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Stark Waxing Studio
Rating Details »
Category: Hair Removal [Edit]
Neighborhood: Silver Lake3335 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 666-3335
West Hollywood location!
Get bikini ready and visit Stark at the Face Place in West Hollywood! It's the same great wax and attention to detail you deserve!
- Hours:
Mon-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
114 reviews for Stark Waxing Studio
This business is a Yelp Sponsor
9/22/2009
11/8/2009
6/30/2009
11/25/2009
12/1/2009
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Updated - 1/19/2009
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Updated - 10/28/2008
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8/8/2007
One of the Business' Favorite Reviews What's This?
I was a "Brazilian Virgin" before I walked into this waxing studio, so you can just imagine the trepidation i had before my first appointment.
I was ready to yelp at the top of my lungs after she applied the first round of wax when i felt nothing but the most minimal sting!!!
i was soo shocked that i let out a chuckle and said, "that it?!"
It was seriously as painful as getting my eyebrows waxed at the nail salons. Stark uses HIGH quality wax! Trust me...when your "down there" is happy after a wax, that's some HIGH quality wax!
The environment at Stark is all around pleasant. From the aestheticians to the rooms to the bathrooms...Stark is a clean environment where you would feel good about getting anything waxed!
I am now a believer in Brazilian's and I think that EVERYONE and their mamas need to get one!
You feel SO good!
Jills makes an uncomfortable situation quite comfortable...if thats possible? She just about makes me forget I am laying there with my legs open and no panties on. I am the type of girl who hated changing in the locker room in high school...and who still never changes in front of anyone except my boyfriend...but somehow Jill puts me at ease.
Shes chats with me about totally unrelated subjects while ripping all my hair out...does it hurt?hmmmm......it doesnt feel great but its manageable...it might help that I normally take a xanex before I go but its not half as bad as strip wax.....the hard wax they use is great and its all usually over within 20 minutes...i leave with a bald beaver and go home to a happy BF....totally worth the pain...and it lasts....the more you do it the longer it lasts...Right now its been 2 months and I'm barely showing signs of needing to visit Jill again...
Anyway I love Jill and Stark waxing and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a Brazilian wax!!!
I LOVE STARK! Clean, friendly, professional, and a minimally painless waxing procedure.
I recently moved from NY where Bliss was my one and only for waxing. There, I always appreciated the clinical-vibe one received from their no-nonsense (usually) Eastern European technicians. I turned to Yelp for hair-removal guidance as soon as I got to LA, and Yelpers, you did not steer me wrong! Stark is great!
I have seen Jordan a few times now, and she's just a doll. Super warm and friendly (while remaining extremely professional), quick & efficient (without rushing), and thorough (without being unnecessarily invasive). The price is obviously quite a bit more than if you hit one of those cheapie nail salons in the strip malls, however, the technique used at Stark leaves you with minimal skin irritation (and did I mention the place is pristine?).
I wish it was a little cheaper, hence I reserve one star.
Sorry Flirt.... I'm moving on to Stark. Top of the line hard wax, minimal pain and a pristine little studio close enough that I can stop by on my lunch break won me over. High quality wax means smoother, softer skin and little to no tweezing; I'm amazed that other salons don't use it. Jill's a pro and will make you feel taken care of right away. A bit pricier than other salons - $65 for a Brazilian vs. $50 at Flirt - but well worth it. If you're on the Eastside, it's definitely worth checking out.
After reading all the fantastic reviews on this place, I decided to give it a go. I desperately needed my brows done and had been going to a shitty little nail salon just for the convenience, and realized I needed to go to an actual waxing salon. This place is great. Its so clean and smells so nice. The receptionist was sweet and the lady waxing my brows, Isabel was super sweet. The pain was minimal, she didn't say anything negative about my brows unlike the other lady who used to do them, and I like how she put lavender oil on my eyebrows. The wax she used was different...she didn't have to use a cloth to rip it off, just let it get dry and hard and ripped it off with her hand. It didn't hurt too bad! She asked me if I was doing okay since she saw me tear up a bit (a natural reaction for me) and made sure I was as comfortable as I could be. I love how my brows turned out, they look beautiful! I will definitely be going back here. I'd give it 5 stars but it was pretty pricey, the only con about this place. But I'd say its pretty worth it.
