Pause Beauty Boutique

Pause beauty boutique does everything well. They provide friendly and professional service consistently. While all of their services are excellent their facials are superb — amazing for a present or for yourself.

It’s difficult to tell how deep cleansing it was, but I very much enjoyed my Pause Signature Treatment with Natasha.

Absolutely awful
I loved the look of this storefront and the small intimate feel of the space so i went to check it out yesterday. I live in the area and it looked super unique compared to the «dime a dozen» other nail places in the area. I’m really particular where i go with my manicures since I bite my nails (awful habit — I know!)
They did no cuticle cleaning at all, and the shellac is sloppy and uneven. The woman barely even spoke to me other then a «hi», and i felt like I was taking up her time. This is honestly the worst manicure i have ever gotten. I’m kind of shocked at all of the 5 start reviews…
Will never be back and will tell others to stay away.

I thought long and hard before writing this review because everyone seems to love this place so much that perhaps my appointment was a fluke. But here we go.
I got a gel manicure here and it was okay. Their colour selection is ok. The woman who did my nails seemed almost too worried about hurting them to actually do a thorough job filing and buffing (big focus on nail health at Pause, which is a plus if you treasure your nails!). I just tried to find a photo and it turns out I didn’t take one — because they looked just ok. And the way the manicurist had to hold the uv machine in the air for me to stick my hand in to dry my nails was very awkward.
If you’re looking for a simple paint job, this place could be great. I am a higher maintenance nail person (I have long nails, pointy like talons and am very particular about how they look).
That being said, the décor is very pretty (although I was sat right at the door so the street noise was distracting), the manicurist was lovely, and I am still interested in trying out some of their other services, like waxing or massage.

I love this place and it has been a great addition to the neighbourhood. Michelle and her staff are consistently friendly and provide wonderful service. I’m mostly a mani pedi girl and love that I can chat with the staff while I sip my tea.
Definitely check this place out.

I may be a bit bias because I know the owner and a few of the estheticians by now. But I speak only the truth in the name of beauty. I have high expectations of cleanliness and professionalism. Pause will obviously deliver that because that’s the vision that the owner has which is also backed with years of industry experience.
I don’t mind paying the higher price for services because I know that the products used are of high quality and cleanliness is of the utmost importance here.
I’ve had facials, waxing and manicures done here on numerous occasions and will continue to treat myself here. All the services are well-​excecuted and thought out. The environment is relaxing and über chill. Plus the product selection is well-​curated and extensive.
I still need to pick up a lipstick and some sugar scrub. #heart
Seriously though, I’ve written some other reviews for other beauty establishments and Pause is definitely worth your buck.
Yes, Erica is really as good as waxer as everyone has mentioned. Michelle’s also amazing at threading.
If you’re in the neighborhood, pop by. If not, signup for the newsletter, watch for their amazing promotional services and book in!
**bonus points: the reward points build fast and redeeming them save you lots of pretty pennies!
#treatyoself

I really want to like this place, I really do.
I’ve had a couple manicures here and they’ve been nice (reasons for 2 stars, instead of 1). I just find the bedside manner of the women who work here to be outrageously inappropriate, especially since I’d like to think that a spa should be a relatively safe space for customers to feel secure with their body and feel pampered in the time that they are here.
I went yesterday with a friend, she got a pedicure and I got a manicure. For the first 15 minutes that we were there, we were both ignored so the two estheticians could deal with some difficulties they were having with the debit machine. The woman who did my nails was very cold, and I was getting terrible vibes from her. The woman who was supposed to be with my friend carried on with the debit machine, seemed pretty frustrated and spent way too long ignoring my friend.
My friend kindly let the ladies know that she had to leave by 1:20pm (we arrived at 12:15pm), was ignored, ended leaving at 1:30 with her nail polish still wet.
The two women hardly spoke to us, and when they talked to each other, they complained about the customer who had been in before us. The woman who was with me made fun of a woman who is known in the neighborhood and who seems to be a prostitute. At one point, the woman who was with my friend talked about how she didn’t understand women who get pedicures but who don’t groom their leg hair. My friend has hairy legs. Seriously? Granted, this woman works at a spa that does hair removal, so it makes sense that she has certain opinions, but keep them to yourself.
The last time I was at the spa, I noticed this same sort of gossipy behavior and and again, some unwanted opinions on body hair choices. So unprofessional. I won’t be coming back.

I’ve been to Pause three times now — two manicures and a facial. I found out about them through a bookmark/​coupon. The staff are very friendly and both my manicures were great. I don’t know how much good the facial actually did my skin but it was a wonderful, relaxing experience with massages and aroma therapy oils. Good location close to the subway and it’s lovely on the inside. They have monthly promotions that I’ve so far been about to take advantage of (today I brought my sister for a manicure with me and we each got 25% off). It’s a little expensive for my student budget but I’ll probably be back for their next promo.

