You know about shaving and waxing, but do you know about sugaring? BellaSugarTV lets you in on the secret to sugaring at home. Check out our video for more tips on this hair removal process that is less painful and all natural.
I had so much fun perusing Flickr for unintentionally wacky beauty salon signs last time, I decided to look for more. Whether it's a waxing establishment with an oddly-worded offer or a grocery store aisle marker with a humorous assortment of goods, these beauty-related signs got a little lost in translation.
Source: Flickr User House Of Sims
Bikini waxes are fine, but nobody loves too-hot wax, post-service skin irritation, or quick regrowth. So why not look into sugaring for hair removal?
I was surprised to find at my first service just how different the sugaring treatment is from traditional waxing. The room-temperature sugar mixture is actually applied directly onto the skin and then flicked off with a quick movement of the hand. That means no wasteful strips of fabric, tongue depressors that run the risk of being double-dipped, and no scalding-hot wax on tender skin.
Eco-friendly and sanitary bonuses aside, let's get to the point: how much does it hurt? I have to say it was far less painful than waxing, probably because the hair is pulled out in the direction of growth, not against it. At this point I was already hooked, and when those pesky bumps that had become the norm in my waxing routine didn't show up the next day, I was sold.
The price tag for salon sugaring is higher than waxing, but given the advantages, would you try it?
In a world where vajacials are listed on a spa's menu and disturbingly wacky ladyparts trends are thrown our way, here's something to add to the excess — the Va J-J Visor ($10 for six). I groan at the name, although I suppose it's slightly better than the Hoo Ha Hoodie.
Similar to a cup for women, this gynecologist-invented disposable covering is intended to protect the dainty bits. Its suggested usage is to cover the region while tanning; for hygienic use while trying on underwear or swimsuits; for privacy when getting tattooed or pierced; and, of course, for hair removal. (I think it may be more awkward to wear a vulvar visor during a wax than to go naked, but that's just me.) Shaped to be held into place by your own natural muscular movement, the Va J-J Visor can also be "suctioned" on. Oh, and the one-use visors are recyclable, too. The mind reels. What do you think about this thing?
Have you ever thought, "My life would be so much better if only there were a facial for my crotch"? Me neither, but San Francisco's Stript Wax Bar is introducing the Vajacial. Suggested for women who get Brazilian waxes, the trademarked treatment aims to do for your ladybits what a facial does for your face. "We developed the Vajacial to really address and treat the key needs of anyone who gets waxed," Stript owner Katherine Goldman said in a press release. "Your 'little lady' will thank us!"
Meant to be performed a week after waxing, the 50-minute treatment ($60) involves four steps. First, skin is cleansed with an antibacterial body wash and witch hazel. Then, a papaya-based exfoliating gel goes on before the esthetician extracts ingrown hairs. After that, an anti-freckle, anti-acne, or calming mask is applied. It finishes off with an application of lightening cream. (Unless the esthetician plans to put a mask on a client's vaginal walls, shouldn't this treatment be called the Vulvacial?)
Oh, where to begin? Lots to say on this one, so read more.
I love unusual salon signs. Perhaps it's due to an intentional pun, the copy is inadvertently missing a letter, or a strange business name makes it all the more fun. The "Greene Nails" salon near my apartment, for instance, doesn't conjure up images of the kind of nails I'd like to step out with; it makes me think more along the lines of "moldy growths," not Chanel's lovely jade hue. Check out some wacky signs now.
Yesterday, Yum came to me with a dilemma. She had her brows waxed over the weekend, and much to her dismay, was left with reddish bumps as a result. She had done nothing different than usual, taken any medications out of the ordinary, or even gone to a new waxing lady, but still ended up with itchy, irritated skin. To find out my tips on helping Yum get her brows back to normal, just keep reading
Some skills, like brain surgery and kidney transplantation, require doctors with years of training behind them. And although I know having your nether regions waxed within an inch of its your life should only be handled by a professional, I'm doubting this professional needs to have a PhD in waxing. Perhaps the Brazilian has gotten more complicated since the first — and last — time I got one.
If I were carrying a baby Bella inside me, I'd like to think that I'd have some pressing issues on my mind: Lamaze classes, proper nutrition, getting the nursery ready, that sort of thing. Pubic grooming doesn't make the list. (It's not like I'd be able to see anything below my bump, anyway.) But if you want to test your pain threshold before the birth, you could always go in for a bikini wax. Completely Bare spas have introduced a prenatal wax for pregnant women.
Developed with the help of a physician and esthetician, the service aims to make hair removal more comfortable for the bun-in-the-oven set. Since pregnant women frequently have sensitive skin and reduced maneuverability, the treatment incorporates special pillows, different positions, and a nipple cream to soothe freshly waxed skin. For women who love to be bare, it's a smart idea. But I have a feeling that if I were incubating Bella Jr., I'd probably rather splurge on a nice foot massage than deforestation.
Source: Flickr User daquellamanera
As close readers know, my waxer keeps raising prices, and I've been looking for a new place for deforestation. A new waxing salon called Stript recently opened, and although its prices are too high for me, I'm intrigued by a service it provides. Along with regular waxing services, Stript offers Epilar, an add-on service that promises to permanently reduce hair regrowth.
Here's how it works: After your hair is waxed/tweezed/threaded away, an esthetician applies the Epilar gel on skin. (Unlike, say, laser hair removal methods, it works on all skin colors.) The enzymes in the soy-based gel break down hair follicles painlessly. This process needs to be repeated in five- to six-week intervals, but there should be less hair growth by the fourth treatment. The entire cycle takes one or two years, and depending on the body part, it can cost $25 to $175 a pop. I haven't tried Epilar, and it obviously doesn't fit in with my "spend less on waxing" plan, but it's intriguing to say the least.
Photo by wwworks
