A vajazzle, also rarely spelled vagazzle or nicknamed glitter pubes, is a form of genital decoration, formed by the application of crystal ornaments on the shaved
mons pubis
In human anatomy, and in mammals in general, the ''mons pubis'' or pubic mound (also known simply as the mons, and known specifically in females as the ''mons Venus'' or ''mons veneris'') is a rounded mass of fatty tissue found over the pubic symp ...
of a woman. The process is known as vajazzling, a
portmanteau
A portmanteau word, or portmanteau (, ) is a blend of words (a euphemism for ''
vagina
In mammals, the vagina is the elastic, muscular part of the female genital tract. In humans, it extends from the vestibule to the cervix. The outer vaginal opening is normally partly covered by a thin layer of mucosal tissue called the hymen ...
'') and '' bedazzle''. Vajazzling was popularized by actress
Jennifer Love Hewitt
Jennifer Love Hewitt (born February 21, 1979) is an American actress and singer. Hewitt began her career as a child actress and singer, appearing in national television commercials before joining the cast of the Disney Channel series ''Kids I ...
, who devoted a chapter in her book ''
The Day I Shot Cupid
''The Day I Shot Cupid: Hello, My Name Is Jennifer Love Hewitt and I'm a Love-aholic'' (commonly abbreviated to ''The Day I Shot Cupid'') is a bestselling dating-advice book written by Jennifer Love Hewitt. The book tells of Hewitt's personal dati ...
'' to vajazzling. During a promotional interview on
Lopez Tonight
''Lopez Tonight'' is an American late-night television talk show that was hosted by the comedian George Lopez. The hour-long program premiered on November 9, 2009, on cable network TBS. Lopez was the first Mexican-American to host a late-night ...
in 2010, she encouraged the female members of her audience "to vajazzle their vajayjays". In the United Kingdom, this concept was popularized when beautician
Amy Childs
Amy Andrea Childs (born 7 June 1990) is an English television personality and model. She appeared in the first two series of the ITV2 reality series ''The Only Way Is Essex'', and subsequently starred in her own reality series '' It's All About ...
appeared in a television show ''
The Only Way Is Essex
''The Only Way Is Essex'' (often abbreviated as ''TOWIE'' ) is a British reality television series based in Brentwood, Essex, England. It shows "real people in modified situations, saying unscripted lines but in a structured way." Originally b ...
'' in 2010. By 2011, an Internet
rating site
A review site is a website on which reviews can be posted about people, businesses, products, or services. These sites may use Web 2.0 techniques to gather reviews from site users or may employ professional writers to author reviews on the topic ...
for vajazzling called Rate My Vajazzle had been set up.
Vajazzling is typically carried out at
beauty salon
A beauty salon or beauty parlor is an establishment dealing with cosmetic treatments for people. Other variations of this type of business include hair salons, spas, day spas, and medical spas.
Beauty treatments
Massage for the body is a b ...
s. Initially any
pubic hair
Pubic hair is terminal body hair that is found in the genital area of adolescent and adult humans. The hair is located on and around the sex organs and sometimes at the top of the inside of the thighs. In the pubic region around the pubis bon ...
is removed from the mons pubis, typically by a
bikini wax
Bikini waxing is the removal of pubic hair using a special wax, which can be hot or cold, that adheres to hairs and pulls them out when the wax is removed quickly from the skin, usually with a cloth strip. While the practice is mainly associa ...
, after which
rhinestone
A rhinestone, paste or diamante is a diamond simulant originally made from rock crystal but since the 19th century from crystal glass or polymers such as acrylic.
Original
Originally, rhinestones were rock crystals gathered from the river ...
s,
Swarovski
Swarovski (, ) is an Austrian producer of glass based in Wattens, Austria, and has existed as a family-owned business since its founding in 1895 by Daniel Swarovski.
The company is split into three major industry areas: the Swarovski Crystal ...
crystals or gems are glued onto the area. The result can last for up to seven days. The purpose of vajazzling is the visual aesthetic. There are no benefits in terms of
sexual pleasure
Sexual stimulation is any stimulus (including bodily contact) that leads to, enhances and maintains sexual arousal, and may lead to orgasm. Although sexual arousal may arise without physical stimulation, achieving orgasm usually requires physica ...
. Bruising or cuts can occur from the crystals during
sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse (or coitus or copulation) is a sexual activity typically involving the insertion and thrusting of the penis into the vagina for sexual pleasure or reproduction.Sexual intercourse most commonly means penile–vaginal penetrat ...
. If glue is applied too soon after the pubic hair removal, it can cause an
allergic reaction
Allergies, also known as allergic diseases, refer a number of conditions caused by the hypersensitivity of the immune system to typically harmless substances in the environment. These diseases include hay fever, food allergies, atopic derma ...
or bacterial infection. Vajazzling can also increase the risks of infection if it is not properly cleaned.
See also
*
Anal bleaching
Anal bleaching is the process of lightening the color of the skin around the anus. It is done for cosmetic purposes, to make the color of the anus more uniform with the surrounding area. Some treatments are applied in an office or salon by a cosm ...
*
Genital tattooing
Genital tattooing is the practice of placing permanent marks under the skin of the genitals in the form of tattoos.
Occurrence
Though tattoos in general have enjoyed an upsurge of popularity, particularly in the west and among younger people, ...
*
Labiaplasty
Labiaplasty (also known as labioplasty, labia minora reduction, and labial reduction) is a plastic surgery procedure for altering the labia minora (inner labia) and the labia majora (outer labia), the folds of skin surrounding the human vulva. T ...