The Complete Bikini/Brazilian Wax Guide
Bikini and Brazilian waxing can be a little awkward for anyone, no matter if you’re a first-time client or a new professional. If you’re new or curious about the world of intimate waxing, having the best Brazilian wax tips on your side will allow you to go into a service or perform a service confidently.
From client and new employee education, we have all of the industry tips to keep your intimate waxing services on point or to prepare yourself for a bikini wax or Brazilian wax.
Table of Contents
- What is a Bikini Wax?
- What is a Brazilian Wax?
- Brazilian Wax Benefits
- Bikini vs. Brazilian Wax
- Brazilian Wax Etiquette
- Educating Clients on Intimate Waxing
- How to Prepare for a Brazilian Wax
- Brazilian Wax Positioning
- How to Do a Brazilian Wax
- Final Thoughts
READ: Top Bikini Wax Styles for 2023
What is a Bikini Wax?
A bikini wax is a lot less of an undertaking and is lower maintenance than a Brazilian wax. However, because it’s less of a process, it also removes a lot less hair. This waxing type generally involves removing hair along the sides and top of the pubic mound.
There are two types of bikini waxes - classic and full. When you think of a regular bikini wax, you’re usually thinking of a classic, but the full bikini wax also takes off more hair than its counterpart (but still not as much as a Brazilian!).
READ: Top Bikini Wax Styles for 2023
Classic Bikini Wax
A bikini wax is the removal of hair along the sides and top area of the pubic mound, or essentially along the lines of where a bikini would sit on your skin.
Full Bikini Wax
This bikini wax type includes a classic bikini wax but also removes all of the hair from the pubic mound. When looking at a Brazilian vs. full bikini wax, a full bikini is a good in-between for those who want all their pubic hair removed, but not to the extent of a Brazilian.
What is a Brazilian Wax?
A traditional full Brazilian wax involves hair removal all around the pubic area and anus. In turn, a Brazilian wax for women involves full hair removal around the bikini line, vulva and vaginal areas, butt crack, buttocks, and anus.
Usually, the option is left to the client to have a landing strip or a triangle left around the pubic mound, but other than that, everything goes!
Brazilian Wax Meaning
A Brazilian wax gets its name from Brazil, of course. There, this style is simply referred to as a “depillar”. In other places, this style is called a “Brazilian” because of the small bikinis worn on Brazilian beaches.
So what are the benefits of a Brazilian wax, and what does it look like? Essentially, a Brazilian is just going to let you hit the beach hair free - no matter what that means for you!
Brazilian Wax Benefits
There are plenty of benefits to getting a Brazilian wax for regular clients. A Brazilian wax exfoliates the skin and removes dead skin cells from the pubic area and anus, which allows new tissue to be generated.
The pores in these areas can easily get clogged and cause breakouts, which are only further irritated or inflamed when shaving at home. When you wax and practice proper pre and post-wax care, these breakouts can be reduced or eliminated, and your skin will be left feeling smooth.
Additionally, waxing stimulates collagen production in the skin, which will promote the hydration and strengthening of your pubic area skin, which can be very sensitive and thin. It also reduces hyperpigmentation!
Another benefit of Brazilian waxing is because of the waxing process itself. Waxing removes hair from the root, which will eventually result in hair growing back thinner and weaker, which also reduces the risk of ingrown hairs in the future. It also slows hair growth over time, which lets clients be hair-free for longer.
What is the Point of A Brazilian Wax?
Another benefit of Brazilian waxing is on more of a person-to-person basis: a lot of people enjoy their Brazilian waxes just for how it makes them feel! They enjoy being pampered, and enjoy the feeling of being hairless and smooth down there. However, it’s not for everyone, so do what’s right for you and what makes you feel your best!
READ: How to Become an Esthetician
Bikini vs Brazilian Wax
The difference between a bikini wax vs. a Brazilian wax at a glance is that a bikini wax takes off the hair around the sides and top of your pubic area, whereas a Brazilian takes off all of your hair, everywhere.
