A full bush Brazilian wax removes hair from the labia, perineum, and between the buttocks while leaving the pubic hair on top, over the mons pubis, fully grown. Think of it as a Brazilian with a very specific exception: the bush stays.
If you’ve ever wanted the smoothness of a Brazilian without removing every last hair, this might be your happy medium. It certainly became mine. After trying shaving, traditional Brazilians, and sugaring, I found that leaving the hair on my pubic mound was a much better fit for my preferences and pain tolerance.
What Does a Full Bush Brazilian Wax Look Like?
With a full bush Brazilian, the hair on the pubic mound stays natural and full, while the hair underneath and around the back is removed. From the front, you still have a bush. The difference is in the areas you don’t immediately see.
As The Cut explained in 2014, the style leaves the hair on top untouched while removing hair from the labia and between the buttocks.
It’s not quite a regular Brazilian, and it isn’t a traditional bikini wax, either. Here’s how the styles compare:
- Full bush Brazilian: Leaves the pubic mound fully grown while removing hair around the labia, perineum, and between the buttocks.
- Traditional Brazilian: Removes most or all pubic hair, often including the pubic mound, labia, and the area between the buttocks. Some salons offer the option of leaving a small strip or triangle.
- Bikini wax: Primarily removes hair along the edges of your underwear or swimsuit, leaving most of the hair underneath untouched.
- Hollywood wax: Removes all pubic hair, including the hair on the mound and between the buttocks.
The terminology isn’t identical at every salon. Some estheticians have a specific name for this style, while others treat it as a customized Brazilian. The easiest way to avoid surprises is to explain exactly which areas you want waxed and which you want left alone.
And if you’re looking for full bush Brazilian examples or pictures, remember that the key detail is the contrast between the untouched hair on top and the waxed areas underneath. You don’t need to trim your bush into a landing strip or triangle to get this look.
How I Discovered the Full Bush Brazilian
My pubic hair choices have gone back and forth over time quite a bit. (This may seem like a TMI statement, but we are a site that covers beauty, and part of beauty is hair, and you knew what you were getting yourself into when you clicked on this article, man.)
When I was a teenager, I used to shave all my pubic hair off because that’s what I assumed adults did, and I really wanted to speed up that process. But it was itchy and uncomfortable.
As I got older, my removal levels waned and waxed, pun semi-intended, from being full-on, IDGAF status to getting an actual Brazilian. Eventually, I found the perfect hair-to-bare balance for me: the full bush Brazilian.
Refinery29 called it the “pubic mullet,” which is a title I don’t want ever associated with any of my carriages.
To me, it’s called “the Portlander” because the first time I got it at Sugar Me in Portland, Oregon, the woman who, ahem, sugared me said that Portland folk had been requesting this style for a long time.
According to her, even back in the Paris Hilton ultra-low-jean days, when everybody seemed to be opting for full Brazilians, some clients wanted to keep their hair on top. Eventually, they just called it “the Portlander.”
Whether your salon knows it by that name is another matter entirely. But I liked the idea from the beginning.
My Experience With Sugaring and Brazilian Waxing
Anyway, let me set the stage for you: I have rather thick hair.
This is wonderful for the whole “on the head” business. I can do big waves, curls, and all that fun stuff without fear of the style looking flat. This is less fun for the rest of my body, as I can basically shave my legs, and the hair will pop back up like a bunny from a magician’s hat.
(It also sucks because my roots grow within a matter of literal days, so dyeing my hair is problematic, but that’s a whole other conversation.)
I can’t handle even moderate pain sometimes, thanks, fibromyalgia! So the idea of waxing was incredibly unappealing. But when I grew tired of shaving bumps yet still wanted to remove a fair amount of hair from my nether region, I decided to go for it.
I wound up choosing sugaring because I had heard good things about the process, and there was an appointment available. Given that I was in Portland at the time, I opted for “the Portlander,” and she went to work.
The experience was certainly not pain-free, but I didn’t shed any tears as she worked the sugar around. The area between my buttocks was surprisingly manageable for me. I wouldn’t promise the same experience for everyone, though, because pain is personal, especially in an area with sensitive skin.
Sugaring uses a sugar-based paste to remove hair, whereas traditional waxing uses a wax product. Both pull hair out from the root, and neither guarantees a pain-free appointment. My preference came down to the particular experience and the areas being treated, not any magical quality of sugar.
Does a Full Bush Brazilian Hurt Less Than a Regular Brazilian?
For me, absolutely. But there’s an important distinction: a full bush Brazilian involves less hair removal than a completely bare Brazilian, so there’s simply less waxing to get through. That doesn’t mean the areas being waxed are painless.
In addition to my sugaring experience, I’ve tried another couple of full-on Brazilians, and oh my good gracious, they were awful.
