, no thank you. To top it all off, after all of this, there are a lot of spots that she missed. It's not smooth or clean. The salon itself is clean, and their practices are hygenic. But the rest of it was not worth the $60. As I was checking out, they asked if I had any feedback. I would have happily filled out a comment form or sent in some comments after I left, but it's uncomfortable to verbally give the receptionist honest feedback when the associate is walking through the lobby. I wanted to love this place - they're convenient and the price is right, but I won't be going back. read more

Wonderful staff, from the desk to the technician (Jwala). One of the best eyebrow threading experiences I've ever had! Highly recommend!

Durga was great! Quick and as painless as a brazillian can be!

I came to Shoba for an eyebrow threading a few times with Krishna. she is truly an expert at eyebrows, she was very engaging and talks to you about the process and the eyebrows you want to have! I have a reflex of tearing up when having hair removed but she was very gentle and attentive. Also the front desk manager has the best customer service I have seen she is amazing. The staff is great and talented so I will definitely come back here regularly. read more

Amazing experience! Best waxing I've ever had.

I've been here a couple times. This most recent time, had Mamata and she is amazing. She was fast and efficient and made the process as pleasant as possible! The salon is clean and everyone who works here is super nice! read more

I had an okay experience with the sugaring. However a lot of the hair is starting to grow back after just a week :-/

After giving this place a second chance, I think it deserves the extra star. As I stated in my last review, I think the technician makes a difference, and I was right. If you select one of the new technicians, you get a discount on your service, so I decided to give that a shot with their new tech Kasi. She was very good. Biggest plus for me was that she threaded excess hair after she finished the waxing. The last time I was there the tech didn't do that, and anywhere I've previously gone didn't do that or even tweeze. It's nice to see a tech ensuring that they get the job done. There were still a couple of spots of wax residue, but not nearly as much as the last time, so still an improvement. I'm pretty confident this experience will make me a regular customer! read more

EYEBROW THREADING review: Went to Shobha yesterday for the first time to get my eyebrows threaded. The atmosphere is very nice and everyone is very pleasant. The technician did a good job and was friendly. As far as the service goes, I'd give them 5 stars, but I do not think that it is worth $10 more to go there than other places around town for eyebrow threading - which is why I am only giving it 3. I will definitely be back to try out their waxing services though to see if that's worth the extra $. read more

This review is for a Brazilian wax. I went here during the week on my lunch hour. This place is very cute and chic without any pretentiousness. I was greeted with a warm welcome as soon as I walked in and offered water and tea. The aesthetician came out to get me on time, introduced herself, and off we went. They don't waste any time as the aesthetician was ready to get down to business as soon as I was in the room. Everything was clean and professional, but I would've appreciated being offered some numbing cream. It was definitely painful but I can't say it was any worse than what I experienced elsewhere. Make sure you look at the design/shape because I had to ask her to straighten up some areas that were IMO pretty crooked. I thought the price was comparable to other places I've been. All in all, I'd go back but I'd probably try a different aesthetician and request numbing cream. read more

Wonderful experience !! The receptionists here are kind, attentive, and so professional. Yamuna did my Brazilian and the process was perfect. Will definitely come back. This is the waxing place I've always been looking for. read more

I used a Yelp deal here for a Brazilian wax after a friend recommended it. The wax took about 15 minutes, the staff was super helpful and the place was clean. I'd definitely come back if I could stand the pain of a Brazilian again but it's still debatable :) read more

CLEAN and quick! lovely (well as lovely as it can be as someone rips hair out of your body) experience all around. very professional and honest, they even called me once when they mis-charged me to make sure i got the refund I deserved and to apologize. They make a painful experience as manageable as possible, cool towelettes and all. I wish they had a bit more consistency with the girls that worked there and a bit lower prices but I guess you can't have it all. Most importantly they are clean, kind and very professional. read more

Durga is awesome! She made the entire experience just great and i left feeling like a new woman!

