This week I sat down with Shannon Conley, the owner of Urban Waxx. You cannot miss their bright yellow building on NW 18th Avenue. More importantly, Shannon and her team have mastered the art of customer service and their waxing services are rated tremendously high on Yelp and City Search. Urban Waxx was just voted the top waxing service in Portland by City Search in five categories.
With a comfortable seating area full of magazines, the receptionist will immediately ask if you would like some water, tea, or even wine! The treatment rooms are painted warmly and have high ceilings. Each room offers plenty of space for your things and Shannon has stenciled neat little pictures on the walls. From brows to bikini lines, Urban Waxx uses the finest waxes available. After the waxing is finished, your esthetician will thoroughly go over proper aftercare.
Urban Waxx's slogan is The best wax you'll ever have. Seriously. Speaking with Shannon, I could tell how vigorously she intended her company to live up to its promise.
Read more about my interview with Shannon, and for an sweet promotion she is extending to readers of the Elizabeth Ann Events Blog.
No joke about wine before wax. How relaxing.
How did Urban Waxx begin?
My husband and I moved from Los Angeles to Portland in January 2007. I worked at a spa, but I always knew I wanted to open my own waxing salon. Strange as it sounds, I love waxing. In February that year I started in my own one-room space. In October 2007 we moved to our current space. Since then, we have grown from four employees to 12, with 9 estheticians and three support staff.
What is the most popular service you offer?
The Brazilian Bikini is our most popular service. We did over 6,000 Brazilians in 2009, and we are eager to break that record in 2010. The reaction women have after getting a Brazilian is great, it makes them feel good. At Urban Waxx we prove that Brazilians do not have to be as painful or uncomfortable as many of our clients have previously experienced.
Are there services which are very popular for brides?
We see a lot of brides get Brazilians, especially those who are gearing up for beach honeymoons. Our second most popular service is eyebrow waxing. We encourage brides to come in a few months before the wedding to start having their eyebrows waxed. That way they can be perfect for the big day.
Tell me some areas which people may not think of getting waxed, but might consider?
Underarm waxing is gaining in popularity—it offers instant gratification and is great option for brides, giving you an extra boost of confidence when you slip into your wedding gown.
Another interesting spot is having your nostrils waxed. It sounds weird, but it is actually popular!
How can waxing be made less painful?
Urban Waxx employs a variety of different waxes and techniques. We use hard wax, which means it melts at a lower temperature, and cloth strips are not needed. By melting at a lower temperature, this prevents skin from being burned, and subsequently ripped when the wax is removed.
What is Serious Serum?
One of the problems with waxing sensitive areas such as the bikini area is the risk of ingrown hairs. I have been waxing for many years and have tried and sold many lines of lotions and sprays to decrease the incidence of ingrown hairs. I decided to create my own serum with a high level of Glycolic Acid, which is the crucial ingredient for prevention.
The Serious Serum is facial grade, meaning it can be used anywhere you have skin. My clients and employees were very happy with it, in fact they let their husbands and boyfriends use it when they have razor burn on their faces. We really believe in it. If you do not like it, we will refund your money.
If you were not waxing, what would you be doing?
(Shannon’s shoulders visibly slump here, I can tell it is hard for her to imagine her life without wax.)
My husband is a chef, and we both love to cook and eat. So I would probably be doing something with food.
What do you feel is the Urban Waxx Difference?
The experience is completely different than most spas. We want to make it as wonderful as possible, and do everything we can to hire and train staff to make you feel comfortable. I want the space to be warm and inviting, showing our appreciation for each client. The last thing I want people to feel is rushed or overwhelmed.
But Wait. There’s More!
Shannon has generously extended an awesome discount. Simply mention you read the Elizabeth Ann Events Blog when you go in for a waxing, and you will receive 20% off of your services.
No excuses ladies, get in there pronto!
Brenna makes this comment
19 January 2010
Shannon Conley makes this comment
14 January 2010
Lindsay makes this comment
13 January 2010