Beauty salons are relatively cheap in Brazil, compared to 1st world countries. So, once in Brazil, plan a pitstop in one of them. Manicure
costs around US$3, so you should do your nails and toes using light colors during summer and maybe red during our so-called winter.  But above all, you should do some waxing, if you haven’t shaved just before. Brazilians wax all around their bodies, so probably there’ll  be plenty of hair left on you.

“Brazilian” Waxing

Start with your upper lips “buço” (mandatory if there’s any hair, even the invisible ones) and your eyebrows “sobrancelhas” (can be done with a tweezers or waxing). Then do your underarms and your legs. Now bikini waxing may hurt a little bit, but you feel a lot “cleaner”  afterwards, and besides it will last 3 to 4 weeks, a lot longer than shaving, not to mention they will reach into those hard-to-shave spots.

There are 3 options for bikini waxing:

1) virilha: the ordinary groin waxing, just on the bits that your bikini can’t hide. You won’t need to take your bikini or panties off. Just hold it to where you want it waxed. Wear a skirt or dress to make it easier.

2) virilha contorno: the sides and the back so you can lean down to pick up something.

3) Virilha cavada: highly recommended. They’ll wax everything except the front part. The lady who is supposed to explain and ask  you up to where she can go, will be using gloves and disposable wax, so it’s completely safe. You’ll be thanking this lady for the following month every time you shower or have sex.

Haircut

Now-a-days you will probably see more blondes than brunettes in Brazil. They’ll be 10% natural and 90% fake, though some will look perfectly natural. Besides this blonde fashion, there’s also the brushing: 60% of the girls will go out at night with very straight hairs.  If you have curly hair this is your chance to give it a try since it is cheap here (US$5 to 10), depending on the salon. 

There will be beauty salons in every corner of the main streets in Salvador. If you are staying in the main neighborhoods, take a  walk on their respective main streets (Leblon: Av. Ataulfo de Paiva; Ipanema: Av. Visconde Pirajá; Copacabana: Av. N. Sra. Copacabana) and choose the salon that you like the best. To make your choice easier, there’s a list with price ranges, phones and addresses below. The most famous are Werner and Giorgio. At Werner, like most of them, you’ll have to call in advance (1 day) and  book a time for what you want. At Giorgio, in Ipanema, you don´t have to book a time, just show up (you may have to wait a  little bit, 5 to 10 min).

Highlights

Salvador is also a good place to take the opportunity to highlight your hair. One of the best is Werner, priced around R$200 (US$70), They are expensive, but known as the best. That’s why you’ll need to book a time with him. Don’t be late, and save 2 hours for the  job. He can make you look like a goddess, or anything else you want.

Facials

Many salons may also offer facials, which are not really recommended till your last few days here, since you may get marks that  last for a whole week.