Urban Waxx

I saw Mallory a few weeks ago. Worst wax ever. Only to be topped by eyebrow tinting that I had to scrub off my skin to not look like a circus clown. I will never return. This place is a joke. I’ve just moved back from the UK and went by all the positive reviews and was sorely disappointed.

The waxes here are fine, but they earned their 5 star review by being so professional.
I can either call and get a same day appointment (easy) or book online and usually get a same day or next day appointment. Cancelling is easy. Rescheduling is easy. Everything is so freaking easy here. Technology, guys.
I’ve been late a few times, but their technicians have never been late to one of my appointments.
Super friendly staff in general.
I kept getting a rash following waxes here for a period of several months, and one of the managers helped me troubleshoot and comped a wax for me so I could figure out what was causing the skin irritation. Pretty good customer service.
The only thing I can think to improve on is their eyebrow shaping technique. If I don’t bring in a picture of what I want, the brow shapings end up looking very strange. They’ll follow the natural shape of my brows, which is really weird, instead of trying to give me brows that look good for my face. But even that is fine. I don’t go here to get my brows done.

Let’s face it getting a Brazilian isn’t the most fun thing to do… but add a mimosa and friendly beautician and it isn’t so bad. I have been waxed by a couple different girls, they have all been great, but Gretchen is my favorite!!!

It’s partially my fault. It’s not like there weren’t A LOT of negative reviews on this site about UW’s unreasonably inflexible appointment policy. But I thought, «I’m never late. Why should I care?» But, of course, life happens. I had an appointment at noon today. I was running a little late, so I called a ride share so that I would be on time (because that’s how scared UW makes you about being late). Unfortunately, the driver blew right past me then took several minutes to figure it out and get turned around to pick me up again. So, I was running late again. I called UW to tell them that I was going to be 5 – 10 minutes late and ask whether I should bother paying for the taxi ride or not. The receptionist told me that she couldn’t tell me whether I could still get in because my aesthetician was in with another customer. I figured, since she was in with another customer when my appointment was supposed to start, I ought to be able to get in 5 minutes late, because she wasn’t ready yet anyway. The UW receptionist actually called me back in the taxi to confirm that I was still coming in, and I said that I was. So, you can imagine my unhappy surprise when I arrived at 12:08 to be told that they couldn’t take me. I asked why, if my aesthetician (who she said was still in another room) was running late anyway. At that point, the receptionist confessed (not even sheepishly, I might add) that my aesthetician wasn’t with another customer but was in the back. I asked why she couldn’t do my wax, and the receptionist responded because she had another appointment at 12:30. Anyone who has ever been to UW knows that they do a 15-​minute wax. So, basically, my aesthetician just didn’t feel like squeezing me in. And the receptionist let me pay for a $ 10 cab ride before finding that out. Running on time is important, but this salon really seems not to care at all about its customers, just its assembly line. On the up side, Blue Mercury recently opened an outpost in the Pearl, so there’s really no reason to go to UW anyway.

I took my pre-​teen daughter here for her first ever upper lip and brow wax. Meredith was very kind and walked my daughter through everything, distracting her with light conversation. The wax used was gentle and only caused minor redness for about an hour after. Lucky for me, Meredith had a cancellation and was able to squeeze me in for a brow, chin, and lip wax as well. I’ve been waxing for 20 years and this was as good as it gets. Prices are higher than a nail salon-​type joint, but expected for a spa experience such as this.

These guys are awesome! I’ve seen Rebecca for Brazilians for the last 2 – 3 years and it’s always a pleasant experience. She works quickly and efficiently, and the great conversation makes the appointment fly by. I just recently moved away from the Portland area and not having Urban Waxx to turn to is one of the things I am missing most. If you are looking for a waxing salon where the estheticians know what they’re doing and will get it done quickly with ease, this is the place to go!

Urban Waxx is located in trendy NW Portland on the corner of 18^th and Marshall. As you enter, you are greeted as a friend where everyone is highly welcoming and the ambiance is absolutely serene. Leanna is extremely professional and has an amazing personality. She makes you feel at ease and comfortable. My Urban Waxx experience is hands down the absolute best wax service I have ever received. Thank you!

