Fuzz-Free For Summer!

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Whether you’re beaching it up or cruisin’ around town in your fave tank and cut-offs, summer means lots of skin showing.

GL has got your warm weather strategy for being stubble-free all summer long!

If you’re a shaver:

Make sure you’re replacing your razor after about three to five shaves. And ditch those disposables! Get a quality razor that will get you a close, safe shave. A serious shaving cream is also vital, since it can eliminate irritation and make hair grow back finer and lighter.

Gillette Venus Divine Razor for Women, $11, drugstore.com

Aveeno Positively Smooth Shave Gel, $5, cvs.com

Your other options:
If you don’t have the patience or the time to keep up with shaving all the time, you do have some other choices.

Depilatories like Nair dissolve hair all the way to the root and are totally low-maintenance. Just rub it on, let it sit, then rinse it off! But be sure to read the label, some girls who have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies, shouldn’t use it.

Nair Pretty Hair Remover Cream in Soft Peach, $7, walgreens.com

Waxing will keep your skin smoother for longer because it removes the root of the hair, while shaving doesn’t. But, let’s face it, it can be a li’l painful. You’ve got two options…

1. Pick up a DIY kit at your local pharmacy. But don’t go it alone. Have your mom help you and make sure you follow the instructions. Wax can be hot so you’ll want to follow all safety warnings!

Parissa Warm Wax Microwaveable, $12, target.com

2. Have it professionally done. Most salons or spas offer waxing services and, although it can be a little pricey, sometimes leaving it up the professionals is worth it. They know what they’re doing and will make sure to get some tricky spots you might miss (like the back of your knee).

Our Best Tips for:

Legs

1. Exfoliate first. Use a shaving cream, not soap! Soap tends to dry out your skin, while shaving cream will leave your legs soft and smooth and will allow you to get the closest shave possible.

2. Save shaving for last. After about five minutes in the shower, your pores will be open from the steam and your hair will be easier to shave.

3. Instead of going the whole length of your shin in one stroke, move up from your ankle in short strokes. This will make it easier to make sure you haven’t missed any spots and that you have a consistent shave all over. And remember to rinse in between each stroke as to not clog your razor.

Pits

1. Your underarm is a sensitive area. Treat it delicately. Shave in the direction your hair grows, which is usually downward. This will help you avoid skin irritation and embarrassing red bumps.

2. If you have extra sensitive skin, look for a shaving cream with Vitamin E and/or aloe. These ingredients will soothe skin.

3. Wait about 15 minutes after you’ve gotten out of the shower to apply deodorant. Applying it right after you shave can burn and cause irritation.

Bikini

1. To say this is a delicate area is an understatement. To see just how much you need to shave or wax, put on your bikini and spy which hairs are poking out.

2. When shaving, make sure to use your shaving cream and take your time. Rushing through can cause missed spots, irritation, and even worse, cuts. Eek!

3. Shave in the direction your hair is growing. You may have to inspect each area to see which direction this is, as hair along the bikini line tends to grow in different ways.

4. If you’re prone to ingrowns, wait about an hour after you’ve shaved and rub in a lotion containing five percent glycolic or lactic acid.

AmLactin Moisturizing Cream, $15, amazon.com

-Jess Hofmann

Caitlin R. May 23, 2009

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