The short answer
The difference is simple: a Brazilian wax leaves a small strip of hair at the front, while a Hollywood removes every hair, front to back. Comfort, upkeep and prep are otherwise much the same.
If you are booking your first intimate wax, the names can be confusing. “Brazilian” and “Hollywood” get used loosely, and every salon words its menu slightly differently. The good news is that the core difference comes down to one thing: how much hair is left at the front.
What is a Brazilian wax?
A Brazilian wax removes most of the hair from the intimate area but leaves a neat strip, triangle or small shape at the very front. Hair is taken from the front, the labia, between the buttocks and everything in between, so you are tidy and smooth but keep a little definition at the top.
It is often the wax people choose first, because leaving a small strip feels like a gentler step than going completely bare. It is also popular for anyone who wants to stay comfortable in smaller underwear or swimwear without a full removal.
What is a Hollywood wax?
A Hollywood wax removes everything, front to back, with no hair left at all. It is the fully bare option and, for a lot of people, the smoothest and lowest-maintenance choice once they are used to waxing.
Because a Hollywood clears the whole area, it can feel very slightly more intense than a Brazilian, but the actual technique and the time in the chair are almost identical.
Brazilian vs Hollywood: the key differences
| Brazilian wax | Hollywood wax | |
|---|---|---|
| Hair removed | Most of it, front to back | All of it, front to back |
| Left at the front | A strip, triangle or small shape | Nothing, fully bare |
| Best for | A tidy look with some definition | Completely smooth, lowest upkeep |
| Comfort | Slightly gentler | Very slightly more intense |
| How long it lasts | About 3 to 4 weeks | About 3 to 4 weeks |
As you can see, the only real decision is the front. Coverage of the rest of the area, how long it lasts and how you prepare are the same for both.
Which one should you choose?
There is no right answer, only what suits you. If you are new to intimate waxing or you like keeping a little shape, a Brazilian is a comfortable place to start. If you want the smoothest possible finish and the least regrowth to think about, go for a Hollywood.
As an example of how it often goes: plenty of first-timers book a Brazilian and keep a small triangle at the front. The first appointment is the most sensitive part, but three to four weeks later the regrowth comes through finer and more sparse, so the second wax feels noticeably easier. By the third or fourth visit a lot of people decide to go the whole way to a Hollywood, now that they know what to expect. There is no rush to that, though, and plenty of clients happily stay with a Brazilian for good.
You can also change your mind from one appointment to the next, and you never have to decide alone. At NU Beauty your therapist will talk through the options at the start and shape things exactly how you want them.
Does it hurt? What a wax actually feels like
Honestly, there is a sharp sensation as the wax is removed, but it is quick and it fades fast. Two things make the biggest difference: the skill of your therapist and how regular you are. After your first wax the hair grows back softer and sparser, so each visit tends to feel more comfortable than the last.
A few things that help on the day:
- Book at a time you are not rushing, so you can relax.
- A caffeine-free morning can help, as caffeine is a stimulant that can make skin feel more sensitive.
- If you find it helps, an over-the-counter painkiller taken beforehand is fine.
- Tell your therapist if you are nervous. A calm, unhurried appointment genuinely hurts less.
How to prepare for your wax
A little prep makes a real difference to both comfort and results:
- Grow the hair out. It needs to be about the length of a grain of rice, roughly a quarter of an inch, which is usually two to three weeks of regrowth. Do not shave in between, as the wax needs something to grip (Italwax, Black Coral Wax).
- Exfoliate gently a day or two before to lift the skin and help prevent ingrown hairs. If ingrowns or dark speckling on your legs are already bothering you, our guide to what causes strawberry legs and what actually fixes them covers which ones waxing helps and which it will not.
- Skip heavy creams or oils on the day, so the wax can adhere properly.
- Wear something loose and comfortable to travel home in.
If you are also planning a spray tan, have your wax at least 24 to 48 hours beforehand so the skin has settled and the tan develops evenly. Our guide to how long a spray tan lasts explains the timing in more detail.
