Laser hair removal

The delightful topic of body hair is one I've not mentioned before. Not because I am smooth skinned, untainted by unwanted hair. Ha! No, because it's not glam and it's such a bore. Waxing, shaving blah blah blah. All of it is annoying and makes me want to stab those blondes who have a whisp of hair and complain about it. I am dark haired.

After more than 30 years of battling with my body hair I made a decision this year. It was going to be The Winter Of Laser. My sister had her legs lasered a few years ago and going in the sunshine with her now is an exercise in smugness (her) and pure envy (me) as she shimmies into her bikini smooth as can be while I sport red bumps and ingrowing hairs. Enough already!

I decided my six months in New York could not be all about shopping (only because my credit card couldn't stand it, I could totally shop for six months) and so I decided the time had come. Laser hair removal is expensive but there are bargains to be had and indeed within two weeks of being in New York, Gilt City (a version of Groupon) had an offer for Bliss hair removal at 40% off. It's such a complete bargain I can hardly believe it. I bought a session of five full leg treatments (which includes mild bikini line - nothing freaky) for about $1600 or so (I actually can't remember how much it was but worked out it was about £900). Back to the Bliss mothership I went my legs freshly shaved for my first session. By the way, you do have to go on for a patch test before your first session.

Just so you know, it hurts. Do not be fooled. In places it is excruciating. In other places I barely feel it. This depends on each person, what my sister found painful doesn't hurt me and vice versa. When it hurts, I find myself clinging to the bed, gnashing my teeth cursing about a) being a woman and b) caring about body hair. It takes about an hour to do both legs (including toes!) After the first session I looked like a plucked turkey and my legs were very itchy. This is normal. I applied copious amounts of body cream. The miracle is it works immediately, I already had obvious bald patches. Back I went five weeks later for session two. I was told it would hurt less each time. A lie. I went with raging jet lag and forgot to take ibuprofen beforehand (do this as it makes a huge difference) and the technician made the current stronger. I am quite good with pain, bikini waxes don't bother me at all. I have a tattoo. I am not a wuss. This bloody hurt.

However, the pain is completely worth it. By April my legs should be hair free and I can't wait. I am considering booking several holidays in very hot places and packing only bikinis. It's so liberating to be hair free and yes, it shouldn't matter and yes, it's madness to have to spend so much money and go through pain for beauty but you know what? I don't care. I wish I had it done years ago. I shall keep you up to date with my quest for smooth legs.

In other Bliss news, I went to the London spa to have a Shellac manicure today and it really is leagues better than the New York ones. The staff are lovely, they pay such close attention to the treatment and my manicure is better than the ones I've had in New York. I am still reeling than London does this better but there you go. Also, it was free as I had built up sessions on my loyalty card. Much happiness.