I have had a bikini wax quite a few times, but always with soft wax and muslin strips. Yesterday I had my first bikini wax done with a hard wax (Gigi brand). Wow! It was significantly more comfortable than a soft wax, although it does take more wax and more time. If I do a bikini wax in the future I will look for one done with a hard wax.

This is what's mostly available in Europe. When I lived in France, I always got waxed via this hard wax and it was great.

I've heard Gigi Brand hard wax is effective but it takes a bit to dry or harden before removal.