How long does it last, and how often to rebook?
Most people stay smooth for around three to four weeks, then book back in roughly every four to six weeks as the hair grows through. Your own hair cycle is unique, so the ideal gap becomes obvious after your first couple of appointments. Sticking to a regular pattern is the single best way to keep waxing quick and comfortable, because you are removing finer, more even regrowth each time.
Aftercare: keeping skin smooth and bump-free
For the first 24 to 48 hours the skin is a little more sensitive, so it is worth being gentle with it:
- Avoid very hot baths, saunas, sunbeds and the gym for a day or two.
- Wear loose, breathable underwear straight after.
- Start exfoliating lightly again after 48 hours to keep ingrown hairs at bay.
- Moisturise daily once any sensitivity has settled.
If a bump does appear despite all that, our guide to how to get rid of ingrown hairs covers what actually helps, and what makes them worse.
Booking a wax at NU Beauty, Haverhill
Intimate and body waxing is done at our Haverhill salon, using warm Lycon wax with a friendly therapist who will put you at ease. Our intimate waxing menu runs a bikini line, a G-string and a Hollywood, with a Hollywood currently around £38.50. Prefer a Brazilian-style finish with a little left at the front? Just ask when you book and we will shape it for you.
You can see everything, including current prices, on our waxing menu. Our Kedington studio focuses on nails, brows, lashes and facial waxing, so intimate and body waxing is Haverhill only. Booking your brows in at the same time? Our guide to what HD brows are covers our seven-step brow treatment, which is at the Haverhill salon. And if it is fine facial hair you want gone, our guide to what dermaplaning is explains the facial that sweeps away peach fuzz, and settles the myth that it grows back thicker.
Making a day of it? A lot of our clients pair a wax with their nails or a lash appointment, so if you are due a refresh it is worth reading our guides to what BIAB is and how long it lasts, how long gel nails last and how long a lash lift lasts before you book. And if you would rather turn it into a proper wind-down, an Indian head massage is a lovely way to ease tension while you are with us in Haverhill.
The bottom line
A Brazilian leaves a little at the front; a Hollywood takes it all. Everything else - how it feels, how you prepare and how long it lasts - is much the same, so choose the finish you feel most comfortable with and know you can change it any time. When you are ready, we will make your first wax as relaxed and straightforward as possible.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Hollywood wax include the bum?
Yes. A Hollywood removes all the hair from front to back, including the hair between the buttocks. A Brazilian usually covers the same area but leaves a small strip or triangle at the very front. Your therapist will always talk you through exactly what is included before starting.
Is a Brazilian or a Hollywood wax more painful?
A Hollywood can feel slightly more intense simply because it clears every hair, but the difference is small. The first appointment is usually the most sensitive; after a few regular waxes the hair grows back finer and it gets noticeably more comfortable. Warm Lycon wax and a calm, unhurried therapist make a big difference.
How long does a Brazilian or Hollywood wax last?
Most people stay smooth for around three to four weeks, then book back in every four to six weeks as the hair grows through. Everyone's hair cycle is different, so your ideal gap becomes clear after your first couple of visits.
How long does my hair need to be before a wax?
About the length of a grain of rice, roughly a quarter of an inch, which is usually two to three weeks of regrowth after shaving. If it is much shorter the wax cannot grip it; if it is very long we may trim it first so it is more comfortable.
Should I trim before my appointment?
There is no need to trim yourself. We manage the length for you and will tidy it before waxing if required. The main thing is to grow it out rather than shave in the days before, so there is enough hair for the wax to remove cleanly.
Do you offer Brazilian waxing at NU Beauty?
Our Haverhill intimate waxing menu is a bikini line, a G-string and a Hollywood. A Brazilian sits between the G-string and the Hollywood, so if you would like a strip or triangle left at the front rather than everything removed, just tell your therapist when you book and they will shape it to suit you.
