Finally – a definitive guide to bikini waxing styles

Au naturel, some on, some off, when it comes to bikini waxing, it’s really up to you. The problem? Figuring out which style is which. Brazilian, French, Hollywood; sounds more like a trip overseas than hair-removal. Time to cut down on the confusion, with a bikini wax encyclopedia – courtesy of us. Think of this are your go-to guide, so if you are shifting the hair, you know just what to expect (and what to ask for).

By Rachel Spedding

• 1 The basic bikini

  The ideal style for a first timer. The basic bikini wax removes any hair outside the knicker line, including the upper leg, inner thigh and below the stomach. If you’d see it in a bikini, it’s going. The ‘tidy up’ as it’s often known, keeps things pretty natural down below, but with a little more definition at the edges.

  One bikini wax, please.
• 2 The Brazilian

  Or, the landing strip. The Brazilian wax removes hair from the top and sides of the bikini line, but leaves some hair down the middle; traditionally a line (landing strip), or triangle, or any darn shape you want, kept in tact. Your bum cheeks are included too – everything off, except that front section.

  I'll keep some on.
• 3 The Hollywood

  Absolutely every hair off. Every last strand, gone. You’ll need to take your knickers off for this one (and adopt a few yoga positions), for a completely hair-free front and back. If you’re new to the intimate waxing thing, it’s a good idea to ease yourself in with a Brazilian or bikini line, before hitting up the Hollywood.

  All off in one? Yep.
• 4 The bumkini

  Otherwise known as the ‘French’ wax, or the string bikini. Similar to the Hollywood, but not quite as bare: most hair is taken around the front, and at the sides, but the middle section (that’s your labia), and bum cheeks are left alone.

  See, simple. Whether or not you choose to wax is entirely up to you, but should you want to, leave it to the pros. Remember, there are ways to minimise the pain, so you needn’t fear the waxing table (too much).

  With Treatwell, you can book beauty online at all your favourite salons – simple, hassle-free, and you can do it on the go. Click here to discover amazing salons in your area.