Awful to the point where, during one appointment, a woman in the waiting room heard me scream so badly that she debated canceling her own appointment until the esthetician calmed her down.
The outsides, meaning my inner thighs, weren’t so bad, nor were the areas around my genitals. But gosh, I don’t think I will ever remove hair from my pubic mons again.
It felt like a million tiny swords were piercing my skin, and afterward, I felt straight-up bruised.
While I’m sure everyone has different experiences depending on their bodies, the pubic mound was unquestionably the worst part for me. Other people may find the labia or surrounding areas more sensitive.
That’s why I appreciate the full bush Brazilian. It lets me skip the part of a traditional Brazilian that I personally dislike most, without giving up hair removal everywhere else.
What to Ask for When Booking a Full Bush Brazilian
If you want to try this style, don’t assume every waxing salon uses the same terminology. You can simply tell your esthetician:
“I’d like to keep all the hair on my pubic mound and have the hair around my labia, perineum, and between my buttocks removed. I don’t want the hair on top shaped or trimmed.”
That’s much clearer than asking for a Brazilian and hoping the person holding the wax understands exactly what you mean.
You can also discuss your bikini line separately. If you want hair removed from your inner thighs or along the edges of your swimsuit, say so before the appointment starts. Those areas aren’t necessarily included in every salon’s version of a full bush Brazilian.
Ask whether the salon offers sugaring if that’s your preference, confirm the treatment price, and mention any skin sensitivity or previous painful experiences. A good esthetician should be willing to explain the service before getting started.
Can You Do a Full Bush Brazilian Wax at Home?
Technically, people do attempt Brazilian waxing at home, but I wouldn’t treat this particular style as a beginner DIY project. The skin around the vulva and perineum is delicate, and some of the areas involved are difficult to see and reach safely.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends considering professional treatment for Brazilian waxing because of the area’s sensitivity. Incorrect technique or overheated wax can cause burns, irritation, and skin injury.
If you’re completely new to waxing, booking with an experienced professional is the more cautious choice. You can still decide precisely which hair stays and which hair goes.
How to Prepare for Your Appointment
A little preparation can make your appointment easier, especially if you’re nervous about your first Brazilian.
- Let the hair grow enough to grip. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends approximately 1/4 to 3/4 inch of hair for waxing. Ask your salon about its preferred length, and don’t trim the bush you’re planning to keep unless you want to.
- Arrive with clean, dry skin. Avoid applying heavy lotions or oils to the areas being waxed.
- Wear comfortable underwear and loose clothing. Tight seams and friction may feel unpleasant on freshly waxed skin.
- Tell your esthetician about sensitive skin, medications, or skin treatments. Certain medications, including isotretinoin, can make waxing unsafe. Don’t wax over irritated, sunburned, or injured skin.
- Be clear about your boundaries. You can ask questions, request a pause, or stop the appointment if something feels wrong.
If you want more details about the experience, our guide to what to expect from a Brazilian or bikini wax covers additional practical considerations.
Full Bush Brazilian Aftercare
Even when you leave the hair on your pubic mound untouched, the waxed skin still needs some attention afterward.
According to Cleveland Clinic’s Brazilian waxing guidance, you should be gentle with freshly waxed skin and avoid hot baths, saunas, and tight clothing for roughly 24 to 48 hours, depending on your skin and your esthetician’s advice.
Try to limit rubbing, picking at bumps, or applying harsh or fragranced products to the treated area. A cool compress can help with temporary discomfort. If you’re planning swimming, strenuous exercise, or sexual activity that could cause friction, allow your skin time to settle first.
Some temporary redness or sensitivity can happen after waxing. But if you develop severe pain, worsening swelling, pus, discharge, or persistent irritation, contact a healthcare professional rather than trying to treat it yourself.
Is a Full Bush Brazilian Worth Trying?
Now, obviously, I think women should do whatever the eff they want to with their pubic hair.
People often mistakenly believe that all women who wax are doing it because they’re seeing somebody, but I know plenty of friends and acquaintances who have told me they simply enjoy the feeling of zero, some, or plenty of hair. It’s totally up to you.
But in my humble opinion, if you’re self-conscious about your pubic hair when you wear a bathing suit, hate shaving, or just don’t dig the totally bare look, a full bush Brazilian is an option worth considering.
Just remember that leaving the hair on top doesn’t automatically remove hair outside your swimsuit line, and waxing isn’t necessary for hygiene. You can keep your pubic hair completely natural, trim it, shave it, or remove some of it without needing to justify the decision.
For me, the full bush Brazilian was a welcome compromise. I got to keep the part of my pubic hair I actually liked, skip the part of waxing I dreaded most, and stop pretending that completely bare was the only option.
