So you got your hands on the best bikini wax on the market, you’ve opened your web browser to a handy how-to guide, and you’re ready to go the distance, as they say. Well, before you begin, just know that bikini waxing is an art, not a science, and chances are you won’t find everything you want to know in a single how-to guide.

So below, we’ll list a few of the best bikini wax tips to keep in mind before you get started. These should help you get a smoother look with less discomfort.

7- Pull the skin tight

This is absolutely necessary for a smooth finish. Think of it like pulling weeds from the garden. You don’t just grab and yank, you have to get a good grip around the base of the plant. That only works on the bikini hair if you pull the skin as tight as you can. Get your significant other or a very, very close friend to pull the cloth while you hold tight.

6- Clip and trim beforehand

The ideal length for bikini hair removal with wax is about one quarter of an inch. This lets the wax get a good grip.

5- Keep the tweezers handy

As we said, bikini area hair removal is an art, not a science, so know beforehand that it’ll probably leave a few stragglers behind. Each little pinch and pluck is going to come with a bit of a sting, but if you want a completely clean, hairless look, no pain no gain.

4- Keep some Advil handy, too

…Or whatever painkiller you might prefer. Tylenol, Aspirin, Jack Daniels. Whatever you like. Some waxers prefer to apply a numbing agent beforehand. If you want to go that route, just make sure to read the instructions and warnings carefully, as not all are safe for application to the bikini zone.

3- Yank the cloth quick

Like pulling a band-aid. You don’t want to sit there peeling it off an inch at a time, you need to just grab and yank. It’ll sting, but you might as well get it over with, so gather up your courage (or liquid courage, if you opt for the Jack Daniels) and give it a good strong pull.

2- Be ready for a little bit of redness

The initial redness and swelling goes away in less than an hour, but you might be sore for a bit longer than that. So if you are, just know, you didn’t do anything wrong, you didn’t break it, you just need to spend the rest of the day relaxing.

1- Try shaving, first

You get the same look with less pain. It’s more of a hassle if you want to keep the Brazilian hair look permanently, but if you’re just trying it out for the first time, try shaving your vagina, and then go shopping for the best bikini wax you can find.