Hairy beast: tips and tricks to taking care of your hair down there and everywhere
There are many options when it comes to taking care of your hair. Shave, wax, laser and one of my favorites nothing at all! I though about writing this in the shower the other day when I realized spring is coming and these legs needed some TLC.
I myself am a combo girl, just like my taco bell I like to have a mix of things! So before I dive into everything, some history about myself. Throughout high school and college I worked at a hair salon and was always scolded when I shaved instead of waxed, but in my opinion, DO YOU! Do what makes you comfortable, but if your looking to take the plunge in any of the many hair removal options I'm here to ease the emotional pain, cause waxing sure as hell hurts and there is no beating around that bush, no pun unintended.
Let's start with the most common, the one most of us start with, the hair removal system that also serves as a skin layer removal system and teaches you knife skills better than any culinary school will ever teach; Shaving. Shaving is now my "emergency" method and winter time go-to. I know shaving is pretty self explanatory, but there are a few tips I have picked up over the years. First, many may know this but shaving doesn't make your hair grow thicker, but instead appear thicker due to the way the hair is cut my the blade. I actually shave my face as an exfoliation technique and haven't grown a full on beard just yet! I shave my eyebrows when in a pinch to clean then up a bit. Also, I read somewhere that its best to shave at the end of the day. I forget why, but since I'm a night showerer (not a word I know) it works out. I just got the new Dove exfoliating polish and am obsessed, using that before and then I use a lil conditioner to help with the friction. Personally, I buy disposable blades since they are cheaper and last the same amount of time, even though I'm sure I should change blades more frequently, but they are freaking expensive!
On to the more, possibly most, painful hair removing; waxing. This is actually my go to in the warmer months. Number 1 it lasts longer when you stick with it, and the hair does grow at different rates so It appears to come in thinner. At home waxing is not for the faint of heart and I went to a professional a few times, watching and learning their technique before I dove in to it on my own. Talk to your aesthetician, they can give you some good tips. If you do go to a professional make sure they DON'T DOUBLE DIP!! This is how germs and disease is spread, if they try, politely stop them and ask for a new wax applicator stick each dip. Getting some weird skin disease or worse is not worth it! When your ready to go rouge splurge on a legit waxing kit, the one with the heating container. It's totally worth it! If you do go with with microwavable options I do like Sally Hansen Extra Strength waxing kit, but waxing is messy and the lid always gets stuck after the first uses. Just spend the extra $30 on a real kit. I bought the Gigi Student Starter Hair Removal Waxing Kit, and I love it! A few tips for a new body waxer. Hotter is not better. BLOW on the wax before you put it on the skin, trust me this is how you burn yourself and rip that lovely top layer of skin off, so just blow on it. Hold the skin tight, the tighter the less it hurts since you won't be putting on the skin just the hair. YELL, cause well it hurts and for some reason yelling makes it seem less painful. The more you do it the less it really hurts, or the more you get used to it, but still its fun to yell. Grow the hair out about 1/2 inch, this is what an aesthetician will suggest to you. Pull against the grain, or hair growth. Lastly, cover up any unwanted hair you want to wax. Long story short, a simple bikini waxing can quickly turn into a full on Brazilian with a slip/ drip of wax.
Now let's get a little more permanent; laser. I haven't done it yet, but one day plan on getting my underarms done out of convenience. I hear it's not super painful, but not painless. Depending on your skin tone and hair it can effect how many sessions you will need. It's also not completely permanent, you'll have a few hairs that poke their head every few months, but I mean that sounds awesome! It's like not having a period, but twice a year. The biggest down side is the upfront cost and my body hair isn't that bad, nor do I have a real problem with it, to want to fork over a car payment or airplane ticket to become a hairless cat.
Don't let me forget hair removal lotions. I messed with these once in high school and one time leaving it on too long was enough for me! Not saying it hasn't improved in the past 10 years, but it's not for me and the only suggestion I have is just to not do it. Sorry to those who use it, just not for me!
