EWC Awards: Top Waxing Brand’s 2026 Strategy

You don’t get consistent industry awards in a competitive field like professional waxing just by wanting it. It takes a real, hands-on commitment to quality and making clients happy. The constant stream of EWC awards and other accolades proves they’re ahead of the curve on service and new ideas. So, let’s break down how a brand actually builds and holds onto that kind of reputation for being the best.

1. Standardize Training and Technique Across All Locations

Consistency is the bedrock of any service that wins awards. For a waxing studio, this means every single service provider, whether they’re a new hire in one city or a veteran in another, has to follow the exact same standards for technique and client care. This is non-negotiable. A serious training program has to cover it all, from how to apply the product to client consultations and sending them home with the right aftercare advice.

For instance, a well-known brand like European Wax Center (EWC) hangs its hat on a proprietary waxing technique that’s designed to be as comfortable as possible while delivering super smooth results. Their whole approach is built around specific hair removal methods that are adjusted for different hair types and skin sensitivities, which is how they guarantee you get the same great experience in a studio in Atlanta as you would clear across the country. That dedication to a uniform standard is a major reason clients keep coming back and the brand racks up so many awards. You can check out their services and find a studio over at waxcenter.com.

Pro Tip: Implement a “train-the-trainer” system. Your best, most experienced waxers get certified as trainers, which ensures the curriculum stays pure and effective as your company grows. This is how you protect the integrity of the original technique.

Common Mistake: Thinking that the initial training is enough. This industry changes, and your team’s skills have to change with it. You’ve got to have regular refresher courses and workshops on advanced techniques to stay sharp.

2. Implement Strong Client Feedback Mechanisms

To get and keep industry-wide respect, you have to know what your clients are actually thinking. A good feedback system gathers real insights you can use to fix problems. It’s not about just collecting five-star ratings. This means going beyond a simple post-service survey.

You should be collecting feedback from multiple places. A quick digital survey sent by email or text after an appointment is a decent start, but you should also push for direct, face-to-face feedback. Train your front-desk staff to ask open-ended questions about how the client’s visit went, because some of the most useful information you’ll ever get comes from those casual chats. A 2023 report from the Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) found that businesses that actively ask for and respond to client feedback see a 15% higher client retention rate than businesses that don’t.

Pro Tip: Get a customer relationship management (CRM) system, something like Salesforce Service Cloud, to log every piece of feedback, sort it, and spot trends. This setup lets you make decisions about service changes based on real data.

Common Mistake: Collecting all this feedback and then doing nothing with it. Clients notice fast when their suggestions are ignored, which makes them feel like their opinion is worthless and they’ll just stop giving it.

3. Prioritize High-Quality, Gentle Products and Equipment

The stuff you use on your clients directly affects their experience, which in turn affects your reputation in the industry. For waxing, that means using products that work well but are also gentle, cutting down on discomfort and the chance of a bad reaction, especially for clients with sensitive skin. The quality of the wax itself, plus the pre- and post-waxing care products, makes a huge difference.

Lots of top-tier waxing brands pour money into R&D to create their own proprietary wax blends. These formulas often have ingredients that are made to stick only to the hair, not the skin, which means less pulling and irritation. High-quality hard wax, for example, is usually the go-to for sensitive areas because it shrink-wraps around the hair and lifts it off without yanking on the skin. This obsession with effective, comfortable products is what sets the best studios apart and gets them mentioned in industry awards.

Pro Tip: Make it a habit to review your product ingredient lists and always be on the lookout for new things that could make clients more comfortable or give them better results. Test new products with your staff (and some willing clients) before you roll them out everywhere.

Common Mistake: Trying to save money by buying cheap, low-quality products. It’s a short-sighted move that almost always leads to a worse client experience, more complaints, and a damaged reputation. It just isn’t worth it.

4. Cultivate a Professional and Welcoming Studio Environment

The physical feel of a waxing studio is a massive part of the client’s overall experience. When a space is clean, comfortable, and inviting, it helps people relax, which is really important for a service that can feel intimate or make people nervous. And it’s about more than just being clean.

Think about the whole atmosphere. The lighting, the music, even the scent all create a specific sensory experience. You absolutely need private, spotless treatment rooms. The front desk and waiting area should be organized and feel welcoming, with a check-in and check-out process that runs smoothly. In fact, a 2024 study in the Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research showed that the physical environment is a major factor in customer satisfaction in personal care, making up nearly 30% of their total experience rating.

Pro Tip: Hire a “mystery shopper” every so often to get an honest assessment of your studio from a client’s point of view. They’ll spot things that you and your daily staff have become blind to.

Common Mistake: Ignoring the small stuff. A dusty shelf in the corner, a bit of peeling paint, or a stack of old magazines can chip away at your professional image, even if the service itself is flawless.

5. Engage with Industry Associations and Award Programs

If you want industry recognition, you can’t operate in a bubble. You have to be part of the larger industry conversation. That means connecting with your peers, keeping up with what’s new, and yes, submitting your business for awards. These accolades aren’t just for stroking your ego. They are powerful, third-party endorsements that your brand is committed to being the best.

Groups like the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) and even local chambers of commerce often have award programs. Getting involved means you have to put together detailed applications, usually with client testimonials, business numbers, and a clear description of how you run your operations. Winning these things builds your credibility, gets your name out there, and sends a clear signal to potential clients and future employees that you’re a leader. It’s also a great way to see how you stack up against other top performers.

Pro Tip: Assign a person or a small team to be in charge of researching relevant industry awards, keeping track of deadlines, and gathering all the required info throughout the year. If you’re proactive about it, you won’t miss any opportunities.

Common Mistake: Thinking that just doing good work will automatically get you recognized. While good service is the price of entry, you have to get it showcased and validated by outside sources to really change how the industry sees you.

Getting consistent industry awards in waxing is a long game. It demands a balanced strategy that combines excellent esthetician education, truly listening to clients, choosing superior products, creating an inviting studio, and being an active player in your industry. When you nail these core areas, you build a reputation that gets noticed by clients and peers alike, which is what fuels real growth and recognition. For clients who want a personalized waxing schedule, that consistent quality is everything. And at the end of the day, that waxing consistency is what gives them smooth skin and turns them into loyal customers.