Hi everyone, this is a short note to let you know that from today, blog posts will appear every other day or two until I get back on my feet. I had a rough day yesterday and I don’t have the mood, inspiration nor inclination to blog about beauty just right now. Things will go back to normal soon, but till then, I don’t want to leave things in the lurch so slowing down is the best compromise. Emails and comments will take me a while. Thanks for bearing with me 🙂 xx PB
I love MWS readers. They ask the most interesting questions and give me loads of ideas for blog posts and some of you have also given me some good ideas on blog layout (which I’ve been working on and tweaking, if you’d like to take a look at the navigation bar above 😉 ). But today, its about a question that reader pondsandleaves asked in her comment on a post 2 weeks ago.
My post was about hair removal where so many of you lovely ladies chimed in with your interesting ‘hair-raising’ experiences (since I have none to share). But Pondsandleaves wanted to know what you thought about bikini waxing. I thought it was very interesting, so here it is.
What are YOUR views on bikini or brazilian waxing?
I’ve tried going the full monty and I’ve even shared my experience with you and even tips on what you can expect, going in for a brazilian wax. I’ve only been to 2 waxing salons locally – Strip! and Apronbay, and I too have shared my experiences at both with you.
But then, silence. No more waxing salon reviews. Well that’s because I chose not to do it anymore.
Having experienced it, I can understand why people do it. It does feel cleaner down under but I also somehow feel weird. I feel that we were given hair down there for a reason (hygiene being one of it i.e. keeping stuff out) so if I didn’t get rid of my eyebrows because they don’t seem to serve a purpose (they do, to keep sweat from getting in your eyes and also because you’d look weird without eyebrows 😛 ) then I shouldn’t get rid of my hair down there either.
Bikini waxing is a little different from a brazilian wax, in that not all the hair is removed. Its just trimmed so it looks better when you wear a teeny tiny bikini bottom (theoretically speaking). If you wear shorts then erm… no need for any trimming then, is there? 😀
That said, having been for a wax, I can tell you that hair re-growth is much thinner so I can expect that if you do it often, you’d be able to slow down your hair regrowth and thickness quite substantially. Its the same principle with waxing your legs or arms. It was a good experience, but I guess that was it in the end – an experience 🙂
What say you about bikini and brazilian waxing? Are you a die hard fan of either and would like to champion the cause?
I can understand why people do it and if you do wear bikinis, please do trim or shave or wax because it just looks better. Brazilian waxing is, in my humble view, optional. That said, what do I know eh? 🙂
Paris B
Raquel M. says
April 23, 2013 at 8:59 amI do brazilian waxing but I don’t take everything off – there are about 3 types of brazilian wax!
I do feel cleaner and I completely understand when you say hair serves a purpose there x) but I really like the feeling of almost no hair! Also, I feel more confident! I should say that here in Portugal almost every girl does it! I realise from this blog post and also from american tv series (hello! :p) that around the world it’s more of a 50-50 kind of thing or something… But I can honestly say, here, 80% of the girls my age do it! Actually, I never met any girl who didn’t do brazilian wax 🙂
When I first waxed down there I was hmm… 13 I guess! My mom got me into it (she’s brazilian, ironically) but it was just a bikini wax! But I started brazilian when I was about 15 and it really was weird the first couple of times… And painful! But it got better and now I can’t do without!
Paris B says
April 23, 2013 at 11:09 pmOh I get you, Raquel 🙂 I think its great that your mom introduced you to this, and how amusing that she’s Brazilian! Do you know if its a common thing in Brazil? I wonder if its a warm country thing. Maybe its less popular where its cold as they don’t wear bikinis or swimsuits very much and so don’t feel the need to shave/trim/wax? I know of people who can’t do without a regular wax too! I think its one of those things – not for everyone but for anyone!
Raquel M. says
April 24, 2013 at 9:06 amI do not know that… :
Maybe the brazilian MWS fans can help us with this one :p
Paris B says
May 2, 2013 at 6:35 pmHaha I was hoping they would!
Lily says
April 23, 2013 at 10:07 amI haven’t done any of these at salons. First of all, I’d feel embarrassed. It was already difficult enough spreading my legs at the gynecologist or when the nurse had to shave me before giving birth. Another thing is, it’s so darn itchy when the hair grows back. Also, I think I’ll feel absolutely naked somehow… HAHA!
