I was walking around South Shore Shopping Center in Alameda the other day, and I noticed a sign for European Wax Center: The Ultimate Wax Experience. On the sign, there was a special promotion stating that first time guests are entitled to a complimentary waxing! You can choose from a free eyebrow, underarm or bikini wax. Now, that is what I call a deal! A free wax? Are you serious? I was intrigued. So, I walked in and asked them about the promotion and sure enough, there were no strings attached, no purchase necessary! They said I could get a walk-in appointment, so they basically took me right away. (Well, I had to wait one minute to give them my address and phone number, so they could enter it into their computer. Fair enough, since they were offering me a free service, I suppose.)
Anyway, I have never tried European wax, so I opted for an eyebrow session.
The wax specialist came out and took me into a room and she told me to lay down on the cushioned table, similar to a doctor's table. She mixed up the big vat of black wax and explained the process to me. Basically, the difference between this European waxing technique is that they do not use strips. The wax only adheres to the hairs and not the skin, which can happen, apparently with strips. So, in that sense, it is supposed to be gentler and not hurt as much.
The woman got to work and within 10 minutes was done. She did a pretty good job, though I noticed a few straggler peach-fuzz hairs left. But I wasn't going to trouble her with plucking those. (By the way, it did sting briefly every time she pulled the wax off. I don't know how people do this regularly!)
Since I've never been to a waxing salon, I really don't know the proper etiquette regarding tipping. Do they expect tips? I figured she must be expecting one, so I rummaged through my wallet in search of some one dollar bills. I pulled out three because I figured that would be a 20% tip on the full price eyebrow waxing service, if I were a paying customer. I handed the money to the lady and she took it briskly from my hands and walked me out. Now, is that customary? She did not say, "Thank you." I said "thank you" to her when I handed her the tip, but she didn't even flinch or smile. She didn't seem appreciative or even happy that I tipped her. I suppose I could have stiffed her and walked out of there without tipping her, but I didn't think that would be right, either. I just don't get people these days. They just expect a tip and they are no longer grateful when they are tipped. And that's just what a tip is, it's EXTRA, it's something that is given to someone who provides exceptional service. It's not something they should take for granted. It just left me with a strange feeling. The whole waxing salon thing was so new to me that I really didn't know what I was supposed to do. Was that normal? This particular wax specialist had only been doing it for about a year, so I wouldn't think she would be so jaded as to just take a tip nonchalantly without saying, "thank you." I know that any time I've been tipped in the past, I showed my appreciation and thanked the person, because it is not something that everyone does or that everyone has to do. I never expected a tip and I was always surprised and happy to get one. But people these days just expect things too much. I guess the only time she would notice a tip would be if she didn't get one.
Anyway, I can't say either way if I recommend this place or not. That ending left me with a strange feeling about the European Wax Center. However, they do have some good promotions with their pre-paid wax pass. Basically, if you pre-pay for 9 of the same service, you get 2 free (or 3 free if you sign up during your first visit). There are nationwide European Wax Center locations and the pre-paid wax pass does not expire. The European Wax Center keeps your information in their computer, so you don't have to keep track of a card or anything like that (which was a relief to hear because I know I'd lose that pass right away!).
I don't think I will be going back there any time soon. It's way too expensive and if the wax specialists expect a 20% tip, I certainly cannot afford to be a regular customer there, anyway. But, it was a nice break and free treat for me. $3 for a wax seems reasonable enough, especially for a mini spa-like escape.
To find out more information about European Wax Center, visit: www.waxcenter.com
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Hello, Nice blog on EWC. I must say that the Esthetician you had was not very polite. She should have smiled and said thank you, however, tipping in not exactly extra. Estheticians at EWC are paid minimum wage and live on tips. Remember that servers are taxed on assumed tips thanks to the democrats. This means that they are minimum wagers who are taxed on a higher level because the government doesn't want to lose out on taking any money from these people.
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