Bikini Waxes

GreenPepperBurger

Has anyone ever uh, waxed themselves at home? If so, what product did you use? I'm looking for a good one, and I don't have the $75-$100 to be throwing around to get it done professionally (or else I would).

TIA!

catemeg

Geez, that's how much it costs in NYC?  In DC, my lady cost $50 and she was awesome!  And Miami's most expensive full brazilian is only around $30!

I've used Andrea wax that's available at most CVS.  I like it better than Sally Hanson or whatever.  Be careful not to overheat it, and be sure you know good technique, otherwise you can really hurt yourself.  I've done my own bikini and underarms for ages, but I can't do my own brazilian, so I still go to get waxed once in awhile.

You want to spread in the same direction that the hair grows, thinly but cover the whole section so you don't have to go back.  Do it quickly, then lay down the cloth strips again in the direction of the hair.  Holding the strip in place, use your knuckles to rub it in a bit, then hold your skin at the bottom (the direction the hair grows), and quickly yank the strip back along itself against the hair growth (rather than up in the air) while holding the skin in place with your other hand.  Then use your hand to quickly apply pressure to the area.  Don't repeat wax on the same area on the same day as this can cause really bad irritation - just use tweezers if you miss some hair.

Good luck!  It's not for the faint of heart!

GreenPepperBurger

Ack, that sounds like a process. Thanks for the advice! Yeah, it's pretty ridiculous in NYC. It's around $75, but that doesn't include tip and whatever lotion I'd buy with it to prevent infection. Although J. Sisters salon (the people that actually brought the Brazilian wax to the states) has a 15% discount for students...

catemeg

Don't buy the lotions.  That's a load of junk.  Use a good loofah and rub the skin in that area really good a couple times a week while you shower (nothing perv-ish meant by that).  Don't put body lotion or oils on any skin that's been recently waxed.  If you went too far and got yourself irritated or had the wax too hot and ripped skin, just use Neosporin cream (not ointment) since anything oil based will promote ingrown hairs.

It's really not that hard, but I'd recommend if you've never had a bikini wax to cough it up the first time for a professional.  It's easier to maintain than to start.

If you want any more advice, I'm happy to help on PMs.  Like I said, I have waxed my underarms, bikini line, as well as my eyebrows for years.  In college, I used to do eyebrow waxing and underarm waxing for friends.

KD+BC

Waxing scares the crap out of me.

GreenPepperBurger

Ack, I just posted a response that wound up on the September 2010 boards.

KD+BC

Ahahahahaha what a subject to be cross posted!

catemeg

Tee hee... and it's on a 2 month old thread about Save the Dates!  Way to ruffle some feathers, GreenPepper!

Check out Yelp - I always use that to find new waxing technicians in new cities.  Gotta go 'tried and true' with something this sensitive... good luck!  If you were in DC, I'd totally know the lady to send you to in a heartbeat.

GreenPepperBurger

Thanks! My friend actually just recommended someone she sees that only costs $43. Not terrible.

hetshup

I get waxed, but I strongly suggest having someone do it. There are certain spots that I would never in my life rip hair out of on my own. Is there a reason you are thinking of waxing V shaving?


I have after wax stuff, my waxer specifically says not to use a loofah b\c it can harbor bacteria.

GreenPepperBurger

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_bikini-waxes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:3bc9c460-4186-41a9-8287-19fdda006630Post:a2a3ac83-db7c-414e-bc06-3e5dd1b56d82">Re: Bikini Waxes</a>:
[QUOTE]I get waxed, but I strongly suggest having someone do it. There are certain spots that I would never in my life rip hair out of on my own. Is there a reason you are thinking of waxing V shaving? I have after wax stuff, my waxer specifically says not to use a loofah b\c it can harbor bacteria.
Posted by hetshup[/QUOTE]


Yeah, now thinking about it...it is foolish to do it myself when I've never had one before. Without getting too TMI, I wasn't able to "maintain" it at all for a while, and now it would just be too much to shave. Gross, I know.

catemeg

Yeah... I vote no shaving ever.  Every time I get lazy and shave, I just regret it soooo much.  Believe it or not, shaving hurts me more than waxing.  The razor burn and then the tenderness for a few days, and then ingrown hairs.  NO THANK YOU!

I tried waxing my legs once... too much effort and it didn't work very well.  So I'll stick to shaving those until I can one day afford laser hair removal (also something miraculously inexpensive down here - Groupon had a $99 for 5 sessions coupon the other day!!!)