Can not say enough about this place.
We referred by a friend. Five stars. All around.
+ Online booking system is so easy, and so great, and they email you reminders, as well as your receipt after. Yay for saving paper, and being SO efficient!
+Environment is clean and welcoming
+ I was late and they were SO cool about it, which I thought was very nice, as it was my fault.
+ Erica is TOTALLY a waxing ninja. Most accurate title EVER. This was hands down the BEST waxing experience I have EVER had. I have gotten waxed for less (not that Pause is really expensive, I just mean I had gone to cheaper places) and I will ABSOLUTELY be coming back here. I didn’t know waxing could be that painless.
+ Prices are actually very decent
+ All staff were so nice and so friendly.
+ I will most certainly be coming back.
Seriously, if you’ve come across this Unilocal page, and you aren’t sure if you should get a wax here– GET A WAX HERE. You won’t regret it.

Had a great first experience at Pause on Friday afternoon. I love their online booking system as it shows you all the availability in real time. Michelle the owner was lovely and introduces me to threading! Being new to the city she also provided me with a referral for Hair that I hope to try out next week… Thanks Michelle. I look forward to my next visit to this lovely spa.

this place is great! Erica does the best brazilian in Toronto… it’s impressive. and all the girls that work there are so friendly and welcoming.

Tried out their waxing services for first time. I don’t much experience in this area and Erica made me feel totally at ease. They also have a great points program which gives you points worth 10% of what you spend.

Where do I start. You walk in and are welcomed right away by smiles and kindness. Everyone is very professional. Erica does a mean Brazilian. I’ve been getting them done for a good 16 years and never have I had such a fast and painless experience. In short, her waxing ninja title speaks truth! Natasha does a mean mani Pedi and though she says she’s not a massage therapist, when she’s done with you, jello feels stiff in comparison to how you’ll feel. They do accept walk ins but book anyways to make sure you’re set! They have an amazing online booking function that makes life so easy, it rocks. To top it all off they have a kick ass play list as opposed to the standard water falls that had me wanting to Shazam the shit out of today. The owner Michelle is super welcoming and friendly. All in all a fantastic spa day at Pause. They’ve got me hooked!

Updated 5÷14÷2014:
After posting the review below to Unilocal I was contacted by Michelle, the business owner, who was so gracious and invited me back to have my manicure redone, and I am thrilled with the results. Again, stellar customer service and a phenomenal manicure. After talking with Michelle about the other services offered at Pause I am excited to try their facials next!
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I really wanted to give Pause a 5 star review because the atmosphere and customer service are really top notch and the location is perfect for me, but alas, I cannot. Using the super convenient online booking tool, I made a booking for a gel polish manicure with Erica on Saturday afternoon. I showed up a bit late, but the staff didn’t mention a thing and offered a complimentary tea or water. However, as it turned out my appointment was not with Erica but with a new hire. The girl was very sweet, but my manicure was just plain shoddy. She had to remove a lot of excess polish from my skin, and wasn’t able to get all of it off, and three of my nails have visibly jagged edges. Overall it looks messy, and considering the cost (almost $ 40 before tip) I was expecting something a lot more polished.
That said, I would definitely recommend Pause — from overhearing conversations I could tell that they have built a loyal customer base, though I will be more careful next time about who I make my appointment with.

Erica is the best! Everyone here is the best!
I had a really bad experience in a popular place in Koreatown, and was really apprehensive when I went into my appointment. The entire staff were relaxed, happy and a joy to be around; it immediately set me at ease.
Once I had my consultation with Erica, she recommended certain methods of hair removal based on my complexion. It really showed me how much thought Erica puts into her work to ensure her clientele have the most comfortable experience possible. And it really did help! Compared to other services I’ve had from other places, the recovery today was less than half the time it usually would be.
The whole appointment was comfortable, which is so important! It was relatively painless and very quick (but not in that rushed way). I’m looking forward to my next appointment, cos I’m excited to get a pedicure!

I’ve been meaning to write about this great place since it opened in August.
Here it is:
Erica is THE best waxing ninja you’ll ever have the pleasure of taking care of your waxing needs. I’m not delirious when I say that Brazilian waxing is nothing, I feel nothing.
She’s quick, meticulous, puts you at ease and hilarious!
I’ve been to a few local wax bars, when I couldn’t get an appointment with Erica and I’m always left disappointed.
You know when you’re so comfortable with someone and they do the best job possible? You never go elsewhere. In fact, you send your friends and family over!
I’ve also had the pleasure of having a facial treatment by Erica. Blissssssss. Quiet, tranquil room. Soothing, natural products. Glowing skin thereafter.
Buy the organic mineral peel — you’ll be amazed and converted.
It’s a liquid which you spray on your clean & dry face. After a few seconds, start rubbing your face in circular motion. Oh, what’s that forming? Mounds of your dead skin! Wash it off and you’ve got yourself smooth, even skin tone. Amazing product and great price.
The spa also offers manis/​pedis, lash extensions and a great line of natural and/​or organic products at good price point.
Michelle, the owner, is beyond nice, professional, knowledgeable about skin and products, what works, what doesn’t…
If I didn’t have my baby attached to me 24/​7, I’d be in weekly.
Go visit, you won’t be disappointed.