Ocean Breeze Spa

As i was in the town last week, i just went to get my hair colored and cut on Friday. My stylist was Val. she was very professional! She knew exactly what to do with my hair. I told her i wanted to layer my hair but still keep the length. The color i wanted was a medium ash brown. In the end, it turned kind of DARK BROWN, and not ashy at all, but right now, it’s starting to fade and become more ashy now. So I’m quite happy!!. I will visit again whenever i get chance.

My first visit to the Ocean Breeze Spa was with a Social Shopper voucher for keratin hair straightening. Val was the stylist, she did a great job and my hair turned out silky smooth. I found her to be very knowledgeable about new hair products on the market that would suit my fine hair. Any products that she recommended (Moroccan Oil Light, the Chi product line or Blow Magic) worked awesome on my hair. I have since been back for hair cuts, hair color and waxing. I will definitely return.

The décor is very nice (I love cozy brick walls), and the place looks clean. They were very helpful, and had VERY fast service which is always a plus when waxing (last thing you want to do is drag it out). I also enjoyed the eyebrow threading — thought they did a good job there. Overall I had a good experience! Only downside (loss of a star) is that the bathroom is through the door of the spa and in some sort of office lobby, which is a little awkward.

I love the look threading and had only had it done once before at a location way too far away. I had commented on some of my client’s brows before and asked where they had got them done. Oceanbreeze in Yaletown was one of the places recommended to me but I had forgotten the name of the «threadist» recommended. I called and asked about pricing which was average for downtown. The lady said I didnt need an appointment and could just walk in. On arrival I was greeted… then swiftly escorted to the threading chair. The lady didn’t really take any time to talk to me or make me feel comfortable. She didn’t even ask what shape or thickness I wanted my brows to be. She just seemed to want me in and out!
I have had horrid experiences with getting services in the past so always feel quite anxious when I go into salons and spas (which is a rare occurrence). It wasn’t until I got home and looked closely into the mirror that I realized she had missed many hairs. I do some plucking at home. Not the best service!

Took advantage of those Groupon-​style last winter, usually what one expects of a yaletown spa. Nice décor, high ceilings…
I think for women, better service but for me, it’s just a simple hair cut… in fact, i didn’t find her all that helpful and really willing to cut that much of my long hair lol. just suggested me to style in a certain way. Only best thing i liked was when she washed my hair, gave me a relatively longer head massage…
Still gave her a healthy tip considering they probably don’t make much from these Groupons…

I also bought a threading coupon for $ 7. Regular is $ 15. (yup! price has gone up!) I was skeptical of buying because of the previous reviews, but thought I’d try it out for myself, especially since it was 50% off — and it’s only 7 bucks.
The cashier at the front was friendly when I walked in (though not so much when leaving), but the person doing the threading wasn’t. After it was done, she was a bit rough rubbing lotion around my eyes and forehead… she didn’t clean any of my eyebrows that were threaded, so once I came home, I saw plucked eyebrows all over my face! Embarrassing, after the fact that I had gone to several shops afterward! and when you have black hair — it’s noticeable.
She also didn’t do a good job, so I had to use my tweezers once back home for some missed hair.
I wont be going back.

I originally found Ocean Breeze Spa when I was searching for affordable places in Yaletown for eyebrow threading. They’re great for this, they know what their doing, and it’s quick and cheap! Well, cheap for Yaletown ($ 12). For every 4 times you get your eyebrows threaded you get one free! The one thing that has put me off, is that the girls have no patience for pain! If you flinch, you get an evil look.
Last year I bought a voucher for a $ 19 Brazilian wax. I’ve never had it done, and at the time of purchase I thought it was a great way to try it out. I’m a chicken though, so it took me up until the expiry date to use it. Before going I checked the reviews on here, which didn’t help my fear!
The waxing room is now a complete room with full walls, unlike some of the other posters mentioned. I wore a flowy dress to my appointment, which allowed me to be bare, without showing it to everyone in the salon. Yes, the door opens right into the rest of salon! No privacy when that door opens! The dress saved my life! The girl I got did a very thorough job, and laughed with me as I flinched in agony… I’m still not sure if I’ll ever get one again, ouch! Some peevs of mine, she double dipped the stick, didn’t wash her hands, and didn’t wear gloves. If I ever get the guts to do it again, I think I’ll try Frilly Lilly, or Stripped. I have high hygienic standards when it comes to my lady parts!

