January 31, 2005

Wax On, Wax Off

Beeswax Bikini Wax at Violet Skin Boutique

Some truths are just immutable. A bikini wax will never be as soothing as, say, homemade chicken soup.

But when Violet Mkhitaryan, founder of Violet Skin Boutique, is doing the waxing, the gap between the two narrows — a smidge.

Violet, who started mixing organic skin potions 30 years ago in her native Armenia, applies all-natural beeswax (nary a strip in sight) and chases the ouch with her own skin-calming green apple tonic. She’s so friendly — motherly, almost — that having your bikini line examined under a UV light seems hardly more invasive than a manicure. And be warned: examine, she does. Going in post-wax with tweezers to find any strays, she makes sure you’re left soft, smooth, and even — dare we say it — soothed.

Of course, that doesn’t mean there won’t be some sting involved.

So we recommend treating yourself to a bowl of chicken soup when it’s over.

Violet Skin Boutique, 257 Newbury Street, between Fairfield and Gloucester Streets, Back Bay (617-262-7546).