Leg Wax Virgin! Help!

AngelaBaker87

My wedding is 9-23-12. I hate shaving and sometimes get ingrown hairs on my legs. I want to get my legs professionally waxed before the wedding so they're extra smooth and so I don't have to shave during the honeymoon! Thinking of doing a test run in January but I need to do some salon research first. Anything I should ask them? I'd love any tips on how to prepare or get the best leg wax possible!

RECNMB

I would love ot hear advice on this, too. I HATE shaving my legs!

morenachica110

I'm going to chip in that I'm super interested in this as well. I'm planning on waxing my legs, underarms, and bikini for the wedding/HM but I've never done it before... =/

ETA: oh, hey! OP, my wedding day is one day before your's! 

bltata

Generally for any waxing to be done, it's good advice to go to a reputable salon or waxer.  I do waxing and epilating on myself at home but if you don't think you'll have the guts go to a pro.

The advice I have is to take an ibuprofen (Advil or something similar) about 30-45 minutes prior to, and you have to grow the hair out generally to about a 1/4 of an inch for it to be grabbed by the wax.  Just remember to follow any other directions that are given to you before your appointment.

jgonder

to get the 1/4 inch it takes about 2 weeks generally. some people less or more depending on the area to be waxed. Just assume more hair is easier to grab, you dont want the pain for no result! Ensure they don't re-dip the wand into the wax. EX, touch your eyebrow and then put it back into pot to get more. Consider if that was someone's bikini area? This is to prevent spread of germs etc.
Ask the salon of their cleaning and sanitization practices, they'll explain how often and in depth they clean. If it doens't sound good- don't go there.
There is also some high price salons that will place a numbing creme on the area for a few minutes before the treatement. I feel its worth the money- but not all girls feel the difference.
If you're too scared- go for nair. the real brand. wait the full 3-5 minutes you need. I love it.

AngelaBaker87

Thanks for the great advice! I'm excited! I found a place that had good reviews but I haven't called and asked questions yet. I'm going to test them out with a brow wax first. Is it true you don't have to shave for like a month after shaving? That would be awesome.

PhoneCardLady

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-beauty_leg-wax-virgin?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:358Discussion:349284b1-e1b5-4fde-b1d6-b66d14fa24ddPost:5d7beb80-fed4-4b82-b02d-7986d2b72643">Re: Leg Wax Virgin! Help!</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks for the great advice! I'm excited! I found a place that had good reviews but I haven't called and asked questions yet. I'm going to test them out with a brow wax first. Is it true you don't have to shave for like a month after shaving? That would be awesome. =)
Posted by AngelaBaker87[/QUOTE]

You might also consider a local beauty college.  The work is done by senior students under supervision of licensed professionals.

Also if you have any hairs on your upper lip, you might want to have that waxed too.  I know that sometimes I find a few black hairs at the corners of my lips - also referred to as a "Fu Man Chu".

Habs2Hart

The first couple times you will feel stubble and it will grow back quickly, this is because your hair grows at different rates.  I went at least 4 times before the wedding and it was smooth by then. 

So the first time you'll get the first batch, but there will be stubble because you have new hairs still growing that they couldn't get.  The next time will get those just as your next batch is growing in.  After a few times, it will be good. 

AngelaBaker87

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-beauty_leg-wax-virgin?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:358Discussion:349284b1-e1b5-4fde-b1d6-b66d14fa24ddPost:acc8a2dc-fd2f-4fc4-a331-c5baa47a0dcf">Re: Leg Wax Virgin! Help!</a>:
[QUOTE]The first couple times you will feel stubble and it will grow back quickly, this is because your hair grows at different rates.  I went at least 4 times before the wedding and it was smooth by then.  So the first time you'll get the first batch, but there will be stubble because you have new hairs still growing that they couldn't get.  The next time will get those just as your next batch is growing in.  After a few times, it will be good. 
Posted by Habs2Hart[/QUOTE]

This is really good to know, thank you! =) So I'm going to try it out in Jan for the first time. How long after should I go for round 2? Just when its grown back to the right length? Also, what is the after care like.....should I lotion a lot or will they give me instruction?

lilyly

waxing doesnt not hurt that bad. I find it hurts less than ripping the old school brown bandaids.

