Wax on, Wax off

It’s scary; I know. I have friends who take shots of whiskey before waxing and load up on Advil. The anxiety that builds while you wait for the pull of the strip, and all along you’re picturing Miranda’s unkempt bush in the SATC movie repeating “That will not be me,” in your mind. And at up to $75 a pop, is the wax really worth it? Well, it truly depends on your pain threshold and tolerance of varying salon hygiene. After spending my spring at four different wax specialists, here is my assessment.

J. Sisters The Tory Burch toting Gossip Girl wannabes might actually be more painful than the wax. J Sisters, born of seven Brazilian sisters whose names all start with J, is, or was, the place for a painless Brazilian. And yes, it’s pretty painless. I don’t know if they sprinkle cocaine in the wax, or what, but it’s as close to painless as I found. Unfortunately, I’m too lazy to trek up to 57th street for my flower. If you go, call well in advance and be ready to shovel out $75 bones plus tip.

J. Sisters  35 West 57th Street, 3rd Floor  212.750.2485

Haven I’ve been going to Haven for five years and the price has increasingly raised and the service stayed steady. The tricky thing here is the wax. They have “honey” wax – $41 for Brazilian – or “gourmet” wax – $57 for Brazilian. Hm, now that is confusing. The staff claims the gourmet is less painful and causes less ingrown hairs. I really can’t remember to accurately assess. I mean, it all hurts. I would go for the honey first and note your reaction then try the gourmet the next time if need be. The best part of Haven is the staff who are the friendliest I’ve met in NYC. They take time to talk you through each pull of strip. They offer extensive advice on taking care of your flower.

Haven 150 Mercer Street  212.343.3515

Dyanna Nail & Body Spa You get what you pay for, right? Well, sort of. Sure the atmosphere at Dyanna Nail & Body Spa is no J. Sisters, but it’s across from Tens and full of strippers, who require pristine waxes. And at Dyanna, you can get a great wax. For $40 for a Brazilian, it is affordable and comfortable enough. The space is small though and the rooms feel less private than Haven and J. Sisters. The staff aren’t as kind or concerned about your pain, but it is quick, efficient and cheap. If you are looking for an affordable wax and can tolerate a cramped environment for 15 minutes, this is your place.

Dyanna Nail & Body Spa   40 East 21st Street  212.995.2355  or  visit their Midtown location at  150 East 39th Street  212.213.0011

I also visited two not noteworthy waxes. One was Randee Elaine in the West Village. After I left this wax I was sure I contracted crabs or herepes or worse. DO NOT go there no matter how cheap they claim their Brazilian is. You’ll make up for it in medical fees. The other was a Chinatown shack who failed to remove all the hair. Gross. Basically, skipping a few days worth of lattes is totally worth beach confidence…and your health.