Found Stark through Yelp.. Read reviews... made appointment and LOVED IT! It took me a while to find a spot for my waxing needs and at first Queen Bee was my top pick (up until I realized its all the way in Culver City). So I searched for a local spot and found Stark just a few blocks down from my home. Yani was AMAZING, professional, and a good conversationist. She walked me through the process and made me feel comfortable. I definitely recommend Stark for your waxing needs. :)
I've had 2 or 3 Brazilians here & 2 were perfect one not so - hence lack of 5 stars. Always clean, professional, fast, receptionist/cashier always lovely :)
The one that wasn't so great did a good job on my Brazilian on the front but she didn't do my hiney, which is one of the main reasons I get a Brazilian, they're supposed to do it all!!! But she told me no.
So I'll go back but not to her...wish I could remember her name....
On a recent trip to LA, I was in need of a waxing salon and turned to Yelp. Stark was great. Clean, sanitary and peaceful (important when you're about to endure a good ol' waxing).
They've also got a super cute gift shop with candles, stationary, etc.
After reading Yelper reviews and literally seeing stars I decided to give Stark a try. I booked an eyebrow wax appointment. Can't remember the young lady's name (maybe I blocked it out) but she didn't seem to know what she was doing or perhaps just not confident in what she was doing.
When I left my eyebrows didn't look defined or shaped. In fact, they looked the exact same way they did when I walked in minus a few hairs -- and for this I paid about $30. To outdone to complain, I just admired the decor on the way out (they do get a gold star for that) and thanked the heavens that unlike some bad eyebrow waxes I at least still had something to work with. But will I go back ... uh no.
For the first time in my long and complicated eyebrow history someone who wanted to let let my brows do their thing!
Sam at Stark is brow visionary. I went in thinking I'd get the standard shape I've always been waxed into, her suggestion means my brows are looking fuller than they have in years (but not quite the Brooke Shields brows they were when I was 14). I'm having to grow the front section out but after she explained how the new shape will "enhance my features" I'm prepared to deal with that....
She was fast and painless too.
I had a pretty good experience here. I've had my share of really bad estheticians, as well as some really good ones. I can speak only for their leg wax (which is what I prefer to test out before going for the Brazilian), but I really liked the cream wax that they use. I had taken a break from waxing for a while, so I was afraid it would be really painful. I was pleasantly surprised, and really liked the results.
However, I'll only give them four stars as my leg hairs grew back fairly quickly, and fairly coarse, which makes me think that most of my leg hairs were broken, rather than pulled out. I guess I'll have to go back one more time before I make a final decision.
When I moved from Duarte to Downtown LA, I had to say goodbye to my waxer at Urbane Spa in Monrovia. I thought they did such an awesome job with Brazilians. They used hard wax, and was quick, which is why I loved Urbane so much.
Upon moving to Downtown, I decided to DIY since I couldn't find a place close by that used Hard Wax and wasn't expensive. I thought Stark was a bit too expensive.
Fast forward to 3 months later, after going DIY twice, I just had about enough of it. My pretty kitty wasn't looking so pretty anymore. So I up and went to Stark after having booked an appointment for a Brazilian.
WOW. They were quick (I mean ten minutes quick), painless (as far as Brazilians go), and super pleasant. Totally totally worth the money. I paid $45 for a full front brazilian with Jill.
I'll be back next month. For sure.
I might go out on a limb here and claim i enjoy a good waxing from stark. I have been around the block a few times when it comes to trying places and stark is definitely 'the one'. The mysterious blue wax and jill's magical touch keeps me faithful. Needless to say, it's clean, cute and conveniently located.
Those earrings I saw were still there and for good reason... they were way over priced.
I didn't just come for the earrings, I came for... well...
FULL DISCLOSURE: I was expecting a long, painful experience because I put off getting my lower legs waxed for 4 months (cue audience: ewwww... grossss....), partially because I've been too much of a scroogette to go to Stark again and I haven't found another waxing salon that came with reccomendations near my home or work. So I came back to Stark because I was getting desperate...
