The battle was fierce. The fighting furious. And after 16,052 votes, only four were left. Meet our new Reader Review team: The Bod Squad! Wen, Chris, Mary and Bill have volunteered to get waxed, shaved, plucked and primped from head to toe and report back to you every Wednesday in metromix/RedEye and on metromix.com.
We learned a lot with this last poll. Like just how seriously you take your spas–and your spa reviewers. But more importantly, we learned all about our new Reader Review team. Perhaps too much. We felt it was only right to share a few tidbits with you, their electors, before you read it in the tabloids. Brace yourselves.
Wen Tung, 26
Neighborhood: Lakeview
What have you had waxed?
Nothing–it sounds unbearably painful. What sick, twisted person came up with the idea of using hot wax to tear body hair out at the roots and then somehow managed to convince people to hand over lots of money for it? It’s ridiculous … and brilliant!
Ever do facials? Does it bother you to have someone else pop your zits?
The only facials I’ve had are the pathetic ones I give myself at home. I don’t have a problem if someone wants to pop my pimples, but shell out big bucks for someone to do it? Especially when I’m so highly skilled at doing it at home for free?
Bill Breedlove, 36
Neighborhood: Logan Square
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever had done?
Aside from the ill-advised 2 a.m. tattoo after having one too many adult beverages, I can’t really think of anything.
Would you ever get waxed?
Since I didn’t even have a chest hair until I turned 30, I’ve had a fairly happy waxless existence. And, fortunately, since Speedo season officially ended, and I’m not in contention for a spot on the men’s Olympic swimming team, I think I will be able to refrain from the “wax-peel-scream-loudly” regiment.
Do you use a lot of face products?
I guess that depends. Is Irish Spring considered a “face product”?
Mary Van De Walle, 28
Neighborhood: Roscoe Village
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever had done?
During a very thorough bikini wax, I was asked if I wanted to have the remaining hair waxed into a fun shape: a bear, a bunny, heart, maybe my initials? I contemplated giving the girl a challenge–like waxing in a scene from Picasso’s “Guernica”–but in the end I passed.
What’s the most embarrassing spa moment or treatment you’ve ever had?
Despite what celebrities say, there is nothing more embarrassing than the Brazilian bikini wax. The conversation doesn’t come quick enough, and the lighting isn’t low enough to distract you from what’s going on.
Do you use a lot of face products?
I don’t own a condo, a car or even my own couch, but boy, do I own facial products! My favorite right now is a pumpkin face mask I splurged on at Bath & Body Works. Damn that clever packaging! The pumpkin just smelled so good I wanted to throw some whipped cream on it and eat it out of the jar.
Chris Salm, 23
Neighborhood: Lakeview
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever had done?
Well, this was definitely an accident, but I think I might have hit on the next big craze. I was trying to light our grill, and I used a little too much fuel. Anyway, when the mushroom cloud subsided, the net result was Chris minus two eyebrows. Ladies, why waste time and effort plucking or waxing when this method is far more effective?
Do you use a lot of face products?
I wouldn’t say that I use a lot of products on my face, but steel wool and Comet really achieve that deep-down clean.
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Go to metromix.com to read The Bod Squad’s bios,
then tell us about your favorite spa. Be sure to
come back next week to read about Wen,
Chris, Mary and Bill’s first spa adventure.
