Honeypot Honeypot screams sexy in an ‘Alice in Wonderland meets Jessica Rabbit’ kind of way. From the black-and-pink faux fur adorning the front door, to the disco balls, mirrors and bedroom setting, Honeypot playfully teases those ‘good girls’ brave enough to enter, while cheeky regulars feel right at home among the feather boas, black-and-fuchsia walls and dim lighting. 

Treatment: Honeypot therapists are called ‘waxing fairies’, and there are up to eight wax potions to choose from, depending on skin type. We’re not sure if it’s the Aussie essential oil-infused pink wax, but the overall procedure (preparation, hair trimming, wax and ingrown hair removal) was relatively quick and pain-free. But don’t be fooled: you’re still lying on your back with a spotlight on your private bits, ready to be inspected by a stranger wearing a mask and rubber gloves. And that’s the bit that hurts the most. 

Etiquette: The front desk was unattended and when a fairy finally appeared, her greeting was mysteriously absent. The fairies can answer all your waxing queries, but forget about making small talk: trying to strike up a friendly conversation with too-cool-for-school twentysomethings is exhausting. Instead, close your eyes, hum along to the jazz soundtrack and think happy thoughts for the next 35 minutes. 

Extras: A plethora of creams and lotions are for sale in the lobby area, but none were offered. However, package details were explained thoroughly. Other services: face (from $9) and body waxing (from $25), make-up application (from $50), manis (from $16), pedis (from $18), eyebrow shaping ($19), eyebrow tinting ($30) and eyelash tinting ($33). Waxing services include Hollywood (Brazilian, $59), basic bikini wax ($26), Playboy (with landing strip, $63) and Honeypot Glamour (crystals application, from $76). 

Pain rating: ♦ If you can turn a blind eye to their sloppy bedside manner, Honeypot give a great wax job, and is our number-one pick. 

Find them: #01-11 Clifford Centre, 24 Raffles Place (6533 2173, www.honeypot.com.sg). Raffles Place. Mon-Sat 10.30am-9.30pm; Sun & public holidays 10am-7.30pm. 

Strip 
Strip is considered the waxing queen of Singapore; according to their website, they were the first in the business and they’re keeping count: ‘250,000 bushes pruned to perfection!’ The treatment rooms are slick and comfortable. Famous quotes decorate the walls and ceiling of the treatment rooms (‘Every woman should try a Brazilian wax once. And then the sex they have afterward will make them keep coming back.’ – Eva Longoria) and keep you amused, even if the therapist doesn’t. 

Treatment: Strip needs to offer consistent service if they wish to hold on to bragging rights. The therapists, or Strip-erellas, are either sweet and gentle or moody and rough. After experiencing the latter on two occasions, I’m not prepared to gamble here with my precious bits again. 

Etiquette: Strip is a busy place: the phone rings off the hook, customers jam the waiting area and it’s easy to feel like just another hoochie on their waxing conveyer belt. Poor service has already cost them once, when Honeypot snagged Cleo magazine’s ‘Best Brazilian’ award last year. 

Extras: Strip-erellas explain the different services in detail before they begin waxing, although there was no mention of after-wax treatments. Other services: Brazilians (from $49) and Boyzilians (from $33). Strip is undeniably streets ahead when it comes to sexy extras; get a fun shape (women $10, men $13) or treat your privates to a Hoochie Coochie facial (from $30). 

Pain rating: ♦♦♦ Staring up at Eva’s quote and the promise of great sex didn’t lessen the pain. The procedure was inexcusably slow (40 minutes); Striperellas are supposedly trained to spend only 15 minutes per Brazilian wax. 

Find them: #03-04 Wheelock Place, 501 Orchard Rd (6836 1200, www.strip.com.sg), female only. Orchard. Daily 10am-9pm. For co-ed and other female-only branches, go to www.strip.com.sg for details. 

Sylvia’s Secrets 
Sylvia’s spa-like ambience and welcoming staff do wonders for the nerves of Brazilian waxing virgins: you’ll feel safe in the experienced hands of the therapists, who are a little older and know their stuff. Treatment: The hands-on approach works best here – your hand, that is. Forget about lying back and relaxing. You’ll be expected to assist the therapist from start to finish, and although she’ll sound like a bossy lover (‘Hitch your skirt higher’, ‘Open your legs wider’), it’s a great way to keep your mind focused on anything other than what’s going on below. 

Etiquette: Most therapists are multitrained: your wax, manicure and facial can be done by the same person. From the initial telephone booking to the goodbye at the door, professionalism rules here. Your therapist will greet you by name, explain the waxing process and be extra gentle with first-timers. 

Extras: Therapists do their best to sell packages and after-wax lotions, and are eager to secure your next appointment. Other services: Sylvia’s offer services to men, except Brazilian waxing. Brazilians (from $46), manis (from $25) and pedis (from $50), facials (from $45), spray tanning ($40) and massages (from $40). 

Pain rating: ♦♦ At times, the wax was a little too hot for extra-sensitive areas. The wax job was over in a record time of 25 minutes, and I was thankful that my therapist had lightning-quick wrists: the faster she rips, the less it hurts. 

Find them: #03-01A King’s Arcade, 559 Bukit Timah Rd (6469 0833, www.sylviassecrets.sg). Mon-Fri 10am-8pm; Sat 10am-7pm; closed Sun and public holidays.

...don't miss the man's point of view of a Boyzilian, check out bush-whacked.