Sarah was my technician and she was fantastic if you like low to minimal small talk but full attention to detail. She was a QUICKER Ripper Upper! She paid full attention to my turf burn from soccer, asked what I wanted first, (I had a 3 month jungle under my arms, too) was nice, gentle, but got the job done. Half hour. Less than $50. I'm happy.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
10/26/2008
I was skeptical, considering it was my first wax in LA and my boyfirend said he found it on Yelp.… Read more »
I am so glad there is a place in Silver Lake that does only waxing and knows what they are doing!
I have been here a few times already and each time a great experience. They use this crazy blue wax that does not need that harsh paper to rip it off. It's really cool!!!
Everyone takes their time, and after the waxing they put on this awesome smelling lavender oil.
I have had a few different ladies work on me and they are very good but Jill is super good.
Great place for waxing! I'll drive all the way from the OC for Stark. As others have mentioned, a bit pricey (hence 4 stars), but well worth it.
Very few women want to discuss having hair ripped from their face, limbs and/or various other body parts. Very few women actually WANT to have said hair ripped painfully from their tender flesh, but that's a whole different topic for a whole different day. One where I'm feeling more political.
That said, the ladies of Stark know what they are doing. The rooms are clean and spare, the blue wax makes everything marginally less painful, and they have nice, pretty, girly stuff on sale in the waiting area.
I'm not going to get into the details of what happens behind closed doors at Stark...oh, except to say that be aware that the details of what happens behind closed doors at Stark will be obvious to EVERYONE ELSE IN THE BUILDING.
Why? Well, you see, the rooms have walls (and closed doors) but no ceilings. They are cubicles. Sounds travel and echo. From a whimper to a scream, be aware that your fellow hirsute ladies are going to hear you.
Minus one star for a moderate design flaw in that regard, but overall, I'd still recommend Stark. Maybe just bring ear-plugs and something to muffle your own cries. Ah, being a modern woman. Isn't it grand?!
Jill was great! Wish the price was $15 lower, but there was no pain, fast and pleasant. Sorry my reviews have become short and sweet. Just cutting to the chase. Awesome waxing studio, just need to lower there prices as there are equally great studios elsewhere for much less.
love this place! well this is the only place i been to for a brazillian. Jill is great and she makes you feel really comfortable.
it doesnt hurt much and this place has really nice staff.
one time, i wanted to book an appt with Jill but the receptionist made a mistake and thought my name was Jill. so when i got there, she gave me the wax for $40 when its really $70
I tried this place over the weekend after trying to book at another salon that was full on Saturday. Stark was really flexible and got me right in at the time I wanted.
I love waxing but haven't had it done it professionally in a while in order to save some dough. I would say Stark isn't the way to go if you want to save money (most procedures are more expensive than at other salons), but they will work with you. For example I just did the partial rather than the full.
I've never had the blue "hard" wax before, but it was a lot cleaner, faster, and I had a lot less irritation than usual. I guess some people think it is less painful, but I would say it is equally as painful.
Overall, I would say this is a good place to go for a wax. I'll probably try a few others before committing, but Stark is close to where I live, so that makes it hard to beat!
The best waxing salon around, hands down. I drive all the way from OC just to get my Brazilian done here, and I've never been disappointed.
They use the hard blue wax which is easier on the skin than the hot wax with the strips. Less ingrowns, less irritation, and less trauma to the skin. It also hurts less. Which is key. Because I am a major wuss.
The salon is very clean and the staff is very friendly and professional. Sometimes there are some obscure missed areas (I wouldn't be so "adventurous" either), but on the whole, they are the most thorough I've experienced, also. And consistently so.
After two or three more trips to Stark, I still think they are a great salon... But I have gone back to my old place after the last visit. The staff is nice and the place is clean, and Stark is closer to my house... but I have a hard time working my schedule with theirs.
The first time I went, the waxer was great and she did an impeccable job. The second and third times, I had to see someone different and they didn't do as good of a job. It wasn't bad, by any means, but if I'm going to leave my old salon and pay more, they'd better be doing 100%.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/26/2008
I've been quite loyal to my waxer for a couple years now, but when I couldn't get in for my usual… Read more »
After reading thru the reviews I made an appointment w/Jill who was super sweet. The place is very clean and pretty w/chill music playing in the background and cute gifts surrounding the lobby.
