I've been going to Pause for just over a year and only have rave reviews about this place. I regularly get shellac manicures, pedicures, facials and threading. The women that work here are great conversationsaionalists and truly care about you. I am sad to be moving and not able to be a regular anymore.Read Less

Pause is the best spa I have never been to. I have had to cancel two appointments with them and they were pleasant as pie and never batted an eye(lash). Ironically, I do wish they had more flexibility in their scheduling.  This is a personal issue, me being a  last minute kind of person, rather than a Pause issue, but calling day of mostly results in a no, try again 5 days from now.  They have 4-5 pedicure areas, not sure how, when calling on a Tuesday, they are fully booked for a Saturday service and threading is pretty much never available within the days I have asked.  Regardless, this spa is A+ because, well, if I cannot get in they must be awesome and b) when I have gotten in last minute and needed to cancel last minute they were lovely about it.   Also- super cleanHappy to have Pause represent our neighbourhood Read Less

In one word, this place is phenomenal! By that I mean that everything from the staff, their attitudes, integrity, and standards are extremely high. The location is right on the subway line making it super convenient. The facility is intimate, welcoming, and always above and beyond clean.I've been coming here for just over two years now and if you know me, that's a big deal as I'm someone who never committed to one spa prior to finding this one. I would always shop around for a deal, but these ladies have converted me and made me a religious customer! In addition to their services, the products they use and carry are amazing. Very high quality, and all locally made to support small businesses. I've never found them to push products on me as I've had experienced with other spas, but when they do recommend something it's worth considering. I've always found their products to work well, and usually a little goes a long way because of the quality too.Michelle the owner who I've gotten to know over the two years is extremely passionate about her business, and it shows in everything she does. She runs the place very professionally allowing you to get top notch service, yet still feeling very welcome like you're part of the family. Angie's make-up applications are out of this world! That girl knows how to work a canvas, and she's highly talented if you're looking for a tutorial or an application for a night out.And Erica is _the_ waxing ninja! If you've ever toyed with the idea of a bikini touch up, or a Brazilian, do not hesitate to see her. She explains, takes her time, and makes you feel at ease. They also use two types of wax; hard and soft for different types of hair and areas allowing for easier removal (not many places use hard wax, and when it comes to down there, it makes a HUGE difference)!! Super great way to support the neighbourhood, and you'll definitely walk away feeling like a valued customer who's been beyond pampered and on cloud 9! Read Less

I'm a huge fan of Michelle, Erica and the incredible service providers at Pause Beauty. (Erica, btw, is the patron saint of waxing.) Everyone is friendly and real. They care about their clients and the community. I recommend Pause highly. Read Less

Got a great wax here from Angie. She took her time, was very attentive to me and to details, and left me feeling super clean and fresh. Love the lines of product and walked out with a body scrub and moisturizing balm. Will definitely be back. Read Less

I LOVE Pause--the gals here are so kind, skilled, professional and helpful. Super relaxing environment, gorgeous natural and local products and excellent service (I come for mani pedis and threading/waxing). I bring all my friends here and highly recommend. Read Less

The service is simply excellent! Micheal (the owner) greeted me to her shop! The job she did on my meni and pedi was excellent! So patient and talented! There is even a guarantee policy on the nails which I thought is amazing! Read Less

Came here for a shellac manicure. Great work on filing and painting my nails. However, the cuticle work wasn't as thorough as I like, and that's a big deal for me. Two big pros: the great selection of shellac colours and the cleanliness of the salon. I'll likely go back again because the overall experience was pleasant. Read Less

I love Pause! I've been going there since it opened. Michele and her ladies give top notch service. I've had manis, pedis, waxing, facials done there and been given make-up tips - I wish I could rate them 6 stars! Go to Pause. Read Less

Yes, my facial was relaxing. Yes, my skin looked great after. Yes, the place was lovely but the reason I've come back to Yelp to leave Jamila a review is because she suggested I buy a mineral peel spray from their salon after my facial and OMG it's done wonders. I could leave the brand of peel a review I suppose, but I'm so pleased that Jamila recommended it to me. I know there's often a push to buy products after facials, but I feel a good esthetician will know exactly what will work, as Jamila did. Afterall, a facialist gets to know your skin very well after an hours treatment up close. Thanks Jamila. Thanks Pause Beauty Boutique. PS. The prices are great and I went with my BF so we both got 20% off (I think that was a Valentines Day/Month special though. xoErin Read Less

I absolutely love Pause Spa, its my weekly go to spot to get pampered and unwind. They sell and use natural, organic and cruelty free cosmetics. I'm a huge fan of the Fitglow make up line, eyebrow threading and the pause facial. The ladies are lovely! Read Less

This has been my regular place for treatments for over a year now. I don't get waxed, but I've been threaded, had several manicures and pedicures there, and had facials and signature treatments so I think I've had a good sampling of treatments. The quality of service is phenomenal. the place is comfortable and the girls are lovely. I watch for the newsletter every month to see what's on special. I'm happy to have them in the neighbourhood. Read Less

