London’s best waxers

This mini-chain has tended to a staggering 3 million London bushes. The vibe is young, fun and no-nonsense. The list of services is comprehensive and detailed so you’ll know exactly what you’re getting. It also prides itself on impeccable hygiene – each customer receives a sealed pouch containing disposable gloves, spatulas and wet wipes. The overall experience is one of high professionalism ‘for even the most sensitive flower’, or in their words: ‘Nothing but the best for your hoochie and coochie.’ Amen.

Aveda is dedicated to holistic health and beauty care and its Holborn salon is a calm and soothing place to get a treatment, even when it involves getting hair ripped from an intimate part of your body. Waxing takes place in cosy rooms at the back of the spa, which are beautifully decorated. For bikini and facial waxing you can choose between strip and hot waxing (the latter being a little more expensive). Prices for a bikini wax range from £22 to £49.

As the name suggests, this tiki-themed salon is focused on making your nails look fabulous. But it also does an excellent service in quick, professional waxing. Everything about Hula aims to bring a bit of fun to your treatment: from the retro, Polynesian decor to the flavoured wax they use (chocolate hazelnut and berry, in case you’re interested). Prices range from £20 to £40 for a bikini wax. Note that it’s ladies-only and you must be over 16.

Behind an unassuming door on Brick Lane, this no-frills salon offers great-value waxing. It has frequent sales, so you can get a Hollywood wax for as little as £22 (expect to pay twice as much in more swanky parlours). The decor is bright and cheery and the service speedy. Both men and women packages are offered. Cards aren’t accepted so bring cash.

Part lingerie shop, part luxury waxing joint, Strip opened in 2005 with the aim of making hair removal a treat rather than just another thing to cross off on your to-do list. Today they have six branches across London (and one in Bristol) with decor that is closer to boutique hotel than beauty salon. Their treatment list is detailed and includes waxing for mums-to-be and an ‘athlete’ package for men which leaves barely a hair on the body. Bikini waxes range from £23 to £52. Branches are in Chelsea, Notting Hill, Soho, The City, Islington and Loughton.

Otylia Roberts is credited as the woman who bought the Brazilian to London. She’s been making Londoners hairless for 30 years, so she really knows what she’s doing. All hair removal treatments use hot wax (far less painful than strip waxing), made from beeswax and other natural ingredients. Housed in slick Marylebone hairdressers Gielly Green, this is definitely a luxury offering. Prices for a bikini wax range from £27 to £57.

On a Soho back street is this attractive salon dedicated to de-fuzzing busy Londoners. House of Wax aims to take the fuss out of hair removal, it’s open late and takes lunchtime appointments so that you can fit your hair removal needs around work. Pricing is good too, with a Hollywood wax a bargain at £35 if you book online. It’s recently opened a second branch in Shoreditch and a third in Aldgate.

This futuristic-looking salon on the King’s Road takes waxing very seriously. Set up in Berlin in 2005 with the aim of creating a salon where waxing wasn’t an afterthought, it now has outposts across Europe. The decor is pristine – all white walls and splashes of colour – and it prides itself on its highly experienced therapists (or ‘depiladora’, as they call them). Prices are reasonable at £20-£47 to have your bikini line seen to.

Describing itself as an ‘urban pit stop’ Cucumba is the place to head if you want a quick, no-fuss treatment while you’re dashing about central London. Service is efficient and friendly and the salon is bright, modern and conveniently located in the centre of Soho. Prices are average for central London: £23-£45 for a bikini wax, depending on how much you want off.

From the folk behind Soho House is this small chain of luxurious, welcoming spas. The unusual name comes from its original home: a cowshed at country retreat Babington House. Its focus is on natural ingredients and the wax – both strip and hot – contains camomile and rose oils, great if you have sensitive skin. As with all Soho House endeavours attention to detail is high and the decor is heavenly. Find it in Carnaby Street, Clarendon Cross, Primrose Hill and in Selfridges and Shoreditch House. Prices for a bikini wax range from £26 to £54.