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Should I shave my legs before having them waxed?

(49 Posts)
GrandmaKT Sat 04-Feb-17 17:40:25

I'm getting my legs waxed next week in preparation for visiting DS in New Zealand. I always wear trousers through the winter and haven't bothered shaving my legs. My question is - will the beautician be totally shocked at my ursine appearance and should I shave beforehand or will she be used to it and will it actually make it easier to 'grab hold of' all the hairs? I never usually visit beauty salons, so am a bit unsure of the etiquette!

Ana Sat 04-Feb-17 17:44:31

No! Don't shave beforehand, there'd be nothing to wax if you did. smile

HildaW Sat 04-Feb-17 17:46:56

Am no expert....I've never really had proper hairy legs....just a few whiskers that are easy to miss. However, I do think they need something to grip on to......why don't you just give the salon a ring and ask - am sure they get many a late bloomer!

NanaandGrampy Sat 04-Feb-17 17:58:21

No definitely not!!

My lady says that long hair is better for the wax to get a grip on.

I have mine done anytime I'm going on holiday and she delights in the process!! She says turning hairy legs into smooth ones is satisfying smile

Rinouchka Sat 04-Feb-17 18:03:55

No, no, no! Go as you are. The longer the hair, the better the grip of the wax strips. Also more satisying for the person doing the waxing!
Enjoy the hair-free legs , the visit to DS and NZ.

Christinefrance Sat 04-Feb-17 18:15:28

Definitely go as you are, shaving and waxing could make your legs sore.

Hope you have a great trip, I've always wanted to visit NZ .

Araabra Sat 04-Feb-17 18:15:54

No, Don't shave first.

GrandmaKT Sat 04-Feb-17 19:52:16

Thanks everyone - that seems pretty unanimous!

absent Sat 04-Feb-17 20:46:16

Only if you dust and vacuum your house before the cleaner arrives. grin

NfkDumpling Sat 04-Feb-17 20:58:18

grin

Anya Sat 04-Feb-17 21:43:28

No

Jalima Sat 04-Feb-17 21:50:01

No, it would be pointless going as there will be nothing for it to grip

I am sure she will be used to hairy legs - the longer the better!

Nelliemoser Sat 04-Feb-17 22:49:57

Ouch. I barely need my legs waxing these days a sign of ageing.

I once had a bikini line wax before I went on holiday to Greece and it was hot. The bikini line skin came up in a dreadful rash and looked worse that it had before. Never again just careful snipping of excess hair.

harrigran Sun 05-Feb-17 08:54:13

The longer the growth the better, gives the wax something to grip when it rips the hair out by the roots grin

Pensionistabrian Sun 05-Feb-17 10:23:21

Thank goodness being a Mearn male in my 80's I don't need to worry about my legs just those facial hairs each day.

Jalima Sun 05-Feb-17 10:29:02

Some men get their chest hair waxed pensionistabrian

Ouch!

annodomini Sun 05-Feb-17 10:46:29

Same here Nellie. There's not much hair on my legs nowadays. In fact, I've just had a look and there doesn't seem to be any, so it won't be worth while having them waxed this year. I found that waxing left the skin feeling and looking much smoother, as well as hairless.

radicalnan Sun 05-Feb-17 10:49:39

My legs are like bottle brushes now, please let me know if it hurts.

kathryn489 Sun 05-Feb-17 10:54:11

Definitely don't shave them you will get a great finish the longer to start with but do exfoliate the life out of them a couple of days before (a body sugar scrub is great as it moisturises too) also check to see if you have any ingrown hairs and pluck them (after exfoliation) x

Jalima Sun 05-Feb-17 10:54:49

As the midwife said about labour, it could be a bit uncomfortable radicalnan

It did hurt a but but a sharp little tug and not at all bad in the hands of an expert. And the regrowth takes a long time.

Jalima Sun 05-Feb-17 10:57:31

I am just inspecting mine and they aren't long enough for waxing yet!

Belleringer Sun 05-Feb-17 12:26:05

Although the hair on my head has thinned to almost nothing I still have thick dark curly hair on my arms and legs. Life isn't fair!

Esspee Sun 05-Feb-17 12:51:41

Radicalnan, It hurts, believe me! Every time I have it done I cry. If you have it done regularly there are fewer hairs to come out so it is not quite so bad but after a few months in trousers it is agonising.

Jalima Sun 05-Feb-17 12:55:49

'No pain no gain' as my DD tells me! grin

granmod3 Sun 05-Feb-17 13:19:55

Gosh, I do my own, thought everyone did, along with under arm, and facial