Paris B says
April 23, 2013 at 11:11 pmActually I didn’t really get the itch which I’m told is more pronounced with shaving than waxing. But the embarrassment factor is definitely a hurdle. Having done it, I can safely say that its quite an experience. Especially when they tell you to kneel LOL!!
Tracy says
April 23, 2013 at 11:23 amI say no way! I’ll just stay au naturel thanks very muchly LOL. As long as I shower I feel clean no matter what! And it’s not like I’m running around in a bikini all day hahaha. NOT up here in forever winterland!
Paris B says
April 23, 2013 at 11:13 pmHahha you’re right, Tracy. That’s how I feel too. If I shower daily or twice a day, that’s more than sufficient hygiene, thank you! Incidentally I stumbled on an article today that talked about Brazilian waxing helping to solve the problem of crabs. Made me think of why its happening in the first place eh? 😛
Hanny Daforcena says
April 23, 2013 at 12:15 pmI don’t do waxing generally but I just shave, heh heh. IDK it’s a weird… thing for me, having to be completely hairless body-wise. I would think that it’s media socialization doing it’s naughty little brainwashing thing but… what the heck, like Raquel said, I like that area to be free of hair.
Oh I do hope that you get through your rough patch! ^.^ Powah to yah, PB!
Paris B says
April 23, 2013 at 11:14 pmThank you Hanny 🙂 I hope to pull through soon. Its rough! As for hair, I think its a personal thing. Since you’re keeping hair neatly trimmed everywhere else, why not down there eh? 😉
Swati says
April 23, 2013 at 12:26 pmhey Paris….hope everything comes out fine 🙂 I can totally understand how it feels bogged down by 10 different things so waiting to see your posts!!
and, no, i never tried coz it hurts like hell!! 😀
Paris B says
April 23, 2013 at 11:16 pmThank you for the encouragement, Swati! Maybe after its all over I’ll share what happened. Its not pleasant 😛 I remember that you said you waxed your legs. I think you can just imagine how painful a Brazilian wax can be! Lol
Swati says
April 24, 2013 at 12:20 amabsolutely right, Paris…can’t even think about it 😀
and, don’t worry..all’s well that ends well 🙂 and have a dark chocolate 😀 I feel like having one myself!!!
Paris B says
May 2, 2013 at 6:33 pmDark chocolate! Yummy! Good for the heart too 😉
Seline says
April 23, 2013 at 12:37 pmI’ve only tried the full brazilian wax once, for the experience. It was without a doubt the most painful thing I’d ever experienced. Then again, I’ve never given birth before. My friend who has claims that it was a walk in the park. It felt really odd after that, as if I was walking around naked. It looked weird in the mirror as well, as if I was a baby all over again. And the regrowth was really, really itchy. So no, I’ve never done it again, and don’t think I ever will. Maybe just a bikini wax for when I have to don a swimsuit.
Paris B says
April 23, 2013 at 11:17 pmHahahaa I felt everything you did, Seline! I did it too, only because I had the chance to try it. It was an interesting experience but it’s not something I’d like to do all the time. Keeping it trim for swimsuit or bikini purposes does make sense though. Looks awful otherwise lol!
PB says
June 14, 2013 at 11:44 pmYes its the most painful thing I ever experienced too, but honestly it gets better with time, just don’t wait for months and let it all come back, or shave in between because then it is the same as the first time!
It must vary from person to person, I myself have coarse dense hair thats painful to wax but except for a few which break off at the surface, the others don’t grow back atleast for a couple of weeks. And because hair grows in cycles, the next growth will not be all back together, like it was for a virgin wax. Which means, 4-6 weeks later you’ll probably have a lighter and sparser growth, and much much more tolerable wax! 🙂
Hope that helped! If you can tolerate the pain once, trust me, it will be so much easier after that one time! Good luck!
Becca says
April 23, 2013 at 1:57 pmI’m all for the Brazilian. I just feel cleaner and…sexier I guess. 😛 I’ve been doing it for a long time and I don’t think I’ll ever go back. I tried a while back to just do a small landing strip for the hell of it but halfway into it I gave up and removed it all again. I just am not used to it anymore, I guess 😛 haha anyway, that’s my personal preference!
