When Salons Closed, Desperation Kicked In

Like many, the pandemic threw a wrench into my meticulously planned beauty routine. Gone were the days of my religiously scheduled Brazilian waxes at the European Wax Center. Faced with the closure of nonessential businesses, I was left with a stark choice: brave the unknown territory of DIY waxing or let nature take its course. My first foray into shaving was a disaster, leaving me with one viable option - to wax myself.

A Cautionary Tale

Recalling a conversation with my aesthetician about the dangers of self-waxing solidified my fears. Tales of waxing gone wrong, ending in near hospital visits, haunted me. Yet, the bushy alternative pushed me to consider all possible allies in this hairy situation.

Enlisting Unlikely Help

Who would have thought my partner, usually glued to the TV, would become my waxing accomplice? Yet, there he was, agreeing to venture into the uncharted territory of giving me a Brazilian wax. Armed with a Bliss Poetic Waxing Hair Removal Kit and a mix of bravery and naivety, we prepared for battle.

The Flincher and the Period

Choosing not to disclose my infamous nickname, "The Flincher," or the fact that I was on my period, I hoped for the best. After all, these were just minor details in the grand scheme of things, right?

Setting the Scene

Our kitchen counter transformed into a makeshift waxing station, complete with bath towels and a full-length mirror. The microwave became our wax heater, ticking away the seconds as our nerves built up. Finally, the wax was ready, and so was I, or so I thought.

The Waxing Begins

Confidence waning, I took the plunge. But as the reality of what we were about to do set in, my boyfriend stepped up. His initial encouragement quickly turned into taking charge, adopting a "scoop and spread" and "breathe in, breathe out" mantra for applying and removing the wax. Despite the initial shock, we found a rhythm, transforming our kitchen into a makeshift salon.

Laughter Through the Pain

Though fraught with stress, the experience was filled with laughter. My boyfriend's willingness to help, coupled with a surprisingly minimal amount of complaining, turned a potentially traumatic experience into a bonding one. While we've since parted ways, the memory of our DIY Brazilian wax - and the days spent removing leftover wax - remains a testament to our pandemic resilience. And at a total cost of $23, it was a bargain adventure I'd brave again.