Strip - Ministry of Waxing

The playboy waxing I had was well done - no complaints at all.

I almost walked out of there before that when I had the 'full-back' wax.

The girl wouldn't do my neck and shoulders and drew a very clear area of what composes of the 'full-back'.

Already paying 300 for a full-back - do they think I would pay another 100 something for a couple of rips around my neck hairline? No way! Also, the back wax consists mainly of roll-on.

She was apologetic and said that the management is strict about this.

Well, I'm not having another back wax at Strip but rather at the place on Julu Rd.

And of course - on the way out there is the usual up-sell. I told them that I will definitely not be back (I speak Chinese).

My 2nd visit for waxing at Wulumuqi lu was pleasant.

Hands down the best place for waxing in Shanghai.
It was my first time at Strip at Wulumuqi lu, and yes i was worried of the end result. To my suprise it was painless, in 20 minutes my legs were clean and wiped, no sticky feeling at all in the end. The best thing is they do not pluck with tweezers at the end.
The therapist speaks english and was funny. She did try to sell me the membership card while waxing, but i see no harm to that.
In the end i did buy the membership card. it offers me 20% discount and i am sure i will be going back to Strip. Im a happy customer.

I went for full leg waxing last week at their Wulumuqi Lu outlet. This was my first time in Strip, before I used to go to Israeli girl (she is very good, but currently away). I was a bit afraid to do wax there because I heard lots of horror stories from the girls who did waxing in Helen Spa, Dragonfly and Apsara and saw some seriously torn skin and burns. I amazed by the quality of waxing and service I got in Strip. It was fast, pain-free and no hair left behind. They have very good white light which helps to trace all the small blonde hairs, which are hard to see with regular yellow light or daylight. It was the first time that I was not oily after waxing, they use special solution which easily removes wax leftovers (if any). In the past all my terapists used oil to remove the wax which made me feel greasy especially in summer and even stained my clothes.

For the reference my terapist's name is Venessa and she has 9 years of waxing experience. She used to work in Dragongly, Apsara and some other places (I don't remember names). She is a real pro! Highly recommend her! She speaks some English.

I didn't experience any hard sell. When I was paying they asked if I want to buy the membership card which will give me a bigger discount than Dolls card and if I wanted my eyebrows done. I answered "No" to both and they didn't push anything else.

It's easy to be quick and having low prices when you use the roll-on an not the spatula for the wax! Many people who are not 'properly trained' can do the job but the biggest con is that you have to go back more frequently as the hair grows faster (when you use the roll-on much hair gets broken instead that stripped).

Been twice now and do like the branding. Not the best wax ever, and the girls don't seem to be trained in checking over after waxing with tweezers which they really ought to at these prices.

My biggest bugbear is the loos; 2 floors upstairs from the treatment rooms, and are smelly, dingey, smokey and do not even have hot water. So, go to the loo before you go to strip!

I've been to Strip several time already and I'm quite happy with it! If i compare it with service and prices back home, the technicians could be faster and more precise (sometimes I had problems with broken hair) and prices could be cheaper, but probably it's not fair compare them with my more-than-10-year-exeperienced waxer, who deal daily with Mediterrean hairy legs!!
The only annoying thing is that they really push hard on the selling, even after you buy a package (which in my case are actually convenient). Said that, it is, so far, my favourite waxing place; it is clean and very, very hygenic, the service is good, the staff is nice and the prices are reasonable.

I've been to Strip twice and so far I like it (with some caveats).

Pros:
--Very hygienic and clean, strict on the 1-dip-per-stick policy. They always open new wax packs for you individually and keep the rooms/equipment very clean. That's really important to me. I have never seen them waver from this.
--Technicians are well trained. They know their way around the area, and they're really professional. They won't make you feel embarrassed, even if it's your first time to get waxed! They told me that they work mostly with foreigners, and they have all done enough waxes to be used to it so even though it's a new thing in China, they'll take care of you well.
--Fun atmosphere, nice waxing rooms.
--Waxing prices aren't bad, but products are a bit expensive.

Cons
--Sometimes they're not as thorough as you'd expect. The first time I went, I got a full leg wax. My hair was definitely long enough, but they used the soft wax and I was left with lots of broken hairs and stubble. It wasn't smooth at all. Then my technician seemed miffed and scolded (yes, scolded!) me when I didn't want to wax my legs the second time.
--Stingy on the waxing areas. The second time I went, I didn't want my legs waxed because the first time was not done very well. After the technician finished, I looked down and realized that they hadn't really done the edges of my bikini area and there were still pretty large strips of unwaxed hair. I asked about it (I speak Chinese), and the technician was adamant that she wouldn't do that part because it was "leg" and I had not paid for a leg wax. It was *clearly* part of the bikini line! It was the same problem on the inside of my thigh--there were several areas that she kept calling "leg" when it was clearly still part of the bikini line. I thought it wasn't very reasonable or good service.
--Hard sellers. Like most beauty places in Shanghai, they push HARD for you to buy packages and extra products. Each time they have tried to guilt trip me or shame me into buying yet another product or package ("your hair is so dark already, you're going to get ingrown hairs if you don't buy this! it'll look so bad!" etc.). Most of the time they are very friendly, but at the end it is so high pressure. I wish they would back off if you say you're not interested. Waxing is quite a splurge for me, and I'd rather not explain to the staff exactly WHY I can't drop 2,000 on a package and 3 products.

Overall, I'll probably keep going back because they do a good job for what they're known for--bikini-area waxing. I've been less satisfied with their other waxing services (I've done underarm, bikini areas, and legs). Unfortunately I have been hit hard by the sell each time at the end (and while they're waxing), and I have ended up buying packages and products that I wasn't so interested in. I kind of dread next time that I go because I will have to sheepishly repeat over and over "No thanks, I'm not really interested in a bigger package right now...".

I have visited a few places in SH for waxing (brazilian in particular).. and I have to say that Strip is definately the best place I have found so far.

Apple is great - she is quick, super friendly and the place is extremely clean and modern.

The prices are also really good.. actually cheaper than back home in Oz - and cheaper than most places I've tried here...

They know what they're on about at Strip.. they have a great marketing concept and the place is very funky - I'd definately reccommend Strip and will go back again - I'm also keen to try out their eyebrow salon that is joined - Brauhaus!?!