Go here. it is the best experience! As a birthday present to myself I went for my first ever bikini wax. Not something you want to play around with on your birthday but I knew I could trust the ladies at Urban Waxx. I would go there when I lived in Portland and loved them when they just opened.
Mads was my lady and took me back. She took my fears away and did my whole legs first with the strip wax. That shit hurts, no lie. But its a familiar pain and quickly fades. Then the moment of truth! Did you know they use a different sort of wax of the sensitive areas? This was something I did not know. It made the experience virtually painless! I asked Mads to clean up the whole area, as much as she wanted but I wasn’t going full Brazilian. (Like you wanted to know that much about the maintenance of my girl parts.)
No bumps, no pain, no crazed itching from shaving.
Now I have to find a place in Omaha to match Urban Waxx if that is even possible.

I got my brows waxed and tinted by Beth
They turned out amazingly and cuts my morning eyebrow routine to about 2 min
The ladies are all so nice there and the complimentary mimosa doesn’t hurt ;)

Just got home from my first experience with Urban Waxx, and I have to give it a huge two thumbs up. It’s hard for me to be pleasant up early, even when I’m lounging around and have nothing to do, so I have to applaud the girls working for being super upbeat and cheerful first thing in the morning. The offer of complimentary tea, wine, mimosas, etc. definitely doesn’t hurt either, even though I opted out. The waiting area is well-​designed and cute, though they got me in early so the «wait» was essentially non-​existent.
The wax itself was superb. I opted for a thong and crack (never thought I’d be bragging about that on the internet), and Sara was nothing but professional and quick. She’s also hilarious and was super patient when listening to me blab on and on about my personal life. This wasn’t my first waxing rodeo, but it was the first time I’ve truly been in and out in about fifteen minutes and left feeling essentially pain free. I’m not sure what kind of wax they use, but whatever it is, it’s amazing.
All in all, I’d highly recommend it here. It’s a big step up from cheapwaxes I’ve had in the past, and definitely goes to show that you get what you pay for.

Sarah is the best. She has a great personality & keeps the conversation going during some painful moments. She makes you feel very comfortable. Highly recommend. (Very pricey for an eyebrow wax — go elsewhere.)

I came here for my first Brazilian wax! The woman who waxed me, Janelle, made things so comfortable for me. Getting your first Brazilian is scary and they are really understanding of that.
I’ll be coming here for all my waxing needs!

I’m a huge fan of Urban Waxx being all about customer service. Totally love being treated to a mimosa, relaxing with some magazines and waiting to get waxed! All of the interactions I’ve had with the staff have been super pleasant and great. I have 0 complaints in that department.
That being said, I’m really bummed about my eyebrows! I usually go to a different place to get my brows done, but it’s at a makeup counter and totally not the same experience. I decided to treat myself to urban waxx since I was so impressed by my Brazilian I got about a year ago. I was really hoping that I would be able to make the transition away from the makeup counter waxing days into the much more «grown up» world of a waxing studio, but I left feeling unimpressed.
My eyebrows look like they’ve been barely touched. I explained that I wanted them just touched up and my esthetician confirmed that and then I was done in about 5 minutes! Felt like I had been cheated paying $ 26 dollars (that includes tip) to sit in my car ten minutes later and notice a bunch of stray hairs.
I want to love urban waxx so much! But I might just have to stick to them for Brazilians and return to my brow bar specialists.

Oh where to begin! Let me start by saying this was my first wax «down there» EVER. I’ve only ever had my brows waxed. So as most would assume, going in for my very first intimate Brazilian wax was nerve wracking to say the least! I even changed my appointment the day of to 3 hours earlier because I couldn’t wait any longer or else I would’ve chickened out!
I knew I was in good hands the second I walked in the door. I was very kindly greeted by two women at the front desk and checked in. As I’m going to sit down and fill out my new client paperwork, I was offered something to drink and turned it down. Thankfully enough, the receptionist kept on going and offered me a mimosa. I stopped immediately and said yes! Nothing like a little champagne to curb the nerves right?!
Next I met Janelle, the young woman who was lucky enough to get to see me full spread eagle and endure my first Brazilian wax *insert much sarcasm*! I knew right then I was going to be just fine! Sweetest girl ever and made me feel oh so comfortable in what might be the most uncomfortable position I’ve ever been in. I was told they use hard wax and couldn’t have been more thrilled. No wax strips involved! I got nakey from the waist down and boy oh boy did we become friends fast. Did it hurt? Oh hell yes. But so worth it!!! She was quick and efficient and got the job done! Thank you again Urban Waxx for a wonderful first experience!

