You've booked an intimate wax, or you're about to, and then the question lands: what's the actual difference between a Brazilian and a Hollywood? The names get used loosely, and even regular salon-goers mix them up.
This guide explains the Brazilian vs Hollywood wax decision in plain terms: what each one leaves (or removes), how they feel, what they cost, and how to pick the option that suits your skin, your routine and your comfort level.
Brazilian vs Hollywood wax at a glance
The whole decision comes down to one small area: the hair at the front. If you want it shaped and left in place, you're having a Brazilian wax. If you want it gone too, that's a Hollywood. Everything underneath and behind is removed either way.
| Feature |
Brazilian wax |
Hollywood wax |
| Hair left at the front |
Small strip, triangle or landing strip |
None |
| Hair removed underneath and behind |
Yes |
Yes |
| Overall finish |
Groomed, with a shape left |
Completely bare |
| Best if you want |
Neat tidying with some hair kept |
Total hair removal |
A quick way to remember it: a deliberate patch left at the front means Brazilian. Nothing left, front to back, means Hollywood.
What is a Hollywood wax (and what is a Brazilian)?
A Hollywood bikini wax removes all pubic hair, from the front all the way to the back, leaving the area completely smooth. A Brazilian clears the same areas but keeps a chosen shape at the front, whether that's a strip, a triangle or a small landing strip.
People mix the terms up because the names are far more familiar than the definitions. Some use "Brazilian" for any intimate wax that takes most of the hair off; others ask for a "Hollywood" when they actually want a shape left. So it pays to be specific when you book.
If you're still deciding what shape, if any, to keep, it's worth browsing a guide to popular bikini wax styles before your appointment.
Brazilian vs Hollywood: which suits your skin and lifestyle
On paper the difference is small. In real life, that front section is exactly where you're most likely to notice clothing rub, post-wax sensitivity and the first signs of regrowth. So the better question isn't only "which look do I prefer?" but "how do I want the area to feel over the next week or two?"
A Brazilian often suits you if you have reactive skin, train often, wear tight gym kit or trousers, or tend to get irritated as hair grows back. The shape left at the front keeps a little hair in the area that usually catches friction first. A Hollywood tends to suit you if you prefer no visible hair at all and don't mind being slightly more aware of the skin for a day or two, as long as you follow aftercare.
Neither is automatically better. The right choice is the one that matches your skin, your regrowth and your routine.
What to expect during the treatment
The two services start out almost identically. The therapist cleanses the area, checks the direction of hair growth and your skin's sensitivity, gets you comfortably positioned, then works in small, controlled sections. The only real difference comes at the front: with a Brazilian, the shape you've chosen is mapped out and left; with a Hollywood, that last section is removed as well.
A few practical things help your appointment go smoothly:
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Let the hair grow out a little. Around 6 mm, roughly the length of a grain of rice, gives the wax enough to grip. Very short hair is harder to remove cleanly.
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Book a specialist for intimate work. An experienced therapist using a hot wax made for delicate areas is far more comfortable than a rushed job, whichever style you choose.
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Say if it's your first time. A good therapist will talk you through each step.
Does a Hollywood wax hurt more? Pain, comfort and cost
A Hollywood can feel a touch more intense simply because more hair is removed, including at the front, but it's the same kind of sensation as any intimate waxing. How comfortable it is depends far more on your therapist's technique, your skin tension and how relaxed you stay than on the name of the service. Slow, steady breathing through each strip genuinely helps.
On price, intimate waxing across UK salons typically costs around £35 to £60 a session, with fuller coverage and prime city-centre salons sitting at the higher end. Because a Hollywood removes a little more hair, it can take slightly more time and product than a Brazilian, which is sometimes reflected in the price.
Aftercare: the part that matters most
If you only compare the two by how they look, you miss the thing that affects how happy you'll be: how your skin reacts afterwards. For many people the bigger question is irritation and ingrown hairs rather than the final shape. The NHS notes that waxing, like other forms of hair removal, can lead to ingrown hairs and skin irritation, which is why aftercare is worth taking seriously, especially if your skin is sensitive.
A Hollywood leaves more freshly waxed skin exposed, so friction, heat, sweat and tight clothing can feel more noticeable for a day or two. A simple routine keeps things calm:
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Keep the area cool and clean for the first day.
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Reduce friction. Loose clothing is kinder than tight underwear or gym wear straight after.
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Hold off on exfoliating at first, then return to gentle exfoliation after a few days to help prevent trapped hairs.
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Use a suitable post-wax product to soothe the skin and support its barrier.
For more detail, this guide to after-wax care for smooth, healthy skin is a handy reference.
How to choose with confidence
Use this as a quick filter:
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Choose a Brazilian if you want a tidy result but like keeping a little shape, or if you're unsure about going fully bare. It often feels softer during regrowth.
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Choose a Hollywood if you want everything removed and you're happy to keep up with aftercare and regular appointments.
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Mention any concerns first if you have very reactive skin, a history of ingrown hairs, or you're expecting completely invisible regrowth, which no wax can promise. Your therapist can then advise you honestly.
Most people find a rhythm of every three to four weeks works well, following their natural hair cycle.
The key thing is that you're not just choosing between two looks. You're choosing between two regrowth patterns, two levels of skin exposure and two maintenance routines.
Ready to book with confidence? Whether you choose a Brazilian or a Hollywood, the smoothest results come from an experienced therapist and good aftercare. Many UK salons rely on professional wax and aftercare from Black Coral Wax, formulated for sensitive, intimate areas, so it's well worth asking your salon what they use to keep your skin calm between appointments.
Frequently asked questions about Brazilian vs Hollywood wax
Is a Brazilian wax the same as a Hollywood wax?
No. A Brazilian leaves a small shape at the front, while a Hollywood removes all pubic hair from front to back.
What is a Hollywood wax exactly?
A Hollywood wax is the complete removal of all pubic hair, front to back, with no shape left at the front.
Which is better for a first wax?
Many first-timers feel more comfortable starting with a Brazilian, because a shape is left at the front. The right choice still comes down to your preference, your skin and how confident you feel.
Does a Hollywood wax hurt more?
It can feel slightly more intense because more hair is removed, but technique, skin tension and staying relaxed usually affect comfort more than the service name.
Which one needs more upkeep?
Both are usually maintained on a regular schedule, but a Hollywood can feel higher-maintenance because there's no front shape to soften visible regrowth.
