Nothing quite ruins a spa treatment like worrying about if you’re doing the right thing. Should you have trimmed before your wax? How much should you tip for that mani-pedi? Can you tell the masseuse to stop chitchatting without being rude? We’re still working on getting schools to teach us these important things in class but until then, we’ll tell you what we know.
Should you trim before a wax?
“The more follicles/roots we can pull, the cleaner the wax, the longer it is going to last, and the happier you are going to be,” say aestheticians at the skincare spa The Wax Bar in Seattle. “The longer the hair is, the cleaner the waxing will turn out.”
It’s important to remember that your aesthetician is a pro; if she needs to trim, she will. Just make sure your hair is at least a quarter to half an inch long before you go back for maintenance and remember to tip generously—after all, she did take care of your lady parts!
How much should you tip for a mani-pedi?
If you can, try and pay tips in cash so the technician doesn’t have to wait until the end of the month to receive her money and remember that most gift certificates don’t include tip.
How can I prevent the masseuse from chatting through our session?
It can be hard to ask someone to zip it once you’re in the middle of an appointment. The best plan is to lay down the ground rules before your treatment begins. You could say something like, “I’m really looking forward to some quiet time after this busy week,” or, “I might doze off; I love a little peace and quiet during my massage.”
If the message isn’t getting across, politely ask for some silence. Something along the lines of, “Would you mind if we chatted afterward?” will work. Just start the session the way you intend to proceed.
