Waxing: 'My, What Big Eyebrows You Have!'

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My very first experience with an eyebrow wax was courtesy of a friend. Since I had never waxed before, I was reluctant to go anywhere. I wasn’t sure what to expect and didn’t know what to ask for. So my friend told me she could do it for me. Upon finishing the first side, my terribly funny friend said, “Did you want them to match?” She laughed uncontrollably as I nearly jumped up from the chair where the transformation was happening. I think the way that I tensed up when the first white paper ripped the unwanted hairs away made my friend realize that I needed a moment of humor if I was going to get through the other side. (Thanks, Jen.)

She even convinced me to go out for a drink afterward. As it turns out, that was a perfect idea. The wine dulled the pain of my raw and exposed skin and the dark lighting made it difficult to see the red skin around my eyebrows, the sure sign of a fresh wax. As I admired her work in a bathroom mirror, I did feel like my eyes were framed better and my face seemed brighter. After that first experience, I was hooked and every three to four weeks, I scheduled an appointment at my spa to keep up my defined eyebrows.

It wasn’t long after that that I decided to try a professional bikini wax. Nearly all the girls at work got them and it seemed to be just one more maintenance appointment that they made regularly like a haircut. So I casually booked my appointment, a little unsure of what to expect.

They led me through the dim spa hallway, with waterfalls and the relaxing soft music. I was taken to my private room and given time to change. The wax lady was pleasant. We made small talk as she worked. I was getting ready to answer a question that she had asked me when the first strip came tearing off my leg. I gasped out loud, thankful that it wasn’t a scream. I tried to look to see if I was missing any skin but she reassured me, that bikini waxes can be a bit uncomfortable. Gee, no kidding. I began to wonder how strange it would look if I only did one side.

Many things are the same as an eyebrow wax in a bikini wax. There is hot wax, white rip off strips, and the entire appointment goes pretty quickly. However, given the area that you are working with, it is way more painful. And much like on your face, the hairs that are not removed with the wax are plucked out with a tweezers. Ouch! It hurts me to think about it. And don’t even think about getting a Brazilian bikini wax without taking a few Advil leading up to the appointment. Those are the cons. Here are the pluses.

The bikini wax will last you several weeks. No shaving, no irritated skin, very smooth, and pretty low maintenance. The more you go, the less painful it seems to be. It is one less thing that you have to worry about as you plan that summer getaway.

Edited by Alison Stanton

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