Over the course of a year, I’m sure I have spent upwards of $800 on waxing and threading. While I’m still waiting for a cheap, effortless and moderately painless at-home fix for my waxing needs, it appears my prayers may have been answered for my facial concerns. How many of you have wished you or a friend knew how to thread? Good news, you don’t need to learn how. Finally, two fantabulous ladies, named Anita Sun and Sara Maita, well versed in the practice of eyebrow threading and facial hair removal have come together to bring us the Threader Kit, “the first home threading system that precisely replicates the ancient art of threading – using actual, organic cotton blended threads.”

For those not familiar with “threading,” it is a South Asian hair removal process that is quickly spreading throughout the world. The technique involves a twisted piece of thread (hence, the name) that is spun, or rolled, over the hair to remove it from the follicle. Threading focuses specifically on the hair and does not remove the skin as in waxing, therefore skin irritations are substantially lessened. It is perfect for eyebrow shaping as it is more precise than waxing yet faster than tweezing. The results last for weeks and can be used all over the face – it is a great alternative for those with sensitive skin and those who use retinols on their face and cannot wax.

The Sun|Maita Threader Kit aims to make the threading process cheaper and more convenient (www.sunmaita.com). The $150 price tag stings a little, but when you think at how much you spend at the salon over the course of several months – gas, treatment, tip – you will discover you are actually saving a lot of $$$. The gadget is mechanical, not electric, so all you need to do is push the button and the threads begin to move as though a hand is expertly twisting them together. With the threads and plastic appliance, you also receive three other FDA approved products. These include the Feel Less Lotion (OTC strength ingredient to alleviate discomfort and diffuse the sensation of hair being pulled from its root), the Closer Lotion (after threading, this product is used to soothe and calm the skin), and Chalk (a powdery like substance that makes fine and hard-to-see hairs visible and just like a gymnast uses chalk to grip onto bars).

If you’re interested to see how the Threader works, check out the video below of a YouTuber below who has kindly shown us how to use the product:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd8Wm1lQXI4&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f&border=1]

If there is one thing I miss the most about being in South Asia, it has to be the ease with which I can get my beauty treatments done (and the prices, oh the amazing prices). But, alas, I live in the U.S. and I have to spend my life seeking out gadgets that will provide the best bang for my buck. The Sun|Maita Threader is a start in the right direction. Now, I don’t have to twist my arms into a pretzel trying to thread myself. The easy to use design is pure genius. On to finding the perfect do-it-yourself waxing kit!

So ladies, what do you think – is it worth the $150 price tag? Will you be threading at home or continue trekking out to the salon? Check the product out and sound off in the comments section below. We’d love to hear your opinions!

Fashion experts insist that we wear nude lingerie for daily wear. Why? Because it so closely resembles our own skin tone that it does not stand out the way black and white do under clothes. This may be true, but having one color of “skin tone” represent all women from fair to dark kind of defeats the idea behind nude lingerie. An African American woman is not going to feel like she’s “wearing her own skin” in a bra that was made for a Caucasian woman. And one amazing company has finally recognized this mistake and I just had to let you all in on what I consider to be the best thing since sliced bread.

MySkins is a lingerie company that aims to “provide the widest range of skin tone colors to match your beautiful skin.” There are 20 different nude shades in their line of bras and panties to match your particular skin tone. And what’s best is, they’re also seamless so they don’t stand out against your clothes – no visible lines! The product was test marketed amongst hundreds of women of all ethnicities so that the product could match 95% of all women in the world. Finally, someone is looking out for the Asian people! Lingerie, in my skin color, that is comfortable and undetectable under my yellow shirt? I love it. I’m sure somewhere back in Mumbai JD is proud.

Unfortunately, because the company is still relatively young, the products are only available online at myskins.com. But, they have a great return policy if you are not fully satisfied. In order to choose your color, you can either print out or have mailed to you a Skin Tone Color Card, with which you match your skin against the 20 shades listed. The bras run at $48 and panties at $12. The price is a little steep, but then again, I guess it’s nothing more than I would pay for ill-fitting bras at Victoria’s Secret.

The Color Match Card:

Before and After Photos:

DISCOUNT AVAILABLE: O Magazine is offering a 25% off on MySkins products. Simply enter the code OM25% at checkout. Offer expires 8/14/09.