Waxing, tell me the truth!

[waxwoes]

Considering getting a Hollywood, armpit and legs wax for my holiday in 2 weeks time. I am very dark haired and my hair grows quick, I shave my legs and they’re prickly the next day. Armpits I have to do every day also.

I have given birth twice without pain relief, I’ve had 5 tattoos, eyebrow wax and threading regularly and multiple rounds of Botox and lip filler in the past and for some reason I am absolutely PETRIFIED of the thought of having hair ripped off especially the Hollywood!

How bad is it? Honestly? How long do I need to leave in between having it done and going on holiday?

I’m a regular Hollywood-er. If I’m going away, I have it done the day before. Trim before you go, make sure they use hot (not strip) wax.

My beautician is expert and I don’t find it painful at all. I actually quite enjoy it 😂

When i was younger I just got my bikini line.waxed along side underarms and legs, it was fine i didn't find it particularly painful although I went once or twice when my period was due and my god that hurt! .now im older I get legs done when im going on holiday. Underarm and face every 8 weeks

I get my legs done a week before I go on holiday.

I've been waxing since I was 12 (in 50s now) and would be totally unable to have a tattoo!

I don't find it painful, but that's also probably because I don't ever have that much hair at the same time, would probably be worse if going from shaving.

I second this! Going for mine on Monday before honeymoon on Tues and I haven’t even thought twice about it. After the first maybe 2/3 waxes it just becomes routine! Disclaimer however that I am fair and not super hairy. Saying that, I find leg waxes very nippy… got it done once and now I just shave. It’s not worth the extra cost and nippy ness 😆

I thought it would be awful and it was really fine. Admittedly the first few times I went I was lucky in my waxer. She was both very expert and excellent at distracting chat. I also took ibuprofen and paracetamol about an hour beforehand. Tbh I don’t bother with that any more but it probably does help a bit. Theres always a couple of ‘yowsah’ moments for me but tbh it’s not a big deal.

I have had a few that have been much more uncomfortable. I saw a waxer a couple of times who insisted on a running commentary like ‘this is going to hurt… sorry about this… here comes a big one…’ and not surprisingly that was really unpleasant. Firmly start talking about your love life, your plans for the evening or anything at all other than what she’s doing and it’s a lot better.

Or you could think about why we have beauty standards for women that require us to go through expensive and painful procedures in order to be acceptable….

I’ve waxed for ever -hairy with quite coarse hairs -painful imv- specially lower leg, underarm and upper inner thigh -but still had it done
I read someone suggesting taking a painkiller beforehand

Its recommended that you have waxing done when you are mid- menstrual cycle because it can feel more painful around your period time.
I had waxing done at multiple places in my 20's, mainly legs and underarms. People talk about 6 week of hair free smoothness, but I always found snapped off hairs which I could feel within days! The back of the knees, ankles and underarms were very painful I found.

I had hollywood done twice. I agree with taking analgesia beforehand. I recall the 2nd time before so painful a I've never had waxing since. Laser hair removal might be a better, long term solution for your OP. I only had 1 session in a salon and only have 4 underarm hairs and barely any bikini line left.

Agree re hot wax. I regularly have Hollywood, legs and armpits in one go and it's totally fine (and I'm dark with thick hair) - for your first time the anticipation of pain will make it a worse experience than mine - just remember that it's only bad for a few seconds max for each section that's done. It's not even on the same planet as childbirth.

Why don't you go Brazilian first and see how that is

I was a beautician and I had regular Hollywood in my pre motherhood life (now I can't due to medical reasons but anyhoo) and it was fine but I went to a salon I knew and who specialise in intimate waxing.

Also I would ensure that they are specialists and id go for a local recommendation, the expertise of the professional will make a massive difference, as will the cleanliness of the salon.

To echo everyone else, hot wax, take a couple of paracetamol half hour before. Hair can't be too short or too long.
I'm quite hairy and it's fine having it done.
Going forward though if you can afford it invest in a course of laser removal.

I was trained in intimate area IPL. Results were better on dark hair, fair skin tones (due to the way the laser works.) there will always be an amount of regrowth, it might be slower, sparser or finer. No hair removal is totally permanent.

Never had IPL done any further in than a high bikini myself out of personal preference and that era of my life is currently on pause due to aforementioned small humans tiny money vampires

It's fine. It's more the fact you're lying there with your legs wide open and hairy flaps on display in a brightly lit room.

Ideally that's not exactly necessary, the towel can be placed so that you aren't fully exposed and if the technician is experienced it's very quick so you aren't in that position for very long, a matter of seconds for each side

Thanks everyone! Think I’m going to brave it! The lady who’s highly rated near me only uses hot wax and has 17 years experience.

It's really not bad, a waxer is quick and applies pressure right after each strip so it's literally barely a second of pain. You do need to grow out a good few weeks before though.

I find my legs the most painful out of everywhere. Bikini, even when having everything off, and underarms doesn't even register with me at all. Legs I still really don't like having done even though I've been doing it 20+ years.

I couldn't get through one leg!

Hollywoods aren't that bad just take a couple of paracetamol before your appointment. You can't have a bath or shower for 24 hours afterwards.

They recommend leaving 6 weeks between each Hollywood wax.

Most important thing is a good beautician who pulls the wax fast and firm.

Had a Hollywood once. It hurt. Not unbearable and it's a short sharp pain. Instantly over. No pain when you leave etc.

I'd do it again if I wanted to, no bother.

Ok I must be a chicken because I find it so painful. And I’ve had three large babies with no pain relief! It’s over pretty quickly but I hate every second of it