I’ve been to this location twice. The first time, at the end of my Brazilian wax, my esthetician made a derogatory comment about women in sex work when I asked about an additional service. Considering that a good percentage of their business probably comes from dancers, etc., maybe don’t slut shame your fellow ladies. The second time, I was rudely «greeted» by two ultra hip, ultra bothered receptionists who were just so rude that I should have walked out then and there. I didn’t realize a lip wax was $ 15, and I also didn’t realize that the esthetician would be done in two minutes, then tell me that redness is usual and that it’s my own fault. $ 15 for a two minute lip wax that left my skin red and irritated for the next three days? No thanks. Also, I can’t stand always being sold something. I don’t want to try your overpriced serum.
All and all, if they spent as much time training their staff on customer service as they did on decorating their location, they’d be in much better shape.

This could be the best wax in the city but when you ask me for a credit card over the phone, that you will store in your computer, then charge if I don’t show up or reschedule in 48 hours… sorry that just dropped your down to one star. How about learning to terminate your bad clients and rewarding your good ones?
Thanks but no thanks Urban, we have choices.

I love, love Urban Waxx. I have visited the Hillsboro location as well as the NW location. I have been happy with both. I always see my girl Mads! She is amazing!
Sometimes waxing can be a little scary for some people at first, but Urban Waxx makes the experience relaxing and not awkward. If you’re looking to get started with waxing I would highly recommend you go to Urban Waxx!

Ladies, there is nothing more humiliating and horrifying than enduring the euphemistically-​named Brazilian bikini wax. For anyone unclear on what that is, a Brazilian typically involves paying a stranger a rather large sum of money to rip the hair growing from your most delicate and well-​hidden nether regions out by its roots with hot wax. This includes parts of the body not normally discussed by people other than gynecologists and 7^th-​graders, including but not limited to labia (labii? labiorum? what is the plural of labia anyway?) and yes, my friends, ol’ brown eye. (What? I don’t want to get banned from Unilocal for swearing, OK?).
Anyway, what I’m saying is that getting a Brazilian is not really my idea of a swingin’ Saturday night. HOWEVER. If you are going to put yourself through such an ordeal, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Urban Waxx. The place is clean, calming and smells nice. The waxing rooms are just that — rooms, with locking doors and plenty of privacy (so no one can hear you scream… just kidding! Not really). The aestheticians are consummate professionals — they work quickly (so, so key when having hair ripped out of your skin), distract you with light conversation, and work hard to make you feel comfortable and reduce the inevitable ouchies.
Also? If you’re a weirdo like me who uses bizzarro skin products, they’ll make sure to steer you away from treatments that might leave you all red and flakey. In my case, the retinols I use on my face mean that I can’t have an eyebrow wax without some serious funkitude. My aesthetician chose to forego the extra cash she would have made from throwing in an eyebrow wax on top of the aforementioned Brazilian — which saved my skin. I definitely appreciated that.
The one-​star demerit is because the gal at the front desk was not exactly welcoming. She seemed kind of bored and a little irritated that she had to stop her social conversations to check me in and out. Which, hey, I remember what it was like being 23 and having a customer service job, so cool, but still.

This waxing studio is awesome!
In a great little location with a super friendly staff. They offer complimentary beverages ranging from tea to mimosas and a great selection of products.
I would have to say that Beth might be the best brow aesthetician I have ever seen. She knows how to make my sparse semi-​over-​plucked brows look beautifully shaped and groomed. Love her!
Best part is that it is super affordable. I used to pay almost $ 40 every time I got my brows waxed back home so $ 20 (I think that’s what I pay… minus tip of course) is such a great price for the service! Check them out if you haven’t found a waxing studio!

Love love love seeing Sara P. for some good olé manscaping! She takes really good care of me. I’ve been going here regularly for more than a year now, and I refuse to see anyone else.
Scheduling an appointment is super convenient too, because they have an online booking system. Just make sure you book in advance, like 2 – 3 weeks. When you check in for your appointment, you get a complimentary drink (e.g. tea, water, wine, etc.) Also they sell some cool products that smell really good.
I tell all my guy friends about this gem. A must for anyone looking to wax/​remove body hair.