Brazilian Wax vs Bikini Wax:
How Much Comes Off
A bikini wax and a Brazilian wax are the same treatment on the same skin. What separates them is how much hair comes off, and there are four steps on that ladder here instead of two. Thiara is a licensed esthetician and she books all four, so the first question at the desk is how much you want gone.
- Bikini Line$30 · 25 min
- Bikini$35 · 30 min
- Extended Bikini$50 · 35 min
- Brazilian$65 · 40 min
Not sure which one is yours? Ask Thiara before you book.
So Which One Should You Book?
A bikini wax removes the hair that would show outside underwear or a swimsuit, along the sides and across the top. Everything further in stays where it is. It runs thirty minutes, and it's the gentler way into bikini waxing.
A Brazilian wax removes all of it, front to back, everything in between included. Brazilian waxing runs forty minutes here, the longest of the four, and it's what people mean when they say they want nothing left.
Between those two sit the other two rungs. The bikini line wax is narrower than a standard bikini wax, edges only, so the least hair comes off of the four. The extended bikini wax goes further in than a bikini wax without going all the way, and takes the tops of the thighs with it.
Same wax, same room, same esthetician. The only thing that changes is where she stops.
The Four Tiers, From the Line to Everything
The menu here runs four steps, and each one takes a little more off than the step under it. Prices and appointment lengths come straight off the booking calendar.
| Service | What comes off | Who books it | Appointment | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bikini Line Wax | The outer edges only, the strip that would sit outside underwear | A tidy-up before a beach day | 25 minutes | $30 |
| Bikini Wax | The sides and across the top, along the bikini line | A first wax, or regular upkeep under a swimsuit | 30 minutes | $35 |
| Extended Bikini Wax | The bikini line, further in than a bikini wax, plus the tops of the thighs | More off than the line, without going all the way | 35 minutes | $50 |
| Brazilian Wax | Everything, front to back, and in between | Nothing left, and the longest of the four | 40 minutes | $65 |
Bikini Line Wax
- What comes off
- The outer edges only, the strip that would sit outside underwear
- Who books it
- A tidy-up before a beach day
- Appointment
- 25 minutes
- Price
- $30
Bikini Wax
- What comes off
- The sides and across the top, along the bikini line
- Who books it
- A first wax, or regular upkeep under a swimsuit
- Appointment
- 30 minutes
- Price
- $35
Extended Bikini Wax
- What comes off
- The bikini line, further in than a bikini wax, plus the tops of the thighs
- Who books it
- More off than the line, without going all the way
- Appointment
- 35 minutes
- Price
- $50
Brazilian Wax
- What comes off
- Everything, front to back, and in between
- Who books it
- Nothing left, and the longest of the four
- Appointment
- 40 minutes
- Price
- $65
The other two tiers sit either side of these. A bikini line wax takes the outer edges of the first drawing and nothing else. A Brazilian takes everything in the second, front and back.
What a Bikini Wax Is, and What a Brazilian Wax Is
What Is a Bikini Wax?
A bikini wax is hair removal along the bikini line: the crease where each thigh meets the body, plus as much of the hair across the top as you want taken off. You set that width yourself, before anything is warmed up. Nothing further in gets touched, which makes it the smallest of the four and the easiest first appointment to sit through.
What Is a Brazilian Wax?
A Brazilian wax is complete hair removal from the pubic area, front to back, with everything in between included. Some clients choose to leave a small strip or triangle at the front and say so at the start. Brazilian waxing is the longest appointment of the four, because the wax is worked in small sections and the back is part of it.
Does a Brazilian Wax Hurt
More Than a Bikini Wax?
A Brazilian wax covers more skin, and more of that skin is sensitive, so more of the appointment stings. The sting itself doesn't change between the two. Each strip lifts in about a second, and your first waxing appointment is the sharpest one you'll have whichever tier you pick.
Hard wax goes on the most sensitive areas because it grips the hair and lifts away without a strip. Soft wax covers the broader stretches of the bikini line. Thiara works in small sections, which keeps every pull short, and there is nobody else in the room for any of it.
If this is your first time booking any kind of waxing, say so when you sit down. She slows the first pass down, checks how the skin is taking it before carrying on, and leaves the most sensitive stretches until last so you are not meeting the sharpest part cold. Skin that has never been waxed reacts more than skin that has, and it usually settles inside a day.
