I’m beginning to suspect the girls above had it easier—at least when it came to their bikini zones (I get to vote). But once summer is in full-swing, a lot of us modern girls will be opting for bikini waxes or Brazilians. To help you eschew razor burn, Vox can provide you with a few suggestions.

To me, a good waxing experience is thorough and takes place in a comfortable setting (so, not in dead silence), and is preferably inexpensive. D.C. isn’t a cheap place to live, so it’s no surprise that most salons don’t offer a flat rate for their waxing services. Instead, most allow their technicians to charge fees for the “aesthetics” of the job on top of their starting rate, a subjective process that tends to result in arbitrary costs.

Below are two places I’d recommend (and by all means, tell us where you go in the comments section), and two places I would avoid at all costs.

The Best

Joy’s Nail Salon and Spa – 2471 18th Street NW

Pros: With bikini waxes starting at $25 and Brazilians at $45, Joy’s is a steal in D.C. But Joy’s is the best of the best largely thanks to its chief technician, who goes by Joy. An eager and interesting conversationalist, she was especially good to the first-timers I came with back in the Fall (Noobs: taking Tylenol about a half hour before your technician goes to work might help).

Even for old hats, there’s nothing like getting life advice and waxed simultaneously. Joy’s technicians are thorough (a Brazilian won’t come out looking like just a more serious bikini wax) and in 2008, Washington City Paper readers voted it the best place to get a manicure and pedicure to boot.

Cons: It’s located in Adams Morgan.

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