Waxing
Bikini vs Brazilian wax: what’s the difference?
The names get used loosely, which is why so many people aren’t sure what they’re booking. Here’s what each bikini wax covers, in plain words, so you can ask for exactly what you want.
The short answer
A bikini wax removes hair that would show outside a swimsuit or underwear: the sides and top of the bikini line. A Brazilian wax removes hair from the front, underneath and between the buttocks, either all of it or leaving a small strip or triangle at the front.
In short: a bikini wax tidies the edges, a Brazilian takes almost everything.
The bikini wax family, compared
Salons use these names a little differently, so this is the general meaning. Always say what you want to keep.
| Wax | What’s removed | What’s left |
|---|---|---|
| Bikini line | Hair outside the edges of regular swimwear, at the sides and top | Everything that swimwear covers |
| Full or deep bikini | The bikini line plus more at the sides and front | A patch or strip at the front, nothing underneath is waxed |
| French bikini | Almost all hair at the front | A narrow strip at the front; usually nothing behind |
| Brazilian | Front, underneath and between the buttocks | Nothing, or a small strip or triangle at the front |
| Hollywood | Everything, front to back | Nothing at all |
At Mood, you’ll see Bikini and Brazilian on the menu. If you want something in between, like a strip, a triangle or a deeper bikini, just tell your esthetician at the start.
Which one should you book?
- Bikini if you want a clean line for swimwear or underwear and prefer to keep most of your hair.
- Brazilian if you want smooth, hair-free skin everywhere, or you’re tired of shaving and dealing with ingrown hairs.
- Somewhere in between if you want a tidy shape but not everything gone. Book the Brazilian slot and tell us what to leave.
Does a Brazilian hurt more than a bikini wax?
Usually a little, because it covers more sensitive skin. The first one is the most uncomfortable. Many people find it gets easier with regular appointments, as hair grows back in a steady cycle and feels softer and sparser. Good technique and steady breathing make a real difference.
How to prepare
- Let hair grow to about 6 mm (a quarter inch), about the length of a grain of rice. That’s usually 2 to 3 weeks after shaving.
- Gently exfoliate the day or two before, not on the day.
- Skip sun and tanning on the area beforehand.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothes to your appointment.
We cover this in more detail in your first Brazilian wax.
Aftercare, in one list
- For 24 to 48 hours, avoid tight clothing, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, swimming, tanning and heavy workouts.
- Showers are fine; keep the water lukewarm.
- Start gentle exfoliation two or three days later, to help prevent ingrown hairs.
- Don’t shave between waxes. It resets the growth cycle.
Bikini season in Calgary
Summer here is short and packed: lake weekends at Sylvan or Ghost Lake, Stampede, backyard pools and mountain hikes, plus the winter sun trips so many Calgarians take. Wax two to three days before you need to be smooth, so any redness has settled, and book every 4 to 6 weeks so your schedule lines up with the season.
Want to know how long results last? Read how long a wax lasts.
Questions we hear
Is a Brazilian the same as a bikini wax?
No. A bikini wax only removes hair outside the swimsuit line. A Brazilian removes hair from the front, underneath and behind.
Do I have to take everything off for a Brazilian?
You’ll undress from the waist down, and your esthetician will keep you covered as much as possible. It’s a routine appointment for us, and we work quickly.
Can I get waxed on my period?
Usually yes, with a tampon or menstrual cup; ask when you book if you are unsure. Some people find their skin is more sensitive that week, so you may prefer to book around it.
Book a bikini or Brazilian wax
Tell your esthetician what you’d like to keep, if anything. There’s no wrong answer, and nothing about it will surprise us.
