A – THEY BOTH WORK WHERE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE FUN!!!

wash up as far as possible…

down far as possible… and do not forget possible

Sorry for the absence of news but it’s been a busy and challenging nine months where I spent translating my book Confessions of a Brazilian Bikini Waxer to my native Portuguese language.

I am finally very proud to announce that I am on my way to Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro for the launching of “Confissoes de uma depiladora brasileira nos Estados Unidos”.

For those of you who would like a Portuguese version please contact me (925) 682-7369 or e-mail me reny@waxconfessions.com

Finalmente….

Perdao pela ausencia de noticias mas estive ocupada nos ultimos nove meses traduzindo meu livro “Confessions of a Brazilian Bikini Waxer para minha lingua nativa Portugues.  Me orgulho em finalmente poder anunciar que estou indo a Sao Paulo e Rio para o lancamento de “Confissoes de uma depiladora brasileira nos Estados Unidos”.

Para aqueles que desejam uma copia da versao em Portugues por favor liguem para (925) 682-7369 ou me e-mail reny@waxconfessions.com

Let there always be laughter,
And absolutely no hair.

Beijocas,

Reny

“Reny is an amazing woman with an incredibly captivating Brazilian accent and glowing personality that makes you want to sit and listen to her stories for hours.  I wasn’t sure what to expect from the book.  Yes, it is about the good, the bad, and the sometimes not so pleasant art of waxing, but it is far more than that.  Reny gives us a peek into the lives of a broad cross section of people and cultures and opens our eyes (I said eyes!) to how a simple change in one’s exterior appearance can create a significant change in one’s self perception.  I admire her courage for writing this book and wish her the best of success.  I see an HBO series in her future.  Please support a wonderful indie!”

RICHARD NEUMANN

http://www.stoneinthesurf.com/StoneInTheSurf_26_featured_Reny.html

Story about the Story

Soon after I began my skin care practice, I realized a few things.  First, I love waxing and the great look that results from it.  Because I’m personable, enthusiastic and supportive to my waxing clients, they soon become comfortable enough with me to share stories about themselves.   And because waxing private areas is closely associated with peoples’ sex lives, I hear stories that even therapists won’t be told.  What people will say when they are in half-naked, compromising positions having hot wax applied to their private areas can be hilarious.

The same clients who provided me with the stories encouraged me for over a decade to put them into a book.  I was very reluctant because I never considered myself a writer.  But the idea grew on me and, further, I thought it would be fun to educate readers about the Brazilian culture, and the origins of Brazilian waxing to my joyful, sun-worshipping and body-celebrating country.

What I initially thought might be a one to two year, part-time process took five painstaking years from first drafts to publication.

Why you chose to go “indie”

I decided to self publish because I was inexperienced and intimidated.  I felt overwhelmed by the whole process of finding an agent.  Because English is my second language, I knew I needed editing help to give my stories credibility before presenting them to “professionals” to develop and market.  I was also intimidated because the topic of waxing male and female private areas makes many people uncomfortable.  One Midwest agent told me “This is America, not Brazil. You’ll never succeed trying to tell these risqué stories to the American public. Throw your manuscript in the garbage.”

In addition, I refused to use clinical terminology for the word “pussy” (which in my Brazilian accent comes out more like “poosie”).  My clients and I feel that this is a cute and endearing term that breaks down mental barriers for them to become comfortable with and proud of their bodies.  Another agent tried to dissuade me from using the term “poosie”.  She insisted that “female genitalia” or “vulva” would be more appropriate.  I was very discouraged by feedback like this, but my gut feeling to continue writing my stories persisted.  As time went by and Brazilian waxing became more mainstream in American culture, I figured were ready to know more about “poosie waxing”.

Biggest mistake(s)

I knew that the waxing stories themselves were great raw material.  However, I knew making them into easy reading “vignettes” in a book form would take some combination of professional ghostwriting and editing.  My biggest mistakes were have the wrong people help me in these areas.  I had friends and family who volunteered their efforts knowing I had a low budget, and professional writers who returned drafts that looked technically correct but put me to sleep.  I wanted the stories to retain my own voice and feeling as much as possible, but the more help I got, the less the stories sounded like me.  At one point, some drafts had the fingerprints of several editors on them.  This was costly, frustrating and time-consuming.  Only by trial and error did I find the editor who had the right combination of technical skill, tone and voice to clean up the stories get them ready for publication.

Best thing(s) that happened

I’ve been invited to book signings, book clubs and amateur storytelling events.  Telling an audience that, “I wax ‘poosies’ for a living” always seems to put everyone in the right mood and allows me to develop my storyteller side.  Overall, the people I’ve met along the way, and the friendships that have blossomed are to me the biggest rewards of all.

