Today, I had my first facial ever in my whole life.  (Biore strips do not count!)  Marla was my technician.  I was a little bit stressed when I went in to see her, but she immediately put me at ease.  That is, until she innocently said "Why don't we do your brows while you're in here?"  A glycolic treatment, sure!  Tinting, well, anything, I'm game.  When I thought of waxing, though, fear stabbed my heart.  (Ok, maybe I'm being a touch dramatic, but how many of you generally look forward to having hair ripped out by the roots.? Yeah, I thought so.)  But, in the name of bringing the unvarnished truth to the Head to Toe Blog, I said, "Yes!  Of course I would LOVE to have my brows waxed."

The origin of my fear

I think it came to pass sometime a few years ago when I was reading an article in Vogue magazine about the Brazilian bikini wax.  Until that point, I never thought about waxing.  I'm not particularly hirsute, so I never had a unibrow.  And, I don't wear very revealing swimsuits, so I was ok "down there."  But the thought of a Brazilian?  Scared the pants off me!  So, I pretty much put waxing out of my mind until, well, today.

When I was little, I think I used to pull on my eyebrows, so they were shaped a little funky, but not so funky that I ever felt motivated to do anything about it.  Now that they have been waxed, an entire new world has opened up to me.  I can't go back.  Luckily, the experience was not at all scary, nor was it painful.  Here's how the waxing went.

Speak Softly and Carry a Big Pot of Wax

I lie down in the chair which is so comfortable, I could stay there for about three days.  Marla puts a calming, hot towel around my face.  Bliss.  I think I can go to sleep now.  Then we decide to wax.  Marla starts chatting about good books to read and Facebook, things she knows will put me at ease.  Every so nonchalantly (I think, because my eyes are closed and I can't see anything), she paints a little bit of wax on the area she is going to shape.  Then, with just a slight press of her fingers around my brow, all the while discussing what an enormous time suck Facebook is, but how it is oh-so-fun, she removes the wax quickly, and part of my brow with it. 

I was completely prepared to howl in pain, but there WAS NO PAIN.  It felt more like a quick pinch, or like taking a band-aid off, but quicker, because Marla's a pro.  She repeated this a few times, and Voila, my brows were new!  She held up a mirror, and it was like getting a FACE LIFT!  I feel like a vastly more attractive version of myself. 

After-effects of Brow Shaping

Throughout the rest of my facial, I could definitely tell that my brows were different, kind of like the way you feel after a haircut.  You are used to feeling your hair there, and then it isn't hitting your shoulders the same way, or brushing up against your cheek.  In terms of the brows, I can just feel "air" there where there used to be hair.  

I drove home, grinning all the way, and my husband was home from a meeting.  He said I was "glowing" and he couldn't stop smiling.  (I guess he likes it that I'm taking a new interest in grooming.  I can't imagine why. . . ) I definitely feel more confident, and I never really considered that that would be the outcome of such a simple service. 

Final verdict:  If you feel like your brows are the equivalent of a snaggletooth, or you just want a confidence booster, an eyebrow shape is a little, inexpensive miracle!

More on the facial tomorrow. . . 

Hi there!  I'm Katie, and I work with Head to Toe Day Spa and Salon on the website, e-newsletter, and other marketing activities.  As such, I'm the primary blogger for Head to Toe.  I'll be writing about people at the Spa, services, activities, specials, and just about anything else you can think of!  Check back often to see what's happening in your favorite Day Spa and Salon.  You can also follow us on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/headtotoeILM  or @headtotoeILM  Because the blog is more fun and less formal, I'll post pictures and first-hand accounts.  I'm not a photographer, so my pictures won't be exhibition quality, but you'll be able to get a personal feel for the spa!

I'm a Writer, not a Technician

My background is horticulture and writing!   So, you might ask, why on earth does it make sense for me to blog for Head to Toe?  Well, one thing I can definitely say is that I'm experiencing many of the treatments and services for the first time in my whole life!  That means I have the perspective of a new customer! 

Sure, I've had manicures and pedicures.  I've gotten my hair cut.  I've even had makeup professionally applied.  But, until today, I'd never had my brows waxed.  Until a few weeks ago, I'd never had a paraffin pedicure.  I've never had my hair colored.  So, if you've been thinking about a massage, but you aren't too sure, or you've been scared to death to get your eyebrows waxed, go with me as I try out all that Head to Toe has to offer.  Maybe it will give you the courage, nudge or idea to try something new, yourself!

Can you trust this blogger?

Yes!  I will be very up front about what I experience.  So far, I can tell you that I've been more than happy with everything I've done at Head to Toe, and I'm PICKY, nervous, and not all that girly!  I work with Head to Toe, along with a lot of other places, but they are definitely some of my favorite people to spend time with.  (And, I promise, I don't say that about everybody!)  Everyone at the Spa is super-nice, professional, very well-trained and all around welcoming.  I hope that you experience that, too, when you visit the Spa. 

A Little Help From my Friends

To keep you up to date about everything happening at Head to Toe, I keep in close contact with the technicians, owners and front desk staff.  I visit often, and ask tons and tons of questions.  I get all of the information straight from them, "pretty it up" and put it on the website.  I can't wait to tell you all about everything!  Stay tuned, it's gonna be fun!

If you'd like to be featured on our blog, drop a note to katie@headtotoedayspa.net.  I'd love to hear from you!