What elevates Waxing to a Spa Experience?

 

Aveda Plant Wax: A Treatment that Nurtures as it Smooths

What a freeing experience - smooth, hairless skin achieved the holistic way: from gentle opening rituals to finishing touches that comfort body and mind.  A true spa treatment that begins with a deep breath of your favorite Aveda aroma, followed by an expert application of our smoothing blend of Egyptian waxes infused with organic jojoba oil and tea tree oil.  Culminating with comforting skin care and pressure point massage.  To discover how relaxing waxing can be , schedule an appointment today with our spa therapist.

 

 

a natural path to smooth, hairless skin

We invite you to enhance both the experience and the results by taking good care of your skin before - and after - your session.

When booking you appointment, mention any factors that could increase sensitivity, like medications or sunburns. Bear in mind that skin feels more discomfort right before and during your period. For best results, body hair should be at least 1/4" long and facial 1/8" when you come in.

Make a regular habit of exfoliating - eliminating dead surface cells - for an even, polished surface that's ideal for wax application.  Use gentle Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant with chamomile and lavender for the face.  For the body, try Aveda Smoothing Body Polish with aloe.

Newly waxed skin requires gentle care.  We recommend All-Sensitive Cleanser and All-Sensitive Toner with soothing herbs from India, and replenishing All-Sensitive Moisturizer for the face.  Balancing Infusion for Sensitive Skin - applied with a cool, moist compress - calms with a relieving blend of essential oils.

Protect your extra-vulnerable waxed skin from the sun and  other environmental aggressors.  For the face, try Tourmaline Charged Protecting Lotion SPF 15, with anti-oxidants and tourmaline, a naturally energizing mineral.  Moisture Plus Tint offers sheer coverage with a natural rose aroma and SPF 15.  

Two days after waxing, all skin types benefit from Balancing Infusion for Oily Skin, which gently sloughs and helps normalize skin.  When skin returns to balance, resume your exfoliating ritual to preserve smoothness and help prevent ingrown hairs.

After a few treatments, hair will appear finer and take longer to grow back.  Maintain smooth results by scheduling you next wax appointment.

 

How Does it Work?

 A warm wax mixture is spread over hair in the direction of its growth and a paper or cloth strip is then placed on top of soft wax. Hard wax doesn't require a strip because it cools solid enough, and becomes a strip in itself. Hard Wax is used on the most sensitive areas.

 

Having a professional eyebrow waxing is a pleasant experience at The Cat's Meow Spa.  We'll walk you through the basics of what you should expect from your  spa visit in getting your brows groomed.

Your spa therapist will lead you into our private room onto a facial bed where you will lay down, and they will wrap hair in a towel or push it back with a head band. A bright facial and magnifying light will be turned on to see the brows closely.

Professional Eyebrow Waxing Consultation

At this time your spa therapist will consult with you on how you want your eyebrows shaped. Do you like them full and defined, just cleaned up, or a large arch? The technician will never just start waxing at away at your brows without knowing what you want your brows to look like.

The Waxing & Shaping

If needed, your brows will be trimmed with scissors. Don't be scared and think they are taking your entire brows away. The excess bulk that's removed makes for a much prettier and clean look.

They will cleanse your eyebrow area, apply powder and then the warm wax and strip (for soft wax). When hardened, it's ripped off quickly. Your first wax will probably hurt a bit, but will get better each time. The hair underneath, in the middle of brows and on top (if you wish) will be removed.

Post-Wax

Wax cleanser will remove any residue, and a skin soother helps calm skin and ease redness. Any tiny hairs that were missed by the wax will be cleaned up with tweezers to fine-tune the brows.

The technician will then give you a mirror so you can see how your brows look. If they are too thick please ask your technician to make them thinner.

If you like the way they're shaped, make a standing appointment. Your brows will always look great, and never over-grown.

 

Some Advantages to Waxing Versus Other Hair Removal Methods

Overall, it can be done fairly quickly. It’s not as fast as shaving, but each hair doesn’t have to be individually removed like with tweezing. Wax can be spread over large amounts of hair, and removed all at once. For example, our experienced estheticians waxing hair can get both full legs (ankle up to bikini line) done in about an hour.

Temporary results can turn into permanent. Hair grows in cycles: growing, resting and shedding. When you first start waxing, it will last about two weeks. But if you continue to wax every two weeks and get the hair in the same cycles, it will be gone for up to four weeks. This isn’t the case for everyone, as some people just have faster growing hair than others.Over time, frequent waxing can cause the hair follicle to become weakened, and stop growing hair.

Since you are only taking hair even with the skin with shaving, it comes back above the surface very quickly. Waxing, however removes the entire hair follicle from the root. Since you are looking for longer lasting results, waxing is the better method. Exactly how long the hair stays away will vary.

 

Reduce waxing pain? Yes you can! The first time getting waxed in an area hurts the most and does get less painful each time after. Hard to believe when your hair has just been ripped out for the first time, but it's true. Here are some simple steps you can take to reduce waxing pain, whether you have been waxed before or not.

1. Do dull the nerves

About 15 prior to waxing apply a numbing spray. Take an aspirin or ibuprofen about 30 - 45 minutes before your wax. This is especially helpful when getting waxed above the lip, chest, bikini and genital areas- which top the list as the most pain-provoking areas.
 

