Los Angeles is a busy and stressful city. Everyone is on the move and the traffic is enough to drive anyone crazy! (We don’t know how you do it.) West Coasters, don’t forget to unwind next week - you’ve earned this. We’ve got over 50 spas participating in the LA area, and Simply Porceline Spa is one of our little Beverly Hills secrets that we are sharing with you.

Merle Celine-Muller, who did three of years full time schooling in Beauty Technolog and has over fifteen years experience as an Aesthetician, has created this little oasis to help Los Angeleans escape the hectic day-to-day and come relax with personal service. Merle, born in South Africa, gives you one-on-one attention by performing all the facials herself with products from her very own skincare line, Simply Porceline.

She worked with chemists to create a quality skincare that uses botanical extracts and natural derivatives. None of the products are tested on animals. The products don’t use ingredients that may clog pores or irritate your skin.

During Spa Week, they are offering the following treatments for $50:

• 60 Min Deep Cleansing Facial, with Extractions and an Ultra Moisturizing Rubberized Masque
• Microdermabrasion and Oxygen Treatment with a Soothing Lavender Masque
• Signature Pain-Free Full Leg Wax and Perfect Eyebrow Shaping

Simply Porceline
372 South Maple Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
310.777.8309

Did you know that the average woman shaves approximately 7,000 times in her life?  That’s equivalent to about one full month of shaving if you did it 24 hours a day/7 days a week. I’ll let that marinate for a second.

Unless you’re in the family of the beast above, throughout the course of history – body hair (or the lack thereof) – has always been something on the forefront of women’s minds when it comes to beauty ideals.  The concept of being hairless and “smooth to the touch” fuels the fire that not only created new technologies to help erase unwanted hair, but it sees many people looking to the past – to some of the world’s most ancient traditions – to achieve the ultimate baby soft skin, hairless chins and sculpted eyebrows.

During the summer, the pursuit is even greater. Here is your 101 guide to getting out of your hairy situation smoothly. Also, check out this month’s spa deals for local spas offering discounts on hair removal, like the highlighted deals at the end of this post.

Waxing is one of the most popular methods of semi-permanent hair removal today.  The method involves applying a thin layer of wax or resin to the chosen area.  The wax will adhere to the hair follicles, and will be pulled out by the root. Results last 3-4 weeks. Bikini Glamour additions: Vajazzle: (application of Swarovski crystals), Vattoo (application of a body-safe airbrush paint).

Threading, also known as Khite (Arabic) or Fatlah (Egyptian), is an ancient beauty treatment that began in the Middle East and India centuries ago, and is now a popular service throughout the modern world. It’s a unique hair removal technique that is touted to be the most accurate way to remove unwanted facial hair, and is considered to be less painful, more precise and longer lasting than waxing.

Sugaring is an ancient method for hair removal developed by the Egyptians.  Like, threading, this method is also considered to be a less painful method of hair removal than waxing because it removes hair in the same direction as the hair growth.  Sugaring uses a unique paste that sticks to the hair without attaching to the skin, unlike the resin used in waxing.  Results from sugaring can last up to 6 weeks to 2 months. 
Laser hair removal is a modern method of semi-permanent hair removal that uses a laser — an intense, pulsating beam of light — to remove unwanted hair. The laser beam passes through the skin to an individual hair follicle. The intense heat of the laser will damage the hair follicle, thereby inhibiting future hair growth. It typically takes several laser hair removal treatments to provide an extended hair-free period. Periodic maintenance treatments may be needed as well. For more info, watch this Live Spa TV laser hair removal video at completely bare along with Q&A.

Electrolysis is a method for permanent hair removal that involves inserting a fine needle into individual hair follicles and applying an electric current to the root. The procedure actually burns the root, which then prevents it from producing more hair. Each hair follicle must be treated individually and may take several repeated treatments for up to 12 to 18 months to see optimal results. Although it is one of the more painful methods to get rid of unwanted body hair, once the series is complete, body hair would never be an issue again.

