Beauty Tip.....Bikini Waxing

I decided to write on this subject when I saw the video of a popular ATL model online today.  All I have to say is Ew, she should have known better.  Her bush was just way too much.  Ugh.

But I just feel like when you reach a certain age (men and women) you should really know how to take care of yourself.  It's called personal hygeine. 

So this post is directed to women (and men too because I know men shave, nair or whatever). 




Shaving Tips....

Here's How:

1. Choose your shaving cream wisely. For this sensitive body zone be sure to get and use a good shaving cream or gel, using soap is definitely out.  Aveeno Shaving Gel is really good.
2. Don’t skimp on your razor. Stay clear of the straight, cheap disposables or you'll be asking for cuts and nicks. Instead use a razor with a pivoting head and multiple blades to give you a smooth, close shave.
3. Give a haircut. Trim hair down first as short as possible by placing comb flat on the skin and trim over comb with scissors, or with clippers using the shortest guard. The less hair you start out with means less use of your razor.
4. Take a warm shower or bath. At least 5-10 minutes of the heat will soften skin and relax the hair follicle.
5. Exfoliate. Rid dead skin cells and provide a closer shave by using a mild exfoliator or your favorite body wash with an Ayate washcloth on your pubic area.
6. Dab on some shaving oil. Working as a barrier on your skin, the razor will glide easier instead of dragging and moisturize skin. It also helps prevent razor burn, general irritation and ingrown hairs.
7. Apply shaving cream or gel. Make sure skin is damp but not overly wet. If you have a shaving brush, work the product with the brush in circles to help lift hair and get a closer shave.
8. Shave. Using a fresh blade, first go in the same direction of hair growth and then in opposite direction while holding skin taut. Don't go over the same area too many times.
9. Rinse. In between strokes, be sure to rinse blade. A clogged razor won’t work well.
10. Cleanse. Rinse pubic area and pat dry with towel.
11. Moisturize. Apply a light, preferably unscented lotion.

Basic Bikini Waxing Styles:

• Regular Bikini Wax: Removes the hair outside the panty line.
  When to choose: If it's your first bikini wax, or are just looking for a clean up.
• Full Bikini Wax: Takes the sides of the bikini line deeper than a regular bikini wax, and can also include waxing some hair on top to make a more defined ‘triangle’ area, or trimming down the hair left shorter.
  When to choose: You still want to keep hair, but want more definition than a clean-up.
• French Bikini Wax: Takes all hair off the in the front (except a small strip) and continues to right before the back. It doesn't take hair off from the back like a Brazilian (see below).
  When to choose: You want the area basically pretty smooth with most hair removed, but don't want to take any hair away from your behind.
• Brazilian Bikini Wax: Takes all hair off the bikini line, front all the way to the back (yes by your bum). Sometimes a small landing strip or triangle is left in the front.
  When to choose: The perfect option if you wear a thong bikini, or want to be completely or almost hairless in front and back.
• Hollywood: Where a Brazilian may leave you with some hair left, a Hollywood removes all of it. The bottom line, you won't have any genital hair left.  When to choose: You absolutely don't want any hair in the front, in-between or in the back. But I wouldn't recommend it for your first bikini wax.

At Home Waxing Tips....

Exfoliate the skin about one or two days before you intend to wax at home. This will bring small hairs to the surface and ensure a slower regrowth.

Grow or trim the hair to a quarter inch before opening the wax kit. Use a small pair of scissors to trim, making sure not to injure yourself. On the other hand, wait to wax if the hair isn't at least a quarter inch long.

Make sure the area is clean and dry. Use baby powder on the area to ensure dryness.

Heat the wax, if necessary, either on the stove in a pot full of water or in the microwave. Follow the kit manufacturer's recommendations carefully. Under or overheating can slow down or ruin the whole procedure.

Apply the wax to the desired area as directed. Common methods include a roll-on container or using a wooden or plastic spatula to spread the wax evenly over the skin. Put on a single muslin strip, following the direction of hair growth. Smooth a hand over the strip a few times, pushing in the direction of the growth.

Pull the strip (or the wax, if stripless) off in the opposite direction of the hair growth. Check the strip to make sure you're getting the roots of the hair

Waxing Tips......

1. Plan to wax after your period. Your pain threshold is higher in the week after your period than beforehand. Think of it like this: If sappy commercials make you cry when you're premenstrual, having wax applied to your dainty bits certainly will.
2. Lose your self-consciousness. Yes, a stranger is going to see you wearing, at most, a paper thong. Don't worry about offending her or feeling embarrassed. It's nothing she hasn't seen before. The less anxious you are, the less you'll worry about pain.
3. Start off slowly. Your first bikini wax is not the time to try a Brazilian. If you're new to waxing, go with a basic bikini wax. You can always decide to remove more the next time around.
4. Exfoliate. The day before you decide to wax, exfoliate in the shower. This will remove dead skin, allowing the wax to grip shorter hairs.
5. Speak up. A good esthetician will work with you to make sure you're as comfortable as you can be. I always ask my esthetician to tell me when she's about to pull the wax off. So don't be shy to say something if you have a low pain tolerance—it's better to speak up than to suffer in silence.
6. Use hard wax. Hard wax is more gentle than soft wax, so I recommend going to a spa that uses it.
7. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. About an hour before your appointment, take an Advil, Tylenol or other pain reliever.
8. Breathe. It can be tempting to hold your breath, but breathing in and out helps reduce the pain. Take a deep breath in when the wax goes on, then breathe out when your esthetician gives it a yank.
9. Know which parts are most sensitive. You wouldn't expect it, but having hair pulled from the lower abdomen area is more painful than it is around the vaginal opening.

So in closing....women please take care of yourselves!  Men do NOT like bushy forests.  And you shouldn't either...unless it's comfortable to you. 

Keep it clean and smooth!
:-)