Our beauty regimes have taken a seriously wild turn since lockdown began. 'Blondes' around the country are discovering their real hair colour, and we're only just getting used to the sight of our real nails. Sigh.
Pre-lockdown, if you opted to have a regular bikini wax, you might have noticed there's another area (that area) that's also been left to its own devices over the last five weeks.
So, (we're just going to come out with it) when is the right time to sit yourself down, order a waxing kit online and wax your own downstairs? And how the hell - and where the hell - do we even start?
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Fear not, we've tapped up an expert, who's revealed exactly how it can be done and - most importantly - how to make it as pain free as possible.
Louise Tattersall, waxing expert and owner of Bodilight beauty clinic in Milton Keynes, explained there are a couple of things you'll need to do before you get started.
"It's really important to make sure the hair is long enough to wax," Louise told Tyla.
"At least, half a centimetre to a centimetre long ideally. Make sure the area is completely clean, either freshly washed or using some sort of alcohol wipe to clean the area."
What you'll need
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An at home waxing kit, for starters. Either opt for waxing strips (choose those specifically designed for a bikini or Brazilian) or you can also buy a heatable waxing pot that comes with a spatula and/or strips.
Louise advises using something specifically designed for at-home use.
"With the waxing pot, if you don't have any training it's about getting the technique right, you're dealing with a much runnier product and it's trying to be quick enough to apply without it dripping everywhere.
"So outside of the salon, it's probably best to opt for something that is shop bought and suitable to be used at home."
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Whatever you choose, make sure you read the instructions carefully and be extra vigilant with hot wax because that stuff is painful.
You'll also need a lotion for afterwards. Choose a non-scented option and if you can find one specifically for post-waxing, even better.
Where to start
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"If you are applying hot wax you always apply with the hair growth. So if the hair is growing downwards you apply the wax in a downward motion," explains Louise.
"If you're applying any form of strip, whether it has the wax on it or not, you usually apply onto the hair directly, with a nice firm press or a few rubs on top of it and then you pull it against the hair growth. So if the hair is growing downwards on the bikini line, you pull it upwards.
"For the sides and the front of the bikini it's quite easy because it grows quite consistently in one direction. But quite often in the labia area it becomes much more tricky. So even from a professional point of view you can end up having to do lots of sections because the hair is growing in lots of different directions, so it's about which direction to apply and which direction to pull.
"It is a case of raising your leg onto a table or desk and applying mainly in a downward stroke down one side of the labia, applying the wax strip and pulling up. Always look for which way the hair is growing and go against that.
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"if you pull it in the wrong direction, it won't pull the hair out of the follicle, it will just rip or snap the hair, which is essentially just shaving.
"I would advise starting from the outside and working your way in. Typically as a professional that's how we work. I would always do the outside, in and then down one section and then onto the other side."
How to make it as pain-free as possible?
Managing the pain from a wax at the salon is a challenge enough, so you can bet it was the big question on all of our minds when we first contemplated taking matters into our own hands.
Louise explains there's a couple of tips to making sure it's as painless as possible.
"Make sure the hair isn't too long. If it's too long, give it a trim with a trimmer or good old scissors. Don't go too short but a trimmer can give a nice even length to the hair."
Louise also explains the key to minimising pain is to stretch the skin as much as possible when you're ripping off the strip.
"To stretch and pull a wax strip in that area when you're doing it on your own is quite tricky on your own," she says.
To help with this, Louise suggests asking a friend, sister or even your partner to lend a hand if you're struggling. We're sure he will be thrilled!
"The other tip is to stretch, stretching is absolutely key. If you have got another set of hands, a partner or maybe if you're isolating with your sister. The more you can stretch the easier it will be.
"Without a good stretch you'll risk quite a lot of bruising which on a bikini line can take weeks to heal."
It's done! What next?
After the wax, Louise explains it's important to choose a lotion that isn't heavily perfumed.
"Nothing heavily perfumed and avoid hot baths or showers for the first 24 hours. A specific after waxing product is ideal, or tea tree lotion or aloe vera.
"Try and let the area breathe, no tightly fitted underwear."
Whatever you do, make sure you wax in sections - take one area of one side and then do the same on the other. The last thing you want is to give up half way through and have a very wonky bikini line. Good luck, guys! You can do it.
Featured Image Credit: UnsplashTopics: Health and Beauty, Life News, Beauty