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The Refinery
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon-Fri. 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Validated
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- No
18 reviews for The Refinery
This business is a Yelp Sponsor
3/7/2009
9/8/2009
8/17/2009
11/24/2009
Updated - 11/1/2009
Updated - 9/22/2009
Updated - 3/30/2009
7/24/2009
9/24/2008
4/29/2008
3/1/2009
8/29/2009
12/9/2008
10/4/2007
10/15/2007
5/21/2008
12/8/2008
1/6/2006
One of the Business' Favorite Reviews What's This?
The Refinery is a jewel.
If you're looking for a super-relaxing spa experience, this is probably not your place, but if you want an affordable, well-done and fast wax, then it for-sure is. All of the staff I've had have been experts at keeping the conversation going, which is always appreciated during these sorts of things, and, I'm usually done in about 10 minutes which makes it super-easy to squeeze into the schedule.
Plus, they validate your parking and if you're on their e-mail list, they'll tell you about the early week specials for that week, which makes the whole affair that much cheaper.
i love the refinery! the service is excellent, the staff is friendly and the salon is quite clean....oh, and they validate parking and are located in a super convenient location at the U.....who can complain about walking over to loring pasta bar after a quick waxy waxy rippy rippy?
and speaking of which, all of the waxing services (of the south american country version) have been flawless. Respectful, clean and quick appointments with staff who make you feel comfortable without even trying.
I love being on their email list because every monday i get an email about their weekly specials....like five bucks off a brazilian this thursday or a discounted massage and pedi combo. LOVE IT!
I'll absolutely keep coming back for all of my below the border needs...and i may even start trying out their other services as well! I'm a student now...i deserve it!........right?
I visited The Refinery for the first time this past Saturday for a Brazilian wax. I am relatively new to waxing that very sensitive and personal area of my body, and had only done it 3 other times, all at Juut's New Artist Academy in Uptown. The first time I had it done it at Juut it turned out fine (other than of course hurting like a muthaf**ka), but the second two times I broke out right afterward with an awful rash and ended up with a lot of ingrowns (sorry, it's gross, I know). Because of this, and because of the fact that Juut had just started a brand new class of aesthiticians and I didn't want to take any chances on a newbie butchering my lady bizniz, I decided to give The Refinery a shot.
Wow! The whole process took only 15 minutes (compared to the 30-45 minute process I had to endure at Juut). Lorie kept the conversation flowing, which is always a welcome distraction. She didn't tweeze any strays at the end, but when I got home and took a closer look I realized no tweezing was needed--which means my hair is probably all on the same growth cycle now (it takes a few regular waxes to get this). $30 for a Brazilian is an amazing deal, and I got amazing results. Sadly, I DID break out with a little rash again, but I think that's just my sensitive skin and something I'll have to endure if I want to continue waxing that area. I will definitely be back in 4-6 weeks!
I am a huge fan of The Refinery. I have been going to the refinery now for a little over 3 years every 4-6 weeks mainly take advantage of their waxing servies (eye brow, lip, and brazillian). Amy is great, super friendly and makes the experience as painless as possible. I work on the U of M campus so the locale is great for me otherwise I would have to drive the east suburbs. However if you do drive, they will validate your parking for the lot in Dinkytown.
I would TOTALLY recommend The Refinery to anyone.
An update: I being seeing Amy for eyebrow waxes for about six months now...and she is consistently awesome. She gets me in and out in ten minutes and does a great job EVERY time. I'm so glad I found her! I give Amy four stars but maintain that quality of service at the Refinery is hit-or-miss based on provider.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/3/2009
I like The Refinery because it is affordable for a spa-like environment and the service is generally… Read more »
I swear I do more than wax myself: I saw Amy last time I visited the Refinery and gotta say she's supa awesome and supa personable and supa hilarious. Anyone that can make you laff while you are gettin waxed deserves to be the new go-to!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/4/2008
Wondering who might make you feel the most at ease while they rip your hairs out by the root with… Read more »
I hadn't been waxed since before I gave birth, so as you can imagine, my underarms and lower legs were beginning to look rather, ughm, masculine.
I had received a newsletter from the refinery that said half legs were 5 bucks off today, so I carved out some time and zoomed over to Dinkytown. For 40 bucks (plus tip) I got both my pits and calves waxed. I appreciated that my ethetician, Crysta, was friendly but quick. As I've said before, I'm not looking for a "spa" experience here; I just want the job done, and well. And now my legs look like I lost about 10 lbs (yes, that's how hairy they were.) Not bad for a Jackson.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/12/2008
Even though there were many fabulous reviews of the Refinery, I was hesitant because I wax myself… Read more »
Cheap, fast, and they sure make my eyebrows pretty. Get on their mailing list or check out the specials on their website before going in, though, for some good deals. I've been going here for three years now and I haven't a bad thing to say about these gals.