This was my first time getting a Brazilian and HOLY CRAP did it hurt! I can't rave as much as everyone else due to it being my first time, but for what it's worth it was an interesting experience. Jill walked me thru the pain and gave me tips on what to do and what not to do. I may build up the courage to come back and hopefully it won't be as traumatizing. Although it was pretty pricey in my opinion, I appreciate that it's in my neighborhood and that the place in general made me feel it was worth more than it cost.
I have to give it to this place. It's in a nice part of town, parking is easy, it's clean, staff is friendly, and most of all it's affordable.
I personally like that I don't have to hop on the freeway to get here, and when I arrive there's usually tons of parking on Sunset.
I missed out on the opportunity to see my regular at another salon, and Stark took me in same day, so I was pleased!
I got an appointment with Lydia, and boy oh boy is she thorough. I have to admit that she's not talkative... AT ALL, so if this is your first time, you might wanna bring your ipod or something.
I can't say that she was very fast, as I remember being there for quite a while, but for how thorough and nice (and gentle) she was, I'd have to say that I had a pleasant experience. Best of all, I didn't walk out with the stickies, and after getting your hoo-ha waxed that's NOT a feeling you want.
Props to Lydia, she kicks ass, you just gotta keep her talking between screams!
Came here during my lunch hour today to get a quick bikini wax. I was in and out in like 15 min! Jill did my wax and she was great! No pain! The place is so nice and clean inside and they have little books and candles for sale as well. I picked up a cute little love coupon book that you can give to your significant other. This place is close to my work , so I will be back!
A++++++++++++++++++
I've had good and not so good experiences at STARK. The first time I had a bikini wax there, it was VERY painful and very long and the results were less than stellar. Then I found Michelle, who was doing my brows there on a same day appointment and convinced me I should give things another chance. So I went for it...and it was still not so great-but mostly because of all the plucking DOWN THERE! Turns out, if you want to make the transition from shaver to waxer, you need to let it go jungle for at least a month. So, I sucked it up and did that determined to give STARK one more chance. Third time was the charm and before I knew it, Michelle was done in less than 20 minutes! She does a great job with BOTH styles of wax, because let's face it, when you are a hairy lil beast like me, sometimes that fancy schmancy blue stuff ain't gonna rip it!
So my friends, take some arnica, 2 ibuprofen, rub that numbing cream on, go to Michelle, then exfoliate and use tend skin like your life depended on it and you will say 'adios' to your razor like I did!!!
The parking does stink though. Read all the signs and be careful crossing Sunset!
Wow! So I had a great experience at the Stark Waxing Studio. It was my first time getting a Brazilian Bikini Wax so I was really nervous. My esthetician (sp?) was Jill and she made me feel really comfortable. I was so scared to show everything off but she really does not care. I asked for a little triangle and she made my bikini wax look really nice. I am from Long Beach but I do not mind driving through LA traffic to get here!
I liked this place. I mean, the wax still hurt but until a new salon that also specializes in anesthesia opens, it's something that we're all going to have to live with.
Quick, fast, clean and nicely "stark." I instantly wanted to buy every single product that lined the walls, as well as the jewelry in all the display cases.
So while you nervously await your appointment or see if your credit card goes through, you can window shop! Trust me. Their stuff is all nicely tasteful, so you don't feel like you're being forced to look at kitschy, flowery and bedazzled girly items while waiting to turn your hoo-hah into a baby face.
Great experience here. The technician was friendly without overbearing, and she prepared me well for the most painful strips. The place is clean and inspires confidence. At $60 for a brazilian it isn't cheap, but in my opinion that extra 20 bucks goes a long way toward comfort and cleanliness.
I had Jill, she was excellent. I will absolutely return here when it's time.
SUPER CLEAN and PROFESSIONAL. enough said.
Whenever you're dealing with people near your "danger zone" you want to make sure everything is super sanitary and super clean. Last thing you want is funky stuff.
With Stark, everything is clean! (did i mention the sanitary issue yet?) You may pay a little more, but at least you get great service and you definitely get what you pay for. why try to save $15 when you can get piece of mind?
Even with my busy schedule, and even though Stark is a little out of the way for me, I can't imagine going anywhere else.
