BellaSugar

5 Ladyparts "Beauty" Trends We Wish Would Disappear

BellaSugar — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 07:00:10 -0800

It seems there's no part of your body that can't be overanalyzed, tweaked, or decorated these days, and this is especially true when it comes to those most private of parts. Very few people are ever likely to see the results, but there's now an entire niche market dedicated to sprucing up an area that, as far as I'm concerned, only needs a little tidying every now and again. And while many of these are just kind of goofy, some are downright bizarre and even kind of scary. Click through to see what I'm talking about.

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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 Or am I just hopelessly outdated?"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.

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 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.

Beware Bikini Waxing

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:00:00 -0700

Along with toning body parts hidden from the sun all Winter, beach season often means waxing. Unfortunately, the bikini wax presents a whole new set of Summer dangers.

Bluntly put, we have hair in our nether regions to protect the sensitive skin and mucous membranes found in the genital area. When you wax your bikini line or go all the way with a Brazilian, you strip away a layer of the body's protection - and little bits of skin are torn off as well. This allows bacteria to slip through the barrier and cause an infection under your skin. The waxing process also creates inflammation, which can exacerbate the potential infection by trapping bacteria. Some physicians caution those with compromised immune systems or diabetes, chronic kidney, or liver disease to skip waxing completely.

If you do opt for a bikini wax, make sure the facility is licensed and ask around and get recommendations from friends. It also helps to keep the inflammation down with one percent hydrocortisone cream, and you can aim to prevent infection with a topical antibiotic cream as well.

Have you ever had an infection from getting waxed?

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Reader Review of the Day: Bliss Poetic Waxing Kit

BellaSugar — Mon, 04 May 2009 11:05:35 -0700

Hair removal is the bane of many of our existences, but it doesn't have to be. A few months ago I dished on my experience with Bliss Poetic Cosmetic Waxing Kit ($45), and now it's Bluegirl81's turn. Here's what she had to say about this DIY home waxing product below:

This wax is amazing. I used to break out on my face when waxing at home or the spa, but this wax does not make me break out. It is virtually pain free compared to other waxes. I have been removing hair on my face for over 10 years and this is by far the best. I will never use another at home wax. Highly recommended.

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Beauty Byte: No Ban on the Brazilian

BellaSugar — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 11:00:08 -0700

As the warmer months approach, perhaps you're thinking of heading to the salon for a bikini wax - or maybe even a Brazilian, if you dare. And if you're living in New Jersey, you can rest assured, knowing that a possible ban on Brazilian waxing has been lifted. Last week, officials in the Garden State threatened to prohibit the risqué service due to concern about hair removal safety around the oh-so-sensitive intimate areas, particularly after two women were sent to the hospital with infections following the bare-down-there treatment. In a letter to the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling, the state's director of consumer affairs, David Szuchman, noted that the procedure in fact can be safely carried out.

New Jersey officials agreed. So salon owners win, and the Brazilians will stay. What do you think about this hairy situation? As long as the proper safety precautions are taken, are you pro-Brazilian? Or do you think they're just too risky?

Source

Little Black Book: Strip Waxing Bar

BellaSugarUK — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 08:30:00 -0700

If you're anything like me, you get easily freaked out by the thought of a bikini wax. They're painful, embarrassing and they take forever. So whilst they are just one of the things us ladies endure for the sake of beauty, I never look forward to appointment time...that is, until now. Yesterday's experience completely changed the face of bikini waxing for me forever.

I tried out a sexy new hot spot in London called Strip Waxing Bar where the aesthetician peels the wax off of you directly instead of using linen strips to remove the wax and hair. It's much less painful (I swear) and did I mention that it smells like chocolate! I've never even seen this done before, but the results are quite effective. Afterwards there's still a fair amount of redness, but today, the swelling is gone and my skin is silky smooth. Here's what went down:

First, skin is prepped with oil which acts as a barrier between the wax and the skin. Then, the wax is applied in a goopy, thick layer. It takes about 30 seconds to dry, all the while warming your body and satisfying your senses with the sugary, chocolate-nutty scent. Once dry to the touch, the wax, gets peeled off in one fell swoop leaving your skin glistening and soft.

The magic is in the organic Australian Lycon wax. What it does is create kind-of a shrink-wrap around the hair, not the skin, making the experience much more comfortable. It also grabs the hair at the root so that re-growth is much finer. The wax is available in other flavours too like berry, lavender and active gold (smells just like chamomile) if chocolate isn't your thing.

For photos, store info, prices, celebrity clients and the downside of a Strip wax, read more.

There are currently two Strip locations in London; Chelsea and Notting Hill and prices for a bikini wax range from £22 - £50. The first floors sell classy and fashion-forward pre and post wax-related products and lingerie whilst the upper floors are treatment rooms where you can relax on a comfortable, professional table and watching television (this is fabulous distraction). The only drawback from the entire experience was that it took about 40 minutes, which is slightly longer because of the drying time.

However, take it from me (and other celeb clientelle like Victoria Beckham, Sienna Miller and Claudia Schiffer) that it was worth the wait. Do you think you'd be interested in getting a Strip wax the next time you're in London?

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How to Have (Nearly) Pain-Free Bikini Waxing

BellaSugar — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:00:40 -0800

At the risk of taking the bullet train to TMI City, I loathe bikini waxing. It is the Sisyphean task of my beauty regimen: I wax, the hair returns, I wax again. On and on it goes.

For a while, I got a $35 wax from a really sweet lady... until I noticed that she was double-dipping the waxing stick. Since I'm a clean freak, I've decided to wax less often but go to a better place. Ergo, I de-fuzz with the bikini wax at Bliss spas, where double-dipping is strictly verboten. Plus, it's shockingly not painful to be waxed here. Bliss has its own special wax that is the closest thing to pain-free ladyparts grooming that I've experienced. It doesn't stick to the skin, but it grabs even the smallest hairs. So one quick rip, and that's all you need. During my weekend bikini wax, at one point I literally didn't feel the wax pulling my hairs out. Score!

If you don't live near a Bliss spa, or you'd like to save a few bucks, check out the waxing kit ($45). It contains the same wax and tools that the pros use, and I've had success using it at home. (Not for Brazilians, though; there are some things that are too tricky for me.) Along with the Completely Bare kit, it's the best at-home option for a minimally painful wax.

Reader Review of the Day: Parissa Quick and Easy Wax Strips

BellaSugar — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:00:11 -0800

I don't know many people that actually enjoy shaving or waxing. But what I do know, is how much of a relief it is to find a hair removing product that actually works. That's what reader Steph55 found in Parissa Quick and Easy Wax Strips for Face and Bikini ($8). Here's what she had to say about these all-in-one strips:

"I stopped shaving because I grew tired of the maintenance. Waxing is a great alternative but can be very messy. Parissa Wax Strips are not messy and they are quick and easy to use with minimal pain which makes hair removal so much more bearable. I feel these are the best wax strips on the market. Because of their high quality they enable me to do a complete hair removal which saves me time, money, and the embarrassment from having to go to a salon."

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