Because bikini and Brazilian waxes can often be confused with one another, it’s important to communicate with your waxer (or client!) to make sure that you’re getting exactly what you envision.
Bikini and Brazilian Wax Timing:
Bikini and Brazilian wax timing should include a consultation, the service itself, and after-wax care education to reduce ingrowns and acne after waxing.
How Long Does a Bikini Wax Take?
A bikini wax should take anywhere from 20 minutes to complete. However, estheticians will usually book out around 30 minutes to make time for consultations and post-wax care.
How Long Does a Brazilian Wax Take?
A Brazilian wax will take anywhere from 20-30 minutes, but the appointment itself will usually be around 35 minutes. This will allow time for the consultation, and for your esthetician to run you through the post-wax care process.
Depending on how regularly you wax, this appointment could be a bit longer if you have more hair.
Pre and post-wax care education will be shorter for repeat intimate waxing clients but a little longer for those who are new to it. Additionally, appointments may take a little longer if hair is too long, and needs to be trimmed prior to waxing.
How Long Does a Brazilian Wax Last?
Usually, a Brazilian or bikini wax will last around 3-4 weeks, but it really depends on your hair type, skin type, and how fast your hair generally grows. No matter what, leave enough time in between waxes for your hair to grow out at least ¼ inch in length. Once you develop a routine, this will be easier to estimate so you’re always ready to go come your appointment.
Additionally, practicing excellent pre and post-wax care will allow you to keep your skin smoother and hair-free for longer periods. Your hair also may thin over time from regular waxing, which will also allow you to leave longer in between appointments.
Bikini and Brazilian Wax
The section you’ve been waiting for is here! So how much is a Brazilian wax? Brazilian waxes range in price from around $50-$70. Bikini waxes also hold around the same price.
If you’re wondering “How much does a Brazilian wax cost?”, the real answer will come directly from your esthetician, as different salons charge different prices.
Bikini and Brazilian Waxing at Home
If your clients ask you how to Brazilian wax at home, try to steer them away from the idea by emphasizing the detail, care, and precision that needs to go into either service to keep the skin around their pubic areas and anus safe.
Even if they have access to the best Brazilian wax kit on the market, they will not be able to carry out the service with the detail a professional would - think of the angles!
If they press the issue, maybe show them a Brazilian wax before and after or a Brazilian wax video to show them how careful they need to be in order to keep themselves safe.
READ: The Beginner's Guide to Waxing at Home
Brazilian Wax Etiquette
For clients, the first step to successful intimate waxing is to leave shyness at the door. This will let your esthetician conduct your service with confidence and know-how, without you feeling uncomfortable.
READ: Brazilian Wax Etiquette: Embarrassing Questions Answered
First Brazilian Wax Tips
First-time clients may be just as shy as new waxers, but it's up to us as the pros to override any intimidation with a confident attitude to put clients at ease.
If your client remains on edge, insecure, or nervous, make sure to ease their worries by explaining the process and exactly what to expect.
Make sure that they know they’re supported and in a safe, non-judgemental and professional space. For additional tips on how to prepare for a first Brazilian wax, read below.
Educating Clients on Intimate Waxing
Even if your client has had these services done repeatedly, there’s always something new to learn. From the moment your client books, they should receive a proper education.
This info could be in blog-form, in an automated email, or text for anyone who books. You can save so much time during the consultation part of your service if you already have exchanged this information beforehand digitally, plus it increases your SEO (searchability) on your website for intimate waxing services.
Your client education should include everything your client needs to do before they arrive at their service, and why.
Clients should have access to Brazilian wax after care products they can purchase online before their appointment to reduce ingrowns and acne after waxing.
READ: Don't Go to the Wax Salon without These Tips
How to Prepare for a Brazilian Wax:
Before performing a bikini or Brazilian wax, make sure that your client has filled out an online intake form prior to their appointment. Be sure that you have already looked at it, prepped your salon supplies and properly warmed the correct wax according to their skin and hair types in your professional wax warmer.
