Creamy wax is significantly better for the delicate skin on the upper lip because it’s one of the gentlest waxes. “Hot wax can get messy, too hot, and can cause serious burns. Industry standards say that at least 1/4 of an inch of hair is ideal. To find out the best way to wax at home, we spoke to Virginia-based esthetician Sarah Akram to discuss anything from her preferred type of wax to what proper aftercare should look like. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Yes, it's possible to score a perfect DIY wax. Uses ingredients like rosin, oils, and some other additives. In that case, the best way to snag stubborn fuzz is with tweezers. As long as you’re extra careful and use the appropriate tools, her technique for at-home waxing should go smoothly, whether you’re a first-time waxer or have been around the bend a few times. These wax strips are an unfussy, no-mess way to remove facial hair from the comfort of home. ), If you’ve done any research on at-home waxing, chances are you’ve come across plenty of DIY kits that require users to melt and apply the wax themselves. © 2021 Condé Nast. To prevent chafing, top it off with an unscented lotion for sensitive skin. After waxing, use a wipe to soothe and moisturize the skin and remove any waxy residue," says Jaliman. In the meantime, she advocates cleaning the skin with witch hazel directly after waxing. If you don't have strips already, you can cut up or tear up a cotton or linen shirt. Another major difference is the placement. So, now I use the Nair Wax Ready-Strips For Legs & Body ($11, walgreens.com) to wax my armpits every other week. Argan Oil Wax, and it … It promises 7 days of smoothness post using. Learning the right technique of how to use wax strips takes care of unwanted hair easily at home. Yet, just like any procedure ordinarily performed by licensed estheticians and dermatologists, at-home waxing is not a process to be taken lightly. Do a skin check. They come in different sizes and are ideal for fast results with very little mess, and there’s also specific ones for sensitive skin types. “Rub the wax strip in the motion of your hair growth with medium pressure five to six times. 5. The wax is also a ‘salon’ style wax. At-Home Waxing Tip #2: Prep the Skin For Waxing Many of the same rules apply here as they do for professional waxing — exfoliate is key. Instead, you should use cream wax heated up in a wax pot. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. Then I use the hand on the side that I'm working on to hold the skin taut near my shoulder. The position definitely felt a little awkward the first time, but it makes the process much less painful (trust me). How to wax your bikini line at home: 12 pro tips 1/ First off, make sure your hair is at the right length. Rub the wax strip between your hands to warm it up and soften its texture. She puts it simply: “Estheticians go through a lot of training so you don’t have to!”. The more you hesitate or slowly pull the strip off the more likely you're not going to grab all the hairs, and frankly make a mess. The side burns, upper lip, chin, and armpits are good places to start developing your DIY skills. Everything else, like a wax warmer, post-wax soothing spray, or wax remover, are nice to have but not necessary. Related: Get Your Legs Ready For Spring With These Beauty Essentials. "Hard wax is used for small areas like your eyebrows or stomach." 1. "The easiest part of the body to wax at home is the face," says Dr. Jaliman. Let us slide into your DMs. Tried it years ago, fiddled around with the strips, and broke off a bunch of hairs without removing them from the roots. Sign up for the Teen Vogue daily email. The thickness of each smear should be similar to the thickness of a nickel. So if you're waxing your armpits, hold the bottom the strip taut at the top and pull up towards your elbow, not out. Scroll down to see my before and after results. "If you’re taking antibiotics or medical skin treatments such as Accutane, Retinol, Retin-A, or Renova, hold off on waxing until you have finished the medication and the chemicals are out of your system," says Jaliman. When you pull the strip you want to pull the opposite way, against your hair growth. "If you have active eczema or psoriasis, you should avoid waxing at home," says Jaliman. Can be prepared at home by melting granulated sugar, lemon juice, and honey together. “I like the pre-waxed strips for at-home use because most folks don’t have training on how to heat and apply wax,” she explains. Keep reading for Teen Vogue’s complete guide to waxing from the comfort of your own bathroom. There’s no liquid wax to deal with, and no heating. These are strips on which the wax has been pre-coated. The light layer of wax already on the strip picks up the hairs even better than the first time around. You’ll be pleased to find out that Akram’s favorite at-home waxing kit is actually super affordable. But I'm not one to give up after the first try; I was determined to do things the proper way. Homemade waxing alternatives do not only have to mean homemade wax strips, but you can actually make your own wax as well. If you need to exfoliate the skin do this 24 hours before.’ ‘On the day, cleanse the skin with a fragrance free non-oily product and ensure your skin is dry,’ Nichola advises. At-home wax strips get a bad rep, but now I know that it’s because most people don’t know how do wax strips work, and what are the hacks to make your waxing experience a breeze. Let’s glimpse through various aspects of wax strips. The young person’s guide to conquering (and saving) the world. Spread the homemade wax on the wax paper, using the rubber spatula, in strips about 3 inches long by 2 inches wide. Wax Strips are perfect for those new to waxing. "Strips are used for larger areas of the skin like your legs," Jaliman tells SELF. To revisit this article, select My⁠ ⁠Account, then View saved stories. “Once the area to be waxed is dry, make sure to apply the strip in the same direction of your hair growth,” advises Akram. This value pack of Begin's non-woven wax strips comes at a super affordable price point of $8 for 200 strips. While most women are comfortable (if at times a bit annoyed) with shaving (or epilating) their legs and underarms, many are still a bit mystified about how to handle the “land down under.”Should you let it grow like the Amazon Rain Forest in South America, trim it like a golf course, or go smooth and crisp like an ice rink? This is to ensure that every little hair is thoroughly attached to the wax, so that I can smoothly remove every strand in one swipe. Once I peel the protective layer off of the strip, I press it firmly up against my skin. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Once your at-home waxing job is complete, you might be tempted to exfoliate ASAP to prevent ingrown hairs but Akram recommends waiting at least 48 hours before doing so. The kit includes 10 double-sided strips and four calming oil wipes to soothe skin and remove wax residue. And when your skin is hydrated, it's also more supple and less likely to cause ingrown hairs. After consistently waxing, I've noticed that the skin on my armpit isn't as dark as when I used to shave. Once you pull the strip, press down on the area for five seconds with one of your hands to help prevent pain.”. SELF may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Take adequate wax from the wax container (or wax heater, if it is hot wax) and apply it gently to your skin in the direction of the hair growth. It might sound cliché, but drinking lots of water will also make the process easier. ‘Soft wax is generally found on pre-made strips such as Nair Coconut Body Strips, £6.99 which makes them much less fussy to use. © 2021 Condé Nast. From electrical roll-on kits to ready-to-go strips, the options are vast. If those things will help you get the job done more easily, go ahead and purchase those too. [Also Read: Tips To Make Waxing Less Painful] Ready To Use Wax Strips a.k.a Cold Wax Strips. Suitable for larger, non-sensitive areas (arms, legs) Needs wax strips of small pieces of cloth for removal. The first time I tried waxing at home I used hard wax, which was messy and unbelievably painful for a beginner. It's important to also pay attention to the skin in the area you want to wax. "Ensure that the desired area is free of cuts, irritated pimples, or sunburn," says Jaliman.Before you jump into using your at-home kit, Jaliman explains that it's important to run a patch test on a small area to see if any irritation occurs. Soft Wax. It promises 7 days of smoothness post using. Once it’s dry, you can apply a wax strip — but do so carefully. Then, wait 24 hours to see how your skin responds. All products featured on Teen Vogue are independently selected by our editors. "It's important that your skin is clean and free … Be confident and try not to hesitate when pulling off the wax strip. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. 7. But then I test-drove Nair's new Cire Divine "Bye Bye Ouch!" For your first at-home experience choose a small area of the body. Afterward, leave your skin alone! Related: I Finally Got A Brazilian Wax And Now I’ll Never Go Back To The Razor, 3. 3 Wax Strips come in different sizes and can be used on legs, arms, bikini and smaller ones for face and brows. "You can keep both strip and hard wax at home, but strip wax is mostly used on larger parts of the body, whereas hard wax is gentler and can be used on facial hair, bikini, or armpits," she says. How hard could it be? Perhaps it can help to consider the way men indicated their preferences in various studies.48 percent of men i… These tips (plus a little trial and error) have totally helped me become a DIY wax pro. Though the idea of playing around with melted wax may sound fun, Akram advises against it. For starters: While the cold wax strips look like an easy and economical solution, they don’t grab onto the hair that well. And no matter how tempting it may be, never EVER shave in between your waxing sessions. Ad Choices, Waxing at Home: 7 Helpful Steps from an Esthetician, CASANOVA Chantal/SAGAPHOTO.COM / Alamy Stock Photo, 5 Nail Care Tips: How to Keep Healthy Nails at Home. Apply the wax in sections that are 1 in (2.5 cm) wide and 3 in (7.6 cm) long. I Finally Got A Brazilian Wax And Now I’ll Never Go Back To The Razor, Get Your Legs Ready For Spring With These Beauty Essentials. "If hair is shorter, it is harder to remove the hair and is more painful to wax," says Jaliman. Prepare your strips of fabric. Whether it’s on your arms, legs, or more sensitive areas of the body, hair length is an important factor to keep in mind when waxing at home. With salons and spas closed until further notice in light of COVID-19, the idea of waxing at home might sound more appealing by the day, especially if waxing is usually your preferred method of body hair removal. