Bliss Poetic Waxing Kit - the 10 point DIY guide

I don't particularly enjoy the idea of going to a salon for a bikini wax, so I am a DIY hot waxer. The best kit I have found is the Bliss Poetic waxing kit. I love this because you don't need cloth strips - the wax is applied, hardens and then you flick the edge and peel off the wax itself (kind of like when you did your finger in molten candle wax, only a little more painful.)

I find that this takes off every last hair, and as long as I follow the guidelines, it doesn't leave my skin overly red afterwards. I use it for my bikini line mostly; my legs can be less babied with a cheaper sugar wax and I shave my armpits instead.

Waxing rules:

1. Do not wax when you are having your period, or the week before it is due. Waxing hurts much more then, and quite frankly, all I want to do when Aunt Flo arrives is curl up with some good chocolate and chilled wine, not terrorise my bikini line.
2. Take a paracetamol (if you can, and you aren't allergic etc) half an hour before you start. Paracetamol is best for pre-waxing (I find if I take ibuprofen/aspirin I have a greater tendency to bruise.)
3. Make sure you have time, space, kitchen towels and an old towel handy.
4. Read the instructions.
5. Read them again. Properly this time.
6. Prepare the area for waxing properly - with the Poetic waxing kit this means cleansing with the cleanser, then applying a little of the pre- and post- wax oil to the skin, and blotting to take the oil off the hair to be removed. I also like to trim bikini hair to about 1 cm long - it makes it easier to remove and less likely that you'll accidentally get wax on to hair you didn't mean to.
7. DO NOT heat in a microwave. Really - it's a metal cup to make sure that you don't do it. Heating in a saucepan of water is the only way to go. Check the temp properly before applying.
8. Apply in small patches - think postage stamp to start off with. It's much easier to face than a two inch strip. Also, I treat it like eyebrow plucking - a little from one side, then a little from the other to keep things even. Be brave and take it off quickly - it hurts less that way! Press down on the area with your hand after removing the wax to lessen the sting.
9. If a little wax goes somewhere it shouldn't, you can use the oil to dissolve it, but do be careful - once a whole patch is applied there is really only one way it's coming off.
10. Finish up with the soothing post-wax oil. This will also dissolve any left over bits of wax, as well as soothing the skin.

If you drink (booze) and wax at the same time, don't come crying to me when you burn your nether regions or end up taking off far more than you intended to. This is not recommended procedure! Of course, I have never ever done this. ;)

The Poetic Waxing Kit can be purchased at any Bliss Stockist (Harvey Nichols, Selfridges as well as www.blisslondon.co.uk) and costs £35 for the wax, cleanser, oil and spatulas. It lasts me a good six months plus, used once a month.