Navigating life as a woman in the world today is interesting. From Nigeria to Timbuktu, it’ll amaze you how similar all our experiences are. Every Wednesday, women the world over will share their experiences on everything from sex to politics right here.
We are living in insane times. When I’m not thinking about the fact that coronavirus might just wipe out half the world’s population, my mind drifts to more mundane things. Like when next will I be able to get a pedicure or get my hair done? Turns out I’m not the only one. Amidst all the craziness in the world, a fight erupted last week on a girls group chat I’m in on the pros and cons of getting a Brazilian wax.
I’m pro Brazilians nothing beats that baby smooth finish but I’ve never been able to hack the pain. So I thought I’d ask 6 women who swear by it what their best tips are.
Sugar wax only
Stop getting strip waxed. I can’t believe I have to say this in 2020 especially when sugar waxing has literally existed for decades. Sugar waxing is faster, way less painful, will leave you with fewer ingrown hairs and is even cheaper in most places in Lagos. Strip waxing doesn’t have a single advantage over sugar waxing.
Ada, 26
Cough as they pull
A couple of years ago a wax technician told me to cough at the same time she’s pulling the strip. I can’t say that it makes it a hundred percent less painful but at least 20% less painful. Actually it doesn’t make it any less painful it just kind of distracts you from the pain.
Uche, 28
Only wax after the third date
Here’s my own pro-tip. If you are in a comfortable long term relationship stop stressing yourself and just shave sis, the pain isn’t worth it and your partner won’t go through the same thing for you. However if you are still out on these streets here’s when to wax – after the third date with a guy you are 50% sure might not be a fuckboy. Because you can never be 100% sure.
Why not after the first date?
You have to go on three dates before sex. I thought we all knew this. The first date is all fluff the both of you are just lying to each other everyone has a glossy veneer up. The second date is a little less guarded, the third date is when you know for sure you can tolerate seeing him for another couple of months.
Nora, 27
Trim down before you go in
Trim before your appointments. Most beauty technicians in Abuja here don’t bother helping you trim for some reason. The hair down there will be long enough to plait didi and they’ll just start yanking at it with hot wax. When it’s not punishment. Actually waxing is like being punished for being a woman but the results are worth it.
Adesola, 26
Get it done once a month
Go at least once a month. First of all you get used to the pain. It’s not like it won’t still hurt but you won’t feel like you are dying. Second of all the hairs grow back sparser and finer at first, when you live it too long they start to thicken again.
Fadeke, 25
Take a couple of painkillers
I take a couple of pain killers or get a little drunk just before it definitely helps with the pain because the first time I skipped the painkillers I cried blood. The stupid woman waxing me was now asking me if I was a baby I wanted to deck her.
Shola, 25
You don’t need to wax everywhere
I don’t wax the top of the lips. Actually, I don’t know how to explain this to you without using a vagina picture. Ok, so the first time I got a Brazilian it hurt like shit. Like tears in my eyes kind of hurt and I swore never to go back but the smoothness was sweet and it took forever to grow back so I went back. What I noticed about the first time was that even though everywhere else hurt this particular section felt like hellfire
Nothing hurts more than that. Ironically the most important parts hurt the least which is this section.
It’s the most important part to me because I only wax for sex. So what I do now is only wax there and my bikini line. Then I trim down all of the rest with scissors. Best decision ever.
Gboremi, 27
