WHICH HAIR REMOVAL METHOD IS RIGHT FOR ME?

Hair removal is definitely not one-size-fits all. Every girl needs to find the method that works best for her. So get ready to do a little homework. (Don't worry. It won't take long, and your bikini area will thank you for a long time to come.) It's also not a bad idea to try each method at least once to figure out which one you're most comfortable with. Some girls use several methods, maybe choosing to wax one body part and shave another.

First things first. Always remember that a little prep work goes a long way. Here are a few tips you can use in your daily routine to help make your next hair removal experience go more smoothly.

• Make sure your skin is clean and free from oils or moisturizers. Depilatories
  and waxes are most effective when your skin is clean.
• Between hair removals, use a loofa sponge to help keep hair follicles growing hairs
  in the right direction - UP AND OUT! Exfoliating scrubs get the job done, too.
• After your hair removal treatment, soothe the skin with a creme or gel to prevent
  bumps and eliminate redness, itching and irritation. Bikini Zone® Anti-Bumps
  Medicated Creme and Gel are perfect for this. They are dermatologist-tested and
  knock bumps out fast. Plus, they immediately reduce irritation, pain and itching
  you may have after hair removal.

WAXING

Waxing is a method of hair removal that involves applying a thin layer of heated wax directly to the skin. The wax is then smoothed over with a piece of cloth and allowed to cool - this causes the wax to stick to both the unwanted hair and the cloth. The cloth is then pulled off in one quick motion. The best part about waxing is that it removes hair from the root, leaving your skin smooth for seven to eight weeks. So it's wax then relax for more than a month of carefree smoothness. Waxing can be used on almost any body part, including the bikini area, upper lip, chin, brow and legs.

Hair Off® has made a lot of salons very unhappy. It delivers excellent results at home for a lot less than you pay your beautician. Hair Off has developed easy-to-use home waxing strips for the face, brow and body. These are so convenient to use and don't even need to be heated. You simply prep the area to be waxed, remove the clear plastic seal, lay the strip down smoothly and firmly, and then give it a quick pull. After that, you go out to dinner with the money you saved.

For your bikini area, try the Bikini Zone® Anti-Bumps Bikini Waxing Kit, which comes complete with waxing strips and Bikini Zone Anti-Bumps Medicated Gel for use after hair removal.

BZ bottom line:
Waxing is great for girls who just want to get hair removal out of the way then not have to worry about it for a while. So you can spend less time preparing to go to the beach and more time working on your tan. The hair you're removing just has to reach a length of at least 1/2 inch before it can be waxed.

DEPILATORIES

A depilatory is any cream or liquid you apply to your skin to remove unwanted air. No, it doesn't "burn" the hair off. Actually, a depilatory breaks down the proteins within hairs causing them to break just below skin level. You simply apply the depilatory to your skin, give it a few minutes to do its thing, and then gently wipe it off with a damp cloth. Just be sure of two things: that your skin is free from nicks and cuts and that you apply the depilatory evenly - DO NOT rub it in.

Some depilatories are designed for specific areas of the body. Bikini Zone® Anti-Bumps Bikini Creme Hair Remover Kit has everything you need - that means it comes with Bikini Zone® Anti-Bumps Medicated Gel to protect your bikini area from bumps and irritation.

Hair Off® offers an easy-to-use depilatory that's gentle on the skin. The Creme Facial Hair Remover smells great and comes with a no-mess applicator that lets you apply the formula right where it's needed quickly and easily. Meaning the only thing on your hands will be more time to pick out what you're going to wear.

BZ bottom line:
What's great about depilatories is that they work quickly and reach below the skin, leaving you smooth for a week or two. Just be sure to follow the directions on the back of the package closely.

SHAVING

Shaving with a razor cuts the hair right at skin level, leaving you smooth for a few days. Gels or foams should be used on the area you're shaving because they get hair to stand up for a closer shave. They also help keep your skin free from nicks and cuts. So if you don't mind spending a few extra minutes in the shower, shaving is a great way to go. Last we checked, longer showers were a good thing. Bikini Zone® offers three different shave gels for various shaving needs.

• Bikini Zone® Dry Skin Shave Gel contains a Cucumber Melon Scent and is specially formulated to hydrate dry skin for a silky, smooth shave.
• Bikini Zone® Sensitive Skin Shave Gel is specially formulated to help prevent irritation
  like redness and razor burn.
• Bikini Zone® Anti-Bumps Shave Gel is specially formulated to help prevent bumps
  from developing after shaving the sensitive bikini area.

Finish off your shaving routine with Bikini Zone® Ultra-Soothing After-Shave Lotion. Formulated with aloe, vitamin E, hydrating emollients and special ingredients, it smoothes away razor bumps. Plus, it instantly stops itching, redness, razor burn and irritation.

BZ bottom line:
Shaving is great for those out-of-the-blue moments - like impulsive trips to the beach or nights out when you need to be smooth right away. Shaving is very popular - although some women find it to be a little harsh on the skin.

MITTENS & BUFFERS

Mittens and buffers are made from very fine abrasive fibers. They work by actually grabbing hold of a hair and either removing it from the root or breaking it at skin level. You simply rub a mitten or buffer in a circular motion over your skin and unwanted hair is buffed away. If only your ex would go away so easily. Just be gentle and you'll come away with smooth skin. This method can be done virtually anywhere and results last up to a week.

Hair Off® offers a mitten for legs and underarms, along with a uniquely designed facial buffer. Both use an exclusive, super-effective SilCoat finish to gently and effectively remove unwanted hair, while smoothing rough skin.

BZ bottom line:
Mittens and buffers are good options because they actually exfoliate while they remove hairs, leaving your skin feeling extra smooth. Plus, you're left with a free hand to answer your cell - talk about multi-tasking.