Bikini waxing and Brazilian waxing hold about the same length of time. Waxing pulls hair out at the root, so regrowth starts from nothing and the smooth skin lasts three to four weeks. Stay on that schedule and each session gets quicker. Let the hair get ahead of you and the next one starts over. Pulling from the root also leaves fewer ingrown hairs than shaving does, if the exfoliating gets done.
Before you come in
Let the hair grow to about a quarter inch, roughly the size of a grain of rice, so the wax has something to grip. Skip lotions and oils that day, exfoliate gently twenty four hours ahead, and wear something loose. If it is your first time, that quarter inch is about two weeks without a razor.
While you are in the room
You're the only client in the suite for the whole appointment. Thiara works in small sections and says what's coming before it comes, and you can change how much comes off at any point, including partway through.
The two days after
Skip heat, sweating and tight clothing for the first twenty four hours, because freshly waxed skin stays warm and open for a while. Start exfoliating lightly again after two or three days and keep it to a couple of times a week, which is what stops most ingrown hairs before they start. Aftercare on the pubic area is the same whichever of the four you booked.
One Client in the Room, and Sterilized Tools
TLC Nails and Esthetics runs out of a single private suite at 9706 Belair Rd in Nottingham, and the schedule holds one client at a time. There's nobody in a chair beside you, no curtain between you and a waiting room, and the door stays closed for the whole appointment.
All tools are sterilized and Thiara works gloved, following standard hair removal safety and sanitation practice.
She holds a Maryland nail technician license and a Maryland esthetician license, and she's the one person doing both jobs, so the hands that do your nails do the waxing too. If you'd rather have this conversation in Spanish, también hablamos español.
Book the Tier You Want
Pick a service and the calendar opens right here. The bikini line wax sits inside the full menu.
What Clients Say
Pulled from our 46 Google reviews. Hover to pause a row.
I want to recommend this nail salon because they offer excellent service. From the moment you arrive, the atmosphere is clean, comfortable, and very welcoming. The staff is friendly, professional, and takes the time to understand exactly what you want. The nail designs are beautiful and long-lasting, and they use high-quality products. Furthermore, they respect appointment times and make you feel valued as a client. Without a doubt, this is a place I will return to and one I recommend to anyone looking for high-quality nail services.
Say goodbye to your mediocre nail salon. Thiara is the best nail tech I've had since living in Europe and New York. She has built a gorgeous salon in her beautiful home that is clean and serene. She is knowledgeable, talented, and lovely. After having terrible experiences at literally 5 different nail salons in Bel Air and Forest Hill, I decided to try a private nail tech and I am here to stay. For the acrylic girlies, this is your sign to give Gel X a try. Thiara's system is well worth converting to. Plus, her prices are great.
I absolutely love my nails every time I come here! My sets consistently last 3-4weeks, which says a lot about the quality and care put into the work. The space is always clean, peaceful, and relaxing, it never feels rushed or overwhelming like typical salons. What really stands out is how approachable and welcoming the experience is. You can tell there's real attention to detail and pride in the work. If you're looking for long-lasting nails and a calm, professional environment, I highly recommend TLC Nails & Esthetics!
I had such a great experience getting my nails done! The salon was clean, welcoming, and relaxing. My nail tech was professional, friendly, and paid close attention to detail. I love how my nails turned out, beautiful, neat, and exactly what I wanted. I'll definitely be coming back and highly recommend them to anyone looking for quality nail care that specialize in GelX located in Vivre Suites…
TLC was exactly what I've been longing for over several years: a professional nail manicurist that is knowledgeable, skillful, and really cares about the health of my nails. Thiara was very patient, answered all of my concerns, and educated me on the particulars of BIAB. I love how my nails turned out and I finally can rest from shopping all around for a professional manicurist.
Thiara's work speaks for itself and when it comes to designs/inspo/work she is a perfectionist which i LOVE. Every time I get my nails done with her I am happy and satisfied. Her work area and space are always clean, her prices are reasonable and her customer service is top tier. I won't gatekeep her because she is good at everything she does!
I'm so glad I found Thiara as my new nail tech. I'm on my third hard gel set with her and I know they're going to last me a full 3 weeks until my next appointment. Her studio is super clean and she's very professional. She even mixed nail polishes to color match an inspo pic I showed her.
