Ronita Dutta investigates Malika threading. A precise and painless way to shape unruly eyebrows

I discovered the difference that groomed eyebrows make relatively late. A friend who was appalled to learn I'd never attempted to pluck or shape my eyebrows offered to do them for me in my third year at college. Even though she first numbed my skin with an ice cube, it was a painful ordeal, but the difference it made to my face was undeniable. Their symmetrical shape and subtle arch framed my features beautifully and I have made a point of having eyebrows shaped to perfection ever since.

Unfortunately, I'm hopeless at doing them myself. I used to have them waxed which, though quick and easy, seemed to leave the sensitive skin below my brow bone red and raw. I discovered threading a few years ago while on holiday in India and haven't looked back since.

So what is threading?
Threading is an ancient method of hair removal originating in Asia. It's predominantly used to shape eyebrows and remove hair from sensitive areas such as the upper lip. A piece of thread is twisted and used to entwine and ease out hair from the root. Usually, the cotton thread is wound around the hands in a particular way, the threader then holds the loose end of cotton between their teeth and uses it to pluck out the hairs swiftly and precisely.

How effective is threading?
Threading is without a doubt, the most effective way to shape eyebrows as it gives a more precise and defined finish than waxing or plucking.

Does threading hurt?
Well, the truth is yes it does. I would endure the pain and watery eyes every six weeks because the results were worth it, but when I heard about a new method involving the use of Ayurvedic oils to desensitise the skin first, I knew it was worth investigating.

How is Malika threading different?
Threading expert, Ritu Patel first started threading when she was just 11 years old and has worked as a senior threading therapist in both Harvey Nichols and Selfridges. Through her work she became aware of just how painful threading was for her clients. The fact that the hair was being twisted out from the root made it a particularly uncomfortable sensation. She decided to develop a different method using the hands, but not the mouth. In this way she was able to ensure that the hairs were plucked out in the direction of hair growth without being twisted.

Alongside this, she used her knowledge of Ayurveda to concoct a desensitising oil made of mild aromatherapy oils (traditional Ayurvedic ones are too strong for the delicate eye area) which is applied to the skin before threading to eliminate discomfort.

And the best bit! Unlike most other threading treatments, the Malika method culminates in an invigorating Indian head massage. Divine.

Does it work?
As someone who knows just how much threading can hurt, I was really impressed. I could still feel it - I suppose it's a bit too optimistic to expect the removal of hair by plucking it from the root to be without any discomfort - but it was substantially less painful. What's more my skin did not feel as tight and sensitive as it usually does afterwards.

How long does it last?
The results last between 3-6 weeks.

Malika is a hair removal specialist based at Toni&Guy, Canada Place, Canary Wharf, London. Malika operates a walk-in service but to be sure of a guaranteed time clients can book an appointment on 020 7531 2375. Visit www.malika.co.uk for prices.