Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/253819
40 ASCP Skin Deep March/April 2014 When it's time to go shopping for spa supplies, what are your favorite stores, biggest frustrations, or secrets for finding the best value? Spa Shopping ascp and you: your turn Dollar Store for cotton rounds and Michael's for brushes. Can't beat either of their prices! Jessica Caron VIA FACEBOOK I like Universal Companies for most of my general supplies. I will do an Internet search to compare pricing, but I always come back to Universal. The shipping is quick and reasonable and the products are good quality. For lash extension glue, I use LashFX.com. Susanne Belcher Heidt VIA FACEBOOK Stock up on good specials at trade shows. Some companies require minimum orders, but at trade shows you can buy what you want for the year. Shelley Dodt PALM CITY, FLORIDA I get my cotton rounds, wax strips, and wipes from Universal Companies. I purchase wax in bulk from Skin Blends and stock up when they have specials. For wax sticks and brushes, Michael's or Hobby Lobby. Lisa Marie VIA FACEBOOK Costco for face towels, cotton rounds, and Q-tips. Dollar Store or Big Lots for cosmetic sponges, body brushes, and whatever else I find. Marshall's or TJ Maxx for eye pillows, exfoliating gloves, tweezers, and the like. I got a wonderful trolley from IKEA for under $50. At Wal-Mart, twin-size white cotton sheets are just under $5 and large cotton rounds are super cheap. I got a good steamer on eBay for about $59. Christine Tataje VIA FACEBOOK I stock up big time at trade shows to get all of my disposables at rock-bottom prices on the last day. Carrie Lorrain VIA FACEBOOK The biggest frustration for me is having to order from so many different places. I go through Sam's Club online to get cases of Dynarex gloves, gauze pads, sani-wipes, dose cups, and table paper. I use a variety of small esthetics distributors for cotton and wax strips. I run to Michael's to get the wooden sticks I like, then to CVS for the lancets I like. Certain things from Massage Warehouse; a particular callus softener from Art of Beauty; sharps boxes are cheapest at Wal-Mart; and on and on. This is partially because my staff and I are very particular about our supplies, but also to keep costs under control. Ours is an incredibly stuff-dependent field of work. Christine Giustra NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA Qosmedix has excellent prices on tons of stuff we use. I am also a nurse, so I buy surgical towels—bags of them for $5—and they are perfect for facial towels! Angie Andersen-Kline VIA FACEBOOK I buy paintbrushes from Michael's for mask/ enzyme brushes. Actual facial brushes are two or three times more expensive. Shanna Krystal Mcclanahan VIA FACEBOOK Answer our next question: What is your least favorite part of your job? Email your answer to editor@ascpskincare.com. Answers will appear in the May/June issue and may be edited for length and clarity.