An alternative to waxing is using an epilator. You can do it as often as you like in a day in case you miss any spots. It looks like a razor, but instead it has these heads that grab at your hair and pull it out. The description sounds bad, but it keeps my legs smooth! best of all, none of that waxy mess.

dberrett

I, too, have an issue with ingrown hairs on my legs. I went for my first wax 2 months before the wedding and it nearly cured my issue!! I'm telling you, you won't regret it!
I don't feel it hurts at all. Then again, I used to pluck ingrown hairs myself so perhaps I have a high tolerance for pain. It really helps that the girl I go to is super nice and chatty, so we talk the whole time and I'm not paying attention to what's going on :-)
Definitely take IB Profen or something before. It helps reduce the swelling. After I go, I don't start to see regrowth for at least two weeks. It's amazing!
PPs are right - don't cheap out on this salon. Go with someplace reputable and clean. You don't want infections!
My salon won't do it on areas that I use anything glycolic (facial cleansers) so I couldn't do my eyebrows. Just something to bear in mind. They also won't do it if you've been in a tanning booth within the past 3 days.

Habs2Hart

I've been getting brazillians for 6 years.  I found my legs hurt worse, but only on the bone.  knees are fine, ankles hurt a bit, but shins are painful.  But only for a second, then it goes away.

bsims726

First, I see your wedding date is a day after mines so we should be on the same track with planning and all. Second, I am glad you posted this because, as any other bride, I want my body to be "hair free" on my wedding day. I usually get my eyebrows waxed every few weeks but I can't imagine the pain of waxing a larger area of my body, and I too have my issues with shaving. I'm debating between either waxing or using a hair removal cream like Nair. Good luck to you on your waxing endeavor.

AngelaBaker87

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-beauty_leg-wax-virgin?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:358Discussion:349284b1-e1b5-4fde-b1d6-b66d14fa24ddPost:60f05432-ea53-46f4-b8a3-1900a6f7c9bd">Re: Leg Wax Virgin! Help!</a>:
[QUOTE]First, I see your wedding date is a day after mines so we should be on the same track with planning and all. Second, I am glad you posted this because, as any other bride, I want my body to be "hair free" on my wedding day. I usually get my eyebrows waxed every few weeks but I can't imagine the pain of waxing a larger area of my body, and I too have my issues with shaving. I'm debating between either waxing or using a hair removal cream like Nair. Good luck to you on your waxing endeavor.
Posted by bsims726[/QUOTE]

On nice! Yep less then 9 months to go! Have you found a dress yet? I have tried on sooo many different styles and I found one online that I'm pretty sure is the one! I haven't tried it on yet but I've tried on similar ones that were missing that special something. I just have to wait for a store to get it in since its in a new collection! I normally maintain my eyebrows myself but I've decided to get them done every 3 months or so so keep a nice shape going. I haven't really thought of how much its going to hurt...I just want smooth legs for my wedding and honey moon so I don't really care if it hurts I guess. haha. I'll probably be scared once I arrive at the place though! Hopefully it won't be too bad! <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-smile.gif" border="0" alt="Smile" title="Smile" />

bsims726

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-beauty_leg-wax-virgin?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:358Discussion:349284b1-e1b5-4fde-b1d6-b66d14fa24ddPost:911225bf-2783-481d-a17e-bc0a5d908b28">Re: Leg Wax Virgin! Help!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Leg Wax Virgin! Help! : On nice! Yep less then 9 months to go! Have you found a dress yet? I have tried on sooo many different styles and I found one online that I'm pretty sure is the one! I haven't tried it on yet but I've tried on similar ones that were missing that special something. I just have to wait for a store to get it in since its in a new collection! I normally maintain my eyebrows myself but I've decided to get them done every 3 months or so so keep a nice shape going. I haven't really thought of how much its going to hurt...I just want smooth legs for my wedding and honey moon so I don't really care if it hurts I guess. haha. I'll probably be scared once I arrive at the place though! Hopefully it won't be too bad!
Posted by AngelaBaker87[/QUOTE]

Whoo! I'm anxious for the months to roll by but nervous that I won't be able to pull everything together in the short amount of time. I haven't tried on much dresses but that's because I have my mind fixated on 1 dress. I haven't bought it yet though (the bridal consultant thinks I'm afraid to commit lol). Well, leg waxing still seems frightening to me so I think I'm going to lean toward using Nair. Maybe in the upcoming months I'll get a test strip done so I can atelast say I tried it & then make a full decision from there.

kwest714

I recently got a Brazilian. Here's an account of my experience:

http://newadventuresofolddanielle.blogspot.com/2011/12/wax-on-wax-off.html

sarahbomser

I was having the same questions and issues and others referred me to European Wax Center, they have quite a few locations and only wax, no nails, haircuts or anything.

It was really nice and relatively inexpensive, also its not strip wax so they didnt have those cloth strips to rip off. Probably the most painless wax Ive ever had and totally worth it. I would definitely start now my waxer told me hair grows in a few different cycles so after waxing for a few months you will get it all on the right cycle and be completley smooth for the big day and your honeymoon. 

Not sure where everyone is located but the link below has quite a few places all over. I go in Houston and love it. 

http://www.waxcenter.com/locations/