We know, we know, all salons seem the same: pleasant lighting, smooth talking receptionist, the faint hum of Pure Moods volume 7.6, and a recent beauty school graduate tearing off each hair individually from your crotch. but it doesn't have to be this way. Street sent writers out with a mission: wax and report back. Here are their findings:
Pierre & Carlo
200 S. Broad Street
(215) 790-9910
www.PierreandCarlo.com
Ambiance: The salon is a haven within the underground food court of the mall at the Bellevue. Once you enter, food is forgotten and replaced with flowing waterfalls, attentive staff, and, yes, a soundtrack Yanni would be proud of. Salon is full-service and offers hair and nail services as well.
Esthetician: Juliette Tramond
Wax type: both hard and strip are available
Cost: $40 for bikini, Brazilian from $50
Comments: "Although Juliette is definitely not the most efficient of waxers, the results are worth the wait. She is extremely thorough, and quite chatty during the process. If it wasn't for the hot wax in between my legs, I wouldn't have felt a thing! I definitely recommend her to anyone who isn't in a rush."
Bottom line: Time permitting, this is a great choice for the discerning spa-goer.
?????
Rescue Rittenhouse
255 S. 17th Street
(215) 772-2766
www.rescuerittenhousespa.com
Ambiance: Very clean, modern, elegant. Attentive staff. Slightly pretentious. Full-service day spa also offers facials and a new concept called "permanent hair removal" for the more daring.
Esthetician: "I've had a different esthetician each time, and each has a slightly different style/procedure. I would recommend seeing multiple people before deciding on a regular esthetician."
Wax type: strips
Cost: $30 for bikini, $50 for Brazilian, $60 for Lotus
Comments: "The staff is very nice and doesn't make you feel uncomfortable. This is definitely the best place I've been to. In terms of comfort, speed, etc., Rescue Rittenhouse does a fabulous job."
Bottom Line: Excellent destination if strips are your style and you have time and money to head downtown.
?????
Saturn Club
3426 Sansom Street
(215) 387-8981
Ambiance: Connected to the Black Cat, and with its very own coffee shop serving famed and delicious La Colombe coffee, Saturn Club has a hippie feel to it that is uncommon for salons.
Esthetician: Mila and Ri are waxing gods
Wax type: strips, preceeded by a "numbing" spray
Cost: $30 - $45 for Brazilian, depending on how much your esthetician likes you and which service you get done
Comments: "I once read that any salon who says it can do a Brazilian in under half an hour isn't worth going to. Saturn Club proves this wrong. Fastest wax I've ever had, and thorough too!"
Bottom Line: In a hurry? Stay on campus and get 'er done in 15 minutes or less, then grab your coffee while paying for your wax. Multitasking never felt so, um, good.
?????
Tabu Salon
37 S. 3rd Street
(215) 413-3000
www.tabusalon.com
Ambiance: Boutique-style salon. Small, simple and clean, but stylish. The waxing room was spotless, but not particularly relaxing (I was disappointed that they didn't play soothing music to distract me). Tabu is a full-service salon with hair and nail services nestled in Old City.
Esthetician: Brenda Brown
Wax type: Gigi all-purpose honey wax (strips)
Cost: $25+ for Bikini, $40+ for Brazilian (discounted packages available for repeat customers!)
Comments: "Brenda was all about the positioning. She wasn't hesitant to ask me to position myself in new and unusual ways to get the job done. She was very thorough, and explained everything she was doing in detail. The waxing process was painless, clean, fast (very important!), and she seemed like she knew what she was doing. I highly recommend this salon. Not only is it reasonably priced, I like my waxing experience to be as quick and painless as possible, and Tabu fulfilled both qualifications to a tee. And I really liked how she catered to my personal needs and asked me about my preferences and waxing history."
Bottom Line: Thorough, inexpensive and efficient. Definitely worth the trek down to Old City. Also, check online for first-time visitor and midweek deals!
?????
Adolf Biecker
210 W. Rittenhouse Square
(215) 735-6404
www.adolfbiecker.com
Ambiance: Minimalist-chic. It was beautiful and very calming; I immediately felt more relaxed.
Esthetician: Maygon LaRosse
Wax type: strip and hard
Cost: $30+ for Bikini, $55 for Brazilian
Comments: "This was the best bikini wax I have ever had. Maygon was very nice and explained each step along the way. It was different than any other wax I've had because they used both of the types of wax, depending on the area. I'll definitely be going back, it was a fabulous experience!"
Bottom Line: Completely deserving of the 2007 Philadelphia Magazine "Best of Philly" award!
?????