I don't want to do it any more. I don't want to play games, I don't want keep my friends in the dark about what I'm doing in the mornings. No more lying, no more cheating, because I've finally found THE ONE.
I want to have a monogamous waxing relationship with Stark.
I've been to four different places in the past year to get waxed. It's not just any type of wax either - I mean, I never say what's getting waxed but I assume you know what I'm talking about. It gets awkward sometimes, having so many people see it, but now, I'm hiding it away for only Sam at Stark to see (well, maybe a couple other people...but I will not cheat on my waxer!)
Stark was awesome.
Sam was great.
It was like a fairytale.
From the beginning, it was like destiny. I found parking in five minutes, pulled in real smooth, and strolled in the Los Angeles sun to Stark. There was no driving in circles, hoping that someone would leave. The parking was just there, waiting for me.
Sam was the perfect woman for me. Talkative enough that it wasn't awkward, but got down to business when things needed to get done. Making conversation was easy and I never felt like the silence was an issue for us.
Usually, I like things to take a while...you know, to experience the moment. Waxing is not one of those things though. I want to get in, get waxed, get out and be on my merry way. Sam was incredibly quick - I got in at 11, got out at 11:22 (I even looked at my cell phone to make sure). Now I'm back at home and happily reminiscing about this fantastic time we had together.
I love you Stark. Don't ever leave me.
I like the massage salon like operation. It's nice that somebody greets you. The workers have clean white uniforms on them. The rooms are clean and nice. They accept walk ins which is great.
The girl who did my waxing was very friendly and sweet. But the work was very careless and unprofessional. later on I found out that she started doing this business not so long ago which explains a lot why she was careless and inexperienced. If my waxing has done by a professional person I would come out with a very soft skin without rashes and bruises.
This time pull outs were done very randomly. She really didn't fallow the rules like don't pull it against the hair in certain areas otherwise the hair break than rashes and bruises fallow. bla bla...Well that's what happened. My hair broke so the broken roots are hard and scratchy when I touch. It's not a nice feeling. I had rashes all around and few bruises. That's pretty bad. I don't understand when people don't take manicure, pedicure and waxing seriously. There is science in it even though it doesn't look like it.
The money I paid is normal for a good professional waxing treatment but I'm gonna say it's pricey for what i got at Stark.
Will I try it again? Maybe, if I'm too busy to drive to my regular best waxer in town for real, yeah I'll go again but this time I'll try somebody else.
When I don't go to my regular waxer that's how I end up with; unhappy dealing with unprofessionals.
I look at a business as a complete package. Their professional work, their customer service, their environment and their price. But the price is the least concern for me. I'm not loaded with money don't get me wrong. But I'm willing to pay a little bit more if I'm going to have a good, pleasant experience with that place.
If this is metrosexual than why do I feel so macho?
Major props to the ladies out there who do this regularly!
As most of yous know there is a beach party coming up next week. Well I ain't no Robin Williams but my ancestors were from a cold climate, what can I say? Well this isn't Russia and I'm about to bare my back to the world. Something must be done.
I'm at the age where keeping it together isn't yet a full time job, but I can see that it is starting to take up more and more time, so on a lovely Saturday morning I bit the bullet and decided to fly in the face of convention and risk doing something "girly" Yeah right!!
I called first, made a same day appt. and drove over. Parking was a bit of a challenge but it IS silverlake (isn't it).
I felt relaxed from the second I walked in. I walked up to the front counter, told them who I was, and then the brilliant Yanni came and introduced herself to me and told me to follow her.
FIRST: THE BACK
Now I have no clue as to what's going on, no frame of reference whatsoever so I'm feeling a wee bit nervous. I walk into a clean, clinical, white room with a padded bench like in the doctors office. She told me to remove my shirt and lay down. She left me alone for a sec and that's when I pulled out my phone and took this shot.
http://static.px.yelp....
Hot wax baby!
I laid down, (now I had just gotten my physical last week and I was ready for anything, know what I'm saying?), so this couldn't be so bad, right? Yanni came back and began to spread the HOT wax on the lower part of my back. I was really trying to play it off but my legs started involountarily twitching as the wax did it's thing on my unsuspecting skin. HOT!! We made small talk. She spread out about six globs of wax covering the bottom quarter of my back and then started laying out the pulling strips.
