The Refinery is by far the best place to go for a full brazilian wax. The staff is very professional, friendly, and they care about you as a customer. Waxing was nearly pain free and absolutely the... More

The Refinery is by far the best place to go for a full brazilian wax. The staff is very professional, friendly, and they care about you as a customer. Waxing was nearly pain free and absolutely the best I have ever received. The cost is definitely a plus too. I would highly recommend The Refinery to everyone I know. Pros: Friendly staff, professional demeanor, cost Cons: none
Less

I would like to tee this up by saying I have been getting Brazilian waxes for over six years, every six to eight weeks or so - not a novice with the service, and have definitely experienced varying... More

I would like to tee this up by saying I have been getting Brazilian waxes for over six years, every six to eight weeks or so - not a novice with the service, and have definitely experienced varying degrees of quality & (unpleasant) sensations during them from service providers all over the country. Some degree of pain comes with the territory, but I have never been prompted to write an unfavorable review until now. I have been in MN about two years, and after trial and error, found the Refinery. I was pretty happy with the Refinery - you see a different esthetician each time which means inconsistency, but the wax they use worked well with my skin for both Brows and Brazilians and the price cannot be beat. The Brazilian waxes are over in 15 minutes so you do not get the precision (tweezing, etc.) that you do with a spa, but I wouldn't expect it for the price and time allotted. I had a routine Brow & Brazilian booked at the Refinery in April '09 and was seen by a esthetician new to the Refinery. While I was happy with the brow shape she did, the Brazilian technique she used did not feel right during the service, and I was in so much pain afterwards I had to waddle for two days. The second night after the service, I inspected the situation with a mirror and found that my private area was an angry looking purple and red - and still in enough pain that I needed to take Advil through the third day after the service. My significant other of several years confirmed that I had never looked like that before following my Brazilians. There were no unique factors on my side (I am a natural blonde whose hair is very sparse down there after years of this service and was mid-cycle; I know having your period can make skin more sensitive - not the case here). It was an awful, traumatizing experience - especially after contacting the salon to report what hat happened. The receptionist said that someone would contact me to discuss this, but they never did. No replacement (repeat) service was offered, and they didn't even seem to be concerned with the level of service they provide and the fact that broken skin in such a wax is what I would consider unsanitary and risky. In the future, it may cost me twice the price, but I won't ever entrust a Brazilian wax to the Refinery again. Pros: Cost Cons: Inexperience + Brazilian = Traumatized delicate bits
Less

I agree with the other posts that say you can't beat the price for a Brazilian but I also agree with the variability of service. I've been there many many times for waxing and this weekend I used a... More

I agree with the other posts that say you can't beat the price for a Brazilian but I also agree with the variability of service. I've been there many many times for waxing and this weekend I used a gift certificate for a facial, a body scrub, massage and paraffin dip. The woman doing the facial clearly didn't know what she was doing. It was absolutely awful. She used the wrong products for my skin type. Many of them burned when applied. When I asked her why she was doing what she was doing she had to consult a sheet and read me what it said. Two days later and my skin still looks raw and splotchy. During the body scrub the technician had me sit up instead of flipping over. It was all very awkward and at one point he even said out loud - I am so confused. The massage was more like an application of lotion. And he missed many spots all together. He didn't even massage my legs at all. Additionally the towels they used in both the facial and the body treatment are so old and scratchy they are painful! They also look dirty. When I asked him the benefits of the paraffin dip he said "I don't know." Then, the worst part was he said, "Lucky you - looks like you get out of here early!" I probably was lucky - but a rushed spa treatment isn't a benefit -- it's a ripoff. Pros: great prices Cons: Variable service, lacking experience or technicians
Less

Okay let me start by saying I've had about 10 brazillians done at this salon, which was recommended to me by a friend. Overall I think this salon is a treasure, I always find a parking spot right in... More

Okay let me start by saying I've had about 10 brazillians done at this salon, which was recommended to me by a friend. Overall I think this salon is a treasure, I always find a parking spot right in front, they can always fit me in the day I call, and I'm in and out of there in 10-15 minutes. HOWEVER, I have noticed some major differences in the quality of work done by the girls there. Chris is by far the best I have seen, she takes a minute or two longer than the others but it's totally worth it. Not all of them will ask if you'd like to flip over but if you ask them they're, in my experience, more than happy to do it. Avoid Angelica, who doesn't take pride in her work and makes you hold your own skin taught. Oh, and remember to ask for a packet of Finipil if they forget to give you one, that stuff is the best. So soothing! Pros: Affordable, fast, friendly, professional (sometimes) Cons: Inconsistency between waxers
Less

I've been frequenting The Refinery since May of last year when I decided to take the big plunge and try a Brazilian. They were recommended to me by a friend and I am very glad they were. Not only... More

