I was watching Coco Before Chanel the other day (not the Shirley MacClaine movie but the French film) and Coco, born Gabrielle Chanel, wore men’s clothes in a time when women decorated themselves with pearls, feathers, and other frills. Now she is recognized as a 20^th century icon and her name resonates with the best of the industry. Way to go Coco, I want one of your bags!

 I think it all has to do with vision and if I may borrow a line from The Holiday, (I’m a big movie buff if you can’t tell) “gumption.” If you’re lacking a bit on the vision side, that’s okay; you can always gather inspiration from someone else’s vision. Don’t even try to tell me you don’t have chutzpah—I’ll call your bluff.

So who are the great visionaries of today? They’re the masterminds behind what you see on the catwalk, of course! North of the neckline, Chanel and Zac Posen are all about amethyst eyes and a red pout. Frame out these features with a messy updo, braid, or sleek ponytail to unleash your inner siren. No no matter who’s your type, you’ll have your pick of the Johnny Depps and Matthew McConaugheys of the world. Knock ‘em dead

The age-old question: how to keep it clean “down there?” You may not like my answer, but getting a wax is the most efficient way. While bikini waxing may will never be an enjoyable experience, there’s a lot you can do to make the occurrence a lot less traumatizing than it would otherwise be, especially if you’re a newbie.  Make sure to visit our sister property Bikini Waxing.

Bikini Waxing 101

Get educated.
Your bikini waxer will get to know you in the same light as your gynecologist so pretty please don’t just trust the yellow pages to find one. Word of mouth is the best way. Knowing what to expect is half the battle.  The last thing you want is to be spread eagle thinking “What did I get myself in to?”

Know the basics.

There are four kinds of bikini waxes.
Regular- removes hair from outside the panty line. Attention newcomers: this is the one for you!
Full- a regular wax that goes inside the panty line and results in more definition
French- removes everything from the front minus a small strip
Brazilian- warning: for those with masochist tendencies only;  takes all hair off the bikini line (front AND back)

All wax is not created equal. There are two types.

• Hard- dries to a hard finish around the hair and not the skin; a less painful option but not offered at all salons. Be sure to double check with your salon before scheduling if you want to try this option.

• Soft- more common; adheres to the hair and skin thus tends to be a bit more unpleasant than hard waxes

Practical Tips to Remember

Speak up. If it’s your first time ask for the salon’s most skilled technician and request they explain what they’re doing throughout the process. Using an inexperienced waxer could result in unpleasant ingrown hairs (ouch!).
Prepare to be bare. Usually you’ll be asked to undress from the waist down.  If you’re not comfortable with this you can keep your undies on but there’s no avoiding it if you’re going for the Brazilian.
Dress appropriately. Loose, baggy clothes that allow your skin to breathe are best (for after your appointment).
Plan accordingly. Your pain threshold is highest after your period. You might want to be strategic and schedule your appointment about two or three days after Aunt Flo leaves town.

Before Your Appointment

• Let hair grow out two or three weeks (about a quarter of an inch). Failure to do so could result in being sent home or enduring a more painful experience if hair is too long or too short
• Exfoliate all areas that will be waxed about one day before your appointment
• Take an Aspirin!
• Avoid tanning salons for 24 hours before and after your appointment

Ok ladies, you’re almost ready to skidaddle off to the salon. Just plan on about 15-30 minutes for your appointment and expect to shell out a cool $40-$45 assuming you were good students and got a high-quality esthetician. If not, consider yourself forewarned! If you’re hoping to sport a microkini this summer or just want to please your man on a whole new level, bikini waxing will help you get there. Just remember: no pain, no gain. Digest all the information above and consider yourself off to a good start to hairless heaven.