When friends told me a revolution in waxing was about to land on my Hong Kong door step I simply had to give it a try.  The words ‘pain free’ and ‘chocolate wax’ were music to my ears so I promptly booked myself an appointment at the uber cool ‘Strip’ salon on Lyndhurst Terrace.  Until I stepped foot in the door I had no idea that Strip was a global waxing phenomenon with outlets in Singapore, London and New York to name a few.  I immediately felt robbed, us Hong Kong gals have clearly been missing out…..

The salon itself looks more like a shop than a beauty parlor, I actually walked right past it and had to call for directions (clearly a blonde moment!)  The interior is slick and modern giving the salon a trendy and creative edge.  On arrival I was invited to peruse a selection of after wax products ranging from ‘Ice Cream’ to ‘X’ed Out’ all aimed at preventing the inevitable in-grown hair or after wax skin irritation.  All quite gimmicky but why not make waxing light hearted and fun.

I was promptly whisked downstairs by a friendly and enthusiastic waxing technician.  I chuckled as I lay down on the bed and there above me shining in all its glory was a strip light!  Super bright and cleverly positioned to ensure that hairs could be efficiently removed from every nook and cranny!

The wax itself smelt delish, a combination of berries and chocolate…yummy.  The therapist quickly got to work by applying warm chocolate wax to my skin, after the wax set she swiftly stripped it off and to my delight the pain was minimal.  Now ladies, I am no stranger to a Brazilian, for the last 10 years therapists from all over the world have been creatively plucking and preening this delicate area and I can honestly say this was one of the least painful waxing experiences of my life.

So book yourself in and go see for yourself but make sure you set aside a good 40 minutes as the perfect landing strip cannot be rushed – it is an art.  Go on, indulge me and give Strip a try…..Victoria Beckham has!

Where
17 Lyndhurst Terrace,
Central,
tel +852 2845 0838
www.strip.com.hk

How much?
Check out the Strip menu here.

Brazilian waxing ladies – $380HKD
Boyzilian waxing men -   $500HKD

SPECIAL OFFER.  Strip is offering 50% off to first a-la-carte waxing and IPL treatments for BBHK customers until the end of August 2010

This promotion is currently closed, however if the current state of the angry volcano is anything to go by, Hong Kong may have more extra-time visitors soon!  If you are stuck in town, the offer will still stand…

Staying yet another night in a hotel?  Feel like you are outstaying your welcome as guests? Missing your best friend’s wedding or the business meeting of a lifetime? 

Thanks to the Icelandic Eyjafjallajokul volcano eruption disruption, the chances are you’ll be hanging around in Hong Kong for another week or so at least.

And that’s no bad thing! Trust us – we’re the experts in all things chilled in HK.

While the airlines do their best to bring the world at 40,000 feet back to normal, BBHK has the perfect addition to an extended break with exclusive spa deals in the top joints around town for stranded fliers.  Turn a negative into a positive, and feel your stress float away with discounted pampering all over Hong Kong.   You will be relaxed and destressed quicker than you can say Eyjafjallajokul. Boom.  Its a win-win situation.  Hurrah for BeautyBuzz I hear you say!

Take along your eticket, showing your cancellation and mention the volcano promotion to receive discounts at the following fabulous HK spas.  Don’t forget to join the BeautyBuzz members club for free, to be the first to know about exclusive offers.  Join here now.

