Tips and Tricks For The Best and Most Painless Wax Possible

Posted by Alexandra C. | Friday March 7, 2014

Not too long ago, you'll remember that I very bravely endured my first Brazilian wax. I mean, I was pretty badass. While I have conquered the professional downstairs bidness wax, I still have not been able to quite work myself up to trying an at home wax. However, with the recent Nair Candy Apple Sugar Wax release and product review club offer (did you snag one?), I've been curious about the process. Especially because it smells super yummy and you wax hair when it's only 2 mm long! That being said, I'm still terrified, so beauty expert and professor of cosmetic technique, Rhonda Shupe gave me some tips, tricks and advice on getting the best and most painless wax possible!

#1 Don't get waxed when that time of the month comes around. Your body is more sensitive then.

#2 Try to relax, stess and anxiety makes you and your muscles tense up.

#3 Take an ibuprofen or two at least 30 mins before your wax to help deal with pain. Glass of wine by your side is optional.

#4 Don't have hanky panky for 24 hrs after a downstairs business wax. I know you want to show off your new 'do, but sweat and all the other... achem… fluids can cause bacteria build up and ingrown hairs.

#5 Speaking of ingrown hairs, post-shaving exfoliating and moisturizing are KEY! My esthetician at Allure Body Bar recommends using an exfoliating glove after my wax.

#6 Sorry, no hot tubbing or sauna trips pre wax, your pores will be open and bacteria may settle for unsettling results.

#7 Opt for moisturizing soaps, waxing on dry skin is a no-no.

#8 Don't use ice to numb your skin. It will constrict blood vessels.

#9 Kind of obvious, but test your wax temperature on your wrist, the last thing you need is a burn.

#10 This one is new to me, but apparently using baby powder after cleansing to absorb any moisture will make it easier to wax.

#11 Hold skin taught when waxing, pull off at slight angle.

#12 Don't wax same area twice. This can irritate your skin.

#13 Lastly, no sunbathing pre or post wax. A nasty sunburn leaves skin dry and you don't want to wax on that.

Ready to rock your own at home wax? Try some of these products:

1. DermaDoctor KP Duty Body Scrub (C$52.00)

2. Urban Spa Exfoliating Gloves (C$3.99)

3. Nair Irresistible Candy Apple Sugar Wax (C$14.99)

4. Shaveworks The Cool Fix Lip & Brow Formula Post-Wax Rollerball (C$25.00)

5. Inhibitif Hair Free Intimate Care (C$14.99)

6. Bliss Poetic Waxing Wax Strips Body (C$42.00)

7. Nair Irresistible Moroccan Argan Oil PerfectTemp Wax Strips (C$14.99)

How do you deal with hair? Are you an at-home waxer or salon only? Or perhaps you prefer the shaving route?

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11 Comments

	on May 05, 2016 jmca 9,275 said: Being European, none of those fluffy-type wax products work on me. I need the real stuff.
	on May 01, 2015 mepark 20,564 said: Thank you so much! I stopped waxing because it was so painful! I might try it again now
	on May 29, 2014 Anjanie777 1,682 said: @mamaluv, thanks for the honest reply! I have recently begun bikini waxing at home, and wanted to know some expert techniques.
	on March 15, 2014 KatelynRose1984 20,704 said: Great tips. Thanks for sharing these. I especially agree with the staying away around your time of the month -- Definitely makes the area A LOT more sensitive.
	on March 11, 2014 mamaluv STAFF said: And yes, I personally pluck the leftover hairs usually. It's not good for your skin to rewax the area immediately, so I figure this is the next best thing.
	on March 11, 2014 mamaluv STAFF said: @Anjanie: I normally do NOT use the exfoliating gloves right after waxing. I would assume that the top layer of skin (ie. dead skin cells) will likely have been mostly waxed off during the hair removal so I don't really see the benefit. However, starting about 2-3 days after waxing, I resume my regular exfoliating regimen. I also exfoliate up to about the day before I plan to wax too. This helps expose as many ingrown or not-fully-protruding hairs in preparation for wax day.
	on March 11, 2014 Anjanie777 1,682 said: Okay so I had a question on the exfoliating glove technique, it says to do it after you wax, does that cause any skin abrasion? Will it make my waxed areas red? Also, should we pluck the remaining hairs if the wax does not pick up all of it, since we shouldn't wax the same spot twice? Thanks for the answers!
	on March 08, 2014 wendyroy 25,308 said: I would love to find at at home waxing kit thT really works...so far I keep running back to my electric VEET razor...works wet or dry.
	on March 07, 2014 flower 4,433 said: shave with conditioner
	on March 07, 2014 mamaluv STAFF said: Oh yes, baby powder to absorb any extra moisture is a MUST. I don't need it on my legs but definitely when I'm doing an underarm wax it can make all the difference. Also, wax on product-free skin. This means washing or thoroughly wiping off any deodorant (underarms) and lotion (legs) or you won't get as good adhesion. I also highly recommend a post-treatment oil like azulene oil to remove any bits of leftover wax (think wax sticking your bra to your 'pit. Not fun) and it also seems to help a lot with minimizing redness and discomfort. Many wax products already come with a vial of azulene oil but you can also buy it separately. I have used other body oils but do not find they work as well. DON'T use a cleansing oil like tea tree as it can really sting.