Current waxing and laser hair removal deals:

Full Leg Wax with Bikini Wax or Brazilian and Brow Makeover Combo for$42.50, normally $85 at Princeton Center for Plastic Surgery & Medi Spa in Princeton, NJ - 609.921.8854

Microdermabrasion with Mini-Facial and Brazilian Bikini Wax for $79, normally $158, or Full Body Wax and Shellac Manicure for $89, normally $144 at Vada Spa & Laser Center in New York, NY - 212.206.1572

Purchase Spa Manicure and Pedicure and receive a Free Eyebrow Wax, or receive15% off Brazilian Wax at Zina’s Skin Care in Alexandria, VA - 703.927.8186

Laser Hair Removal Brazilian Bikini 6 treatments for $350 or Laser Hair Removal Underarms 6 treatments for $250 at Allure Skin and Laser in Queen Creek, AZ - 480.888.1223

Buy 4 Sessions of Laser Hair Removal for any body area and get 2 sessions free. For an even better deal, make your purchase before July 14 and get 4 sessions free. Lunaris Medspa & Weight Loss Center in Lawndale, CA - 310.371.9900

Thanks to Helder on Flickr for the hair beast shot. Other images via a, b, c , d, e, f, g

This story was originally posted on September 30th, 2010, and updated with new deals for June.

Many brides are confused about when they should go in for a wax. We all aim to resemble those darling princess we read about as little girls. Cinderella, Snow White, and all the others chose to fore go hairy upper lips, eyebrow, legs and underarms and you should too. Waxing proves to be a challenge even for the pros and with the additional stress of wanting perfection a potential disaster can ensue. Just like with everything else, it has to be planned months in advance to get your hair on a growth on a cycle so it’s at prime waxing length on just the precise day, to ensure all goes… smoothly.

For a flawlessly hairless look from the morning of your wedding to being whisked away for the honeymoon follow these tips from our Everything Bridal Wedding Channel. For any of our blushing spring brides looking to save, be sure to book that waxing appointment for $50 during Spa Week April 11- 17th.

The first rule of thumb is to never wax any area of your face the day before your wedding. In fact this is a huge NO-NO. Your skin could have a bad reaction to the wax and cause a huge breakout, so aim for 2-3 days before.

You don’t want to risk having red bumps or blemishes marring your flawless look. Most experts suggest waiting until the week before your wedding day to do your final wax.

As for your bikini area, if you’ve never waxed before, make sure to do a test run at least three months in advance. Ask your esthetician to recommend a schedule so you can see how many days it’ll take for redness to go away.

Most brides find that waxing three to four days before the honeymoon leaves ample time for irritation to subside.

Image via amazon.com

Up until about a year ago, no one knew of the serious need for women everywhere to adorn, tattoo, bedazzle and sparkle their most private regions. Cindy Barshop, the owner of Complete Bare Spa brought you first the Vajazzle, then the Vatoo urging women to dress up a little more (down there). Now our go-to spa for bikini area adornment has just upped the ante with a limited edition kit that allows you to do all of the above in the privacy of your own home. For those of you who are curious but not bold old enough to walk into a spa an ask for the royal treatment, this may be your answer. Last week we were invited to the debut of the NEW limited edition bikini wax kit with BONUS Vajewel™, a $50 gift (Valued at $65) to learn all about it:

Real Housewives of New York Jill Zarin, Kelly Bensimon and Countess Luann de Lesseps supporting their friend, Completely Bare Owner Cindy Barshop (black hair)

Each kit includes:
•  step-by-step instructions for the ultimate, easy at home bikini wax
•  qr code to take you to an instructional video
•  bubblegum pink ouchless strip wax™ for your bikini
•  bubblegum purple ouchless stripless wax™ for a smooth brazilian
•  no mess mats to catch fumbles
•  spatulas for easy wax on application
•  disposable wax strips to wax off
•  completely prepped™ towelettes to get completely clean before you begin
•  completely off™ towelettes to remove any residual wax
•  rear-view-mirror to see what you’re doing
•  BONUS Vajewel™ in the shape of a bow, made exclusively with real Swarovski Elements to add some seasonal flair

Breanna gave the vajewel a try, in G-rated fashion.

Application was a piece of cake. You just warm the adhesive in the palm of your hands then hold it in place for a few seconds. The premiere party featured some swanky, superstar endorsers, the Real Housewives of New York. By the end of the night, Jill, Alex, Kelly and Luann were up on stage singing the praises of the Vajewel. The housewives have added their seal of approval and so have we. To get your vajewel kit in time for the holidays click here.

Showing off the vajewels...

It happens to the best of us. Well not actually, but if we were a chart topping, multi-platinum recording pop star it could happen to us too. By now, for Rihanna, being recognized in the street and making nice with fans and paparazzi alike has come second nature, but where does one draw the line? Oh, on the table just before getting a bikini wax. While taking a grooming break from her normal celebrity life conundrums, Rihanna visited a highly professional waxing salon in NYC and was recognized by the girl doing her wax. Watch the video below as she sits down at The Graham Norton Show to discuss the embarrassing encounter.