Review on Gigi Brazilian Body Hard Wax: Smooth & Sensitive Skin-Friendly 14oz Non-Strip Bikini Wax by Aurora Lowe

Ignore the negative comments you read about this product. The wax is amazing and any problem encountered with it has to do with temperature and technique. I've been using this for years and I've perfected the technique over time. Trust me when I say wax isn't the problem. You will NOT become an expert the first time, but each time it gets easier and faster. However, when I first used it, I figured I could walk around with big balls of wax on my Hoo-Ha until I surgically removed them. It was bad. Very bad. So know that I've experienced everything that can go wrong with wax, and I still say it's not the wax's fault. To help others avoid the pitfalls, I thought I'd share a few tips. *Materials you'll need: Paper towels or an old towel, a mirror, heating pad and wax, wooden spatula (tongue aids work too), baby powder, baby oil, scissors if you have long hair, and No Bump for applying to freshly waxed skin. If you don't, it will become more painful, more difficult to remove, and potentially build up to the point of being almost impossible to remove. Make sure you have a few hours to devote to waxing. (This does not include time to heat the wax.) * Heat the wax. What sounds simple is one of the most important steps to success. The heating pad takes a long time to heat up the wax jar when it is new. Be patient. I turn it on high until it's hot and then turn it on low once it's hot. The consistency of the wax when applied is very important. You will need a wooden spatula (included) to stir and apply the wax. When lowering the spatula, the wax should not run off like water. If it does, it's too hot and thin and doesn't offer good coverage. It can also tear, making it very difficult to remove. If it's too thick, like honey, not only will you lose a lot of wax, but it will also take longer to dry. The consistency should be somewhere between water and honey. It's much better that it's closer to honey than water. * Take a few Advil tablets about 20-30 minutes before applying the first piece of wax. It really helps. I had forgotten about it before and could definitely tell the difference. * Spread a towel or paper towels on the floor to catch the drips. I stand or sit on the floor when epilating.* Take out the baby powder. This is your new best friend. Some people use oil at this stage, but I've had trouble getting the wax to stick to my hair. In any case, I apply a generous amount of baby powder to the area I am preparing to wax. The powder prevents the wax from sticking to the skin, but dries out the hair so the wax sticks to it. I also put some on my arm and rub both to leave a layer on top. This will prevent the wax from sticking to your hands if you either drip it on or try to pull the wax out before it's fully cooked. Now it's time to start depilating.* Dip the spatula and apply a drop of wax to it. I hold it over a heating pad for a few seconds and run the bottom along the rim of the jar to scrape off the drips. Apply wax to a small area, maybe 1" x 2". I always start on the outside and work my way in. I apply wax in the direction of hair growth, from roots to ends. The wax should be dry enough to peel off, but not too dry. Since my hands are always covered in powder, I dab the wax lightly a few times. It should be dry enough to remove in a few seconds if you are at the right temperature. (When you apply the wax, it should be very warm, but not so hot that it hurts.) With your free hand, hold the skin taut above and below the wax patch. With the other hand, grasp the bottom end of the wax. Technology is important. Imagine skimming the wax instead of pulling it. This can be achieved by keeping the pulling hand close to the skin while pulling back towards the base instead of pulling up. If the wax is dripping or getting on your fingers when you peel it, it's a good idea to let it dry before attempting to remove it. * Powder the next area and maybe hands again if they need it. Keep doing small sections. I like to save the runway for last because it's the most painful part of the process. *They tell you not to go over the same section more than once, but I've never had a problem using a second application to get tangled hair. until I powder the area again. Before I shower, I pour baby oil on my hands and use a paper towel to remove it and the wax residue. Then I pour more onto my hands and rub where the wax touched. I feel for the stuck parts, rubbing them all over the place and gently scraping with my fingernail to dislodge them when I find them. Then I wipe everything with another paper towel. I shower the waxed area with ivory soap, which is very effective at removing grease. * After showering, I apply No Bump to prevent ingrown hairs. It's a good idea to use it after every shower, but it burns like fire the first time you use it after waxing. If you keep using the wax it will go faster because your hair won't all grow at the same time. Now I need about 50 minutes to epilate.