Have a smooth summer

Life's a beach when you're relaxing in your bikini, but actually achieving that super-smooth look can be a hair-raising chore.

Two thirds of men have no idea what it takes for their partners to look their best, a new study by Jolen reveals.

Women apparently spend about five hours a week in the bathroom on a secret beauty mission - and shaving or waxing legs came top of the beauty cheat list ahead of plucking eyebrows and applying make-up.

"The process women go through to look good is sometimes not at all glamorous or ladylike," says Emanuela Germano, spokeswoman for Jolen's new hair removal range. "Waxing, plucking and bleaching hair is just one aspect of a beauty regime that is not alluring but it's what most women put themselves through to look their best."

Forget about 'operation secrecy', when it comes to hair removal, it's the choice that's the real headache...

There's home versus salon, as long as you don't mind a therapist getting well-acquainted with your follicles, and then there's the method: speedy, pain-free shaving or wince-making waxing with longer-lasting results?

Our skincare experts will help make the hair removal decision process go a little smoother.

:: Shaving siren If you need lightening-fast removal, a razor will give you results in the nick of time but the dreaded stubble will make a reappearance within a matter of days - not ideal for long holidays.

Top tip: "I always recommend a razor with built-in shave gel bars," says skincare expert Nichola Joss. "They produce a lather when wet that will leave your legs feeling soft and silky smooth."

Ouch factor: Pain-free as long as you avoid nasty nicks and cuts. "These can be avoided with well-prepped skin," Nichola advises, "exfoliated and moisturised skin is less likely to cause you problems when shaving."

How often: Depends on each individual, but you may find hair grows at a faster rate during the summer months.

Aftercare advice: "Rinse your skin with cold water afterwards for fresh skin and closed pores," Nichola recommends.

Short cut essential: Gillette Venus Spa Breeze, £7.99 (nationwide).

:: Waxing wizard High pain threshold? If you can stand the grin-and-bear-it technique, waxing puts an end to unsightly stubble as hair grows back finer, softer and lighter.

Top tip: "Be sensible," says Perron Rigot waxing guru, Kim Lawless. "Don't sunbathe the day before your waxing appointment. Dry brush your skin and you'll get a much better finish."

Ouch factor: Ministry of Waxing give their clients a squeezy toy to divert the pain. Check your therapist is using a high-quality wax applied at a low temperature to keep discomfort to the bare minimum.

How often: To get the best results from your waxing, leave the hair to grow between treatments for 3 to 4 weeks.

Aftercare advice: "For 24 hours after you've been waxed, avoid heat and friction on the waxed area," Kim advises. "Also use a dry brush after two days, then two or three times a week after, but don't go mad as this can cause ingrown hairs."

Short cut essential: Bliss Poetic Waxing At-home Kit, £35 (www.blisslondon.co.uk).

:: Epilation angel Patience is rewarded with epilators. The tweezer system removes hair from the root in a process similar to waxing, but each session can take time before you're completely stubble-free, so it's best attempted on a leisurely morning/night.

Top tip: "A warm bath before you epilate is a good idea as it opens your pores," says Melanie Hanks, Veet's electrical expert. "Try exfoliating before you epilate - this ensures a smooth and easy epilation process and reduces the chances of in-growing hairs."

Ouch factor: The process can feel painful at first but you'll soon get accustomed to the tweezer effect.

How often: You can be smooth and hair-free for up to six weeks.

Aftercare advice: "Always use an unperfumed body oil after you've epilated," Melanie recommends. "This is a great way of re-hydrating your skin and injecting much needed oils back into the skin."

Short cut essential: Braun Silk-epil Xpressive Pro Epilator, £129.99 (Boots/Argos) :: Laser luvvie Want to wave goodbye to body hair long-term? Laser hair removal won't make every single hair vanish into a puff of smoke but it can permanently reduce hair growth over a course of treatments.

Top tip: "Ask about longer pulsed 'Lyra' lasers, which are suited to all complexions, so common side effects such as an increase in skin pigment are avoided," advises sk:n's medical director, Dr Sean Lanigan (www.sknclinics.co.uk).

Ouch factor: Slight stinging sensation, but the fact it's over quickly makes it bearable.

How often: sk:n clinics recommend a course of six treatments every 4 to 6 weeks depending on the area being treated, starting at around £70 per session.

Aftercare advice: "We advise our clients to protect their skin from the sun after each treatment using a high SPF," says Dr Lanigan.

At-home: Philips Lumea IPL Hair Removal System, £399.99 (Boots).

:: Tried & tested Boost your five-a-day count with a refreshing fruity shower. We lather up with three 'berry' good options.

:: Palmolive Pomegranate Nutra.Fruit Shower Creme, £1.99 (Tesco/Sainsburys).

Perfect for strawberry and cream fans, the rich super-creamy solution feels luxurious on the skin despite the bargain price. It's ideal for those who favour a sweet scent for their cleansing but others may find it overpowering.

4/5 :: Radox Shower Smoothies in Soul Soother, £2.49 (Boots/Superdrug).

I'm a big smoothie fan and the texture of this shower gel is not dissimilar, even real cranberry seeds are included and the bottle warns, 'Don't Drink Me' just in case you're in any doubt! The fragrance wasn't too sickly but despite the camomile extracts, my skin felt slightly dry afterwards.

3/5 :: Jason Natural Cranberry Satin Shower & Body Wash, £9.29 (www.nutricentre.com) If you like sweet-smelling shower gels, this silky white shower wash is for you as it is bursting with the fruity scent of cranberries. The packaging doesn't look spectacular but the gel lathered up well on a sponge and the powerful fruity aroma didn't linger too long on the skin. It is a tad expensive however.

3/5 :: Buy it now Glamorous girls on the go will love VO5's new travel must-have to keep their tresses tamed. The Mini Dryer and Ceramic Straightener Set comes with a handy travel pouch, all for £29.99, available at Dixons, Tesco, Debenhams and Amazon.

Beauty bulletin :: Friends fragrance While Brangelina has been busy on the red carpets promoting Ange's new film, Salt, Jennifer Aniston's been publicising all things sweet with her debut fragrance. The Friends actress walked the red carpet at Harrods to launch her scent, 'Jennifer Aniston'. She said: "It's a sexy clean smell that reminds me of the ocean. Sort of non-perfumey." Her fragrance launches in Harrods, priced from £23, and will be available nationwide in Boots and The Perfume Shop from September.

:: Recessionista alert No need to go bankrupt to swing a Versace bag from your shoulder. Buy any Versace fragrance worth £35 or more at The Perfume Shop and get a gold metallic holdall free - ideal for gym or beach. Offer available until 18 August while stocks last (www.theperfumeshop.com).