The bare truth about waxing

By Celine Gabriel

When the cool season ends and the summer heat turns up, hemlines naturally get shorter, sleeveless tops reign supreme and bikinis are unearthed from the back of the closet. What does that mean exactly for us ladies? That there?s no hiding and procrastinating under the light sweaters and jeans any longer. It?s time to get waxed and polished.

Waxing is not something women look forward to. It?s uncomfortable; it?s painful and generally unpleasant. It?s just one of those things; like taking medicine when you are sick even when it tastes nasty. But if you want to be beautiful (and curse our vanity but women always do), you just have to do what you have to do and trudge along bravely.

Let me tell you though that waxing doesn?t necessarily have to be such a painful experience. In the hands of an expert, it can be quick and quite pain free. And nothing proves this statement better than my own personal experience at the LAY BARE waxing salon. I spoke to Monique Hilario, one of the owners, and she emphasized that they use cold wax instead of hot wax as this is less painful, assures the customer doesn?t get any burns (By the way, I?ve experience wax that was way too HOT and it was one of the worst experiences of my life. Second degree burns and I was bandaged for two months!), and generally is just more versatile.

The wax they use is a home-made concoction. It is primarily sugar based but they add other things into the mixture, such as lemon, which is known for its exfoliating properties. I like the fact that the product they use is all natural because I like knowing what goes on my skin, especially since I am prone to skin asthma.

The Lay Bare Waxing Salon specializes in just waxing. They don?t do manicures and pedicures, they don?t do makeup, they don?t cut or style your hair. They focus only on adeptly removing unwanted hair from your body. Their rates are also very affordable. To compare, other class A salons charge anywhere from P750 to P1,200 for a Brazilian wax, Lay Bare charges only P450. Underarm waxing is P150, a half leg at P300 and a full leg at P500. They also have a special deal: Full Body Waxing at P1,500. That?s from your head to your toes. Now that?s a steal.

By the way, if you think waxing is just for men, um, sorry but we are in the metro-sexual age and men DO get waxed. In fact, according to Monique, they have a lot of male clients who happen to like being smooth. Some of the services a man can get are his chest and back waxed for P450 each, his eyebrows at P100 and a Brazilian (yes, men get Brazilians too) for P500.

And that?s why ladies, take note that there is absolutely no excuse for you to be hairy this sizzling, sexy, summer season.

LAY BARE WAXING SALON currently has 7 locations around Metro Manila. For any inquiries, call/text 0917-LAY-BARE or visit them at 5081 Filmore Corner Fahrenheit St. Palanan, Makati city.

Comments, questions, suggestions? Please do not hesitate to e-mail me at celine_gabriel_column@yahoo.com.