The Ultimate Guide To Getting A Brazilian Wax

Who doesn't crave that silky-smooth feeling, particularly down in the bikini area? If it's new territory for you, the Brazilian wax is probably your best route there — and it's a look plenty of guys appreciate too. This method clears out all the hair around your pubic region and butt, though you can always request a small strip or triangle left behind.

Consider it if you're hoping to get your man more excited about going down on you. Getting waxed yourself might also nudge him toward manscaping if he's been a bit neglectful in that department — fair's fair! Check out our blow job tips here.

That said, Brazilians demand more homework, prep, and cash than other hair-removal routes, or just leaving your pubic hair be.

Salons and Waxing Prices

Look for a full-service salon that specializes in professional Brazilian waxing — the kind of business offering wax treatments along with other body services. These places operate in clean, professional settings, and Yelp, Google, or other review sites can help you gauge quality before booking.

Pricing for a Brazilian or bikini wax shifts depending on where you go and which salon you pick. How much hair you're working with can also affect the final cost. Expect anywhere from $45 to $85 for a Brazilian, though $50 is a fairly typical rate at many salons. Opting for a bikini wax instead, which covers less surface area, will usually save you money.

Prepare For Your Brazilian Wax

Keep these points in mind before heading to your appointment:

• A quick shower or a wipe-down beforehand keeps you feeling fresh and confident going in. It's also just considerate toward whoever's performing your wax.
• Try to avoid scheduling during your period to spare everyone the extra hassle.
• Likewise, reschedule if you're dealing with open sores from STIs or skin issues like psoriasis or sunburn.
• Don't let your hair get too short — skip shaving right before your appointment. Hair at least 1/4 inch long gives the wax enough to grip, which makes the whole process work better. If your hair runs coarse, aim even longer, up to 1/2 inch. Trim it down to that length beforehand if you usually go bare.
• Choose loose, comfortable clothing, since your skin may feel tender once you're done.
• Consider taking a pain reliever like ibuprofen beforehand to dull the sensation, especially if your pain tolerance runs low. Some waxers suggest a glass of wine before your session (and a few salons even offer one), but staying sober is still the smart move.

What to Expect During a Brazilian or Bikini Wax Appointment

For a bikini wax, you'll typically get a paper thong to wear — not exactly glamorous, but it keeps the essentials covered while your technician works on the rest. That's not usually the case for a full Brazilian, since hair gets cleared from everywhere below the belt.

Paper thong or otherwise, you'll be taken to a private room or curtained-off space and given time alone to undress from the waist down, similar to an OBGYN visit. A towel or paper sheet might cover you through parts of the process, but be ready to set aside any self-consciousness if you're going the Brazilian route. Your waxer has seen every kind of vagina out there, and yes, yours is completely normal!

Your technician might trim any longer hairs first before diving into the actual waxing. Depending on the salon, they'll use either hard wax or soft wax.

• Hard wax needs extra time to set before your waxer peels it straight off your skin.
• Soft wax goes on with paper or muslin strips, which your technician then pulls away along with the wax.

Most salons lean toward hard wax for Brazilians and bikini waxes since strips don't work as well in tighter, harder-to-reach spots. Some people, though, find hard wax more painful than soft.

Your technician should use a wooden or plastic applicator with gloved hands, swapping to a fresh applicator each time — no reusing between dips. The wax should feel warm, not scalding, so speak up if it's too hot. Expect some redness and tenderness from the combination of heat and hair removal during your session.

A skilled waxer moves efficiently, so the whole appointment usually wraps up within 30 minutes. She'll apply the wax, press on a muslin strip if using the soft method, let it set, then pull it away, taking the hair with it. Holding your skin taut as she works helps minimize pain and improve results — skipping this step can lead to bruising. Pulling skin along with hair is another possible mishap, though an experienced technician knows how to avoid it.

This repeats until every bit of hair is gone from your bikini area, your butt, and even between your cheeks! You'll leave completely smooth everywhere your partner likes to touch — which also makes a Brazilian a great way to get ready for a rim job.

If a few stray hairs remain, your technician will grab tweezers to catch them. This is also when she might shape your landing strip or add a custom design if you've requested one — though that could bump up the price.

Toward the end, an oil-based product often gets applied to soothe your skin and clear away leftover wax residue. Keep in mind these can clog pores and trigger breakouts for some people.

A 20% tip is standard if you're happy with the service. Your salon will likely recommend booking again in three to four weeks — staying consistent with waxing helps maintain results and can slow down how fast and coarse your regrowth comes in.

Brazilian Wax Aftercare

Your salon might send you off with an exfoliating scrub, or you can grab one on your own to keep skin smooth and ward off ingrown hairs. A gentle lotion helps too, ideally one with alpha hydroxy acid. If your skin reacts to waxing, a few product options are worth trying:

• Topical anesthetic
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Aftershave or post-waxing cream
• Anything formulated to prevent ingrown hairs

Finding what works best for you might take some trial and error, especially with sensitive skin.

It's also worth skipping intense workouts right after your wax to let your skin settle down. Direct sun exposure right after your appointment can add to the irritation too.

Alternatives to Brazilian Wax

If cost, pain, or modesty stand between you and that smooth Brazilian finish, a few other options exist:

1. Bikini wax: Hair gets removed just beyond the standard bikini line, sometimes extending slightly inside it. Salons often offer several bikini wax variations depending on how much hair you want gone.
2. Sugaring: You can do this one at home, or find it offered at many salons. A sugar-based paste removes hair much like waxing does. The same paste can be reused repeatedly, and it skips the strips soft wax requires. Expect a bit of a learning curve here too, similar to waxing. Sugaring tends to go faster than waxing and is often gentler on skin.
3. Trimming: Stay tidy without the ingrown-hair risk or pain that comes with waxing. You can easily maintain this one yourself.
4. Shaving: Shave your bikini area for a soft finish without salon prices. Always shave in the direction of hair growth using a bikini-specific shaving cream. Watch out for stubble, though — it can feel prickly as it regrows thanks to the blunt cut left by the blade.
5. At-home waxing: Cheaper, but the results may not match a professional job. Keeping skin taut and reaching tricky spots on your own is tough, and product quality varies widely. Be careful not to burn yourself in the process!
6. Bleaching: Rather than removing hair, this just lightens it so it's less noticeable.
7. Do nothing: The fully bare look isn't as trendy as it used to be. You're not obligated to do anything with your pubic hair if you'd rather not — it's entirely your call. After all, sexiness looks different for everyone.

Ultimately, the smoothness you get from a Brazilian wax might leave you feeling cleaner and more confident. Sex and masturbation may feel more intense, and your partner might love the results. Still, it's not without its downsides. If you're prepared for that and walk into your appointment ready, you'll enjoy results that last longer than most other hair-removal methods!

January 2, 2021