Mar 08, 2007

The Brazilian, named for the Brazilian bombshells who spend their days scampering around Rio in G-strings, is the most “thorough” of the bikini waxes. It targets the lip and ‘back’ areas, and then gives you the option of going completely bare or leaving some hair (elegantly referred to as a landing strip).

Facing my first ever bikini wax, I made an appointment with Shobha’s (voted “best bikini wax” in NYMag). They kindly sent me the game day rules. On the day of your waxing you should be clean, menstruation-free, dry, hairy (at least ¼ in. long), comfortable and relaxed. To tell you that it didn’t hurt would be an insult to your intelligence, as well as a bold faced lie. Being a germaphobe, I was relieved to hear about the salon’s strict No Double-Dip Policy, which means that the same spatula will NEVER be re-dipped into the vat of wax.

It hurt like hell, but Hibba, my waxer extraordinaire, was, well… extraordinary. Though she had me in positions that would make Jenna Jamison blush, I felt completely at ease and taken care of. I left with detailed aftercare instructions to avoid hot baths, ultraviolet rays, steam rooms and saunas, sexual activity and any products containing acid for at least 48 hours.
DIY waxing is not as bad as it sounds, you just need the right hair removal tools.
Beginners go easy with the Poetic Waxing Poetic Waxing Kit-- not painless, but easy to use.

Anastasia is the goddess of brows but her salon and products cater to the manicuring of other patches of body hair. If you’ve had enough pro waxes to get an idea of what goes on or have the patience to follow directions, try the luxe Anastasia 4 - Piece Ultimate Hair Removal Wax Kit.

Prevent bumps and post-ripping-the-hair-from-its-roots rash with Skindinavia Post Shave/Wax.