Everything You Want to Know About Vajazzling (But Are Too Afraid to Ask)
Years ago, Jennifer Love Hewitt introduced the term vajazzling to millions of people who would have never otherwise considered the idea of replacing a little hair down there with a sparkly crystal flower or heart. Perhaps you thought the trend was over because you haven't read about it recently; I'm here to tell you that vajazzling lives on.
I've written about the beauty industry for years, and along the way I've pestered a number of experts with really basic questions about things like blowouts and sugaring. (Think of it as a public service: I ask the embarrassing questions so you don't have to.) When I realized that vajazzling questions were haunting my dreams, I knew that it was time to find a professional to explain the process. Luckily, Erika Lee from Dermal Essentials stepped in to clear up the confusion.
Rockyt: First up: How do you pronounce the word? Is it va-jazz-ling or va-jay-zzling? (I’ve heard both.)
Erika: Va-jazz-ling
R: So you start with waxed, sugared, or shaved skin. How long does the vajazzling process take?
E: Not even five minutes. The designs are pre-made. They have a special adhesive, so you just peel it off of the paper and adhere it to the skin. If a crystal falls off, and you have it, you can adhere it with eyelash glue.
R: Do people often react to the adhesive?
E: I've never had a client react.
R: How long does vajazzling last?
E: It lasts about a week. You can go in water, but you don’t want to put lotion over the area and you don’t want to scrub or shave. If you leave it alone, it lasts.
R: Would friction—like wearing jeans or having sex—cause the crystal to rub off?
E: Jeans are totally fine. It should stay through sex. I occasionally have a client who comes back and tells me, "My boyfriend found some vajazzle in his bed," but that’s rare. It’s usually secure.
R: How many vajazzling clients do you get around Valentine’s Day? Is it the most popular time for this service?
E: Definitely Valentine's Day and summer time are the busiest. People will also do it on their stomachs in the summer.
R: Approximately how many clients request vajazzling each month throughout the rest of the year?
E: Some months you don’t have anybody, and other months it’ll be a handful. It's definitely one of those things that some people don’t know about.
R: Is it just bling, or are there other decorations, like feathers?
E: I don’t have feathers. It’s frosty crystals.
R: What designs do most clients choose?
E: The most popular is two hearts. A bigger size heart with a baby heart next to it. There’s also a peace sign, red lips, flowers. The flower is pretty popular.
R: Do most women tell their partner in advance, or surprise them?
E: Most people are like, "Surprise!" A handful will tell them in advance.
R: Is there an option for people who want a little backdoor bling?
E: (Laughing). You could do something on your lower back, but I wouldn't recommend it between the cheeks.
So there you have it. In addition to being one of the best waxers in the city, Erika is also an absolute sweetheart about answering questions in a kind and non-judgmental way. If you want to try vajazzling ($18), or you're just looking for a new esthetician, you can book with her at Dermal Essentials in San Francisco and Walnut Creek. And if there's another beauty service you want to know more about, leave a comment. I'm always happy to pepper an expert with weird questions.