City Guide: The Best Places to Get Waxed in Los Angeles
If ever there’s a part of our beauty routine that gives us mixed feelings, it’s waxing. Sure, there’s an extra spring in our step when we leave the salon freshly waxed. But the 20 minutes leading up to that moment are sheer agony (too dramatic?). We’ve hopped around from salon to salon trying to find the one that makes the situation most bearable—these are the six salons that top our list!
Location: West Hollywood
Ma Maíson de Beauté is a little oasis tucked inside a West Hollywood bungalow. The french doors are always open, letting in plenty of natural light and fresh air, and the entire space is always impeccably clean. Everyone who works there is friendly, and they’re always very accommodating. But the real reason we go back is that the Brazilians take 10 minutes max. Seriously, you’re in and out of there in under 12 minutes without sacrificing quality. Both Diana and Jessi do a fabulous job.
8804 Rosewood Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90048
Location: North Hollywood
This unassuming little spot in the heart of the NoHo Arts District may not look like much, but they know what they're doing there. The staff is friendly, and they're precise—sticklers for detail. Go see Tonya; you won't be disappointed. The Beauty Strip also has a lovely selection of lingerie and beauty products, in case you're ever in the mood for a little post-wax shopping.
5217 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601
Location: Beverly Hills
This place is real no-nonsense waxing salon. We debated even putting it on our list but decided it would be selfish of us to keep the secret. Though you wouldn’t know it by a quick Google search, Magic Touch Waxing Salon has been around for over 30 years (seriously, just try to find a picture of it online). The salon has remained the go-to spot for those in the know (including celebrities), but don’t expect Beverly Hills opulence (or a Beverly Hills price tag). One caveat: They don’t accept credit cards, so bring cash!
321 South Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Locations: Westwood, West Hollywood (coming soon)
Our editor got her introduction to Uni K Wax Centers in Miami (aka the land of the Brazilians—so you know it’s good), and she’s never looked back. What keeps her coming back? To quote, “It was the least painful bikini wax I have ever gotten, and it's that way every time. They use a proprietary all-natural hard wax specifically developed for their salons. It’s green (not blue) and applied at room temperature (rather than piping hot). All that adds up to a waxing experience that’s so painless our editor calls it “sorcery.” (Word to the wise: Uni K has locations all over Florida and New York and is working on new locations in New Jersey and California.)
1045 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024
Locations: Culver City, Brentwood
You’ll feel right at home at the Queen Bee Salon and Spa. The salon is warm and inviting—almost a little “fairy tale–esque,” as our editor would say. So inviting, in fact, it was the spot our editor chose to lose her waxing virginity, and they made her feel right at home. The waxers clearly know what they're doing and will give you plenty of post-wax tips. And best of all, they're fast. When you go, be sure to head home with Queen Bee’s Buzz Off Bumps ($24)—it’s a lifesaver for ingrown hairs.
10182 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
Locations: Silver Lake, West Hollywood
At Stark Waxing Studio, the space is chic, minimalist, and clean. The staff is knowledge, professional, and approachable—basically they’re exactly the type of people you would want to be controlling hot wax. They use hard wax (the blue kind, which is great for sensitive skin), but remarkably that doesn’t seem to have any negative effects on their speed. We happen to love Stark's Body Scrub ($18) for between-waxes exfoliation.
8701 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069
Have you been to any of these salons? L.A. ladies, tell us your favorite spots in the comments below!