Word of encouragement to other upcoming “indie’s”

DO NOT allow anyone to discourage you.  Trust yourself and be persistent.  It may take a while but sooner or later you’ll be rewarded.

MOST FABULOUS!

http://www.more.com/13752/15342-reny-ryan-56

MORE Magazine, where Reny has been featured before, has a “Beauty  Search Contest” for “Most Fabulous After 40!” Reny has entered it and needs your votes to make it to the phase 2.

She is currently in the TOP 10 and we need to keep her there until mid May to make sure she is considered by the judges for the top spot.

Voting is easy.  Click HERE and go directly to her entry.  Then click “I vote MOST FAB!”

Thank you!

]]> http://waxconfessions.com/2010/04/07/more-com/feed/ 0 waxconfessions Reny is Fabulous! http://waxconfessions.com/2010/02/16/client-confession/ http://waxconfessions.com/2010/02/16/client-confession/#comments Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:39:22 +0000 waxconfessions http://waxconfessions.com/2010/02/16/client-confession/ ]]>

Sam is a bouncer at a San Francisco nightclub and rides a motorcycle.  His muscles, tattoos and bald head makes for an intimidating appearance, and when he smiles the little boy inside comes out and you can see the sweet guy he is.

He’s been a client for the past 6 years and usually has his back and arms waxed.  “The tattoos in my arms are more evident without hair,” he says.  He is very particular about even the finest hair in those muscular arms as well as the hair on his knuckles.

During his last session, he was still on his stomach from the back waxing and with both arms resting on the waxing table.  So, I decided to wax the arms as he was instead having Sam sit on the corner of the waxing table.

I realized this was a much better position for this type of waxing.  It surprised me how fast I was able to remove every single hair in a third of the time.

So, as he was ready to leave, I declared, “Sam, I loved that position much better, didn’t you?  Let’s do that again next time!”  With a malicious look in his face he said, “Reny, Do you realize what you just said?”  Ai, ai, ai, Caramba!  I apologized and we laughed.

It has become joke and so every time he comes for his wax he says without fail, “Hey Reny, do you want to do that position again?”

Late that day while having dinner with my husband he asked me about my day.

“Oh, honey I had a great day at work, I tried a new position with this guy and it was much, much better!!!”

Not surprisingly, culture plays a strong role in how the mothers conduct themselves. For example:

The conventional mothers figure out a way to have their kids at an arms length but away from their naked bodies.  One mom often leaves her girls in my reception area with a book or their cell phones.  She locks the door and wonders what her girls might be telling (or texting) their friends about their Mom’s trip to her “Brazilian Waxer.”  Another mother brings her girl inside the waxing room, places her in a chair facing the corner of the room with a book and often warned her not to look back.

The more open minded mothers seem to think of it as something their daughters might do in the future and they act as if is just another appointment, such as a haircut or a manicure, not a big deal at all.

I remember a “cool mother’s” (her daughter’s term) visit.  On this occasion, her 8-year-old was not only in the room, but she climbed on the stool next to my waxing table and was intently watching all my moves.  Her mother, in a refined language explained the procedure as well as the reason she was there.  She went further saying that in a few years the girl herself might be paying me a visit to get rid of her own hair.  They seemed so close and so comfortable in each other’s company that I thought to myself, what a great way to build a solid foundation for a trusting and healthy relationship.

Then, last year I had the privilege of having a bride and her mother for a BBW.  I was delighted to see how these two generations apart adults were unreserved about talking of their bodies, sex and their husbands.  While listening and watching them, I thought how wonderful if more mothers and daughters could share the same mutual trust.  They took turns on the waxing table while making suggestions about each other’s waxing style always with a sweet word and respect.

The healthy interactions between these two reminded me of my own up bringing in Brazil where “shame”, “embarrassment” or  “disgusting” were words rarely used towards our bodies.

Finally, there is Annie. She is five years old and loves to come to see me wax her mom.  I usually spread powder on her mom’s thighs and ask for her “help” spreading it.  Annie talks non-stop and is excited when she shows me a few fuzzy hairs on her arm, and tells me she’ll soon become my client.

Annie’s mom called me recently to tell me that while in the shower together, Annie looked up and said, “Gee mom I think is time for you to go see Reny!!”OO

You are all very special to me!

Let’s hope that the article opens the doors to better and bigger comunication vehicles.  It is essential to me to talk about the power of the Brazilian and how it is a way we often transform and more authentically love our bodies and ourselves.

Util next time, here’s my quote of the day to all of you:

“Nurture your poosie as a lush, beautiful garden – get rid of the weeds and reveal your tulips.”