Love Michelle and her team at Shobha DC in Dupont Circle. Location is really convenient for work and home. Threading is always on point. Shop is always clean. Technicians keep it clean. Everyone is always friendly. But I'd like to highlight specifically the administrative side of the shop. Appointments are made and cancelled easily, and are kept on time. Discussion about products is sincere, and when Michelle talks about products, it appears she actually use it - as opposed to feeding me a sales pitch. As a customer, your records on file are up to date and easily trouble-shot (I had some confusion re my 3-pack and a purchase awhile back; it was resolved quickly and efficiently). Shobha is pricey but it's worthwhile to patron a place that is socially active, provides excellent service, and has exceptional staff. read more

Came for eyebrow threading. Left in tears. I am admittedly particular about my eyebrows. I came in after someone else had ruined my brows and I had spent several months growing them in. Even with a blank slate, I did not leave with a satisfactory brow shape. The technician did not listen or seek to understand what I politely asked for. I cannot bear to look at my face so I am finding someone to fix my brows tomorrow. For the highest brow threading price in the city ($22 is outrageous), I certainly expected much better. Don't come here on a whim. Get a name that has been recommended to you. read more

DON'T BOTHER SCHEDULING HERE - THEY CANCEL WITHOUT INFORMING YOU. The staff at this location are highly unprofessional. I scheduled a lunch time appointment, only to arrive and be informed that my appointment technician was in training and that another technician wouldn't be available for another 30 minutes. No apology, from the front desk, and also email or call from Shobha ahead of time. So I wasted my lunch hour and I'm sill not waxed. Try somewhere else, ladies and gents! read more

I have literally never been to a better place for getting my brows done. Yamuna and Durga do an incredible job, are sweet and always friendly. I stick to Yamuna for my brazilian for a comfort level and she's fantastic. She's quick and efficient, getting all the hair, taking care of the one ingrown I had and going over how to prevent them, and having me out of there within 15 minutes. I imagine Durga is the same although I have yet to have tried a brazilian with her. She's done my brows and my lip and as always it was done with excellence. The Shobha salon staff in itself are always friendly and ready to help with anything. It's also very efficiently run, step up, check in, and then you're on your way. Even on days when it's a tad backed up, it's never more than ten minutes and that happens! As a student, it is a tad pricey but totally worth it! read more

Best waxing salon I've found in DC, hands down. I got spoiled going to Max Wax in New York (closer to my apartment than Shobha NYC, which I never tried). When I moved back to Washington, I had several mediocre to downright bad waxes before discovering this salon. The fact that they specialize in waxing/threading instead of dabbling in all sorts of beauty treatments makes a huge difference. The space is clean, bright, and welcoming, and the staff well-trained (I see Mamata, who's wonderful). Worth paying $60 for a well-done, low-pain Brazilian instead of heading to some of the cheaper/less professional places around. read more

I came thinking this was the legit sugaring hair removal where they just use a ball of honey sugar... not it. Sugar wax is still strips and I find it misses a lot of hair, therefore causing more and more applications. The threading was decent but not thorough. Overall I have had better.in terms of experience , clean friendly folks, online booking . I'll just next time rather spend this amount for thorough wax and eyebrow thread. read more

I would recommend Jax to anyone looking to do laser. I was nervous about it, not knowing what to expect, but Jax was kind, professional and knowledgable. She explained the whole procedure during my consultation. During the actual laser, I appreciated that she continued to make conversation in order to distract me. read more

I've been going to Shobha regularly for a few years and have had very positive experiences. I typically do walk-in appointments during my lunch break and am happy to see whoever is available - I've had a variety of folks do my brows and they always look great. Very clean, nice people and most importantly, I am always happy with the way my brows look. read more

The worst experience Do not come here. Was not consulted when walked in with my waxed. She repeated areas several times and double dipped. She did not properly rip hair out and now my hair is already growing back 4 days later. When sent the office an email about my experience and to cancel, they didn't respond just sent a cancellation notification. read more

I arrived for my 2pm waxing appointment, which I planned my whole day around. I was told that they would need to reschedule because the woman who was supposed to do my wax went home sick. I am a first time customer and was excited to try Shobha because it's in my neighborhood, so this is very disappointing. I asked for the manager to give me a call, so I hope I will hear from someone. read more

