New York Magazine -- Top Five Bikini Waxes

Completely Bare.Photo: Courtesy of Completely Bare

Janna Beauty Spa Laser Center
28 Greenwich Ave., nr 10th St.; 212-352-8480
Janna Radevich uses hard Egyptian Geranium wax or her own specially concocted honey-and-lemon wax for sensitive skin. Regulars swear by her expert technique—applied directly to the skin, sans applicators or cloth strips—which she says wards off ingrown hairs and irritation.

Completely Bare
Various locations
This savvy hair-removal chain is known for its efficient technicians, who remove hair using high-quality, slow-heating waxes. Afterwards, ice packs and cooling gel are used to reduce redness and irritation.

Eve
55 W. 8th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-807-8054
Every waxer on staff has been in the business for at least five years, and the expertise shows in their speedy, precise work. Each of the six treatment rooms is equipped with its own radio, which can be tuned to your station of choice for a welcome distraction.

Kimara Ahnert Makeup & Skincare Studio
1113 Madison Ave., nr. 84th St.; 212-452-4252
This upscale salon offers quick, professional waxing in a sleek environment. Technicians keep up a steady, reassuring chatter throughout the appointment, working with either a hard lavender wax or a soft chamomile-infused wax for sensitive skin.

Maria Bonita Salon and Spa
12 Prince St., nr. Elizabeth St.; 212-431-1520
This salon and spa employs a comforting staff of practiced waxers who specialize in a fifteen-minute Brazilian. After the hypoallergenic warm wax is removed (using organic cotton strips), waxers give clients a swift once-over with scissors and tweezers to remove any ingrown hairs. The procedure ends with a cooling layer of aloe gel and a few minutes under a vibrating high-frequency machine to soothe irritated skin.