KD+BC

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_bikini-waxes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:3bc9c460-4186-41a9-8287-19fdda006630Post:59d1e2eb-cf69-4640-b588-b2e5af52df0a">Re: Bikini Waxes</a>:
[QUOTE]Yeah... I vote no shaving ever.  Every time I get lazy and shave, I just regret it soooo much.  Believe it or not, shaving hurts me more than waxing.  The razor burn and then the tenderness for a few days, and then ingrown hairs.  NO THANK YOU!
Posted by catemeg[/QUOTE]


Shaving shouldn't hurt you. I don't get razor burn, tenderness, or ingrown hairs. Does that only happen if you wax?

catemeg

Shaving has hurt me always, way before I waxed.  It was a never ending cycle and I was always embarassed in a bathingsuit - first there's hair, and that's gross.  Then there's a red rash which hurts, and then there's razor bumps.  And then it starts all over again!  Ugh!

I know it's different for everyone, but for me the day I found waxing was really amazing.  I actually told my Mom about how much of a relief it was, and she went for her first ever bikini wax at age 50... and loved it!

loves2shop4shoes

I recommend getting it professionally done.  In Boston, you can get a good wax for about $60-$65.  It sounds like you've found it even cheaper, which is awesome.  

I recommend going to a place that uses hard wax.  It hurts a lot less IMO.

jeanacorina

Hot date?

BCRockies

I use Wax-A-Way for my legs. It's great and easy (excess comes off easily with warm water). But I don't wax my own bikini as the pain can be a bit much - I'd rather just pay for it. The couple of times I've tried, it came out patchy as I just couldn't finish. BF got a good laugh out of that one!  

GreenPepperBurger

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_bikini-waxes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:3bc9c460-4186-41a9-8287-19fdda006630Post:ed20a614-89fa-4487-a1eb-32cf9cad035b">Re: Bikini Waxes</a>:
[QUOTE]Hot date?
Posted by jeanacorina[/QUOTE]


There will be after the waxing!<img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-wink.gif" border="0" alt="Wink" title="Wink" />

hetshup

GPB- Not to get too graphic, but you need to get trimmers before you go in for the wax, it'll be really painful if you don't. Oh and use the trimmers too, if you didn't catch that. I also strongly suggest leaving a landing strip, it's incredibly painful to have done for whatever reason. 

TMI- I am pretty blond, so I have issues with the hair breaking off, so be aware that it might not be perfect. 

GreenPepperBurger

I gotcha, Hetshup. I figured I'd probably need to landscape a bit. Thanks!

SopChick

GPB - YGPM

Please PM if it's too graffic for the boards, but I'm always embarrassed when I call to book b/c there seem to be so many 'types' of waxing. Is there a specific name when you want a little more gone than a bikini, but not quite so up close and personal as a full brazillian?

GreenPepperBurger

SopChick - YGPM.

fontassidy

I haven't even ever posted here before (been lurking around sneakily for a few weeks...) but this post is HORRIFYING me, so much that I am like biting the inside of my cheek off right now!!! I just had to get that out, lol!

I'm *such* a tomboy & do not wax anything at all; I'm almost 26 & have never been brave enough. OUCH. Ouch. Ok. I feel better.

(PS: hi, I'm Lauren!! Hahahaha...I intro'd myself on the intro thread, but what better thread to post for the first time on than this one?!)

hetshup

You could get a French Bikini, it's more modest. Usually leaves the back untended to.

desertsun

I think the French Hetshup describes is also usually less expensive than a full Brazilian.

SopChick

hetsup & desert - Thank you! That's the part I'm afraid of, so that sounds like what I'm after.

Hazel_B

If you have never waxed before I would strongly recommend someone else doing it the first time. First, they can reach spots you can't. Second, it is a sensitive area and more prone to bleeding (atleast the first time). If you don't get the proper direction and tension it'll hurt a lot more. Professionals should have the proper technique to be quick, efficient and make it hurt as little as possible.

LizzyTish88

I have never waxed, but I agree with PPs to have it done professionally for the first time so you know exactly how it is supposed to be done. You could also ask them questions on a more personal level so they can help, and next time you would feel more comfortable.

I have done the laser removal for down there (Cate $99?!? I might have to fly to FL haha) They go for hundreds around my area. I was on a professional cheer/dance team and we got it done once for free. They wanted us to love it and go back for more and pay the rest, but I didn't have the money and didn't stay with the team. Later on in life when I have the money I will most defiantly look into getting it done again.

catemeg

I believe the bikini wax that's a little bit more than just outside the panty lines, but not the whole thing, is called a "tight bikini".  Sometimes a "tight bikini with top" to get a little off the top, too.  Those don't include anything in the back (though believe it or not, that doesn't really hurt at all in my experience).  There's definitely parts of a brazilian wax that make you want to scream, but those aren't included in a normal bikini wax or a 'tight bikini' (which it sounds like some salons refer to as "french"? I've never heard that one).

GreenPepperBurger

Thanks for everyone's responses (and helping us virgin waxers!) I thought about it and I think it's best just to go to a professional the first time. I was talking to my mom about it (who is horrified by the whole thing) and she said, "Oh, just go to the best salon to have it done. I'll give you half the money." Score.

SopChick

That's not a bad deal GBP!

I think I just need to get over being embarrassed about it. lol. Thanks, for the info ladies!