Halina's European Day Spa

06/30/2008 Posted by eks234

I have gone to Halina's for several years, for leg/bikini waxing and facial electrolysis. I was a loyal customer for their electrolysis for years when Nancy worked there. She was excellent (and a Texan, not European, but who cares when the matter is quality and professionalism?). I was disappointed when I was called and told Nancy moved to another city due to a family emergency and no longer works there. There is no other electrolysis provider of that quality at Halina's, so I am now looking elsewhere. As for the waxing, I've mainly had it done there out of convenience due to my electrolysis appointments. The experience has consistently been average: the basic job getting done at a reasonable price, but I regularly find many stray hairs I have to pluck myself; most of the staff is aloof; they all double-dip; and I have been subject occasionally to 15-20 minute delays and was once rescheduled the day of my appointment (!) The last time I was there I had to stand and wait for the receptionist to answer 2 separate phone calls before she would ring up my bill. I wouldn't have put up with this if it weren't for Nancy's great work. Now that she's gone, I'm looking elsewhere. I will also note that a few years ago a very good aesthetician did waxing there. She was solicitous and competant, but when the salon moved, they let her go, probably because she did not have a European accent and therefore didn't fit with the salon's image. That is the biggest problem with Halina's: it is more about image- European accents and a fancy waiting room, than it is about quality workmanship and customer service.

Pros: Affordable; pretty waiting room

Cons: Best staff is gone; poor customer service; average quality and hygeine

05/23/2008 Posted by Helen3050

I had my brazilian wax done at the Burnet road location. Elizabeth did my waxing because the person I requested wasn't on time. This was not my first time being waxed and I couldn't help but notice that she double dipped the stick in the wax multliple times. So, the question is, how many other people has she double dipped before me??? GROSS!!! Warm wax is breeding ground for bacteria, this place obviously has no standards for sanitation!

Pros: nice decor

Cons: completely unsanitary, unclean facility

01/15/2008 Posted by christin3333z

I received the best haircut in all the 5 years that I've lived in Austin from VANESSA at Halina (Steiner Ranch location) Vanessa knows the latest styles and she made me feel and look like a million bucks when I walked out of the salon!! She is a true professional that educated me on simple styling techniques as well hair treatments that I could do at home to keep my hair looking healthy and shiny. For the first time ever, I am able to achieve the same hairstyle at home as I was given by her at Halina's!!.

11/02/2007 Posted by 1midwestgirl

Person at the desk during the week is not very friendly. You are coming for a relaxing treat and are immediately put on edge. The manicure/pedicure that I received was not that great, would have looked the same if I did it. They also have a point system that you have to keep a close eye on because you don't always get the points you should be. Overall, not that impressed for the money.

Pros: Location

Cons: value for the money, girl at appointment desk

05/20/2007 Posted by lp_barker

I've been a few times in the past to Halinas and I've always found it to be a perfect end to my day. The staff not only pays attention to detail, but they are great at explaining what is needed to get the best results in a way that I can actually understand. I feel lucky that I can get the true European approach to better myself without having to travel far. And even though I have not experienced all of their services yet, I can confidently say that what I've done (facials and massages) are better than anywhere else I've been!

Pros: skilled staff, authenicially european, easy to get to.

Cons: even though sometimes I've been able to get in that day, they usually book up very quickly.

05/18/2007 Posted by sallycinaustin

The women who do the services here are wonderful, but it is a company I refuse to give my business to anymore. I am telling all of my friends to no longer go there. Every time I go in, a woman, who I have learned is one of the owners, is always extremely rude. She pushes products down your throat, and is quite abrasive. Isn't the point of going to a spa to relax and not be hounded? While the service themselves are truly wonderful, it is not worth it to go there because you feel like you are a used car dealership. If there were different management, and more professional behavior from management, I would continue my services there, but until something changes, my friends and I are experiencing spa days somewhere else.

Pros: Parking, Some great services

Cons: Not relaxing at all!

05/07/2007 Posted by julietvanderploeg

I love the European atmosphere with so many of the staff from Europe. European women have always paid close attention to their beauty, and now we in ATX can benefit from their expertise.

Pros: Ambience

Cons: Updated magazines

04/27/2007 Posted by teatreegum

I had bought a gift certificate for a friend visiting me in Austin--and she was amazingly impressed with Halina's Spa (it is hard to please her being the "citytype" and her used to the upscale spas the Northeast has). She said that even though it was not overwhelming huge or overly flashy as some spas are today, the environment was perfectly elegant in its own way. What she really ranted on about was the facial (very detailed and not painful as what she is used to) and the massage (she was astonished with how experienced the young lady was--very talented with getting the knots out). She's coming back into town once I deliver my baby--and I (and obviously her) look very forward to a day relaxing at Halina's!

Pros: Everyone VERY talented!!

Cons: Nothing--it was great!

08/21/2006 Posted by adbi172

It was good to find "Eminence". I still try to use european products after leaving. I also had a nice massage, that help to relax my shoulders. After that, I wanted to get a style, but decided to get a haircut too. It was a good decision. The haircut was modern but not too much, still very feminine. I was afraid that Texas wouldn't be that advance but I was wrong:)

08/10/2006 Posted by samungu

Very nice atmosphere. Clean, quit, relaxing... Just what you'd expect a spa to be. The staff is professional, they know what they are doing and make you feel you are in good hands. Enjoyed my services as much as the ambiance.