If you're new to waxing, stick to the Starpil Wax type that you're most comfortable with.
If you are more familiar with stripless hard wax, use the one according to skin type within your range of hard waxes and do the same if using strip wax.
Make sure your hands are clean, and that you are wearing fresh gloves.
For some tips on how your clients can go about preparing for a Brazilian wax, read further.
What to do Before a Brazilian Wax:
- Exfoliate at least 24-hours before an intimate waxing appointment to slough off dry skin and to lift hairs.
- Come wearing loose-fitting clothing made of 100% cotton.
Take an Ibuprofen, pain suppressant or anti-inflammatory an hour before your service.
- Do not drink alcohol before intimate waxing, as this thins the blood and increases the possibility of lesions.
- Hair should be ¼ of an inch long (the size of a grain of rice). If hairs are too long, it hurts more. Short hair is harder to remove.
- Do not practice hair removal at home if you wish to continue with intimate waxing. If some hairs grow back sooner than others, leave them be so that all hair can get onto the same growth and removal cycle.
When Your Client Arrives for Their Brazilian Wax Appointment:
Once your client sits down on the waxing bed, reiterate all of the information mentioned online or in a text and explain what's going to happen.
Confirm exactly what hair they want to be removed, even if previously specified.
Do not merely suggest using a wipe before the service; it should be mandatory for them to cleanse the entire nether region (even if they’ve just showered) to remove any sweat that may have accumulated on their commute as it can alter their results.
Leave the room to let them disrobe to put on the proper attire for their service, if any.
Your client education should include everything your client needs to do before they arrive at their service, and why. Clients should have access to Brazilian wax after care products they can purchase online before their appointment to reduce ingrowns and acne after waxing.
READ: How to Avoid Acne After Waxing
Common Brazilian Waxing Questions
Can you get a Brazilian wax on your period?
It’s not recommended to get a Brazilian wax on your period, or directly before or after. The body’s pain threshold goes way down during this time, and being on your period might make you more uncomfortable (even aside from the pain aspect). For these reasons, it’s best to schedule during a time you know you’ll be free and clear.
It’s recommended to wait at least 24 hours to have sex following a Brazilian wax. Any unnecessary friction on or around your freshly waxed pubic area can result in irritation or inflammation - and nobody wants that!
With any waxing service, there is some slight pain or discomfort involved in the process. You are removing hair by the root, after all! Brazilian waxing pain can be a little bit higher than that of a regular waxing service, just because of how sensitive the skin around the pubic area and anus is.
If your hair is very grown out, trim it a bit before your appointment. However, no matter what you do, make sure not to cut your hair shorter than ¼ inch in length.
The best wax for Brazilian waxing depends on the skin and hair type of the person being serviced. Starpil provides a variety of waxes that are gentle and effective for both bikini and Brazilian waxes. Browse our selection of specialty waxes to discover the best wax for your Brazilian wax services.
For Brazilian waxes, our ideal formulas include Pink Film Hard Wax, Starsoft Hard Wax, and Calendula Hard Wax. Blue Film Hard Wax and Black Film Hard Wax also make good go-to staple waxes for clients with normal skin types.
READ: Best Hard Wax for Easy Hair Removal
Brazilian Wax Positioning
Always move your client's body to suit your needs so that you're not bending awkwardly to reach hair. You want to position your clients to give yourself the best access to your client's hair and for minimal discomfort. However, always make sure they’re comfortable, and that the best position for you is the best position for them as well.
The least painful way to do intimate waxing is to go from back to front. The least sensitive areas are usually near the thighs and deeper within the vulva or butt crack. Save the pubic mound for last as that's generally the most painful spot.
