Parts one and two of the “Hairy, Scary Monster story” focused on my incredible anxiety as well as my less-than-comfortable results post-taming.
I am beyond elated to share the details of my follow-up waxing, specifically the one that goes a little like this: IT WAS SO MUCH BETTER!!!
I actually went for the bikini wax this time instead of the Brazilian. Although I was initially going to go Brazilian again, they didn’t have a time slot available that would work for me, and I half chickened out, half took it as a sign. The girl on the phone offered, “We could do a bikini instead?” Hmm…bikini, you say? Cheaper, you say? Less land mass to be irritated and swollen, you say?
A lot of questions on my last post (and PMs I received) related to two of the five Ws—what and where—so I’ve decided to use my MS Paint skills and create a slightly better than stick figure (but not really), somewhat crude illustration to help explain. All potentially offended people please exit now.
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This was all me, baby.
As you can (hopefully) see above, quite a bit was waxed. For a little more than half of the price of the Brazilian, I am beyond pleased. I was also super pumped to have been offered disposable undies because a) the wax didn’t get on my real undies and b) I didn’t feel so exposed. The disposable undies covered just what they needed to, and when my esthetician wanted to get a little more “in,” she tied a paper towel around the thicker part. It was so effective and simple. It is definitely MORE than what a bikini shows, for which I am grateful (quite honestly, the less I have to shave, the better).
She started the appointment asking me if I had ever been waxed, and I explained that I had a Brazilian and the after-effects were awful. After I relayed the gory details, she was grateful. “I’m so glad that you told me all of that. Here’s what I’m going to do…”
She used a cream wax on me, instead of the previous “sticky” wax. The wax used by Phoebe and Monica in “The One With the Morning After” was “sticky” wax, if that helps you characterize. If you don’t set your entire life by television shows and/or pop culture, then maybe this will ring that bell for you:
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Image via Marica / This is the color of “sticky” wax. I’m sure there is a much more technical term for it, but this is what she said so I’m going with it.
Cream wax still gets heated up in a warmer, still gets applied with a stick, still gets peeled off with a strip—it’s just better for sensitive skin. It’s a different color and it’s…wait for it…creamier.
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Image via Body Waxing Supplies / I am 98% sure this is the product line used by my esthetician.
I don’t really know the absolute differences, and I am going solely off of what was told. One might wonder why I’m being so blind and/or ignorant, and I’ll tell you why: because it works.
I still had the same jumpy, oh-my-nerves-felt-that-one pain, but it was so much less intense. I could tell after the second or third strip that it was going to be nothing like last time, and I actually clapped over it. “This is one MILLION times better,” I gushed.
Even hours later, instead of Irritation & Co. showing up to party, they actually started to pack it up and go home. It’s not like I was anxious to wear leather pants or anything that would rub the area directly, but it was touchable. It was breathable. I was not lying spread-eagled for fear of friction. This, my friends, is what I call success.
I can safely say that I will be utilizing the bikini wax pretty frequently, specifically in the summer months and, of course, right around the time I get ready to say “I do.” Consider this an official endorsement as well as official pieces of advice: If you have sensitive or easily affected skin, go for the bikini wax. If you’re not comfortable with baring all of your lady bits, go for the bikini wax. If you had a hairy, scary experience with the Brazilian’s version of taming the Hairy, Scary Monster, do not give up hope! After all, even Mr. Palm Tree pointed out, “Well, who cares what UNDER the underwear looks like anyway?” So wise, so wise.
Anyone else have pleasing bikini wax experiences or terrible Brazilian experiences? Both? Anyone think it’s so not worth it and just going to stick with a razor?
This made me giggle. I used to work at a salon doing the massages so I worked a lot with the girls who did the waxing. I got a Brazilian and it was awful! I leave out all the details but lets just say we bleed enough down there and don’t need that to be happening anymore than it already does. Anyways, I figured out I have PCOS which makes me even hairier and my skin is super sensitive. This hasn’t just happened down there but also sometimes getting my eyebrows waxed it will actually take skin off and that can take time to heal!
So I also found more comfort in the creamier wax as well. I will probably never get another Brazilian but for legs and bikini it works better.
I would say the biggest thing next to the kind of wax is also going to an esthetician who knows what they are doing and are experienced. (even if this means paying a little extra!) (numbing creams also help ease the pain when you use them 30 minutes prior to your appointment)
Interesting. I’ve been too much of a chicken to do a bikini wax before, but the idea of the cream wax is interesting. Did it still take off the hair as effectively as sticky wax and leave the area as smooth?
I’m no waxing expert — I’ve only gotten a Brazilian twice, and both times were in the past year — but when I get bikini waxes I use sugar wax, which is supposed to be less painful than regular wax. I don’t know… it still hurts!! There’s also chocolate wax, which is supposed to reduce pain, but I feel like that might be more gimmicky.