I've been frequenting The Refinery since May of last year when I decided to take the big plunge and try a Brazilian. They were recommended to me by a friend and I am very glad they were. Not only was the price right, as I see has been mentioned by many others in these reviews, but they made the whole process comfortable, thorough and quick (much appreciated as having hair ripped out of any where is always best when made a speedy process). I have gone to two different girls there (including Autumn the owner) and each time the service was great. Each girl kept up a pleasant conversation with me (Yay for distractions!)and was very sure of their process and technique. I felt I was in good hands. Every visit the result was very clean (no strays for me), very hygienic (I have NEVER seen double dipping) and consistent (both girls recommended the same aftercare to me). I have also had my hair cut there twice now. Jenna, my stylist was wonderful! I have very thick long "in between" hair (not quite curly, not quite straight). Not only did she manage to chat up and distract my five year old (magic!) she managed to give me what remain to this day as some of the best haircuts of my life. She even managed a very fashionable side sweep fringe for me which is quite the feat considering I have a widow's peak on top of my hair's normal "I'll do whatever I want" characteristics. When I came back 3 mos later for another haircut with her she remembered my daughter's name and many of my stories. She also remembered how badly she had wanted to straighten my hair the last time I was there but hadn't had time and insisted on doing it this time around for free! Any girl with my type of hair knows how incredibly awesome having someone else do that for you is. Saves time and arm ache! The Refinery has a great relaxed atmosphere with a very beautiful calming interior. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. I've already recoomended it to friends and coworkers and will continue to do so. Pros: Great service, great price, chill atmosphere, excellent staff, validated parking
Less

I appreciated the quick and low key service. I read the reviews about the double dipping and was watchful . Happily I did not see any of that! I was pleased with the service and will go back!... More

I appreciated the quick and low key service. I read the reviews about the double dipping and was watchful . Happily I did not see any of that! I was pleased with the service and will go back! Pros: fast Cons: traffic
Less

Experienced high quality service in a laid-back environment... usually a service like this at a salon would intimidate me, but the Refinery was down to earth and I felt totally casual there. I,... More

Experienced high quality service in a laid-back environment... usually a service like this at a salon would intimidate me, but the Refinery was down to earth and I felt totally casual there. I, too, watched for any double dipping and even asked about it and they definitely use a new stick every time... I've been there several times and NEVER seen anything different. I've been to overly expensive places for my Brazilian, and nothing has come close to the satisfaction and customer service I've gotten from the Refinery. I wouldn't recommend any other place!! Pros: Quick Professional Service, Great Service Providers, CASUAL environment! Cons: Gotta love street parking in MPLS...
Less

I felt like I definitely needed to leave a review. I've been to the refinery probably over 15 times. The first few times I went I saw one gal for a brazilian. Every single time I've had a brazilian... More

I felt like I definitely needed to leave a review. I've been to the refinery probably over 15 times. The first few times I went I saw one gal for a brazilian. Every single time I've had a brazilian done at other places I've at least been offered the option of turning over and um....doing the "back". Not so with her. A bit confused but I just thought that maybe it wasn't their policy to include this. Saw her once more and then saw a different girl the next time I went. This different girl asked if I wanted to flip over and do that area as well. I said yes and was glad to have found someone willing to do the whole area. Went back to her quite a few times and had no complaints. She no longer works there and so I decided to try someone else because seriously? can't beat the price. Not only did the third girl leave hair but she didn't offer to do the back. I mean, come on. I understand if that isn't included in the service at this salon, but some consistency between waxers would be nice. All three even had different aftercare techniques. With one I was treated with a cream directly after and with another I was just handed a botlle of oil. But anyways. If the back is a part of the service that you're expecting I'd advise calling and asking ahead of time if your waxer will do it.. Back to expensive brazilians elsewhere. Pros: prices, free parking with validation from a specific lot Cons: waxing services aren't consistent, results differ between waxers, hair left over
Less

I wrote the review awhile ago on the Double Diping, here is the thing. I know they have done it, even if your waxer is not it does not mean that someone else hasn't. Different waxers also use the... More

I wrote the review awhile ago on the Double Diping, here is the thing. I know they have done it, even if your waxer is not it does not mean that someone else hasn't. Different waxers also use the same tub of wax, so maybe your waxer didn't double dip but if the girl before her did..then whoa your exposed no matter what. It is also pretty obvious that the wax tubs have been around for awhile, just look at them they are nasty. I will not return to this place until I am garanteed that all wax has been disposed of and that ALL employees have been properly notified to stop double diping! Pros: they are quick Cons: you could pick up an STD
Less

The Refinery's prices can't be beat, truly, they have the cheapes brazillian in town. The experience and results, however, differ. I have had about 10 brazillians at the Refinery, some have left... More

The Refinery's prices can't be beat, truly, they have the cheapes brazillian in town. The experience and results, however, differ. I have had about 10 brazillians at the Refinery, some have left me with good results. Most of the time, however, there are small patches of hair remaining. The experience is typically unpleasant because of the rushed appointments (each can only be 15 minutes long) and the ambiance is poor (feels unfinished, like the walls have gone up, but painting remains). Also, parking in that area is a bar and if you have to pay for parking, it adds to the overall cost. Overall, its a case of you pay for what you get.
Less