Sleek and hairless skin is a beauty essential for chic women, but electrolysis and laser hair removal are a bit pricy for most women. Even salon wax treatments can get costly. The good news is that home waxing kits keep improving both in cost and in effectiveness. Fruit waxes are not much different in formula from traditional waxes, but the extra infusion of vitamins and emollients make for smoother skin afterward. Fruit waxing at home is not difficult, but you are literally ripping your body hair out by its roots, so be prepared for it to sting like crazy the first time.

Let the hair that is going to be waxed grow out until it is at least one-quarter inch long.

Take aspirin or ibuprofen 30 to 45 minutes before waxing if you are concerned about the discomfort. This is a good idea if you are contemplating your first waxing experience.

Follow the directions on your waxing kit to heat the fruit wax. Cold wax strips are also available, but they do not grab the hairs as well, which means more waxing and more pain.

Sprinkle a little baby powder into your palm and rub it onto the area to be waxed. This will help keep the wax from sticking to your skin. Don't put on too much, or the wax won't stick to the hairs, either.

Use the supplied wooden applicator to apply the wax in the direction that your hair grows. Lay a cloth strip over the wax and smooth it down in the same direction, leaving an unattached bit at the end.

Take hold of the loose end of the cloth, fold it back on itself and quickly pull the cloth opposite the direction of the hair growth. Don't pull it straight up, as that won't get the hairs out. If you are doing your legs and your hair grows downward from your knee, pull the cloth toward your knee.

Press your other hand against your skin to lessen the stinging, if there is any. Repeat until you have removed all of the hair that you wanted to.

Use baby oil and a soft, clean cloth to remove any wax that might be left behind.