Ohh. I never had a wax with creamy wax !! I’ve just heard of hard wax and strip wax. Hard wax hurts less in my opinion, but I wanna try creamy wax now !
@Miss2Mrs_Beerlover: If you check out my previous posts on this topic, you’ll see we’re in a similar boat – ugh, the pain. I’m glad you found something that worked for you, too! Also, I’ve been meaning to try the numbing creams, but was afraid they’d affect the effectiveness?
@anemonie, @Mocha_Latte: The creamy wax is *so* much better. It was definitely just as effective and even though it was still ow-inducing, it wasn’t AHHHHH KELLY CLARKSON! ow-inducing. 
Definitely check and see if it’s an option for you, I think it’s worth it!
@Red Poppy: I’ve not heard of ‘sugar wax’ – is that the same as sugaring? I’m definitely ignorant to the ways of the waxing realm.
If you are looking for a good as painless as possible wax, try a local bliss spa or red door. They both use a wax that attaches only to your hair. I’ve gotten brzillians on and off for years and those are the best places I’ve been for waxing. Small shops can double dip or don’t care. It is pricey, but they both also give you a treat when you are done.
I agree with Ms. Tizzie! I go to Bliss Spa in my area and they use a bluewax and an oil that helps your skin not swell. You’ve got to go to a professional to get it done… Sugar is second best. I also have a “hairy situation” issue and my hair use to go all the way up my stomach in a crazy trail. A little secret it to take two 200 mg iboprofen 45 minutes before and it won’t hurt as much. You’ll thank me later. Just go to a professional!
I’ve never heard I a cream wax, they should advertise it more for beginners 
TO Miss Palm Tree: What incredible bravery you’ve shown in this series of posts.
And I’m not 100% sure if it is in your going thru all these experiences… or just the fact that you’ve “exposed” yourself in such a way by blogging about them here on WBee.
BUT I am certainly sure that you are doing a real favour for the many women who want to know more about this topic and were afraid to ask… or had no where to really ask and get great feedback.
So BRAVO… for doing such a great job on “revealing” the facts
Wax scares the bejeebees out of me… I HATE PAIN… so I certainly don’t want to sign up for any unnecessary / optional pain.
I’ve had my eyebrows waxed, and that was enough. As someone else said, I could feel the skin coming off… honestly the first time I thought the Esthetician had peeled off my whole forehead with that yank !!
So ya… no way in H3LL you’ll ever see me waxing the “nether regions”
I’ll just continue to do what I’ve done my whole adult life (40-ish years now)… “trim” and go with a razor. Sure I’ve experimented a bit over the years, but for the most part… just makng sure there are “no stragglers” to wander outside the confines of the Bikini Line is good enough for me.
Lol, here is a wee bit of TMI for all you gals fretting thru this bit of female life challenges… and all that we women have to do to keep up appearances. The good news is as you age, the hair “down there” thins out considerably… so you don’t have to do it quite so often the older you get !!
@Ms Tizzie, @FutureMrsTie: Thank you ladies for the helpful suggestions! I sincerely appreciate it – I’m such a freaking novice at all of this (so not a girly girl). I’ll look into these options.
@Mrs. Pony: Preach!
@cosmo_gmr: Of course! Thank you for reading.
@This Time Round: Thank you so much for your kind words. I realize that it’s a little bit of an eyebrow raiser, but when I was researching my options I could not find any detailed, well-written reviews or firsthand accounts and BM Y & I were the first of my friends to get it done as well. I sincerely feel that information like this would’ve helped, at least made me a little more aware, so I’m happy to write and share. I’m sorry that you had such a poor experience with your eyebrows – I’ve never had them done & probably will never, especially after this story. Yikes!
Thank you also for the heads-up for the future – something to look forward to, for sure!
Miss Palm Tree, Pittsburgh, PA Age and Occupation: 23, Lease Analyst Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Associate Systems Analyst Engagement Date: December 22, 2011 Wedding Date: May 2013 Venue: The Fez in Aliquippa, PA About Me: I’m Miss Palm Tree - an opinionated, loyal and outgoing bride-to-be. I currently work as a Lease Analyst by day and a catering assistant by night. Mr. Palm Tree is a Computer Engineer with a love for all things cats. Mr. Palm Tree and I are absolute soul mates. Having grown up across the street from each other (I have the scars to prove it), we have been a part of each other’s lives for almost as long as we can remember. We are far from perfect: we fight, we get annoyed with each other and we certainly take advantage of knowing one another so well when pushed to the edge, but ultimately, what truly defines us as a couple is our love.
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