Sacha Walters, Staff Reporter

The Brazilian wax is perfect for women who wear skimpy two-piece swimsuits. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

"Have you showered?" asked Rosie, the chirpy aesthetician dressed in full white who was going to do my Brazilian wax.

So this was the total stranger who was going to go where no other woman has gone before. But off I went accompanying her through the doors of Isabelle's Spa.

This form of hair removal got its name from its country of origin, Brazil. It became popular when Brazilian women who wanted to wear thong bikinis had to remove all the hair along their bikini lines. The process involves the removal of hair from the pubic area, buttocks and anus, usually leaving a small strip of hair, commonly called a 'landing strip' on the top of the vagina.

Nervousness

While it wasn't my first time getting waxed, there was a certain nervousness in the pit of my stomach when I had to strip down to my birthday suit in front of a total stranger.

"Oh you're coming straight from work," continued the pleasant woman, in response to my negative reply all the while leading me to a room with the word "Private" painted on the door in curly type.

It led to a small elegantly decorated bathroom with the welcoming smell of a scented candle gently strumming away any nerves. Rosie, whose full name is Rosemarie Whittingham, pointed out the necessary amenities and left saying "Just think of me as a gynaecologist, just that I'm not," she said as she exited.

Dressed in a mini robe and comfortable spa slippers I entered another small room where she stood beside a high table with a round light. I climbed on top of the white sheets.

"We're gonna work together," she said smiling. While she sprinkled powder over the area, to prevent the wax from sticking to my skin.

Placing the sole of my right foot on my inner left thigh, we 'worked together' as I pulled gently at my skin to keep it taut. Shifting positions when it became necessary.

I thought the best thing to do was to keep the conversation going. It turns out that while performing her first Brazilian wax on a client, she was also uncomfortable. Something she has long got over considering her seven years in the profession.

Warm wax

She dipped a wooden spatula, that looks just like a tongue depressor used by medical professionals, in a jar of warm wax. Starting from the front she placed the wax on the skin. It felt like a warm rag against the skin not the scorching heat the movies often portray. Then she placed a white strip of cloth over the area and pulled in the opposite direction. Wow, don't think about the character in The Forty-Year-Old Virgin when he was getting his torso waxed, it was more like a sharp pull of a band aid from the skin.

"It's not a lingering pain. It stings a little but once it's over, it's finished," she said, accurately describing the feeling.

She deftly applied the wax and strips in different directions while she explained that the wax was not the same as those used to do other parts of the body. Rather, they use chocolate, strawberry and raspberry wax for more sensitive parts.

Some sections were more sensitive than others, producing the occasional 'Ouch' however, the process was done in approximately 15 minutes.

Beauty Pointers

For those who think that maybe 'cleaning up' before a visit by trimming hairs is a good idea, Rosie disagrees. "You feel less pain if you have the right length," she explained and trimming results in prickly edges which are more difficult for the wax to grab hold of. To reduce pain, avoid getting waxed up to five days before and after your period or having sex the night before your visit as your skin is extra sensitive.

A wide age group of clients visit Isabelle's for the procedure and once you get accustomed to it is not very uncomfortable.

Don't be shy. "Think of it as a professional job. I'm a professional. I'm not looking at you," she reassured.

The procedure which costs from $3,000 upwards, depending on the amount of hair, lasts for three to six weeks when it is best to repeat the process.

Don't use any form of hair removal between waxing. Brazilian wax is more hygienic as it reduces sweating in the pubic area. Most couples prefer it. "It makes you feel cleaner," she said.

If the skin remains sensitive hours after you have left the salon, an aloe vera cooling gel can be used.

To combat the pain try crossing your toes, it worked for me.

Isabelle's Spa is located at 18 Rochester Avenue, Kingston 8.