Don't waste your time. This place has some wacky policies that seem aimed at not providing services. I made an appointment for laser hair removal. They sent me tons of info, so I read it all and made sure to do everything they asked. Showed up for my appointment and they said that I needed a doctor's note because of my answer on their form that I scar easily. Would have been nice if that was in the pages of prep info they sent. My dermatologist was kind enough to write me a letter over this non-issue, which I forwarded to Shobha. This time they said that their technician wrote down that I have melanoma, so I'd need another doctor's note. I do not and never have had melanoma. I explained that. They went back to the technician. Turns out it was all a big misunderstanding. She meant to write that I have a prior medical history - still don't know what she's referring to. Yet, for this unknown prior medical history they've concluded they can't give me laser hair removal. A lot of wasting my time for no services. You can also disregard their disingenuous stock response below. I have been in frequent contact with their DC/MD Multi-Unit manager prior to resorting to posting a negative review. They don't intend to "make it right." read more

OK, the front staff were super nice and the space was airy and cute. It's a great location. But, sadly, I had the worst bikini wax of my life here. I can't explain why--whether it was technique, materials, whatever--but it was way, waaaaaaay, WAY more painful than any other wax I've ever had (I've had lots, including brazilians, and I know that they are not a walk in the park, but this was beyond). I actually had to make her stop, so now things are all uneven, but I could not stand it anymore. Maybe the threading services are better. But I'm going back to my old waxing place. Sad bc I so wanted to like Shobha! read more

Terrible service, I have given Shobha about 6 tries at this point just because it is close to my office and have had multiple negative experiences. At this point it is safe to say I will not be back. read more

I've heard about Shobha for some time from friends in NYC and was excited when they came to town. However, as I am a pretty big loyalist to Tammy on Capitol Hill, I hadn't gone. But when I couldn't get an appt with Tammy one day because she was out of town, thought I'd give this place a try. Not a good choice. Front area and salon are nice, clean, and welcoming. The woman who checks you in (and makes you fill out some paperwork) was also nice. Go back for threading with a young woman. Sweet but I think there is a bit of a language barrier (she asked where I was in college about three times even though I had explained I'd been out for years - but not a big deal). Anyway, she takes a LONG time threading, much more than I'm used to, but I figured, if it's good, who cares? It also hurt much more than normal (and I saw her wiping away blood once or twice) but again pain = beauty, right? So we get done and she proceeds to show me two holes (one in each eyebrow) and say that they are because I've been waxing too much, but they'll grow back?? Considering I hadn't been waxed in about two months (and I would think I would have noticed if I had two holes in my eyebrows) I'm pretty sure she was just trying to cover up her mistake. Now, I will be upfront and say I always get red and bumpy afterward. But the amount of redness and hives I had as soon as she finished seemed to frighten her. I looked in the mirror and had bumps all the way up my forehead! She just kept saying that my skin was so sensitive and then promptly said, "I'll see you in three weeks" and left. While the front desk woman kindly gave me a cold compress and called me later that night to see how I was doing, the pain, quality, and embarrassment of my forehead (which lasted for about 2-3 days) was most definitely not worth $22. Needless to say, with the plethora of options in DC for quality threading and waxing, I won't be coming back. read more

I used to go to that 'other' threading place in Dupont....that is until now. I am a Shobha fan and a convert! My eyebrows have never looked better! I am so happy I waited a few months to let my eyebrows grow out so that a Shobha specialist was able to work her magic and properly shape them. The entire experience was enjoyable. The front desk staff were kind and friendly. My specialist didn't rush me into and then out of her chair. She cleaned her hands before touching my face and expertly started threading away. When she was done she rubbed this refreshingly cold heavenly smelling wet nap over the parts of my face she threaded and it felt incredible. I will be coming back! read more

Absolutely the best Brazilian wax I've had in DC in the 5 years that I've lived here. The specialist was friendly, efficient, and 100% professional. The treatment room was spotless and the waiting area is quite comfortable. I also appreciate that the pricing is competitive for the level of service received. I will definitely be back. read more

This place is great. Most places I've gone previously felt sketchy and maybe even a bit unclean like not sure if they reused the wax). This place is set up for waxing. Very cute little reception, good little room. My aesthetician was very professional, and the whole experience (which is never going to be painless) was done about as well as possible. Very happy with the results, and will definitely be back. read more