Boy, if you had a nickel for every time you couldn’t decide between the salon and the art gallery.

Cuticles or cubism? Eyebrow or highbrow? Massage or message? Tough questions.

At Wax Poetic, a salon-cum-art gallery, you can finally lay such inner conflict to rest. New exhibits every two months showcase local artists and manage to elevate highlighting, waxing, and microdermabrasion beyond the mundane.

The combo isn’t as strange as one might think. There’s always plenty of waiting at the salon (really, how many times can you reread last month’s Allure?). Plus, the gallery feature brings full circle the traditional meaning of salon — a place where people gather, discuss, and look at art. And they serve complimentary happy-hour drinks Monday through Thursday.

Which should eliminate any remaining scheduling conflicts.

Wax Poetic, 3208 West Magnolia Boulevard, at Ontario Street (818-843-9469).