Pause beauty boutique does everything well. They provide friendly and professional service consistently. While all of their services are excellent their facials are superb - amazing for a  present or for yourself. Read Less

Absolutely awfulI loved the look of this storefront and the small intimate feel of the space so i went to check it out yesterday. I live in the area and it looked super unique compared to the "dime a dozen" other nail places in the area. I'm really particular where i go with my manicures since I bite my nails (awful habit - I know!)They did no cuticle cleaning at all, and the shellac is sloppy and uneven. The woman barely even spoke to me other then a "hi", and i felt like I was taking up her time. This is honestly the worst manicure i have ever gotten. I'm kind of shocked at all of the 5 start reviews...Will never be back and will tell others to stay away. Read Less

I thought long and hard before writing this review because everyone seems to love this place so much that perhaps my appointment was a fluke. But here we go. I got a gel manicure here and it was okay. Their colour selection is ok. The woman who did my nails seemed almost too worried about hurting them to actually do a thorough job filing and buffing (big focus on nail health at Pause, which is a plus if you treasure your nails!). I just tried to find a photo and it turns out I didn't take one - because they looked just ok. And the way the manicurist had to hold the uv machine in the air for me to stick my hand in to dry my nails was very awkward.If you're looking for a simple paint job, this place could be great. I am a higher maintenance nail person (I have long nails, pointy like talons and am very particular about how they look). That being said, the decor is very pretty (although I was sat right at the door so the street noise was distracting), the manicurist was lovely, and I am still interested in trying out some of their other services, like waxing or massage. Read Less

I love this place and it has been a great addition to the neighbourhood. Michelle and her staff are consistently friendly and provide wonderful service. I'm mostly a mani pedi girl and love that I can chat with the staff while I sip my tea.Definitely check this place out. Read Less

I may be a bit bias because I know the owner and a few of the estheticians by now. But I speak only the truth in the name of beauty. I have high expectations of cleanliness and professionalism. Pause will obviously deliver that because that's the vision that the owner has which is also backed with years of industry experience.I don't mind paying the higher price for services because I know that the products used are of high quality and cleanliness is of the utmost importance here. I've had facials, waxing and manicures done here on numerous occasions and will continue to treat myself here. All the services are well-excecuted and thought out. The environment is relaxing and uber chill. Plus the product selection is well-curated and extensive. I still need to pick up a lipstick and some sugar scrub. #heartSeriously though, I've written some other reviews for other beauty establishments and Pause is definitely worth your buck. Yes, Erica is really as good as waxer as everyone has mentioned. Michelle's also amazing at threading. If you're in the neighborhood, pop by. If not, signup for the newsletter, watch for their amazing promotional services and book in! **bonus points: the reward points build fast and redeeming them save you lots of pretty pennies!#treatyoself Read Less

I really want to like this place, I really do.I've had a couple manicures here and they've been nice (reasons for 2 stars, instead of 1). I just find the bedside manner of the women who work here to be outrageously inappropriate, especially since I'd like to think that a spa should be a relatively safe space for customers to feel secure with their body and feel pampered in the time that they are here.I went yesterday with a friend, she got a pedicure and I got a manicure. For the first 15 minutes that we were there, we were both ignored so the two estheticians could deal with some difficulties they were having with the debit machine. The woman who did my nails was very cold, and I was getting terrible vibes from her. The woman who was supposed to be with my friend carried on with the debit machine, seemed pretty frustrated and spent way too long ignoring my friend. My friend kindly let the ladies know that she had to leave by 1:20pm (we arrived at 12:15pm), was ignored, ended leaving at 1:30 with her nail polish still wet.The two women hardly spoke to us, and when they talked to each other, they complained about the customer who had been in before us. The woman who was with me made fun of a woman who is known in the neighborhood and who seems to be a prostitute. At one point, the woman who was with my friend talked about how she didn't understand women who get pedicures but who don't groom their leg hair. My friend has hairy legs. Seriously? Granted, this woman works at a spa that does hair removal, so it makes sense that she has certain opinions, but keep them to yourself.The last time I was at the spa, I noticed this same sort of gossipy behavior and and again, some unwanted opinions on body hair choices. So unprofessional. I won't be coming back. Read Less

I've been to Pause three times now - two manicures and a facial. I found out about them through a bookmark/coupon. The staff are very friendly and both my manicures were great. I don't know how much good the facial actually did my skin but it was a wonderful, relaxing experience with massages and aroma therapy oils. Good location close to the subway and it's lovely on the inside. They have monthly promotions that I've so far been about to take advantage of (today I brought my sister for a manicure with me and we each got 25% off). It's a little expensive for my student budget but I'll probably be back for their next promo. Read Less