I bought 2 $ 19 Brazilian wax and just went back for my last one… I think they charge $ 45 for a regular and I would definitely pay full price! Both times I received the best wax and I wish I got the girls name! It was seriously fast which means less pain! and NOTHING was missed :) I have a regular salon I am very loyal to, so I can’t speak to their other services, but for Brazilians it tops my list!

I’ve been here to threading for three times so far and they were ok experiences. I would recommend going to threading your brows there only. Can’t vouch for any other service.

I bought a $ 5 coupon for eyebrow threading (regularly $ 12). I was in Yaletown today and had the coupon with me so I decided to pop in and see if they could see me without an appointment. I was greeted and taken in immediately when I arrived and was out of there in less than 5 minutes.
The eyebrow threading was quick, easy and painless. I have 1 more coupon to use so I’ll definitely go back but I’ll probably re-​assess when I have to pay $ 12 because I think there are places outside of Yaletown where you can get it done for a lot less.
*I saw that there were mixed reviews so I decided to write mine before reading any of the others

I came here because I had that Living Social wax coupon and figured I’d give it a try as my regular place didn’t have time availability. Who would’ve guessed they’ve been at that Yaletown location for over 6 years? Definitely not me, that’s for sure.
There was only one other customer inside on the weekday afternoon I was there, but the place looked really cramped. It didn’t seem anything like the spas I’ve been to previously, it was more of a hair & nail salon to me. The lady led me to a tiny room, with walls that don’t even reach the ceiling. My initial thought was «if this turns out to be painful, everyone in here will hear me cry for my mommy…»
I asked to use their washroom, which turned out to be in a lobby of the shared building. And let me tell you, that place stank. Like really badly. I felt disgusting just being in the washroom.
I went back to the room to get undressed, and it was my first time looking around. The bed is covered with two sheets of paper towels, similar to the kind you’d get at the doctor’s office, and the it foot faces the door which opens to a hair section of the spa? It was so bizarre, I wasn’t sure how to cover myself with the hand towel they provided me, whether I should be hiding behind the door when she opened it or off to the side pressed against the wall or what. all I knew is I didn’t want to be flashing any lady parts when the girl opened the door!
The wax itself was quick and pretty painless, so that’s sort of a good thing. The waxing technician was fast, did the appropriate pat down when I made a sour face from the pain, and chatted with me to keep my mind off it. Conversation was kind of awkward only because I was aware that everyone outside could probably hear what we were talking about, since I could hear the TV that was playing outside.
I was done in just over 25 minutes, and happy to be out of there. It was my only coupon with them, so I won’t be heading back.

I bought the Living Social coupon for the Brazilian and was pretty excited that I got such a good deal! I’ve had Brazilians done in a number of places now, so I knew what to expect. The lady who did my waxing is a very nice Indian lady. I wasn’t very impressed with the waxing because there were quite a lot of strays afterwards. She explained that they never tweeze because it’s bad for you (apparently, it will make you grow 2 hairs in one pore if you tweeze. myth or fact?!). During the appointment, I had to give her a hand, literally! I had to pull my skin taunt many times in different positions and in different areas. While I’m used to doing that for most brazillian places, it was really like that for most of the appointment!
All this was fine, I can live with it. But a few weeks after, I was getting in-​growns! I’ve never had ingrowns from my previous appointments at other places, so I don’t know what what went wrong. I have another coupon for this place, but I might just suck up the loss and not go. I’ve had enough of ingrowns…

