Strip: Ministry of Waxing vs. Lay Bare: Who Comes Out Triumphant?

 

When it comes to the waxing experience, I've already tried BOTH Strip: The Ministry of Waxing (Serendra, Fort Bonifacio) and Lay Bare (Don Antonio, Commonwealth). So which waxing place should you go to when you're in need of getting the hair down there away? Let me state 5 factors and let YOU be the judge!

HYGIENE AND CLEANLINESS 

Hands down, for me it has to be STRIP. Why? Definitely because of hygienic reasons! I am a stickler for good hygiene and impeccable cleanliness when it comes to your personal zone--especially for us girls! You have to go to a place where they value these things as top priority. STRIP does NOT double dip their spatulas, which is their pride and joy, which is absolutely true. Throughout my stay I never once saw the "Striperella" (term used for the strippers, er, the waxing technicians rather) use a spatula twice. Also, each customer is given an individually sealed Hygiene pack, which includes latex gloves, spatulas, wet wipes, cotton pads and buds.

LAY BARE, on the other hand, was not high for me on the cleanliness part. Sure they use a different towel for you to lay your privates on, but I couldn't help noticing a few unswept hairs still remaining on the bed. They also use a single spatula throughout the entire process. The scissors they also use looks really used--if you know what I mean.

WAX USED


Both STRIP and LAY BARE use hard wax, the latter using cold sugar wax jelly made of sugar, kalamansi, and honey which looks like a clear, yellowish wax. STRIP uses a Strip Wild Berry Chocolate wax, which really looks like chocolate you can eat! Both are also applied directly to your skin using a spatula, then the technician waits for a few seconds, and uses that wax to yank the hair out.


PRICE


LAY BARE has to win in this category. Its really no wonder a lot of people choose to patronize their branches because of the price. A bikini wax (which I got, yes I'm still not brave for the full-on Brazilian!) is a mere P250, compared with STRIP's P650. LAY BARE's brazilian is even cheaper than STRIP's bikini, which is for only P450. STRIP is a whopping P1250, which isn't much different from their Bikini Line XXX, which is take everything off except that part.

For a full list of their services, you can check out LAY BARE and STRIP with these links.


FACILITIES and LOCATION


STRIP wins again. The interiors of both their branches are eye-catching but most important of all, ensures maximum privacy. Privacy has to be on top of your list for your waxing experience. STRIP has a room just for you, the client and you will definitely not hear anyone on the next room. Sure there's an occasional laugh or talk or footstep outside your room but that's it.

LAY BARE, on the other hand, only consisted of "cubicles" wherein you are only separated by a curtain to the next customer. I found it very uncomfortable because I like to talk to my waxing technician through the entire process because I want to know what she's doing. But then I get distracted and I can't concentrate because I can hear the client beside me! Very nerve-wracking really.

But when it comes to branches, LAY BARE has over 18 branches nationwide while STRIP only has 2, found in Greenbelt 5 and Serendra.

THE "OUCH" FACTOR 


I have to admit STRIP was more painless than LAY BARE. STRIP was quicker and I felt that the Striperella knew more about what she was doing than the waxing technician in LAY BARE. I also didn't have much time to feel pain in STRIP because she did her work really fast.


In the end, I really do prefer going to STRIP for waxing because I value hygiene and cleanliness above everything. I do think the price tag is quite hefty compared to LAY BARE, but you get what you pay for. Who knows, maybe someday I'll be able to brave the Brazilian and I'll let you guys know when that day comes. Until then, I'll be sure to be a patron of STRIP anytime I need their services.

Any experience on other waxing salons? What are your thoughts on the two I mentioned? Did you have a different encounter?

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Not a Gem Find: BEABI

When I first saw BEABI in their mini-kiosk in the Powerplant Mall, I thought that it was the cutest idea ever! I thought that the small plastic bottles they sold would be perfect for traveling so that one doesn't need to lug around big bottles of shampoo, conditioner or lotion and not worry of any spillage.

I also thought that the bottles were a tad bit expensive. A 50-ml sized bottle costs PHP35 while a bottle double that size was PHP70.

I rarely travel so when I was going to Korea around 2 weeks ago, I thought that getting myself these BEABI bottles would be a great way to make my trip more convenient. Boy was I wrong!

I bought 4 50-ml bottles, totaling to PHP140. When I got to Korea, these bottles were such a hassle to use! I seriously wished I didn't bring them and just went with my huge bottles. The bottles were extremely difficult to open, and you couldn't squeeze them to make the liquid come out! The dispensers were of no use--I had to uncap each one just to get any of my shampoo, conditioner or lotion out. You have to tap it out (like ketchup) and you end up wasting more product than saving. Super hassle!

