posted by Sheenie on Nair, Personal grooming

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It’s been a while since the last hair grooming post and here’s one that’s quite a throwback (for me any way) – hair removal cream.

I haven’t used a depilatory cream since I was about 13 - I remember finding a tube in the bathroom cabinet belonging to mum (my first foray into hair removal). If one memory has stuck with me, it’s the smell of hair removal cream – let’s be fair, it’s quite rank.

I’ve never used Nair products, so when I was sent a big tube of their Brazilian Spa Clay Shower Power Cream to try, my curiosity was piqued. The product name sounds exotic and claims to remove “all visible hairs”. Well for this experiment, my leg hair was at a  difficult stage. Over the years, the speed of which my leg hair grows has gone from super-fast to sporadically slow. I can get away with shaving once or twice a week and the re-growth is so minimal. It makes a change from when I would have to shave every day. Hormones, eh?

This 200ml tube of cream’s formula is different to the usual hair removal cream as it can be used whilst showering. Firstly you slather it all over your dry legs with the plastic spatula provided about 2 minutes before getting into the bath tub, then you leave it on for a further 3 minutes while you’re in the shower but avoid getting water on the legs (well, duh, that’s kind of impossible when you’re in the shower!). However, the cream is very thick and so doesn’t wash away that easily.

When you’re cooked, you scrape it off with the spatula except I realised I wasn’t very good at this (well, it’s been frigging years, OK?) when removing my, er, lady briefs as they got covered in some of the cream. Nice. So slap on the cream when you’re naked if you plan to do your legs. There, I’ve said it.

Initially the scent seemed quite pleasant. Then I was hit with that OLD depilatory pungent smell. And it happens when the cream starts to burn the hairs. That is what the smell is – the hairs burning! You can feel it working and as I noticed it, I imagine those with sensitive skin won’t like it one bit.

Using the spatula is like using a razor blade over shaving foam/gel but without the actual razor. The action is the same and without it, you won’t achieve smooth hair removal. So it begs the question – why bother? Shaving is far quicker, neater and doesn’t leave a lingering pong in the bathroom. The tub was also looking like a murky mess with lumps floating as the thick cream takes longer to disintegrate.

This hair removal cream has been clinically and dermatologically tested, and slapped with a patented ‘odour control technology” (but I can still smell something!) and is apparently gentle enough to use on the bikini and under arms. Bikini, OK – don’t venture any further, it won’t be pleasant (I am guessing).

Finishing wasn’t bad actually on really short hairs. Most had been removed and my legs felt soft and moisturised though I think hairs need to be at least 1cm long for effective results.

If you’ve read previous posts on hair removal, you’ll know I’ve been through them all – shave, epilators, laser, warm wax, cold wax, wax strips, threading…the whole kit and kaboodle. Depilatory creams are way down at the bottom – messy, too much waiting around, barely neat results and there is that ghastly odour. I realise they work wonderfully for others, it’s just not for me.

A 200ml tube costs £6.69. Nair’s Brazilian Spa Clay Collection also includes wax strips, which would be my personal preference. For more information www.naircare.co.uk.

*PR sample*

Tags: depilatory cream, hair removal cream, Nair