I went to Ocean Breeze, like several other reviewers, because I had a Living Social waxing certificate (for a brazilian wax) that I paid $ 19 for. I called to make an appointment for full legs and brazilian and I was able to get my appointment no problem.
When I walked in, I was immediately greeted in a very friendly manner and shown to the tiniest waxing ‘closet’ I’ve ever seen. There was a hook for my coat & purse on the wall, but nowhere to put my clothes after disrobing. I figured I would fold up my pants and put them on top of my shoes on the floor.
So, as I was taking my pants off, there was a knock at the door. «Just a minute,» I said. No matter, she opens the door anyway. Because the door opens into the middle of the salon, I bent over quickly and grabbed my pants to try and pull them up to hide myself from the public eye. I couldn’t even grab a towel, because the only one there was the size of a postage stamp. Instead of closing the door to give me some privacy, she just stood there asking me questions. I honestly couldn’t even pay attention, as I was trying to shield myself from whoever was behind her. Not a good start to my appointment! I asked for a bigger towel and she left — only to immediately return and open the door again — causing me to once again scramble to cover up. She handed me the towel and closed the door.
I finished taking my pants off and put them on my shoes. I then went to sit on the bed/​table and place the towel across my lap. Only… the towel was dirty! It was covered in black hair — almost as if someone had wiped the floor with it. Disgusting! I grabbed the postage-​stamp towel and placed it on my lap just before she entered the room again. When I mentioned the towel, she came back with another one, but at this point, I didn’t want it. I put it aside and said I was fine with the one I had.
The waxing starts and her bedside manner is good — she is nice, talkative and friendly with a calm demeanor. My problem arises when she doesn’t ask me how I want things to… ahem… «look». Usually a waxing technician will ask this before they go to town. Unfortunately, she didn’t give me the option. I was not impressed. While she continued, I looked around and realized — this place is FILTHY. The walls have most likely never been washed and there is zero relaxation factor here. I was tense, cramped (tiny room) and irritated. All I could think was that I had to get out of there.
So, about an hour later, she is finished and leaves the room. I do a bit of an inspection to see that she has missed quite a few spots. At this point, I don’t care. I just want to leave.
The girl at the cashier rang me up (even with the coupon, it was just as expensive as other salons I’ve been to!) and I paid by debit. Another girl handed me a coupon for half-​off their new infrared sauna, but I can guarantee I will never step foot in this «spa» again.
For waxing, don’t waste your money here — go to Stripped down the street where they know what they’re doing and you’re in & out in no time and they don’t miss anything! As for their other services, I can’t comment. But I can also tell you they won’t get any more of my business after that experience.

As I had 2 coupons for $ 19 waxes, this is my 2^nd review.
I stand by my comments about the appearance of the establishment in my first review (so quick, go read my witty remarks!), this is more of an update on the service. Because the place is 3, and the service was 5, we’re at 4 stars now.
**UPDATE = further inspection has bumped down to a 3 again, read the girly bit for why**
I had an appointment for 12:30. I was out the door after having paid at 12:47. That is 17 minutes that includes waiting briefly, going into the waxing room and disrobing, the wax itself (complete with some smalltalk), dressing, paying (more small talk), and out-​the-​door. If you’re not impressed by that kind of speed, then there’s something wrong with you.
**LOOK AWAY, BOYS!**
Wow — I was so happy this time! Val must have read my review, or someone must have told her, because this time — latex gloves. That was my biggest problem last time, so, we’re already on good grounds. But here’s where it gets better:
Aside from the fact that the woman is like the speedy gonzalez of the esthetics world, she’s downright hilarious too.
She took care of me super fast (remember, door to door time was 17 minutes. I think wax time must have been about 12, but we did chat for a bit, so I think she could probably get’er’done in under 10); and her ‘bedside manner’ is what is going to make me come back.
She’s like a cross between a caring mom and the crazy aunt you can tell anything to — when you squirm in pain she pats your leg as if to say ‘there, there’, but tells you hilarious stories while she works so you’re laughing so much you don’t realise what’s going on.
I honestly almost regretted when she said we were done, because I wanted to hear more! I definitely recommend her, especially if you’re a first-​timer (or newbie) and haven’t quite settled into the ouchies. She is welcoming, immediately puts you at ease, and does an excellent job in as little time as humanly possible. The woman is my wax-​saviour.
UPDATE: I’ve had a chance to ‘inspect’ Val’s work now — and she definitely wasn’t as thorough as she should have been. This was a complaint in my first review of her, and I’m bringing it up again — this was more of a ‘semi-​brazilian’ in that she definitely ‘missed’ some areas.
**ALRIGHT GUYS, YOU CAN COME BACK NOW**
As a note, Val also waxes boys, and apparently a lot of them. If you’re a dude, ask for her. Actually, everyone should ask for her, this lady is the definition of ‘Pro’.