2. Do seek a professional


Our licensed estheticians and cosmetologists, are well-trained and experienced. They will use the wax best suited for the hair, apply the right thickness of wax, hold the skin taut, and pull in the right direction. Important for any waxing but more crucial when receiving a bikini wax, especially a Brazilian. (see our Brazilian Wax Tips and Testimonials)

3. Do apply some heat

Take a warm (not hot) shower or use a warm compress just prior to waxing, it will open up the skin pores and allow the hair follicles to come out easier.

4. Do use a body scrub

While the skin on the face is generally exfoliated enough in terms of waxing, the body needs a little extra help. A somewhat gritty body scrub will help rid dead cells around skin pores and hair follicle, providing an easier exit. Made for use before waxing, try AVEDA's Smoothing Body Polish or Caribbean Therapy Body Scrub.

5. Don't apply astringent or toner

These tighten the pores and can make a firmer hold on the hair follicle. So hold off right before waxing.

6. Don't use ice for numbing

You might think that ice would be great to numb skin and reduce waxing pain. But applying anything cold to the skin tightens pores. It's the same principle as above, we want pores nice and relaxed.

7. Don't drink a lot of caffeine or alcohol

While having a couple glass of wine or beer before getting waxed sounds like a great idea, stimulants in the system can cause skin to be extra sensitive to waxing. Give yourself a couple hours after drinking coffee or alcohol before getting waxed.

8. Do not do this at home.

It's hard to do on yourself, and will really hurt if you don't know what you're doing. Other issues from waxing like ingrown hairs, pimples, bumps, bruising and more can also occur.

9. Don't tense up

Some people hold their breath or tense their whole body while getting waxed. While it might be easier said than done, breathe deeply, a relaxed person will cope much better with the pain.

10. Don't wax where you shouldn't

The inside of ears and nose, eyelashes, nipples and male genitals shouldn't be waxed. Don't try waxing over sun-burned or irritated skin, warts, moles, cuts or pimples. Not only is it dangerous, but it could give you some mighty big pain.

 

 Yes, we do waxing for men (and you don't have to look like this guy!) Many men wax their necklines to keep their haircuts looking fresh between appointments (it also saves your shirt collars which tend to shred with the constant friction with coarse neck hair).  Others wax their chests and backs for a clean look on the beach.  It hurts a little the first time but it's worth it! Right, ladies?!

 

 

 

 

Waxing precautions and warnings left unchecked could leave your skin extremely red, burned or scabby. If you’re ever unsure about waxing for any reason, always do a patch test first. This is only a reference guide, talk to your doctor or waxing technician if you have any concerns or questions.

When to Be Cautious:

  • You’re pregnant, take birth control, hormone replacement or antibiotics. Your skin may be more sensitive to waxing, so it’s best to have a patch test (like a small area on your arm) and see how your skin reacts for 24 hours before getting an entire eyebrow or leg wax.

  • Smokers or those with Rosacea. Waxing can irritate dilated capillaries (weak or broken blood vessels) which are commonly found on people with Rosacea and smokers. If the capillaries are very red, stay away from waxing in that area.

  • You take blood thinners, have diabetes, phlebitis or want post- cancer hair growth in side-burn area removed. These all relate to medical conditions, so first get your doctor’s approval before waxing.

  • You use powerful exfoliators on your skin. Salicylic acid, alpha-hydroxy acid or enzymes all strip cells from the skin. It’s all too much exfoliation combined with waxing, and could make skin red, bleed or even turn scabby. So stop using these products in the area getting waxed for three days before, and three to four days after waxing.

  • You recently drank a lot of caffeine or alcohol. These stimulants in your system can cause skin to be extra sensitive to waxing, meaning you could get more red or inflamed than usual. Give yourself a couple hours after drinking coffee or alcohol before getting waxed.

When Not to Get Waxed:

  • You currently take Accutane, or have stopped taking it less than a year ago.

  • You use Retin-A.

  • You have lupus or AIDS.

  • You recently got Botox or collagen injections, waxing shouldn’t be done in that area.

  • You’re in cancer therapy getting chemotherapy or radiation.

  • Leg waxing if you have varicose veins.

  • You have been in direct sunlight for a long period of time or tanning bed within the last 24 hours.

Areas Not to Wax:

  • Irritated, inflamed, cut, or sunburned skin.

  • Anywhere that has pimples, cold sores, moles or warts.

  • The inside of ears and nose, eyelashes, nipples and male genitals.

You may not know there are many bikini waxing styles or types to choose from. Whether you want a little or a lot off, you can select the one that's best for you.

Basic Bikini Waxing Styles:

  • Regular Bikini Wax: Removes the hair outside the panty line.

    When to choose: If it's your first bikini wax, or are just looking for a clean up.


  • Full Bikini Wax: Takes the sides of the bikini line deeper than a regular bikini wax, and can also include waxing some hair on top to make a more defined ‘triangle’ area, or trimming down the hair left shorter.

    When to choose: You still want to keep hair, but want more definition than a clean-up.

  • French Bikini Wax: Takes all hair off the in the front (except a small strip) and continues to right before the back. It doesn't take hair off from the back like a Brazilian (see below).

    When to choose: You want the area basically pretty smooth with most hair removed, but don't want to take any hair away from your behind.

  • Brazilian Bikini Wax: Takes all hair off the bikini line, front all the way to the back (yes by your bum). Sometimes a small strip or triangle is left in the front.

    When to choose: The perfect option if you wear a thong bikini, or want to be completely or almost hairless in front and back.

Learn more:  Visit our Brazilian Wax Tips and Testimonials Page

Remember, you're in control of your bikini wax. So please tell the technician your preferences of where and how much hair you want removed or left. They can adjust the style to suit your needs and wants.