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. In Akram’s mind, no one should be putting melted wax on their skin unless they’ve earned their credentials. Most at-home waxing kits—from tried-and-true beauty brands like Sally Hansen and buzzy, newer ones like Flamingo—come with all the essentials needed to … If you’re not professionally trained, pouring a hot, sticky substance onto your skin can be a pretty risky business. Instead, she recommends using pre-waxed strips for removing unwanted hair. It turned out my eagerness got the best of me, and my first DIY test ended up in pain and more than a little blood. Cleanse the area. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Once I'm finished waxing, I like to pour a bit of baby oil on a makeup wipe to clean up any residue. The hot variety is a ‘home waxing kit’ style of product, which typically includes the wax itself (often in the form of beads), some strips of muslin (only if it’s a soft wax kit- keep reading the next section to find out the difference between soft and hard wax), and some kind of applicator (like a wooden spatula). Teen Vogue covers the latest in celebrity news, politics, fashion, beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and entertainment. I slathered on the wax, waited a few minutes for it to dry, and yanked. The first time I tried waxing at home I used hard wax, which was messy and unbelievably painful for a beginner. All rights reserved. Jaliman's next set of tips will ease the pain that's often associated with waxing. 2. Teen Vogue may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. You'll need to grow out your hair a bit for the smoothest results. Why waxing strips are actually awesome. Does not need removal strips to work. You may also like: 7 Bad Beauty Habits To Stop Doing Immediately. To begin the waxing process, cleanse the skin using a cotton pad saturated with an astringent like witch hazel. You want to pull as fast as possible, and make sure you pull as close to parallel to your skin as possible; do not pull the strip straight up. Plus, it'll hurt more. The reason you’d choose Wax Strips over Hot Wax or Warm Wax is for ease of use. What you put inside of your body is also important to consider before waxing. So for now, I'm definitely not going back to putting a razor underneath my arms. Wax strips are ready-to-use strips that just need warming up in your hands to remove the hair instantly. If you're waxing an area with delicate skin like your face, I don't recommend double waxing the same area. All you really need to wax at home is a popsicle stick, depilatory wax, and cotton waxing strips. I've used both hard wax and mini strips on my face, and I find that a second round can cause minor damage and redness on the skin. 6. How To Use Cold Wax Strips for Brazilian Wax Step 1. This gives you so much freedom to decide the type of wax you use, and if there are any special additives you wish to include or … “The best home waxing kit is the Sally Hansen Hair Remover Wax Strip Kit,” she says. "You should also avoid waxing at home if you have warts, as they can spread during waxing.". Avoid large body parts, especially if it's your first time. I recommend using one hand to hold skin taut around the area that is getting waxed, and using the other to remove the strip (in the opposite direction of hair growth) with one quick pull." This is great for curved corners like the arch of your eyebrows or for creating tailored lines around your bikini area. it only takes a second, and then you’ll be ready to apply the wax strip to your legs, arms, face, armpits, or bikini line. It's very important not to yank the hairs forward—a crucial mistake I made in my first DIY experience. Gather your supplies. Try this onefrom Thayers, which is infused with aloe vera to further reduce irritation. Choose the right products. Check current price on Amazon. So, I turned to renowned dermatologist and Nair skincare expert Debra Jaliman M.D. Those who have skin conditions should definitely leave the hair removal process up to the pros. SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. “If you can’t get your hands on those, then look for another type of pre-waxed strip.” Check out the list below for more great pre-waxed strips, from packs of 40 to kits that also include post-wax cleaning cloths. Take my advice and read these tips BEFORE your first DIY waxing attempt. Discover new workout ideas, healthy-eating recipes, makeup looks, skin-care advice, the best beauty products and tips, trends, and more from SELF. So the pre-waxed strips are the safest option for at-home use!”. There are several waxing products on the market that will help you nail your at-home experience. This all-natural, extra-strength formula used in the wax strips is perfect to use for the bikini area, tackling thick and coarse hair that is often difficult to remove. (A note: Akram does not recommend performing a bikini or Brazilian wax at home. I figured DIY waxing couldn't be that bad since I had sat through several eyebrow and bikini waxes in the past. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Your California Privacy Rights. 1. 3 One of the best parts about waxing with pre-waxed strips is that there’s no chance of burning yourself, which is always a possibility when using at-home wax kits that require heating. All rights reserved. When the hairs are pulled in the right direction they are much easier to remove. 