With home DIY kits readily available in stores, is it still worth it to take a trip to the salon to get your bikini hair out of the way?

If you’re not looking for a thorough and all-out bikini wax and only wish to remove hair from areas that can’t be covered by your swimsuit, a home kit should do well enough. Make sure to trim the rest of the hair though so they don’t peep out of your bottom while parading around the beach or sunbathing by the pool.

However, bear in mind that a professional should be able to do the job faster, cleaner, and more efficiently. If you can afford the trip to a salon, there’s no reason to stay home and work it yourself.

If you still decide to do it by yourself, here’s a few tips to make it a little more pleasant:

• pull hair at a 40-degree angle to allow fast removal without prolonged pain
• yank the wax strips quickly – the slower you do it, the more you will feel it
• use cold wax as they’re easier to handle – when going to a salon, ask for the hot wax as they’re usually better
• opt for a transparent wax so you can see the way the hairs grow – it will help you decide which way to pull
• always try the wax on a small area of your arm to make sure you’re not allergic to it before applying down there