The spa décor was lacking. The ceiling is really high in the studio so the cubicles that they do waxing in have walls that only go half-​way to the ceiling. This is very poor form in my opinion. Now if you let out a Unilocal everyone in the studio will hear you.
The waxing was great. The woman I had knew exactly what she was doing and was efficient and thorough.

I’ve only been to this spa for eyebrow threading, and they always do a nice job. They are very fast and always offer some lotion afterward, which is nice. Another good thing is appointments for threading aren’t necessary, you can just walk in usually.
$ 12 is actually quite expensive for eyebrow threading according my friend who gets it done all the time in Surrey, but as it’s the only place I know of downtown that does threading they will continue to get my business.

My experience at Ocean Breeze Spa was only slightly better than horrifying. When I think Yaletown, I think of a strange corner of Vancouver where everything is well groomed, slightly too expensive, and is often frequented by fake breasts and little dogs all balancing on impractical shoes. And I’ll bet somewhere between the shoes and the tits, there is a well done wax.
Being the thrifty East-Van’er that I am, I got a Groupon (or was it Living Social? Whichever) for a $ 19 dollar wax in yaletown and was stoked. It wouldn’t have taken much to live up to a $ 19 brazillian, but they managed to make me feel thoroughly uncomfortable.
First, I was shown into a tiny brick closet, and without ever being introduced to the person who would be all in and around my business, I was told with a wave of the hand to «get ready, you know what to do» and the sliding door was shut. The closet was lit by a single bare bulb, and the only hooks to hang my clothes on were placed directly above the open pots of hot wax. I could have probably found a more inviting atmosphere to get naked from the waist down in a rural village in Cambodia.
The girl, although nice, had me a little too involved in the whole process, directing me to pull this over here, and that over there. She did a good job in the end, but spent much of the time explaining how she does waxing for cheaper through her home, and convincing me to take her phone number and contact her directly for my next Brazilian.
The experience was awkward for sure, and I would not go back. Well, maybe for $ 19. That IS pretty cheap.

Went for threading — great. Can walk in, only takes a few minutes. Whole thing was good. Went back for my first eyelash tinting experience!
I was a bit nervous since I had never done it before but I hate wearing mascara and dont need extensions, so figured this might do the trick.
Well, all went well! She was careful to ensure that the dye didn’t get on my face or skin just beneath my eyes. It stung a bit, but I think that’s pretty standard for this type of procedure. All in all I am really happy with it.

Elena is the best stylist I’ve met for men’s hair. Most of her clients seem to be women so she must be popular with both. This is a cheerful place where the client is made to feel welcome. If you want to see Elena you have to book ahead as she is very busy, but she juggles people with busy schedules and is flexible with her time.

When I traded in the flip flop-​laden sidewalks of Kitsilano for the stiletto-​bearing cobblestone streets of Yaletown I made a few assumptions about my new living quarters.
First, I would never again be able to get away with bed-​head hair, Lululemons, and oversized sweatshirts for my morning coffee run. And second everything, particularly everything spa-​related, would have a minimum 15 per cent mark up fee.
While I was right about the oversized sweatshirts and pajama bottoms, I was thrilled to discover I was wrong about the «your breathing in my posh salon» fee.
I’m a serial eyebrow threader/​eyelash tinter. So imagine my delight when I discovered the Ocean Breeze Spa on Mainland at Nelson — only two blocks from my flat — offered eyebrow threading for only $ 12.
I called and discovered no appointment was necessary and the woman who performed the potentially painful procedure was both quick and efficient.
I’ve since gone back a few times and my only criticism is occasionally the staff seem more interested in what Sammy is plotting on Days of our Lives than taking payment or answering a query from a customer. That could, however, have something to do with the lull in traffic they’ve received since construction overtook the entire 1000 block of Mainland.
Eyelash tinting is a little dearer at $ 20 and an eyebrow tint is reasonably priced and efficiently performed at $ 15.
Overall the staff is friendly enough and refreshingly vocal at offering recommendations (yes you need eyebrow tint, much better!).
For my fellow Kitsilano expats think the Pompadours of Yaletown.
PS. I noticed Unilocal has the address wrong; the correct address is 1025 Mainland Street.