BellaSugar

Let's Tackle that Hairy Question: Are Brazilian Waxes Necessary?

BellaSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:00:27 -0800

Do you really need a Brazilian wax these days? That's the question a woman posed to the Times of London, after a new beau was "shocked" by her presence of pubic hair. In her letter, she says, "I don’t think that a permanent tan and Brazilian wax should be dealbreakers in a relationship. Or am I just hopelessly outdated?"

Long story short, advice columnist Suzi Godson tells the woman to let 'er rip. "Grooming down there is now considered to be normal, on a par with manicures, blow-drying, and eyebrow waxing," she says. "There is something hugely irritating about being forced to conform to an aesthetic ideal instigated and perpetuated by the porn industry, but, like keeping one’s armpits and legs smooth, it is now expected."

Oh brother. You already know that I hate, hate, hate the whole "wax, or else you are gross and undesirable!" standpoint, but I wanted to get a professional opinion on the matter. So I turned to sex educator Debby Herbenick, Ph.D., MPH, author of Because It Feels Good. Her advice is about 10 times better than Godson's, so read more.

Twilight Fever Reaches the Grooming Aisle

BellaSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:00:52 -0700

Via this semi-NSFW Twilight lulz blog, I've learned that Bic's line of Soleil razors - whose funk turned me off last year - now includes Twilight and Bella shaving options. I assume it's an attempt to hop on the New Moon train, but don't the bigwigs know that a true Twi shaver would have sparkles in the handle?

Reader Review of the Day: GiGi Anesthetic Numbing Spray

BellaSugar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:00:02 -0700

Waxing can be painful. Isn't that right, Steve Carell? Recently, Princessgouveia reviewed GiGi Anesthetic Numbing Spray ($10.50), a lidocaine-based gel that helps to temporarily numb the skin's surface. While I had a great experience with this product, Princessgouveia did not. Find out why it didn't take the sting out of her hair removal experience below:

I tried this for the bikini area and underarms and it tingled a bit. Because of the consistency, it was harder to get all the hair up. In terms of pain, it was no help, and made the sting worse. . . Don't bother buying this. It won't help.

What I love so much about our Product Reviews section is that it's a chance for us all to share our unbiased opinions. As we saw with Princessgouveia's review, while I got great results with this product, she did not share my sentiments. Now it's your turn to tell us about the products you love and/or dislike. Perhaps you'll be the next featured reviewer on this daily post.

Expectant Mamas Can Get Waxed, Too

BellaSugar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 07:00:59 -0700

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

The Big Tria Update: All of the Pros and Cons

BellaSugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:00:18 -0700

A few things have happened since Tria, the at-home laser hair-removal gadget, came on the market. First, the economy tanked, which may explain why Tria's price went from $995 to $795. Second, I've had almost a year to give it a whirl (full disclosure: Tria's PR team sent a trial unit for me to use). Third, my opinion has shifted over the last few months. Is Tria worth the hefty price tag? Does it remove hair permanently? Would I recommend it? Find out the answers to these questions when you read more.

The Spray That Makes Waxing 10 Times Easier

BellaSugar — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 09:00:25 -0700

I've been searching for a new waxing esthetician, someone who can make it easy for me to hit the beach without showing the world my lady garden. This is more difficult than it might seem, especially because bikini waxes are no, uh, trip to the beach. Every time I try a new place, I worry that I'll have inadvertently stumbled upon the Cruella DeVille Haus of Hair-Ripping, and that I will be tarred and de-feathered by someone with a serious sadistic streak.

Earlier this week, I braved a new waxing salon. (Found it on Yelp, which is a great resource for that sort of thing.) And what do you know, it was an almost relaxing waxing. I credit both the esthetician's skill and her recommendation of GiGi numbing spray ($10.49). It's a lidocaine spray that you spritz on your skin about five minutes before the waxing begins. I am overprotective of my dainty bits when it comes to chemicals, so I used it just on the parts not covered by a bikini. Worked like a charm, made the process much more bearable, and so this stuff comes highly recommended.

Another Way to Stop Body Hair

BellaSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:00:01 -0700

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

Reader Review of the Day: Sally Hansen Brush-On Hair Remover Creme

BellaSugar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:02:44 -0700

When you're looking for skincare products, there are some things you don't want to see in a review. Take the phrase "chemical burn," for example. Those two words came up more than once in reviews of Sally Hansen Brush-On Hair Remover Creme, a product that didn't get much love from readers. Take it from hlisa:

This product may work well for some people, but definitely not for me! I did a small patch on my inner arm, which resulted in some redness. I then did a small test on the outer corner of my upper lip. Yowza! I wound up looking like I was on the road to herpes-lip. And it didn't even take the hair off that area. Be wary, especially if you have sensitive skin. And do a patch test!

Patch tests are indeed the key to working with chemical hair remover, so, you know, heed her advice. Is there something you like or loathe? Let us know about it by heading to Product Reviews and you could be our featured post of the day.

Reader Review of the Day: BIC Soleil Bella Four Blades Shaver

BellaSugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 09:00:50 -0700

'Tis the season for more frequent shaving, so when loyal reader ImmaDiva said that BIC Soleil Bella Four Blades Shaver ($7) was amazing, I took notice. That, and I can't resist another "bella." Here's what ImmaDiva thought about this new product:

They have four blades opposed to three, so I get a closer shave and the blades are widely spaced so they never clog. Water flows freely through each blade so the blades have lasted longer than my usual disposables. The pivoting head also helps in providing a closer shave.

Looking for some other featured reviews? Check out more reader opinions, and be sure to add your own by heading to our Reader Reviews page. We'd love to hear from you!

Take The Sting Out of Hair Removal

BellaSugar — Tue, 19 May 2009 08:00:11 -0700

It was a real scorcher here in San Francisco over the weekend, and I'm sure many of you have had similarly warm weather in weeks past. As the temperatures and hemlines begin to rise, perhaps you're starting to pay more attention to hair removal methods. In case you missed them the first time around, here are some great tips on defuzzing below:

Brazilian Expectations	Make Your Razor Last	Stop the Burn
Farewell to Nicks	End the Painful Wax	Get a Close Shave