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Hair today needs to be gone tomorrow as the big summer reveal gets underway. Yeti legs and chinchilla armpits may denote earthy femininity for some of our more laid-back neighbours in the EU, but the vast majority of British women are ber-vigilant when it comes to plucking, shaving and strimming. Unsurprising then that solutions for keeping unwanted face and body hair at bay - from the painful to the practically pleasurable - are legion, both in the salon environment and at home. However rather like finding the perfect foundation, settling on a fuzz-busting system that best suits you requires a certain amount of experimentation, as suitability and sensitivity issues can sometimes apply.
For instant and pain free gratification you can't beat razor removal. Venus Vibrance, £8.99 (www.gilletevenus.com) is Gillette's first power wet shaving system for women and simultaneously exfoliates for smoother finish. Skin can be left feeling dry and scratchy if you plump for plain old soap and water, King of Shaves Woman range (www.shave.com) features products with multiple benefits such as Shave & Scrub Shaving Gel, £3.99 and Shave & Moisturise Shaving Oil, £3.69. If you prefer a dry shave experience, Remington's new Confidence Cordless Shaver, £29.99 (www.remington.co.uk) is a baby pink rechargeable and washable shaver with an in-built skin stretcher to gently lift the hairs allowing better access to the base of the hair for a super-smooth finish.
The long-lasting effects to momentary pain ratio make waxing very appealing to anyone who fancies a month long hiatus from unwanted hair and softer, sparser regrowth. There are straight-from-the pack and warm wax options for every problem zone. Veet Ready to Use Wax Strips, from £5.99 (www.veet.co.uk) produce perfectly preened pins in minutes and will leave skin fuzz-free for up to four weeks. Wax Away Underarm Wax Strips with Green Tea & Aloe, £3.95, effectively remove hair as short as 2mm. Naughty Nad's Bikini Design Kit, £12.99 (www.nads.co.uk) combines a microwavable hard wax and four stencils. Sally Hansen Lavender Spa Wax Facial Wand, £9.95 (Superdrug) is the warm wax solution to perfectly groomed brows.
If just reading about waxing has you wincing, but you've no wish to be a fuzzy around the edges brand of beach goddess, try the Silkymit Sensitive Bikini Line Hair Remover, £1.50 for 3. The hand-held, angled buffer gently and effectively removes unwanted hairs in this delicate area for a smooth finish. Nair Bikini Hair Removing Cream & Moisturising Finishing Cream, £2.55 are packaged as a handy sachet duo making them an ideal addition to your holiday beauty emergency kit.
Even small amounts of excess facial hair have the potential to cause huge embarrassment. Threading has its roots in the ancient East and involves a taut cotton thread being entwined with a row of hairs so they're removed from the follicle in one swift, precision movement for a perfectly smooth finish. Available at most beauty salons, effects last up to 4 weeks and it's particularly effective for eyebrows and also any stragglers that lurk around the upper lip and chin, and sides of the face. Prices from around £10 depending on salon location. If you prefer to tackle the problem yourself at home the Amirose Beauty Trimmer, £14.99, :: AmiRose International Ltd :: is a battery powered wand designed specifically for removing hair on the upper lip, chin, nape of the neck and features a separate eyebrow comb attachment for thinning, trimming, combing and controlling. Or you can get low-tech with Velvet Touch Face, £2.99 (020 8787 7098) sensitive skin friendly paper strips.
Methods under the microscope...
Shaving
Frequency: Every few days <LI nd="5">Pain scale: Zero - providing you don't nick yourself with a blunt blade <LI nd="6">Downside: Potential for razor rash, blunt ends make hair look thicker as it grows back
Threading
Frequency: Every 3 - 4 weeks
Pain scale: Slight discomfort similar to plucking <LI nd="7">Downside: Needs to be done in a salon. Temporary redness
Waxing/sugaring
<LI nd="8">Frequency: Every 4 – 6 weeks depending on brand, pattern of hair growth Pain scale: Moderate <LI nd="9">Downside: Allow 24 hours for any redness or tenderness to subside. In the latter's case particularly if you plan any sunbathing
Depilatory creams
Frequency: Every 5 – 7 days
Pain scale: Zero <LI nd="10">Downside: The chemical odour of the creams can be rather unpleasant and they're a tad on the messy side
Electrolysis
<LI nd="11">Frequency: Every 2 – 3 weeks depending on the individual <LI nd="12">Pain scale: Moderate to high. Involves a needle and an electronic current <LI nd="13">Downside: The growth cycle of the hair means it's a case of little and often
Laser Removal
<LI nd="14">Frequency: Usually consists of a session of treatments and occasional top ups <LI nd="15">Pain scale: High. Has been compared to having a rubber band snapped against your skin <LI nd="16">Downside: The state-of-the-art technology and skill involved mean it can be expensive
Copyright © 2006 handbag.com
For instant and pain free gratification you can't beat razor removal. Venus Vibrance, £8.99 (www.gilletevenus.com) is Gillette's first power wet shaving system for women and simultaneously exfoliates for smoother finish. Skin can be left feeling dry and scratchy if you plump for plain old soap and water, King of Shaves Woman range (www.shave.com) features products with multiple benefits such as Shave & Scrub Shaving Gel, £3.99 and Shave & Moisturise Shaving Oil, £3.69. If you prefer a dry shave experience, Remington's new Confidence Cordless Shaver, £29.99 (www.remington.co.uk) is a baby pink rechargeable and washable shaver with an in-built skin stretcher to gently lift the hairs allowing better access to the base of the hair for a super-smooth finish.
