They are the people who make you feel beautiful, they are the people that cut the boy out of your hair and reassure you that bangs are a good thing. 

Although we may be screwing ourselves out of an appointment by sharing this list we thought you really ought to know the names of the key individuals behind our favourite Vancouver hair salons and spas. 

Threading 
Creative Day Spa, Ask for Ranjita
I’ve been going to Ranjita for a couple years now, and this place is hilarious and super low key. The prices (if you’re a member) means that you can get your eyebrows done for less than $8 (including tip). Word of advice though: be sure to ask specifically what you want, Ranjita is not a mind-reader. And do make an appointment, they turn people away constantly.
$/$$$
Creative Day Spa, 9624 Cameron St, Burnaby

Waxing
Spa Utopia, Ask for Mila
My friend Renee told me to hit up Mila from the North Vancouver Spa Utopia location for waxing your eye brows. Based on Renee’s perfect brows, I can attest to Mila’s handiwork. Although I must say if you can’t check out Spa Utopia because of a lack of cash, you can go to their spa-school Utopia Academy and be a test subject for one of their students for cheap. 
$-$$$/$$$
Spa Utopia, 889 Harbourside Drive #160
Utopia Academy, 220-181 Keefer Place

Spa Services
Eccotique at Metrotown, Ask for Kelsey
This recommendation comes from my friend Kristie who by day is a marketing maven and by night she’s a musician (check out her goods at youtube.com/feelkalisoul) which means that she needs to look amazing at all times. Luckily with the hours at Metrotown, she can squeeze in her girl Kelsey between meetings, events, and  killing the microphone. 
$$/$$$
Eccotique, Metropolis at Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby

For Your Boyfriend
Rain Boutique and Salon, Ask for Sam
I have a friend who looks like Hugh Grant (and does the best impression of him too), and he has the soft medium length ’90’s hair to prove it. And I mean that in the best way possible, because he has amazing hair. He reccomended Sam from Rain, and simply put, he didn’t need to say anything else. 
$$/$$$ 
Rain Boutique and Salon, 1544 West 2nd Avenue

Hair
Storm Salon, ask for Jennifer
My girl Paige highly recommended Jennifer from Storm Salon. Cool story about Jennifer is that she went and visited Storm to get a haircut and was so inspired decided to cut hair‚Ķ eventually landing her dream job right where the idea hit her in the first place. Guess lighting struck at Storm? ‚Ķ Oh man, apologies for the pun. I should really cut those out. 
$$/$$$
Storm Salon, 77 Pender Street, Vancouver

Waxing
Beauty and Beyond, Ask for Sharon
Another favourite from Paige, of whom you’ll definitely be seeing more of her in the future, she’s a bright star in Canada’s political science scene (I’m telling you, all this info will make you the epitome of the phrase, “beauty AND brains”). Check out her favourite waxer at Beauty and Beyond, which is near Granville Island.
$$/$$$
Beauty and Beyond, 1502 West 2nd Ave, Vancouver

Makeup and Hair
The private studio of Ashley Gesner
I feel a little like I’m cheating here, because I would consider Ashley my friend, but the girl is gifted. Honestly, she is the first person I’ve seen the second time around, she is so skilled (must be the years of experience doing make up and hair for photo shoots, working at Mac, et cetera), and to express how good she is, I’ll tell you this: she gave me a Tao Okamoto bowl cut. Also expect to talk about philosophy, art, history, and feminism, this girl is brains and beauty. 
$$/$$$
http://www.ashleygesner.com

~ Aimee Laurel
@aimeecynthia