Rip! Rip! Rip! Wo! Intense. It wasn't that bad-- it wasn't that good either. But as she started laying the wax up higher on my back it actually started to feel good. I'm scared to ponder what that says about me.
NEXT: THE NOSE
Well, I was already there right? So: Me-"What is this nostril waxing thing about?" Her-"explanation" Me, (always up for something new) "Do we have time to fit that in?" Yanni-"Sure"
A few minutes later:
Yanni-- "Roll over and we'll do your nostrils" I started to take slow deep breaths, telling myself it's going to be alright. "Life's an adventure" I thought, "just do it!"
She dipped a popsicle stick in some blue wax and put it in my nostril and then pinched it closed. The wax was hot but didn't burn. She held it there for a LONG time and while the wax cooled we made more small talk.
Yanni-"I do this to my husband......." Me-"blah blah?" Her "blah blah"
Thoughts paraded through my mind about Guantanamo and various torture techniques, memories of me standing in front of the mirror, tweezers in hand, eyes watery, sneezing. "This is a one way ticket, there is only one way out" I thought.
Me "blah blah?" Her "blah blah" Me "blah..." RIP!
Very tricky! No warning.
When the YANK came, it wasn't really painful but more like being in a rocket that suddenly takes off. "Wow!" was all I could say. My blood was rushing and I felt somewhat exhilarated, and majorly relieved. Just one more to go...
My back is now as smooth as a babies, no bumps or redness at all, AND I can breath better too.
Now listen men, I just took a bullet for you. I bared my back and my soul.
So get your hairy @sses to Starks and learn what it means to be a real man.
And dearest ladies-
Much R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
I do not like writing reviews about getting waxed. It makes me feel icky, especially since my mother is aware of my yelping. However I am starved for attention so... enjoy Mom!!
Stark is a good name for this place - not because they uhh... ya know... but because there are no frills. None. I think I sat in a metal folding chair in the waiting room. But that's ok, I'm not here for the couches or outdated magazines, I'm here for one reason... or depending on what I'm doing this weekend, maybe 2.
Nothing went wrong here. Everyone was professional, I felt at ease, the pain was what I expected, etc. I subtract a star for the non-walls that only go up half way and make me feel like this is all just a sham and Ashton Kutcher is going to knock down the building and make a fool of me. This is NOT the way I want Ashton to see me naked the first time.
I really thought this was perfection until... WAX http://www.yelp.com/bi.... Wax on Melrose has really nice couches, and while I said that doesnt' matter, it does! I like couches. I like new magazines. I like my waxer there who told me her long distance love story in the amount of time it took her to get the job done - 12 minutes (about 15 minutes less than the lady at Stark).
So that's it, Mom. You're little girl is growing up. She doesn't like hair... there. She really likes couches. And this $50 expense each month is just one of the reasons why she eats cereal for dinner 3 nights a week. Don't tell Dad.
I absolutely love this place. First things first: Jill is phenomenal. But I'm protective. Seriously, I don't like to share.
They hate hair almost as much as I do, and they will spend that extra time and TLC to eradicate it! Best brazillian ever - practically painless. It's incredibly clean (a critical element for me), they play the pixies and they have an amazing boutique. The soaps, candles, stationery, journals, jewelry (oh the jewelry!), and lip balm are all the highest quality. I bought all my Christmas presents here.
The prices will knock your socks off, I'm telling you. I got a bikini (regular) and, like, my whole face (eyebrows, lip, cheeks, chin, sideburns - sad but true). Total = $60.
Now, please don't all go at the same time. I'm old school and will be given priority over any newbies! I don't want to have to resort to fighting.
Disclaimer: This was my first ever waxing experience, so I am going off of what happened, not what I think should have or should not have happened.
First of all, the woman who I had did not take off as much as I wanted her to (I asked for a partial Brazilian), which was a mis-communication on both our parts- but still unfortunate. When she was done she didn't really ask if I needed more or if it was what I wanted she just said thanks and was pretty clear she was done and needed to move on.
