Earlier this summer, well in the spring when bikini season rolls around; I got caught up in some conversations on Twitter with girlfriends about bikini zones.  Then last week I introduced them to the Bikini Waxing Gone Wrong story (link at the bottom).  Men, you may not want to continue on with this review because it might become a little too personal for you.

I have been dancing since I was 3 and was doing classical ballet until 3 years ago when I lost my dance partner.  I still dance for fun but not to perform.  As early as high school I realized that there is nothing pretty about seeing an unshaven bikini zone on a dancer but as teenagers we probably didn't know much of anything as far as how to take care of that problem area.  Now that I know a solution I will share it with my niece who is following in my footsteps and dancing at my dance school alma mater.

When I entered college my dance instructor was very sweet and she suggested that we shave up to the bikini zone because a lot of people were going to be watching you and sometimes the camera will pick up things that you didn't think were noticeable.  So, I began shaving right to the panty line and that solved the "vanity" problem.

Fast forward to summer 2004.  I have to undergo kidney surgery due to complications with my Lupus.   In preparing for surgery a nurse tech tells me: "You can either shave your bikini zone yourself or someone at the hospital will."  Say what?  Well, I knew that I shaved my bikini zone but she meant everything.  Just picture The Nanny episode in which Fran has to shave Mr. Sheffield before he has his appendectomy.   I was a bit concerned about shaving in that very sensitive area but I was more afraid to surrender it to someone else so I talked it over with my best friend who is like a mother to me and she gave me the following advice:  Start with a new razor, put plenty of shaving cream for sensitive skin on that area, and shave downward.  Well, it worked!  But once that hair begins growing back it doesn't feel good so I have been shaving the entire bikini zone since having my surgery and it makes a wonderful difference when wearing bathing suits, dance outfits, and even the little bikini panties.

About 2 or 3 years ago I stumbled upon the Bikini Zone Anti-Bumps Shave Gel.  I wasn't too sure if I wanted to buy a thing of shaving gel just for my patooty but it claimed to "fight bumps and irritation for a smooth skin."  I bought the 4 fl. oz. tube and have been using it ever since.  The Bikini Zone Anti-Bumps Shave Gel is also available in a Sensitive Skin formula and a Dry Skin formula.  I have tried both but whenever I am ready to buy more I always seem to find the regular in stock most of the time.  Bikini Zone also makes products for hair removal and gels for applying after shaving.

Active Ingredients: WATER, SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE,  ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, COCAMIDE MEA, POLYSORBATE 20, PEG-40 CASTOR OIL,  FRAGRANCE, RETINYL PALMITATE, GLYCERIN, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, ALLANTOIN,  ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE, CHAMOMILE RECUTITA (MATRICARIA) FLOWER  EXTRACT, CALENDULA OFFICINALIS FLOWER EXTRACT, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS  (JOJOBA) SEED OIL, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, LACTOSE,  CELLULOSE, HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE, BENZOPHENONE-4, SODIUM  CHLORIDE, CITRIC ACID, ULTRAMARINES, YELLOW 5, BLUE 1, DMDM HYDANTOIN,  DISODIUM EDTA, SODIUM HYDROXIDE.

The gel is a pretty bluish green color and it goes on smooth and clear so that you can see the area as you shave.  One time I was shaving and the phone rang.  I jerked and yep, I nicked that area and it bled like crazy!  I thought I was going to have to go to the Urgent Care.  My best friend said that she was surprised I didn't need stitches.  Can you imagine me going to the ER and telling them I cut my patooty?

Shaving is a big ordeal for me and very time consuming because I am switching products as I go.  I shave from ankle to pelvic region with shaving cream or hair conditioner (story for another time) and then use the Bikini Zone for my patooty area.  Oh, and the Bikini Zone also does wonders for the underarms to help prevent those unsightly bumps that you may get after shaving and then applying a deodorant.

