Jackson BellFor the past six months, Sheyla...

Jackson Bell

For the past six months, Sheyla Naves has done everything she can to

keep her mind distracted from the reality of her husband fighting in

Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The 20-year-old North Hollywood resident is staying busy by

working extra hours at Home Depot and spending more time exercising

at her local fitness center.

Burbank’s Wax Poetic salon and gallery has just given her another,

more soothing, option.

The salon, in support of Naves’ husband who is serving overseas in

the U.S. Navy, donated a free waxing along with a facial -- her first

-- on Tuesday afternoon to help ease her anxiety.

“It’s a great way to relax, and I like being pampered,” she said.

“With working and all the stress, it’s great to get an afternoon at

the spa.”

Kerry Hite, Wax Poetic’s owner, says she has always been community

minded. After attending a seminar in Las Vegas to learn more about

the Daymaker Movement -- a school of thought promoting random

gestures to “make someone’s day” -- she was inspired to join about

150 salons across the United States and Canada for Daymaker Day.

On Tuesday, Wax Poetic, 3208 W. Magnolia Blvd., closed its doors

to the public -- relinquishing about $2,000 in daily sales -- to

provide complimentary hair cuts, facials, waxing and massages, as

well as beauty products, to family members of solders serving in the

war.

“We’re getting them ready for when their honeys comes home,” Hite

said.

The first Daymaker Day was declared this year by the Salon Assn.

in honor of David Wagner, a salon owner and author who founded the

movement 14 years ago. Wagner said the event was inspired by his own

sentiments of soldiers who left their family members behind to fight

the war.

“I thought, ‘What would I want for my wife if I were [fighting in

the war]?’” he said. “I would want her to be comfortable and secure.”

Making the event a yearly celebration, Hite said, will not only

help spread goodwill throughout the community, but it will also be

another way the salon will set itself apart from others in Burbank.

Wax Poetic’s mission is to provide a different experience from any

other salon in the city. Every two months, for example, a local

artist is invited to hang their work on the wall. And instead of

fashion magazines -- which Hite believes makes her customers feel

insecure about their appearance -- the 18,000-square-foot store is

furnished with quick-read books patrons can peruse while receiving

treatment.

“I think it is great what they are doing for [‘Daymaker Day’],”

Naves said. “It also gives Wax Poetic the opportunity to show people

that they are great at what they do.”