Beauty salons are known for having their fair share of crazy stories from clients who spill probably more than they should once they take their spot in the chair. Amy Walp, an Esthetician at Beauty First salon in Springfield said she has heard her more than her fair share of people’s lives that she rather not have had heard. Her philosophy is that when working with the public, its bound to happen that you meet a few crazies along the way.
Amy started her career in cosmetology eight years ago as just a manicurist but soon realized that wasn’t going to pay the bills, so she went back to school to become an Esthetician, which expanded her services to facials, waxing, skin care, etc. Becoming a hairstylist was never on Amy’s radar she said she has “way to much drama in her life as is.” People gripe and complain way too much about their hair and how it looks, which is why she steered away from that aspect of the cosmetology world.
Like teachers, doctors, and other professions cosmetologists have to pass a state board exam before practicing and then also have to eight hours of class every two years to keep their certification. Because Amy is certified as both a nail technician and Esthetician, she has to take a minimum of 16 hours every two years getting recertified.
Surprisingly, Amy’s most popular service at the Beauty First salon is waxing and more specifically men’s back waxes. She said most of the time, wives\significant others call in for their husbands. When they come in, she said it is easy to tell whether they came in on their own accord or by the sheepish expression that their wife\significant other made them.
The service became so popular that her boss posted a sign outside the salon saying “Get the Monkey Off your Back.” Men are a majority of her waxing clientele and when it comes to getting hair removed are “bigger babies than most women.” Amy is also the only esthetician in the county that is willing to give bikini waxes on men.