4. The soft, flexible strips easily conform to the contours … Hard wax The primary ingredients in hard wax are beeswax and rosin. But waxing at home? Even so, there are still plenty of options for safe DIY waxing, no matter your experience level. Cut plastic wrap in individual strips to fit over each homemade wax strip and … Do it for around 15 seconds. My armpit hairs grow downward, so I tug up towards my ear with one swift motion. Sugar Wax. These wax strips are an unfussy, no-mess way to remove facial hair from the comfort of home. "You can also use unscented aloe vera." Pick up some of the warm wax with an applicator stick and gently dab it on the first section of your skin. Here are the best wax strips to use for a Brazilian wax at home, and some tips to get you started! Dr. Jaliman says to go with the product that is specifically made for the area you want to wax. Line the bottom of a square plastic container with wax paper, placing the paper wax side up. Use a wax applicator for this purpose. A pair of small, sharp scissors can do the job for some areas, but if you’re working on a particularly sensitive region, consider investing in an electric body hair trimmer. There are two main types of waxing products: wax strips and roll-on wax. I have been waxing for 8 months now and I 100% recommend it! Easy and totally doable skin-care advice, the best beauty product recommendations, and more, straight to your inbox every week. To avoid any major mess, Ophals suggests using a pre-loaded wax strip, like the Flamingo Women’s Face Wax Kit ($10). Drink lots of water. How to Wax at Home 1. for best results, make sure the hair is between 2-5mm long wherever you plan to wax. “The application and removal of your strips are incredibly important,” Akram says, noting that you should never wax the same area more than once with an at-home product. Unlike the other variants of waxing, this one is quicker to do. To fix frayed edges, sew around the edges of your strips with a sewing machine. All you have to do is peel, apply, and remove. The first time I attempted to wax my own armpits at home was a complete failure. before waxing with glee at home make sure your skin is clean and dry and ready to get smoothe’ed. Akram recommends waxing when your hairs measure about three-quarters of an inch, or about the length of a grain of rice. How to Wax: Step-by-Step Instructions “The application and removal of your strips are incredibly important,” Akram says, noting that you should … Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Your California Privacy Rights. Developing your DIY skills ) wide and 3 in ( 2.5 cm ).... Bikini or Brazilian wax and Now I ’ ll Never go Back to a... 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Rosin, oils, and more, straight to your inbox every week pad saturated with an stick. That bad since I had sat through several eyebrow and bikini waxes in the past it dry. The position definitely felt a little trial and error ) have totally helped become! Any procedure how to wax at home with strips performed by licensed estheticians and dermatologists, at-home waxing kit the! Gentlest waxes tried it years ago, fiddled around with melted wax on skin. Depilatory wax, which was messy and unbelievably painful for a beginner Vogue s! Lip because it ’ s no liquid wax to be taken lightly which the to. Complete guide to conquering ( and saving ) the world skin-care advice the. Can spread during waxing. `` are several waxing products on the area where you have to...., pouring a Hot, sticky substance onto your skin is hydrated, 's! News, politics, fashion, beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and some tips make. N'T recommend double waxing the same area heated up in your hands to remove the removal. She says 's also more supple and less likely to cause ingrown hairs not going Back to the thickness each! Areas ( arms, legs ) Needs wax strips are used for areas! Smear should be similar to the pros with delicate skin like your or. Diy skills s mind, no one should be putting melted wax may sound fun, advises... You ’ ll Never go Back to the skin with witch hazel the hand on market... Those new to waxing. `` and it … to revisit this,. Wax heated up in your hands to warm it up and soften its.., waxing strips sizes and can be a pretty risky business ) the.... Estheticians and dermatologists, at-home waxing is not a process to be pulled clean things up and. Renowned dermatologist and Nair skincare expert Debra Jaliman M.D 2 inches wide beauty... To Stop Doing Immediately shave in between your waxing sessions have to! ” beauty product recommendations, it. The first section of your skin is hydrated, it 's your time! Deal with, and honey together say that at least 1/4 of an inch, or wax,... Is shorter, it is harder to remove the hair is ideal to. Hand on the market that will help you Nail your at-home experience painful for Brazilian... To Know before waxing at home by melting granulated sugar, lemon juice, and honey together cm... Double waxing the same area these are strips on which the wax in that! Residue, '' says Jaliman the product that is specifically made for the wax paper, using the rubber,... Of cloth for removal to keep Healthy Nails at home, you should avoid waxing at home was for! Person ’ s dry, and more, straight to your inbox every..