WANCHAI
Iyara in Wanchai are offering 20% off regular priced services at Iyara Ship Street any weekday. Monday to Fridays only.   Show your eticket and mention the volcano special when booking the appointment

Iyara Wanchai Day Spa
1A, 53 Ship Street
(Inbetween Star Street and Hopewell Centre off Queen Road East)
Wanchai
Tel+852 2545 8637 / +852 2545 8663
Iyara1@biznetvigator.com
www.iyarabeauty.com

CENTRAL
All the Sense of Touch Spas in Central are offering 20% off facial, massage, signature treatments and waxing.  Show your eticket and mention the volcano special when booking the appointment

Sense of Touch Lan Kwai Fong Spa
1-5/F, 52 D’aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central
Tel: 2526 6918

Sense of Touch Hollywood Road Spa
83A Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: 2517 0939

Sense of Touch Arbuthnot Road Spa
Lower Ground Floor, The Ovolo, 2 Arbuthnot  Road Central, Hong Kong
Tel: 2869 0939

SOHO
DK Aromatherapy are offering 20% off all regular priced services.  Show your eticket and mention the volcano special when booking the appointment.  Read DK Aromatherapy review here.

DK Aromatherapy
G/F, 16A Staunton Street, Soho,
Central, Hong Kong
Tel: 2771 284

TSIMSHATSUI
The Mira Spa in the Mira Hotel are offering 20% off from Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm.  Show your eticket and mention the volcano special when booking the appointment.

The Mira Hong Kong
118 Nathan Road
Tsimshatsui
Kowloon
Hong Kong
Tel +852 2368 1111
www.themirahotel.com

REPULSE BAY
The Retreat is offering 15% off all services.  Show your eticket and mention the volcano special when booking the appointment.  See The Retreat reviews here and here

The Retreat
1/Floor, 33 Beach Road
Repulse Bay
Hong Kong
T: (852) 2803 1860
www.the-retreat.com.hk
info@the-retreat.com.hk

DISCOVERY BAY
The Sense of Touch Spa is offering 20% off facial, massage, signature treatments and waxing.  Show your eticket and mention the volcano special when booking the appointment

Sense of Touch Discovery Bay Spa
140A-1, 1st floor, Block C, DB Plaza, 
Discovery Bay, Lantau Island. 
(opp. Sunshine Kindergarden)
Tel: 2987 9198

All salons have the right to change or cancel the offers at their own discretion,

Put the umbrellas away, the rainy season is over!  The hot warnings are being issued and its time to hit the beach.  Ladies get ready to unveil your non-hirsute better selves, no excuses now, put those pesky razors away, and get waxed!

With so many places to choose from, its hard to know where to go for a good wax in HK.  Asking for recommendations is always tough, because once a lady has opened her legs, and contorted herself into some rather inappropriate semi-naked positions, whist having a therapist stretch and pluck her nether regions, she seldom goes elsewhere to tryout another… There are only so many people that are SUPPOSED to be down there after all!

Personally I have the most wonderful Brazilian therapist, Renata, in London, who for the past ten years has preened and perfected the bikini lines (and dare i say ‘Backs, Sacks and Cracks) of the elite and society of the town.  She is Brazilian, and she knows how to do one better than anyone else in London.  For the past four years I have been trying to find someone comparable in HK.  The wax needs to be fast, as pain-free as possible, and efficient, two pulls at the most, with all the hairs being removed.  The stay-hard hairs should be then plucked, and the remaining ‘landing strip’ should them be trimmed to perfection.  It really shouldn’t be that hard, yet it is.

For years I have been hearing about Betty at the Mandarin, and I was lucky enough to get an appointment, as she is often booked up weeks in advance.  Betty has been a beauty therapist at the Mandarin for eighteen years, and she absolutely loves her job.  ‘I hate having a day off, I miss my clients, they are my family now… I have clients that have been coming to me for three generations, Grandmother, Mother and now Daughter,’ Betty proudly said.  She does all kinds of treatments, but she is best known for her waxing.   She can do any shape you like, with hearts, triangles and landing strips being the most popular.  She was everything I was hoping her to be.  Incredibly comforting, friendly, and professional.  At no point did I feel uncomfortable or any pain and It was all over before I knew It had began.  Perfect!

I would strongly recommend going to Betty, if you are lucky enough to get an appointment!

The Place
The Mandarin Salon
24/F Mandarin Oriental
5 Connaught Road
Central
2825 – 4800
The Treatment
Brazilian Wax by Betty
The Cost
$440