I am so happy to have found Thiara. Her salon had a chill and relaxed vibe. Much different than other salons I have been to. She listened to my nail concerns, created a plan and I left extremely happy. Two weeks later and my nails still look amazing.
I've done my nails with Thiara several times and I am so happy with her work. I usually don't like other people doing my nails but I'm comfortable doing my nails with her. I've done extensions and natural nails and she excels at both.
I love my nails. She did it exactly like the picture.
10/10 would recommend her services are amazing and fast love her book her for nails, and waxing.
My nails look lovely. I appreciate the attention to detail. I already booked my next appointment. Highly recommend.
T did an amazing job! She is very knowledgeable and passionate about her trade. The space is comfortable and the builder gel mani was beautiful.
Thiara was incredible! Such a clean beautiful environment, great conversation, and amazing work. I can't wait to come back for another set and for more of her services!
Thiara was very patient and willing to recommend what is best for you, and that was my favorite part. I left with fab nails and on my way to having healthier nails. Definitely recommend.
So happy that I found Thiara! Her space is cozy and clean. She is a perfectionist & I love my nails. For her waxing, she is very hygienic and gentle. Intimate experience, will def. Come back
My nails are wonderful. Thiara did my sculpted hard gel nails beautifully. Her private nail salon suite was clean and welcoming. This was a better experience than going to a regular nail shop.
Thiara did an amazing job on my manicure. Not only was she quick, but she was efficient. My Gel X service was done in less than an hour and I did not feel like it was rushed. Oh, and she made sure my nails are within Army regulations.
Find TLC Nails and Esthetics in Nottingham, MD
A short drive from Perry Hall, White Marsh, Parkville, Middle River, Towson, and the rest of Baltimore County.
Brazilian Wax and Bikini Wax FAQs
Neither one is better in general. The right one is however much hair you want gone. A bikini wax suits anyone who only wants the edges tidy under a swimsuit, and it's the gentler appointment to start on. A Brazilian wax suits anyone who wants nothing left at all, front to back. For a first visit, the bikini wax is the shorter one to sit through at 30 minutes against 40.
A Brazilian wax removes everything a bikini wax does and then all of the rest: the front, the back, and everything in between. A bikini wax stops at the line, which means the crease on each side plus as much of the top as you ask for. Two more services sit between them on the TLC Nails and Esthetics menu, the bikini line wax below and the extended bikini wax above, so nobody has to make that jump in one step.
Four types of bikini wax are bookable at TLC Nails and Esthetics: the bikini line wax at $30 for 25 minutes, the bikini wax at $35 for 30, the extended bikini wax at $50 for 35, and the Brazilian wax at $65 for 40. Other salons use names like the Hollywood, the French and the G-string for their own variations on the same idea. Those aren't services here, so it's worth asking any salon which of these four theirs matches.
A Brazilian wax removes hair from the whole pubic area, which means the front, the back and everything between them. If you want a small strip or a triangle left at the front, say so at the start and that's what you get. Anything you would rather leave alone, say that too, before the wax is warmed up.
Bikini waxing and Brazilian waxing both last three to four weeks for most clients, because waxing pulls hair out at the root instead of cutting it at the surface. Regrowth starts from nothing, which is why smooth skin holds for weeks. Booking every three to four weeks keeps you on one hair growth cycle, so each appointment runs shorter, and the hair tends to come back finer than it was.
Starting with a bikini wax is a reasonable way in if you're new to bikini waxing, since it covers less skin and the appointment is shorter. Nothing stops you booking a Brazilian wax first. Thiara asks for about a quarter inch of hair so the wax has something to grip, which means putting the razor down roughly two weeks ahead of whichever one you pick. If your first time is a Brazilian, the difference is simply that more of the pubic area is sensitive and the appointment runs ten minutes longer.
Once you know which one you want, each service has its own page with the prep, the aftercare and the booking detail on it: the bikini wax in Nottingham, MD, the extended bikini wax, and the full Brazilian wax in Nottingham, MD. Underarm, leg, lip and chin waxing sit with everything else a licensed esthetician in Nottingham offers, and the spa packages put a wax and a set of nails into one visit.
Still deciding between two of them?
Tell her how much you want off and she'll tell you which one that is.