Hollywood vs Brazilian Wax: What's Actually the Difference?

Waxing menus have a habit of listing "Brazilian" and "Hollywood" side by side as if everyone was born knowing the difference — and plenty of people book the wrong one first time precisely because asking feels awkward. So here's the plain-English version, including the details salons rarely spell out on the menu.

The one-line difference

Both treatments remove hair from the labia, perineum and bum area — the difference is entirely about the front. A Brazilian leaves a small, shaped section of hair on the pubic mound (most commonly a vertical "landing strip" or a small triangle). A Hollywood removes absolutely everything, front to back, leaving you completely bare.

That's genuinely the whole distinction. Everything else — the process, the prep, the aftercare — is essentially identical between the two.

What each appointment actually involves

Both are "knickers off" treatments, typically taking 30–45 minutes depending on hair density and whether it's your first visit. The therapist works in small sections, usually with hard wax on the most sensitive areas (our guide to hard wax vs soft wax explains why that matters for comfort). You'll be asked to move into a few different positions so everything can be reached — it's clinical and quick, and an experienced therapist will have seen it all thousands of times.

With a Brazilian, expect to be asked what shape and size you'd like left — some UK salons literally measure landing strips in finger-widths, so it's worth having a rough idea. If you're asked "strip or triangle?" mid-appointment and freeze, a narrow strip is the classic default.

Which one hurts more?

Honestly: they're close, but a Hollywood is generally the slightly more intense of the two, simply because every follicle goes, including all of the most sensitive spots. The difference isn't dramatic though, and two things affect discomfort far more than which style you pick: how experienced your therapist is, and whether it's your first wax. First appointments are always the sharpest; with regular waxing, hair grows back finer and sparser, and most people find sessions noticeably easier from the second or third visit onwards.

How to prep (this genuinely changes the experience)

• Let the hair grow to about 6mm — roughly the length of a grain of rice. Too short and the wax can't grip, leaving a patchy result; much longer and it's worth a trim first.
• Don't shave between appointments. Shaving resets the growth cycle and increases ingrown hairs — it's the single most common thing that sabotages waxing results.
• Exfoliate gently about 48 hours before, not on the day.
• Booking before a holiday? Schedule it 2–3 days before you travel so any redness settles.

Aftercare and how long it lasts

Both styles keep you smooth for roughly the same window: expect to feel completely smooth for 1–2 weeks, with soft regrowth after, and rebooking every 4–6 weeks as the standard cycle. For the first 24–48 hours, skip the gym, hot baths, saunas and tight clothing — trapped heat and sweat against freshly waxed skin is the main cause of post-wax bumps and irritation. Gentle exfoliation from a few days after helps keep ingrown hairs away between visits.

What they cost

Pricing for the two is usually close, with Hollywood sometimes a few pounds more for the extra work. You can see what people are actually paying near you on our Hollywood wax and Brazilian wax price pages, with city-level pricing available for both. And if you're starting to wonder whether the every-5-weeks cycle is worth replacing with something longer-term, our guide to laser hair removal vs waxing runs the honest multi-year comparison.

So which should you book?

Book a Brazilian if you want everything tidy and smooth but prefer not to be completely bare — the shaped section at the front is entirely your call, and you can go smaller over time if you want.

Book a Hollywood if you want zero hair and zero decisions — it's the most thorough option and the most popular choice for people who've already been waxing a while.

And if you're genuinely unsure: it's completely normal to book a Brazilian first and go Hollywood next time (or never). Some people also build up gradually from a standard bikini wax over a few appointments — a good therapist will never push you further than you asked for, and most are happy to adjust on the day if you change your mind.

Find a verified waxing specialist near you in our directory, or check current UK waxing prices on our Beauty Price Index.