The following comment is on the back of the tube:

*Bikini Zone Anti-Bumps Shave Gel for Bikini Area** is specially formulated to help prevent bumps from developing after shaving the sensitive bikini area.  This extra gentle formula, with soothing botanicals, moisturizing microbeads, emollients and vitamins A and E, lubricates the skin and softens coarse hair for the closest shave possible.  The clear gel formula stays clear to make skin more visible to help prevent nicks and cuts.*

Bikini Zone Anti-Bumps Shave Gel has a pleasant scent and a little dab will go a long way so a 4 fl. oz. tube will last for some time.  I just bought a new tube from Walmart a few weeks ago and paid $3.42.  When you shave the entire bikini zone you might experience a slight tingling but not burning sensation if you get near the labia (skin folds of the vagina).

I work with a really close friend and during the summer we are always comparing our underarms and checking for any sign of stubble.  I think it's a girl thing and we are more aware of it in spring/summer when the season allows for a lot of sleeveless tops and we don't want that unsightly stubble getting noticed rather than our pretty blouse.  My friend was always complaining that she would get the itchy razor burn so I told her about Bikini Zone Anti-Bumps Shave Gel.  She is married and the mother of 5 boys and though she is a former pageant queen she really doesn't invest much in girlie products.  So, I went shopping and gave her a pack of razors like what I use, shaving cream and the Bikini Zone Anti-Bumps Shave Gel.  She was sold on the product after the first use!  

Guys might like this for shaving as well.  While at the beach 2 years ago my brother mentioned that he forgot to pack his shaving cream.  Well, I had a trial size shaving cream for my legs and I had the Bikini Zone.  I asked him if he would like to try it and he looked at the container and said, "Well, I'm not wanting to shave there!"  I explained to him that it was for making girls feel more comfortable in their swimsuits and undergarments but that because he has Psoriasis on his face he might like to try this because it would be gentle on his skin.  He decided to give it a try and he commented that it did give him a smooth shave and helped him get a closer shave because of the coarse hair that would grow into a beard.  He said that he would tell his wife to get some and he would probably continue to use it at home but not on road trips with his guy friends.  Well, update: He uses it all the time because he said a little dab goes a long way; he likes the tingling sensation and that fact that it helps to prevent razor burn.

I would recommend this to anyone who shaves the bikini zone.  You'll be glad you did and your patooty will thank you.  Bikini Zone has a wonderful explanation of "why" we get razor burn, bumps and irriations.  I thought it was worthy of passing on.

*So how exactly are bumps born? A few ways, actually. One is ingrown  hairs. These pesky bumps pop up when a hair curls back into the skin  instead of growing straight out. Another cause is the formation of tiny,  pimple-like blemishes created by irritation. And last but not least,  some bumps are actually tiny scabs that result from the abrasions that  occur during hair removal.  Razor burn and irritation occurs when the skin is  chafed during hair removal.  Imagine if you fell and scraped your knee,  it'd turn red and be irritated, right?  It's kind of like that.  On to the good news--Bikini Zone is specially  formulated to put the brakes on bumps and irritation.  First, it  contains an analgesic to soothe away pain and irritation.  It improves  healing by speeding along new skin cells to replace the scraped ones,  eliminating redness and razor burn.  Lastly, it dries out the small,  acne-like blemishes and exfoliates the skin to help prevent hair from  curling back into the skin to form an ingrown hair bump.  With Bikini  Zone, your skin will look and feel better. *

If you want to read a hilarious story about a bikini waxing gone bad just copy and paste the following link into your browser.  Make sure you go to the bathroom first because you might pee your pants and be sure to have some tissues handy because you will laugh until you cry.  Now my friends and I are always making comments about the hoo-haa and cellar door.  Sad thing: After you have read my review, my family said they can imagine me doing something like this!  And always remember to keep "Miss Priss" clean.

http://www.makeuptalk.com/forums/f29/worst-home-bikini-wax-story-lol-71373.html

Recommended: Yes