Paris B says
April 23, 2013 at 11:19 pmOf course, Becca! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this! I think a lot of it is down to our personal preferences. After all, its our body, its up to us how we want it to look 😀
Ally says
April 23, 2013 at 5:11 pmI’m up for Brazilian 🙂 Got it done every month. I was also skeptical at first; especially the pain factor. All it took was a coupon deal i saw online. Gave it a try and i can say, the pain is bearable. Never look back ever since 🙂
If i’m given the chance to ask my Creator, I would like to know, why hair down there? lol! 😀
Paris B says
April 23, 2013 at 11:22 pmNice one, Ally! I have to admit that its interesting 😉 perhaps hair was more important when we didn’t wear clothes back in prehistoric days? It could be a method of keeping stuff out, but these days with clothes and underwear, perhaps evolution will dictate that we won’t grow hair down there anymore lol!
Victoria says
April 23, 2013 at 6:11 pmHope everything will turn out ok for you Paris.
I am all for bikini waxing because it keeps the area clean and well-groomed. For me, the hair growth around the area has lessen considerably and the hair is also finer. I have done Brazilian several times but would not do it again due to the hygiene factor. Although my husband is fine either way whether I am completely bald down there or have a bit of hair, I still think he prefers the latter. LOL.
Paris B says
April 23, 2013 at 11:24 pmThank you Victoria 🙂 and thank you too for sharing your thoughts on this very interesting subject matter! 😀 I have to say that its certainly interesting and you’re right about the hair growing back finer. I’ve noticed that, and I’ve only had 2 sessions! I imagine if I had more, maybe I won’t even need to wax anymore after that for lack of growth lol!
Ika Roseworn says
April 23, 2013 at 11:01 pmBeen waxing since I was 14! Stole some wax from my aunt, hand over mouth, and RiiiiiP! 120 years later, I still take it all off, but with an epilator. I really should go to a pro because do-it-yourself produces ingrown hairs and angry follicles, especially when done with an epilator. I just don’t like body hair. And the pain is not so painful anymore after all these years 🙂
Paris B says
April 23, 2013 at 11:26 pmYou DIY?!?! You brave brave soul! >.< and LOL at 120 years. I think I'm probably 150 years older than you! 😀
fafa says
April 23, 2013 at 11:23 pmcan’t live with it! tried it first back in India, say byebye to shaving ever since. it just feels much cleaner and mess-free esp during your menses. and i prefer cold wax. yes hurts more tan hot wax but result is better; slower growth and fine hair.
Paris B says
April 23, 2013 at 11:27 pmThank you for sharing your thoughts on this, Fafa 🙂 I probably tried hot wax, I don’t remember anymore but gosh, that ripping sound still echoes in my head 😛
PB says
June 14, 2013 at 11:51 pmI’m from India! While waxing is the accepted form of hair removal here, with very few women preferring the razor, brazilians are atill uncommon except in the larger cities! But its super cheap here I think, I go to one of the best salons in my city (read pricier than the others owing to better staff and equipment) and a full bare Brazlian wax costs me Rupees 450! That would be the equivalent of 9 USD 🙂
and for 900, I can get special RICA wax which they claim is painless (read less painful) and has longer lasting results!
No DIY required when we have professional services at this rate 🙂 😀
Eileen says
April 24, 2013 at 7:44 pmI tried Brazilian waxing last year and haven’t looked back since. The first time was painful because I’m a wuss when it comes to pain but I told the beauty therapist that it was my first time she did try to be gentle.
I really love the feeling of being hairless and smooth down under, it’s feels like baby bottom.
Once I didn’t wax for two months and when I finally went back to do it, it was damn painful! I swear it was more painful than the first time lol.
Now, I religiously wax every month and I got so used to it that I even fall asleep while my therapist do her thing. :p
Paris B says
May 2, 2013 at 6:37 pmHaha to each our own, eh Eileen? 🙂 I actually think the pain is a bit overrated. Sure it smarts but its not like you are cut up with a knife!
Yee says
April 24, 2013 at 9:02 pmI was tempted to try this using a Groupon deal I saw recently but the pain factor kinda scared me off.