Secondly, is it standard procedure to pluck 40+ hairs individually AFTER waxing that area? Being a newbie, I have no clue but it was irritating and she only did it in one spot leading me to believe it might have been a mistake- it was more painful than the waxing itself.
Thirdly, as mentioned by others, the ceilings are open in the rooms, and the day I happened to go, one of the rooms was getting repainted, so there was a cacophony of stuff happening what sounded like right next to me- on top of the Enya-esque ambiance soundtrack. Upon leaving I was given less than comforting looks and gestures in the hallway by the painters- pretty awkward but maybe less so for someone more accustomed to the whole procedure than myself.
As the receptionist received my payment she did not answer the phone, mind you, but picked it up and called someone, handing me my receipt already a paragraph or two into a conversation with whomever, no eye contact of acknowledgment, thanks, bye, or anything really, which is just pretty rude. I don't need to get patronized but when humans interact in this manner usually some sort of respect still ices the cake, even if there were a few eggshells in the batter.
Maybe all the rave reviews have rendered them a little lazy, or perhaps it was just a bad day for stark, and on top of it I was $45 deep in dissatisfaction, but I would not recommend this place based on my experience. Lo siento.
Wow... finally a place where I don't leave feeling the need to self-loathe over being a mammal and having hair.
Am I the only one who has gone for the routine bikini wax, and been under minded by the esthetician?
"Yes, my hair is more coarse than others. I am a black woman."
"No, I don't shave. Seriously. It's not my fault some of the hair grows at different lengths. Talk to my Mom and Dad's gonads for the answer to that."
But luckily at Stark, my coarse hair, and un-even length is embraced and then thrown away on a nice blue strip.
VERY PROFESSIONAL. Clean, and they even rub you down with a pleasant peppermint oil!
*they use the hard blue wax!!!
I am so thrilled this place opened in my hood (as are any beach or pool goers I come across) and hope business is substantial enough to keep them open.
The interior is very clean and the staff are super friendly and professional. But of course the best part is each time I exit, in addition to my dignity, I leave with nary an ingrown hair in sight. Cant say the process is completely pain-free-- we are talking ripping out hair follicles here-- but they make it as comfortable as possible. And more importantly, they dont judge when you come in way past the "winter fro" look and more borderline Chewbaca... they just do their thang.
sister had brows done here and was happy with them, too.
I haven't been to very many waxing places...usually i just get it done at my neighborhood nail salon..but after some painful experiences I ventured to stark waxing STUDIO (fancy eh) for a reaaal waxing experience.
I got my underarms done here...and I have to say their level of professionalism surpasses any local nail salon that i've been to! talk about cleanliness and most of all, very little pain! instead of using the conventional waxing strips, they apply this blueish colored wax that hardens and they take the hair right off! hahah. I feel strange writing a review about my waxing experience, but I really recommend this place to anyone in the silverlake/nearby area.
lydia is a really good esthetician, ask for her during the weekdays.
oh and prices aren't bad. i think i paid 15 for underarms.
Attention First Timers: be not afraid!
So I went in and I was sitting there in the waiting room shaking and wringing my hands, on the verge of crying, paralyzed... I tell the receptionist that its my first time (EVERRR!!!! I probably said everything a little too loud) and she tells me not to worry, it's going to be fine. I think "yeah right," shake a little more... Then it's my turn.
Jill introduces herself to me and I think "oh my god! she's on Yelp! someone wrote about her! this is totally going to be okay!" And it was! I was undergoing a first time brazillian, which sounds like a torture treatment, but it really wasn't that bad at all. Yes, there were like 2 strips that brought tears to my eyes, but otherwise it was relatively painless. No sceaming, no crying, just a couple of gasps. The most surprising part: no lingering pain. I was figuring that I would be cringing for a while after this, but no... nothing after a minute. And some strips I didn't even feel. Not so bad.
I got my brows done, too, and since I'm a little pluck-happy, she gave me a tutorial of what not to do to myself with the tweezers. Very helpful. All this in about a half hour.
It's a little pricey, but the comfort and results are worth it.
Update:
After seeing Jill each and every time since last summer, I was forced to see (gasp) a different person because I needed to make an emergency brazilian appt. Her name is Sam, and she was GREAT. Make an appt with either of them and you'll leave very happy.