Can not say enough about this place.We referred by a friend. Five stars. All around.+ Online booking system is so easy, and so great, and they email you reminders, as well as your receipt after. Yay for saving paper, and being SO efficient!+Environment is clean and welcoming+ I was late and they were SO cool about it, which I thought was very nice, as it was  my fault.+ Erica is TOTALLY a waxing ninja. Most accurate title EVER. This was hands down the BEST waxing experience I have EVER had. I have gotten waxed for less (not that Pause is really expensive, I just mean I had gone to cheaper places) and I will ABSOLUTELY be coming back here. I didn't know waxing could be that painless. + Prices are actually very decent+ All staff were so nice and so friendly.+ I will most certainly be coming back. Seriously, if you've come across this Yelp page, and you aren't sure if you should get a wax here- GET A WAX HERE. You won't regret it. Read Less

Had a great first experience at Pause on Friday afternoon. I love their online booking system as it shows you all the availability in real time. Michelle the owner was lovely and introduces me to threading! Being new to the city she also provided me with a referral for Hair that I hope to try out next week... Thanks Michelle. I look forward to my next visit to this lovely spa. Read Less

Where do I start. You walk in and are welcomed right away by smiles and kindness. Everyone is very professional. Erica does a mean Brazilian. I've been getting them done for a good 16 years and never have I had such a fast and painless experience. In short, her waxing ninja title speaks truth!! Natasha does a mean mani Pedi and though she says she's not a massage therapist, when she's done with you, jello feels stiff in comparison to how you'll feel. They do accept walk ins but book anyways to make sure you're set! They have an amazing online booking function that makes life so easy, it rocks. To top it all off they have a kick ass play list as opposed to the standard water falls that had me wanting to Shazam the shit out of today. The owner Michelle is super welcoming and friendly. All in all a fantastic spa day at Pause. They've got me hooked! Read Less

Updated 5/14/2014:After posting the review below to Yelp I was contacted by Michelle, the business owner, who was so gracious and invited me back to have my manicure redone, and I am thrilled with the results. Again, stellar customer service and a phenomenal manicure. After talking with Michelle about the other services offered at Pause I am excited to try their facials next! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I really wanted to give Pause a 5 star review because the atmosphere and customer service are really top notch and the location is perfect for me, but alas, I cannot. Using the super convenient online booking tool, I made a booking for a gel polish manicure with Erica on Saturday afternoon. I showed up a bit late, but the staff didn't mention a thing and offered a complimentary tea or water. However, as it turned out my appointment was not with Erica but with a new hire. The girl was very sweet, but my manicure was just plain shoddy. She had to remove a lot of excess polish from my skin, and wasn't able to get all of it off,  and three of my nails have visibly jagged edges. Overall it looks messy, and considering the cost (almost $40 before tip) I was expecting something a lot more polished. That said, I would definitely recommend Pause - from overhearing conversations I could tell that they have built a loyal customer base, though I will be more careful next time about who I make my appointment with. Read Less

So professional, kind and funny. Great staff and a cosy space. They did everything possible to make me comfortable and happy, including making suggestions based on my complexion and lifestyle. I cannot recommend them more highly! And I can't wait to go back! Read Less

Erica is the best! Everyone here is the best!I had a really bad experience in a popular place in Koreatown, and was really apprehensive when I went into my appointment. The entire staff were relaxed, happy and a joy to be around; it immediately set me at ease.Once I had my consultation with Erica, she recommended certain methods of hair removal based on my complexion. It really showed me how much thought Erica puts into her work to ensure her clientele have the most comfortable experience possible. And it really did help! Compared to other services I've had from other places, the recovery today was less than half the time it usually would be. The whole appointment was comfortable, which is so important! It was relatively painless and very quick (but not in that rushed way). I'm looking forward to my next appointment, cos I'm excited to get a pedicure! Read Less

Things at Pause are a little bit different. It's a beautiful, comfortable, welcoming place. I never felt rushed. There was music on in the background, tea for drinking and the decor is soothing. Dark wood floors with an adorable touch near the front desk (you'll see it). The pedicure chairs were calling to me. They looked so comfy. The products available are a carefully-selected collection of bath, body and skin care products with a heavy focus on natural, and locally-made when possible. I like this! Read Less

Pause Beauty is a fantastic experience. I have always felt a little uncomfortable in beauty salons, with the rushed atmosphere and whatnot but from the moment I walked into Pause I felt right at home. Erica truly lives up to her reputation as a waxing ninja. Her clean, personable and professional service always has me leaving feeling pampered and refreshed. Let's be real waxing isn't the most glamorous of treatments, but somehow Erica manages to give me the least painful and most efficient waxing services I have ever encountered. Today Michelle threaded my eyebrows for the first time! At first I was nervous but Michelle put me at ease with her knowledge and confidence. Michelle gave me exactly what I asked for and with virtually no pain involved. I couldn't be happier! Pause really is a place where I can press the pause button on my hectic life, relax and treat myself to a much needed break. The shop itself is beautiful and with calming teas and delicious chocolates I often have to fight the urge to stay and hang out all day long.I bought a gift certificate for my mom's birthday for some mother-daughter manicures! So excited, will update with how it goes and maybe some pics!!! Read Less