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Beauty Board: Hair Removers

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Published: January 31, 2009

If you're never quite sure whether the ads for popular beauty products can be believed, relax. Our 4you Beauty Board is made up of veteran testers ready to try the latest when it comes to all things beauty. We'll share what worked and what bombed with the hope of making life a little easier for you. This week: hair removers. Did they leave us silky smooth or holding our noses?

Nair Hair Remover Lotion with Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E

Available at most drugstores and grocery chains; price varies by store, from $6 to $9 for 9 ounces

"Thick-rich formula and fresh fragrances ... smooth, radiant legs (days longer than shaving)."

Rating: D+

Michelle says: Can I say stink bomb? Yes, I'm saying stink bomb. With its promises of fresh fragrances and cocoa butter, I had hoped this new and improved Nair would smell better than it did many moons ago. My younger sisters would hold their noses and start gagging whenever my teen self pulled out the familiar pink container at the opening of bathing-suit season. Alas, the overpowering stench hasn't changed a bit. And here's what I hate about cream removers: You have to let your leg hair grow to a very unladylike length to make it work. Then it requires slathering the lotion all over and standing naked for about five minutes for the chemicals to do their thing. I didn't get any rashes and the hair came off, but I darn near fainted from the acrid aroma. Too messy and too much prep work. Give me a nice shaver and an aloe cream instead.

Michelle Bearden, 53, covers faith and values for the Tribune.

Sally Hansen Naturally Bare Honey Wax Hair Remover for Face

Available at Walgreens, CVS, Wal-Mart, Target and Ulta; $9.99 for 6.9 ounces

"Pure, All Natural Honey, Sugar Chamomile and Lemon Formula. Good for sensitive skin & delicate areas."

Rating: D

Cloe says: This may be the most difficult review I've had to do for the Beauty Board. Why? Because I had to let my peach fuzz grow to a length that made my husband very uncomfortable. I wanted to follow the directions to the letter, so I let the hair grow a quarter-inch long. But this at-home honey wax system wasn't able to rip off a single follicle. I tried warming it in the microwave and at room temperature and nada. I do give Sally Hansen kudos for the pleasant smelling wax and the biodegradable clear strips, which are the perfect size and allow you to see any hair you're pulling. Too bad I didn't pull any.

Cloe Cabrera, 42, is the fashion and beauty reporter for the Tribune.

GiGi Mousse Hair Remover for arms, legs and body

Available at sallybeauty.com and amazon.com ; $7.99 to $9.99 for 5.85 ounces

"Leaves skin smooth and silky."

Rating: C

Kim says: Unless you're really, really bad with a blade, I've never understood why anyone would choose a depilatory over shaving. This one is better than others I've tried. The spray-on mousse is less messy, it actually removes hair, and it does leave your skin feeling silky. BUT it is still a pain to use. It smells bad (this one reminded me of those stinky home perms we got as kids, or maybe Nair, or maybe Nair on fire). If the odor doesn't take your breath away, the list of DO NOT USE warnings on the label will. I'll stick to shaving.

Kim Franke-Folstad, 50, is editor of 4you and Baylife Magazine.

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