Getting a Brazilian is not really something one looks forward to but at The Refinery you might actually leave happy.
For $25 this is a deal and a half. Plus, the staff is uber nice always talking and making that embarrassing position you're in surprisingly almost pleasant... or as comfortable as it gets.
The massages and everything else are also very reasonably priced but you get high class ambiance for that low price tag. The whole atmosphere of the place is young, clean, soothing and very professional. Think Zen with a modern twist.
Unlike the usual delays at spas, I've never waited for more than five minutes for my turn at The Refinery and metered parking is fairly easy to find on the street close by in Dinkytown.
Finally, if you sign up for their newsletter through their website, every Monday you'll get an e-mail with the week's specials so you can plan an even cheaper appointment.
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Not the ritziest spa experience ever, but uniformly competent and reasonably priced. (Not Korean nail joint at the strip mall reasonable, but good for a "spa environment")
I go here for pedicures and massages. I've also had a facial here. My masseuse deserves to be thanked if I ever win any kind of award for any sort of achievement. Really, getting through a month without Sarah to rub away the pains and cares is no longer an option.
The atmosphere is very friendly and casual. My husband and I frequently have couples massage, which is not as dirty as it sounds. A lot of people think a good couples massage is romantic and maybe it is, but as was pointed out by a recent episode of Rock of Love, you are pretty far away from one another while this is going on.
I have tried both the spa pedicure and the "express." Both were LONG treatments that were very pampering. I would definitely recommend the express because it's cheaper and the spa isn't that much more detailed. I love the woman who does my toes. We always talk about organic food and stuff.
One thing I really appreciate about all the services I've gotten here is they never push product. I hate it when you go to get a supposedly relaxing treatment that you pay through the nose for and they act like you're at a Mary Kay Party.
My friend actually gave me a gift certificate to another spa and I've yet to use it, probably because I'm so happy with the Refinery. Maybe I'll go there and get some crazy service they don't do here. Himalayan mud dip, perhaps?
A quick update: I went here for a manipedi spa outing with my mom and it was awesome. Angelique who normally does my nails did my mother's. She was just so nice and gentle with my mother who was a spa first-timer and has never in her 65 years of life had her toe nails painted.
I've been going to the Refinery for my brazzies for 8 months now, and although I feel that the place is kind of a machine and the front desk staff aren't always the most courteous, I would like to give DANIELLA 5 Stars for her great Brazilians. She does a great job for the 15 minutes allotted, and has a very calming, grounded energy about her.
i've gotten facials, mani/pedis, and massages here before... no complaints whatsoever. the staff doesn't try to push their product line on you (though i did end up buying it because i liked it so much, hehe) and the services feel much longer than what you pay for. if you get on their email list, u get alerts for when they offer services at a discounted price -- i.e. 30 minute massage for only $28! 30 minutes may seem short, but it feels like an hour and they even helped me get rid of my stress headache/migraines.
Not a fan.
My first BZ wax there was amazing! even if i broke out like crazy after I loved the girl and she did a great job. I even waited untill she was avilble again to go back. This time my wax was supper spotty and she lifted skin in three very sensitve areas.
The room was FIlthy. the wax pot haddn't been cleaned in months if not years. Plus she never sanitized my skin and double diped the stick more then once. I'm pretty grossed out and wont go back. 30 dollars is a great price but who knows what you'll pick up.
I would go out of my way to go here. I've only gotten waxing done here (eyebrow and bikini), but my girl Amy was phenomenal. She's done the best job on my brows ever. I was really disappointed to leave her when I moved to Chicago. (She's also an awesome storyteller!)
Make sure to sign up for their e-mail list. They send out an e-mail on Mondays that have reduced prices for services Monday thru Thursday.
Yeah this place is pretty sweet. I'm pretty sure it's the only place in Dinkytown you can get a brazillian. It's really classy and very zen. I find it to be a great place for a relaxing procedure, whatever you choose. Erin is right, it is a great value too.
i've only been here for the brazilians, and i must say i miss the refinery ever since i've moved. autumn was efficient, to the point, and would talk me through each session, so the process was relatively painless. her instructions on when to breathe helped a ton. i wish i could come back!
i love this place for waxes. i have been going there for years. massages are great and their table is heated! love them.
I really like the Refinery; it's just about the highest quality spa experience you can get for the little money there is in your wallet. It's right in Dinkytown so it's good for us poor students :) When I get massages there, though, they put on really soothing music yet I can hear cars beeping outside. It's that urban-zen experience.