Lastly, you can just not remove you hair at all! This is my go to in the winter unless for some reason I need to show off my pits or legs. Personally, I like it when my leg hair gets really long cause it's almost soft, but I also like a nice silky smooth leg. Again, do what makes you happy! The one plus of not shaving your pit hair is you can then dye it and that's pretty awesome!
Let's start with the most common, the one most of us start with, the hair removal system that also serves as a skin layer removal system and teaches you knife skills better than any culinary school will ever teach; Shaving. Shaving is now my "emergency" method and winter time go-to. I know shaving is pretty self explanatory, but there are a few tips I have picked up over the years. First, many may know this but shaving doesn't make your hair grow thicker, but instead appear thicker due to the way the hair is cut my the blade. I actually shave my face as an exfoliation technique and haven't grown a full on beard just yet! I shave my eyebrows when in a pinch to clean then up a bit. Also, I read somewhere that its best to shave at the end of the day. I forget why, but since I'm a night showerer (not a word I know) it works out. I just got the new Dove exfoliating polish and am obsessed, using that before and then I use a lil conditioner to help with the friction. Personally, I buy disposable blades since they are cheaper and last the same amount of time, even though I'm sure I should change blades more frequently, but they are freaking expensive!
On to the more, possibly most, painful hair removing; waxing. This is actually my go to in the warmer months. Number 1 it lasts longer when you stick with it, and the hair does grow at different rates so It appears to come in thinner. At home waxing is not for the faint of heart and I went to a professional a few times, watching and learning their technique before I dove in to it on my own. Talk to your aesthetician, they can give you some good tips. If you do go to a professional make sure they DON'T DOUBLE DIP!! This is how germs and disease is spread, if they try, politely stop them and ask for a new wax applicator stick each dip. Getting some weird skin disease or worse is not worth it! When your ready to go rouge splurge on a legit waxing kit, the one with the heating container. It's totally worth it! If you do go with with microwavable options I do like Sally Hansen Extra Strength waxing kit, but waxing is messy and the lid always gets stuck after the first uses. Just spend the extra $30 on a real kit. I bought the Gigi Student Starter Hair Removal Waxing Kit, and I love it! A few tips for a new body waxer. Hotter is not better. BLOW on the wax before you put it on the skin, trust me this is how you burn yourself and rip that lovely top layer of skin off, so just blow on it. Hold the skin tight, the tighter the less it hurts since you won't be putting on the skin just the hair. YELL, cause well it hurts and for some reason yelling makes it seem less painful. The more you do it the less it really hurts, or the more you get used to it, but still its fun to yell. Grow the hair out about 1/2 inch, this is what an aesthetician will suggest to you. Pull against the grain, or hair growth. Lastly, cover up any unwanted hair you want to wax. Long story short, a simple bikini waxing can quickly turn into a full on Brazilian with a slip/ drip of wax.
Now let's get a little more permanent; laser. I haven't done it yet, but one day plan on getting my underarms done out of convenience. I hear it's not super painful, but not painless. Depending on your skin tone and hair it can effect how many sessions you will need. It's also not completely permanent, you'll have a few hairs that poke their head every few months, but I mean that sounds awesome! It's like not having a period, but twice a year. The biggest down side is the upfront cost and my body hair isn't that bad, nor do I have a real problem with it, to want to fork over a car payment or airplane ticket to become a hairless cat.
Don't let me forget hair removal lotions. I messed with these once in high school and one time leaving it on too long was enough for me! Not saying it hasn't improved in the past 10 years, but it's not for me and the only suggestion I have is just to not do it. Sorry to those who use it, just not for me!
Lastly, you can just not remove you hair at all! This is my go to in the winter unless for some reason I need to show off my pits or legs. Personally, I like it when my leg hair gets really long cause it's almost soft, but I also like a nice silky smooth leg. Again, do what makes you happy! The one plus of not shaving your pit hair is you can then dye it and that's pretty awesome!
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