To Wax Their Front-Facing Areas:
Have your client lie down with the soles of their feet together in a butterfly position for complete access. They can adjust their legs so that they remain in the original position while the other leg hangs off the waxing table to the side if the first position is too strenuous for them.
You can also have them open their soles more apart if needed. Adjust the waxing bed for pregnant clients to keep their hearts above the fetus/baby.
To Wax Their Back Areas:
Clients should be turned on to the side right or left side with their head at the top of the waxing table facing toward you depending on your dominant hand (right-handed/right side, left-handed/left side).
Have all of your salon supplies or wax trolley on the same side as your dominant hand for quick access.
Have the client pull their outer leg into their stomach while holding the outer buttock up and open for complete access. This is one of the most comfortable positions for the client while being the most accessible for you.
Proper Brazilian Waxing Pressure:
If you're the one feeling shy about pressure, try to put any timidness aside to alleviate any potential pain for your clients in these sensitive areas.
The right pressure helps to spread the wax and hold the skin taught evenly, especially near the pubic mound where hair is usually the thickest and the skin the least pliable.
READ: How to Wax Step by Step
Applying Wax for a Bikini or Brazilian Wax Service:
Many people find that the wax grabs the hair better if applied and pulled in the opposite direction of the hair growth.
Whether you’re using hard wax vs. soft wax for your intimate wax, use minimal strokes to apply your wax and never use the same waxing spatula back into the wax warmer after it has touched the client.
If you’re using strip wax over hard wax, be sure to firmly go over the removal strip with pressure before removal.
READ: How to Use Hard Wax Like a Pro
Brazilian Wax Tips:
- Keep your Brazilian wax the same each time. Since this is such an intimate service and takes a little time and practice, always try to keep it as a carbon copy of the last one.
- Keep learning; there are always advances being made in the field of waxing, and the more you learn, the more you will have to offer your clients.
To learn how to properly do a full Brazilian wax, check out our immersive Brazilian Waxing Course on Starpil University.
Taught by Starpil Wax Educator, Taylor Wilson, this complete Brazilian waxing course will break everything down so that you can service Brazilian waxes with confidence.
WATCH: How to Start A Spa Business: Brazilian Wax Tips
What to Do After a Brazilian Wax?
Wondering what to do after a Brazilian wax? If you’re an esthetician, it’s incredibly important to emphasize how important it is to practice proper post-wax care. If you’re a client, follow the instructions your esthetician gives you, as well as these tips:
- To ease and prevent inflammation and irritation after a Brazilian wax, make sure to apply a moisturizing and hydration lotion specifically formulated for post-wax care. Starpil’s Post-Wax Lotion is a great option to soothe skin and kickstart recovery.
- Additionally, revitalize your pubic area with Starpil’s cooling and soothing Brazilian Waxing Mask following a Brazilian waxing service.
- Avoid wearing tight clothing for a few days after your wax. Wear airy and comfortable clothing that will let your skin breathe and recover. Wearing loose clothing will also prevent friction and bacteria buildup in the area.
- Exfoliate the area around 2 days after your bikini or Brazilian wax to prevent the formation of ingrown hairs. Additionally, use an ingrown hair serum to prevent this occurrence.
- Don’t go to the gym or strenuous exercise for 2 days after your wax to avoid friction and unnecessary irritation.
- Continue to practice post-wax care and moisturizer and hydrate the area to prolong your waxing results.
READ: Waxing 101: What’s the Difference Between Soft Wax and Hard Wax?
Final Thoughts
Intimate waxing is...well, intimate. Keep confident and lead the bikini or Brazilian wax service so that the client feels supported and comfortable throughout this process.
Always make sure your client has practiced proper pre-wax care before coming into the salon, and ensure that you’re remaining communicative and helping them throughout the process to make sure they’re reassured and at ease.
Once they’re done, ensure that they have the tools to maintain their wax and practice proper post-wax care to avoid irritation and ingrown hairs.
Besides that, it’s up to your and your Starpil Wax to give them the best results possible!
Comments