just a flick of cotton

Ever since I first stumbled across threading eight years ago, I have favoured this hair removal technique for my brows. I wrote about it for The Listener and during my research, I came across a wonderful practice in West Auckland’s New Windsor – Charm Beauty Parlour, where the procedure takes a mere five minutes (unless you go on the weekend – you can wait nearly an hour!) and costs $4. Yes, $4.

Unfortunately I don’t know the name of the lady I’ve been seeing at Charm, despite how many times I’ve gone over the years, she mostly speaks Indian with her co-workers (who I presume to be friends). She’s amazing – she can hold the cotton in her mouth and answer the phone at the same time. She’s quick, calm (even when her waiting room is chocka) and really lovely.

Threading is an ancient art – it’s one of the oldest and most effective forms of hair removal. It began in the East – China and then travelled through South East Asia to India and the Middle East. It’s incredibly popular with those cultures who have dark facial hair – it’s relatively quick and doesn’t aggravate the skin like waxing can. You can get your whole faced threaded if you need to (or parts of it).

So how does it work? Basically it’s a piece of cotton that is twisted and rolled over the skin ‘catching hairs and pulling them out from the root’. It can pick up multiple hairs at a time and yes, it’s a bit of a sting. But it’s quick. Much quicker than tweezing.

The real benefit to me – is that the threader removes those fine hairs at the top of the brow and between the eyes leaving a smooth forehead. And did I mention it’s quick?

I recently tried out threading at East Day Spa and was placed in the very good hands of Asha – she was quick and created a really great shaped brow. It’s more expensive at East Day Spa, $18, but it is more of an experience. I waited in the relaxation room drinking ginger tea and lay on a treatment bed (unlike the dentist style chairs at Charm). Since I work in the city, East Day Spa is more convenient. However Charm Beauty Parlour is pretty damn good too.

There are lots of threaders hidden around our cities – do you know of a good one you’d like to share?

Tamsin xoxo