INTRODUCTION

Ouch! Hair removal is unlikely to ever be at the top of your favoured beauty treatment list. Some methods of hair removal may in fact, leave you vowing never to try them again. Our simple steps will ensure your legs are smooth and silky, without that ‘ouch’ factor!

FIRST THINGS FIRST

The first thing you need to decide is whether you’re going to wax or shave your legs. Shaving won’t be painful at all, unless you accidentally nick yourself, but needs to be done at least every three days. Waxing will register on the pain barrier, but lasts longer, giving you more time to enjoy having smooth legs.

IF YOU’RE GOING TO SHAVE...

Whatever you do, please don't dry-shave! You'll look like you have strange, striped stockings on. Even if it's an emergency, always use water preferably warm water.

After wetting your legs thoroughly, if you can, ensure that you are sitting on a stool to avoid falling. Apply shaving cream, soap or body oil on your legs. It's probably easier to use a cream, so that you can see where you've shaved and where you haven't. Use a product that contains a moisturiser: you may find that your legs are dry after shaving, so this will protect them.

Shave upwards, starting at your ankle and slide the razor all the way to your knee. Want to go further? Shaving above your knee is all right, but remember, once you start, you're always going to have to shave that high.

Rinse the blade between every stroke, making sure that the blade is wet and there's still enough shaving cream or oil on your legs. Rinse your legs thoroughly to remove all the stray hairs. Then repeat on the other leg.

Top tip! Shaving rash? Start at your knee and shave downwards towards your ankle to avoid red bumps.

WAX ON, WAX OFF

Waxing doesn’t have to be painful. Well, the first few times are, but as your hair grows back softer it does get less painful. We promise!

Choose either waxing or sugaring. Sugaring is similar to waxing, but you can make the ingredients yourself. The best way to wax is to remove it as quickly as possible. Pull the skin tight around the strip and pull towards you. Repeat until your entire leg is done.

Top tip! Apply some un-perfumed soothing cream immediately afterwards to lessen redness

WHERE TO WAX AND HOW

Eyebrows	Visit a salon for an eyebrow waxing, as they’ll wax them to suit the shape of your face. Then tidy up any stray hairs with your tweezers. Top tip! Never pluck above your eyebrow!
Bikini line	This can be tricky to do yourself, so if your Mom and you are all right with it, visit a beauty salon for a wax treatment to get a bikini wax. It'll last around six weeks. Avoid shaving your bikini line, as you'll encourage hair to return thicker than before. Top tip! Don’t have any waxing done when your period is due – as your body will be more sensitive and the treatment is more likely to be more painful.
Underarms	Waxing under your arms is the easiest way to keep them free from hair. If you do shave, always make sure your razor is spotlessly clean. Top tip! If you get any ingrown hairs under your arms, apply some tea tree oil to help it heal.