Never will I fall for buying these BEABI bottles. I seriously hate them. Sayang yung PHP140, I could've used it for something else, like food!

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The Adidas Philippine Range: Another Excuse to Wear Red, White and Blue Together

Adidas finally gives us another reason to wear our country's colors with their all new Philippine Range line (featuring Mr. Pogi himself, John Lloyd Cruz as the standard flagbearer). The product also has Iza Calzado, the boys from Boys Night Out, Chris Tiu, Lia Cruz, and Enrico Villanuenva among others endorsing it.

The jacket, shirt and bag is available this month!  

At the risk of being called unpatriotic, well, I'm not really excited for this because I feel like Philippine icons and such have been overused these past 2 years. I know nothing beats wearing your country's colors proudly, but it just seems that every brand is jumping the patriotic bandwagon. Do you guys know what I mean? There's too much Ninoy/Cory paraphernalia (and we all know its just a secret code of Bench campaigning for Noynoy), red blue and white items, just about everything has to be Philippine-themed.

I feel that the country's colors are not as sacred as they used to be. I bet you can debate with me on this...you might say that at least the youth, the people, everyone else is finally cherishing our Philippine heritage. But maybe make them recite the Panatang Makabayan or sing the Lupang Hinirang in full first before we say that nationalism is really alive.

Wasn't there a law before that forbid using the Philippine flag's colors? Or is it just "wearing" it that was forbidden?

But...I might feel differently about it if someone gives me this bag:

The jacket costs PHP3,295 while the bag and shirt costs PHP1,495, available in selected Adidas shops.

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Sale at Mango!

Hello girls (and guys?)! I know its been a while since I've updated, but even if I'm busy as of the moment, I just had to post this:

Once again, it's the Mango Fashiontastic SALE! Just in time before Christmas, we can all splurge and get that perfect outfit for the holiday season.

See you girls there!

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Viva la MAC!

M.A.C, home of my most favorite lip product ever (The Lipglass), is opening soon in Powerplant, Rockwell! Its located right right beside Beauty Bar at the 1st floor.

Watch out for it on September 2009, just in time for my birthday!

Everyone, grab me a lipglass please or a gorgeous set of M.A.C. brushes.

I cannot get over how excited I am about having it so much closer to me!!!:D:D:D

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MNG FASHIONTASTIC SALE!

I opened up my e-mail last night just in time to see the lovely Penelope Cruz, and the words, FASHIONTASTIC SALE for Mango caught my eye.

Talk about something to look forward to at the end of the day! I love how the Ateneo Law School is located right next to Powerplant, where students who feel worthless can head over to the nice shops and shop their worries away.

Just as planned, I went there (the 2nd day!) with my 2 blockmates. I found a really great patterned dress but I'm still mulling it over if I should buy it or not...

See you there, shop-a-holics!:D

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Love Being a Student with Topshop!

We consistently moan and groan about still staying in school and how looooong it has been taking before we finally end the dreary days of studying, but fear not, TOPSHOP has found a way to make everything brighter for those of us fighting off the doldrums.

If you make me choose between Zara, Topshop and Mango (the usual go-tos of us financially deprived for designer labels but can still afford gorgeous things), without hesitating, I will say, "GIMME MY TOPSHOP!", because the store basically has everything that I alude my funky style to. One of the most important things a girl has to keep in mind is to define what her style is. I am definitely not a preppy girl, which Zara and Mango specializes in. I have to admit that everytime Topshop has a sale my credit card gets overused because there are just so many good things to get! (Okay I have to admit that it doesn't only happen during sales.) Also, it has a Petite line which many short Filipinas love.

One of my best buys during those sales is this skirt featured here on your right, called a Colour Block Prom skirt (mine came in pink, white and gray though, yes I'm more whimsical that way). I remember that I got it on sale, exactly 50% off! It was the last skirt on the rack and I just had to have it. The zipper was actually broken, because some inane person somehow managed to zip up the cloth along with it. But I had every person in the store do their best efforts to fix it (with me constantly nagging them, "How the hell are you going to sell that skirt if it's broken!?"), and eventually the zipper was mended and I was able to buy it. Best efforts are best rewarded, and this skirt has been my favorite item in my closet.

Some have been asking me where the best selections can be found in their many different branches. I haven't been to ALL of the branches, but I always end up buying either in the Trinoma or the Greenbelt branch so I guess those are the best for me.

Now, Topshop is offering ALL STUDENTS 10% off all year long! The bad news is, this is only for Topshop UK. Here in Manila, its only from June 1-30 (craaaapness) just in time for going back to school. I know its annoying, but all good things come to an end and this is one of those. What are you waiting for? Go out and get the best that you can because before you know it, the end of the month's already here!

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