The long-lasting effects to momentary pain ratio make waxing very appealing to anyone who fancies a month long hiatus from unwanted hair and softer, sparser regrowth. There are straight-from-the pack and warm wax options for every problem zone. Veet Ready to Use Wax Strips, from £5.99 (www.veet.co.uk) produce perfectly preened pins in minutes and will leave skin fuzz-free for up to four weeks. Wax Away Underarm Wax Strips with Green Tea & Aloe, £3.95, effectively remove hair as short as 2mm. Naughty Nad's Bikini Design Kit, £12.99 (www.nads.co.uk) combines a microwavable hard wax and four stencils. Sally Hansen Lavender Spa Wax Facial Wand, £9.95 (Superdrug) is the warm wax solution to perfectly groomed brows.
If just reading about waxing has you wincing, but you've no wish to be a fuzzy around the edges brand of beach goddess, try the Silkymit Sensitive Bikini Line Hair Remover, £1.50 for 3. The hand-held, angled buffer gently and effectively removes unwanted hairs in this delicate area for a smooth finish. Nair Bikini Hair Removing Cream & Moisturising Finishing Cream, £2.55 are packaged as a handy sachet duo making them an ideal addition to your holiday beauty emergency kit.
Even small amounts of excess facial hair have the potential to cause huge embarrassment. Threading has its roots in the ancient East and involves a taut cotton thread being entwined with a row of hairs so they're removed from the follicle in one swift, precision movement for a perfectly smooth finish. Available at most beauty salons, effects last up to 4 weeks and it's particularly effective for eyebrows and also any stragglers that lurk around the upper lip and chin, and sides of the face. Prices from around £10 depending on salon location. If you prefer to tackle the problem yourself at home the Amirose Beauty Trimmer, £14.99, :: AmiRose International Ltd :: is a battery powered wand designed specifically for removing hair on the upper lip, chin, nape of the neck and features a separate eyebrow comb attachment for thinning, trimming, combing and controlling. Or you can get low-tech with Velvet Touch Face, £2.99 (020 8787 7098) sensitive skin friendly paper strips.
Methods under the microscope...
Shaving
Frequency: Every few days <LI nd="5">Pain scale: Zero - providing you don't nick yourself with a blunt blade <LI nd="6">Downside: Potential for razor rash, blunt ends make hair look thicker as it grows back
Threading
Frequency: Every 3 - 4 weeks
Pain scale: Slight discomfort similar to plucking <LI nd="7">Downside: Needs to be done in a salon. Temporary redness
Waxing/sugaring
<LI nd="8">Frequency: Every 4 – 6 weeks depending on brand, pattern of hair growth Pain scale: Moderate <LI nd="9">Downside: Allow 24 hours for any redness or tenderness to subside. In the latter's case particularly if you plan any sunbathing
Depilatory creams
Frequency: Every 5 – 7 days
Pain scale: Zero <LI nd="10">Downside: The chemical odour of the creams can be rather unpleasant and they're a tad on the messy side
Electrolysis
<LI nd="11">Frequency: Every 2 – 3 weeks depending on the individual <LI nd="12">Pain scale: Moderate to high. Involves a needle and an electronic current <LI nd="13">Downside: The growth cycle of the hair means it's a case of little and often
Laser Removal
<LI nd="14">Frequency: Usually consists of a session of treatments and occasional top ups <LI nd="15">Pain scale: High. Has been compared to having a rubber band snapped against your skin <LI nd="16">Downside: The state-of-the-art technology and skill involved mean it can be expensive
Copyright © 2006 handbag.com
