Brazilian vs Hollywood wax. Which will be better for you?

You’ve made the Big Decision and want to wax your bikini areas for the first time in your life. Congratulations! You are very likely to join the merry fan club of this hair removal method, as many people who survived their first appointment agree that the effects are worth the, well, experience. With all seriousness, though – if you are interested in getting Brazilian or Hollywood wax but are you are afraid of the pain or have some other concerns, check our deep dive into the topic.

Now, you may be wondering – what is the difference between Hollywood and Brazilian wax? Let’s explore the distinction and discuss the pros and cons of both styles, so that you can decide for yourself which one suits you best!

Hollywood and Brazilian wax differences

The only difference between these two very serious-sounding names is the amount of hair removed from your bikini area. So it’s not really about the difference in technique, but about a difference in style.

Brazilian waxing traditionally includes removing hair from the front of the pubic bone, around the external genitals, between the upper thighs, and around the anus, leaving only a small strip of hair at the front. The strip of hair in question is usually triangular (“martini”) or rectangular (“landing strip”), but can be also square (“postage stamp”) or in any other shape simple enough for the service provider to create – believe it or not, hearts (“heart attack”) are very popular.

Hollywood waxing refers to full removal, where you leave absolutely no hair in the bikini area whatsoever. Some salons call it “full Brazilian wax”, although the name “Hollywood wax” is arguably more popular.

Why are Hollywood wax and Brazillian wax named like that?

You are probably curious, so let’s take a short break from talking about the specifics of the treatment itself and take a look at the names.

Unsurprisingly, Brazilian waxing is called “Brazilian” in many countries, mainly in Western Europe, but not in Brazil itself, where it’s simply referred to as “depillar” (“waxing, removing hair”).  So, where does the name come from? Well, in the 70s and 80s the fashion on the beaches of South America introduced extremely tiny bikinis that exposed a lot of skin, so individuals who wanted to wear them oftentimes felt obliged to remove most of the hair from their pubic areas. Thus, waxing that went further than just the classic bikini line started growing in popularity. In 1987 seven Brazilian sisters called Janea, Judseia, Jussara, Juracy, Jocely, Joyce and Jonice Padilha opened their first waxing salon in Manhattan, New York, introducing the style to the United States. As the trend spread reaching other countries, including the UK, the name “Brazilian wax” stuck for good.

As Brazilian waxing took the streets of California by storm, many people, especially aspiring Hollywood stars, decided to take one step further. Hollywood waxing is called that because going “fully nude” became very popular amongst Hollywood residents.

Hollywood vs Brazilian wax – which will be better for you?

Many first-timers, when finally ready to get their wax done, ask themselves – “okay, do I want a Hollywood or a Brazilian?”. However, the answer probably should be “a regular bikini wax”.

Yes, we understand that your way of thinking may be “well, if I’m signing up for a painful experience, it’s best to at least get the most of it”. However, the thing with waxing is that gets easier with time and also you get less prone to irritation with time – the ingrown hair and bumpy skin business are most likely to happen after your first appointment, so it’s a good idea to take it easy at first and move to more advanced waxing styles gradually (regular bikini, Brazillian and then Hollywood).

Brazilian wax may be better for you if you…

• Have already had a regular bikini wax done
• Want to wear a tight bikini and do not want hair to poke out of it
• Find the look of the near-bare intimate area appealing, but still want to keep a small strip of hair for either protection or visual purposes
• Are preparing for a Hollywood wax but want to try something slightly less extreme first

Hollywood wax may be better for you if you…

• Have already had a Brazilian wax done, liked the results and are ready for more!
• Are planning to visit a nudist beach and like the idea of going fully hairless
• Are already a waxing veteran, are used to the sensation and your skin reacts well to it

Where can you get a Brazilian wax or a Hollywood wax done in the UK?

Are you looking for your new favourite waxing salon? Try Booksy! Thanks to Booksy you can not only quickly find the best waxing businesses in your area but also book your appointment online, fully hassle-free and within just a few minutes. Check the working hours and free slots of any salons in your neighbourhood, read the reviews and see the prices. Once you’ve made the decision simply make an appointment and enjoy your hairless skin! With Booksy it’s that simple.