Brazilians for beginners - where to start?

[Snacks]

Ok, so I am thinking about getting a professional 'haircut'. I don't normally bother, having only waxed myself on the bikini line before and occasionally shaved or used cream - again only on the bikini line.
How would you seasoned waxers recommend I start? Do I just go for an extended bikini wax first and build up to the brazilian? Or jump straight in?
When I used to wax my bikini line I would get little red dots and I can't remember how long they stayed for. What's the timeframe where you are looking your 'clearest' after a first wax?
Is it polite to trim first before going to the beautician? How long/short does the hair need to be to get it all off? (I remember having to trim it around the edges when I waxed it myself, but do the professionals prefer to look after that themselves or will they roll their eyes if I turn up with plait-able pubes?)
I have been reading other threads and understand the need to find someone good and that you get what you pay for. I am just unsure of my ... erm... responsibilities? in the beautician/client relationship IYKWIM.
TIA for your help.

[Shades]

Hmm can't help but I'm subbing!!!

[Mollie89]

Cant help either.. But I would like to know :P

[LimeSlice]

Head first, straight in.

Don't trim, they will do it for you if they need to and you may do it too short etc. Leave them to it, they know what they are doing

Follow what they tell you, but it took my first one 2-3 days to feel normal again, it was very very hot here though and I was heavily pregnant too lol... But the longest thing to subside was the labia swelling... it feels kinda weird, but totally love having it all gone!
It doesn't hurt as much as you expect, and the parts that hurt the most are the parts you wouldn't expect. (The worst is across the top, along your pubic line...ow!)

Have a shower before hand, wear a panty liner if you need to, but they will give you some baby wipes things before hand to freshen up too.

Good luck!!

[sloane]

exactly what limeslice said!

definitely jump straight in, don't trim first - let them do it - i go somewhere where you buy (for $5) your own attachment for the trimmer & you take that with you.

nice cotton or loose undies for afterwards - it can feel a bit sticky/hot etc. and they often put lotion on.

[LimeSlice]

Oh yeah, I didn't (read: couldn't) put my knickers on afterwards, so wear a long skirt or something JIC you need to not wear them! pmsl

[angelaartsstudent]

Beforehand - basically be responsible and corteous and make sure it's all clean down there! That's it basically.

I used to be regular recipient (every 4-5 weeks) but haven't had one since being preg....am booked in very soon.

Post wax rash depends on your hair. I have very soft, fine hair (even my head hair) but it's deeply rooted...so even an eyebrow wax makes my entire forehead look bright red. Because it's fine I am not prone to ingrowns, but do get a bit bumpy - ESP on my legs after waxing, funnily enough. Bit of ice in a face washer afterwards, be gentle with the skin and etc and you'll be fine.

If you've got thick hair you may be prone to ingrowns, but ask the person waxing you - they'll be able to help.

[Beach Mama]

HERE is a thread I posted a while ago about this = the girls were very helpful!!! Basically what everyone has said, just go for it and if you maintain it, the more you go the quicker it is - it still hurts but nowhere near as bad as the first time! If you go somewhere well known and reputable they will be done in under 10 mins - well worth it!

[Snacks]

Thanks Tan - I think I did read your thread and I had thought some people suggested starting with a more graduated approach... Is interesting to read that my responses have been to jump right in! That's what I'd sort of thought I'd do, so cool.

Thanks lime, sloane and angelaartstudent. I do get the odd ingrown when I shave/wax my bikini line unless I loofah afterwards. If everything is a bit tender, I assume I would loofah after it's calmed down?

LOL @ the skirt! Noted.

[FabFiona]

I echo all of the above.

i'd also get a recommendation from a friend on a waxer rather than trying somewhere new.

[Danielle_NZ]

the sorest part for me was the "landing strip" area... when I first started I'd take two neufen's (sp?) 45 minutes before I (panadol would do the same), was suggested by the lady who did the waxing.

[sloane]

i'd also get a recommendation from a friend on a waxer rather than trying somewhere new.

oh yeah, i'd completely forgotten about this! the first time i went, i got a recommendation for somewhere. i felt a lot more comfortable knowing they were recommended!

im not sure if i'm remembering correctly, but i'm pretty sure it's no exfoliating for a week....but you can/should moisturise

[miskilla]

You could try doing it yourself =) I started waxing years ago as I didnt want to have to pay that much for something I could probably do myself. When I started I was so unco at it, but these days I have it all sussed out. I even did it during pregnancy, the last wax at 38 weeks... contortionist much lol it was hard work tho I admit!

[LimeSlice]

Don't do anything to it at all, and no products at all, for at least 48 hours. You will get ingrowns if you clog your pores with creams/soaps/lotions.
So cool water, till the redness and heat go, and no exfoliation for a week, no creams lotions etc for at least a few days.
I have never used a moisturiser above my knee for any waxing, no reason I know of why one would use it at all on a bikini line etc.

[Snacks]

Thanks again all.
Finally... can anyone recommend someone in north-western Sydney/Hills District? LOL.

[Emma27]

I can recommend Bliss Waxing and Tanning studio at Castle Hill. They have a website if you google their name.

[Feijoa Mum]

Oh I so want to do this but I confess I am a chicken.

I know pain threshold is a personal thing but what kinda scale are we talking?? I get my eyebrows waxed and threaded and although not comfy I can tolerate it. I once had my lower legs waxxed and NEVER again. I would take 10 crowning babies over that *****.

So what would you liken it too?