I got a basic question, can we use hair removal cream to remove hair from the entire pubic area too? I read this post and was just looking at these creams like Veet and Nair in Watsons and it does seem like a painless process.
lili says
April 29, 2013 at 9:47 amDon’t do it with hair removal cream, it’s full of bad stuff. It’s ok for legs etc but not down there.
Paris B says
May 2, 2013 at 6:42 pmHi Yee, to be honest, the pain isn’t that bad. I’ve spoken about it in my overview on my experience with waxing. I suggest taking 2 Panadol before going if its your first time and it won’t feel so bad. As for using a hair removal cream, I’m no expert so here’s the response from someone who’s an expert in bikini/Brazilian waxing:-
“I wouldn’t recommend using hair removal cream to remove hair as the ingredients (urea, calcium hydroxide) in those cream can be quite harsh on the skin. The function of these creams are to dissolve the hair, hence when you brush it off, it will just come off easily. After a while of usage, your skin might become more sensitised and very dry. We have personally encountered clients who’ve used them long term and their skin is cracked or tears very easily.
Between shaving or hair removal cream, shaving is actually a lesser evil.
Both these hair removal methods are to slice off the hair that is on the surface of the skin but does not remove the hair shaft from the roots like waxing or threading. Therefore the regrowth will feel coarse.
However, waxing or IPL would be better as it is dealing directly with the root of the hair, either destroying the root or removing the hair from the root.
The above is just a general one, how one’s skin reacts will still vary as it depends on each individual’s skin type/hair type and what other body products they are using on a daily basis.”
Hope this helps you.
gaiden says
April 24, 2013 at 9:47 pmI had not tried any of the wax or been to any of the salon but I had been hairless since high school. I pulled them out myself by plucking. ^^;
Paris B says
May 2, 2013 at 6:43 pmPlucking!! You brave girl!
Gwen says
April 27, 2013 at 2:16 amI love brazillian and bikini wax. because it makes me look clean, fairer nicer. HAHA.
I haven’t had a professional session before. It’s all home self done. which is a hassle. would like to try a professional service one day.
Paris B says
May 3, 2013 at 4:27 pmWow, hats off to you for DIYing something like this! 😀
bella says
April 27, 2013 at 12:09 pmlove it. been doing it at strip outlets. they got the best and quickest way to remove your hair down there. plus the wax smelled good. hehe
i will do it once every three months, suits my hair growth i guess >.<
Paris B says
May 3, 2013 at 4:28 pmI read it helps slow down hair growth so that’s great that you can do it in 3 months – not that pricey then! 😉
Mrs Top Monkey says
April 27, 2013 at 5:14 pmHmm… let’s see.. even in my ripe old age, I can’t bear to hold a lighted candle (hence my inability to light my son’s lantern during Mooncake Festival) so all this waxing thing is out for me. You’re so brave to have tried it, nothing will induce me to try waxing down there.
pondsandleaves says
April 30, 2013 at 12:13 pmHey Dear,
Hope you are okay.
The opinions here are split 50/50, oh boy! Thanks for the shoutout and all the MWS readers’ contributions!
I guess being au naturel will keep me sit tight and still like a lady when I wear skirts. Exposing lady bits is bad enough, exposing hairy hobbit down south is Umm… wait does that come out totally wrong?
Paris B says
May 3, 2013 at 5:15 pmThank you 🙂 Thank YOU for the post idea 😀 I had to LOL at the “hairy hobbit down south” 😀 I guess its a matter of what we want or prefer because ultimately, we should be doing things like these because we want to, not because people think we should! 😀 p/s unless you plan on doing a Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct, I think you’d be safe in the sitting department 😉
Lee says
June 29, 2013 at 3:24 amI’ve had Brazilian Wax twice, both at Strip. I’m very hairy naturally and decided to go for Brazilian Waxing only when maintenance started getting on my nerves. My first experience was pleasant but the second (a year later) was.. blahh. Instead of helping me calm down, the waxer commented “yours is one of the hairiest I’ve seen”. I didn’t take it personally thanks to frequent visits to salons I am now used to ill-mannered beauticians. Mind you both did end with hardcore package briefing. I visited the one at the Curve they’re a lot nicer and even advised me to not have my face waxed, this was not what I was told in Sunway Pyramid. It’s so tempting to return but hey, God gave us hair down there for a reason and He knows best 😀 I think once a year is good enough for me.