One good thing the Coronavirus has given us is a lot of time at home and the opportunity to test every skincare and beauty product under the sun. Even if you haven’t been able to go anywhere, just the act of self-care can be extraordinarily pleasurable and good for the soul. From mud masks to pampering those pretty little toes – if you’re a beauty enthusiast, you probably know your way around the block when it comes to waxing your legs at home.
Anyone who has waxed their legs at home knows the burden it can bring. First of all, waxing sucks. It’s sticky, it hurts and if you don’t do it right you can end up with quite a mess. That being said, several of my friends swear by at-home leg waxing for a variety of reasons, after trying what they were preaching I found the following which I would like to share with you. Â
Why You Should Try It
The money you can save is probably the main catalyst for this at-home procedure, but most people are just sick of shaving – only to have hairspring back up two days later. The balancing act, the constant need to buy razors and shaving cream gentle enough for your skin, and the strategy required to get every part of your leg can be quite arduous.
When you opt for waxing, it can leave your legs silky smooth and hair-free for up to four to six weeks (depending on your hair type). Not to mention, when you regularly wax, some people note that their hair follicles grow less quickly and thinner. If you’ve never delved into the homeworld of leg waxing, we’ve got a step-by-step guide you can follow for a successful treatment. Note: this is a process that should definitely NOT be rushed!
- Make sure the length is right!
For a successful home leg waxing experience, you will need to make sure your hair is long enough, but not too long. For the wax to adhere, you’ll need to grow it out to about a quarter inch. If it’s too short you’ll just end up with messy, gooey wax all over your leg (which can be a real pain to get off!). And if your hair is too long, it’s going to hurt – bad!
- Prepare Your skin
Just a few days prior to your home waxing adventure, it’s a good idea to exfoliate your skin and remove all the dead skin cells that have been piling up (gross!). Waxing isn’t always the most pain-free experience, so you will want to do this a few days in advance to minimize any chance of inflammation. An insider tip is to take two ibuprofens about an hour before you wax if you are sensitive to pain.
- Getting down to waxing
- Begin on clean skin.
- If using hard wax, heat the wax in the microwave for 30-second intervals. Continue to stir between intervals until the consistency is thick and syrupy. You can patch-test the wax temperature on the back of your wrist to make sure it’s not blazing hot.
- Using a wax spatula, disperse the warmed hard wax on your legs in sections, making sure to go in the direction of the hair growth. If using strips, simply warm the strips between your hands and apply to your legs, pressing in the direction of growth.
- For hard wax, wait until it dries (but is still soft). You don’t need to wait for strip wax to dry, but the same advice applies to both: pull against the hair growth.
- Quickly apply pressure after pulling the wax off to minimize stinging. You can use a using a cold, wet cotton pad or just your hand for relief.
- Keep the strip close to your skin when pulling.
- Post-Wax Care
Afterwards
For the first 24 hours after waxing, avoid saunas, steam rooms, hot showers and direct sunlight. A few days after, you can start exfoliating to prevent ingrown hairs until your next wax. It is recommended to exfoliate 48 hours after waxing and twice a week after that with a body scrub. If you’re especially prone to ingrown hairs, you can also use a chemical exfoliant every other day.
Now that you’ve got the routine down, you’re probably wanting to know what some of the best at-home wax products are – and we will tell you! Here are some of the best-rated and favorite brands for home leg waxing:
Best Overall: Bliss Poetic Waxing At-Home Hair Removal Kit – $22.99
Set the spa up at home with this perfect kit that contains everything you need to get super-soft, all over your body. First, there’s the wax, the same kind used at all Bliss spas. The low temp, no strip needed wax covers the whole hair follicle, making it ideal for removing even shorter or coarse hairs. Chamomile oil makes it gentle enough for the most sensitive skin, leaving skin soft without irritation. Bliss has revolutionized home hair removal by making it faster, easier and safer. The formula contains soothing botanical oils with cruelty-free sourced beeswax and lanolin while combining it with high-grade paraffin wax so that it doesn’t burn or irritate your skin. It’s only $22.99 on Amazon, which will save you a pretty penny as opposed to going to the salon.
Best Drugstore: Sally Hansen Hair Remover Wax Strip Kit – $5.24
Sally Hansen goes the extra mile when it comes to its products. This is the number one best-selling wax brand in the US and affords many at-home options, but this specific kit earns high scores for myriad reasons. One, the formula works equally well on the face and body, making it a one-stop-shop for targeting all your hair removal requirements. Two, it comes with pre-waxed, pre-cut strips for fast and easy waxing. Last but not least, it’s a great price. It’s only $5.24! Many fans of this brand have tried them all but landed on this as their favorite. You really can’t go wrong with Sally Hansen.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Completely Bare Bare More Ouch Less Waxing Kit – $10.39
The cruddiest part about wax strips is when they end up aggravating your skin later, so toss them all together with this modern strip-less wax product. The hypoallergenic formula truly helps decrease inflammation and bumps. It comes with five applicators, two towelettes, gloves, and salon-quality strip-less wax. Not only is this simple (and great for on-the-go) but you won’t end up making the wax overly hot and thus burning your skin. Score! These innovative wax pearls safely and effectively shrink wrap around your hair follicle, not your skin. Reviewers love its pleasant scent! You can pick this up at Ulta for just $10.39. And you won’t have to stress about irritating your skin.
Conclusion
Whether you’ve got the pandemic time to spend experimenting with home leg waxing kits, or you just want to cut your spending – these are some of the best and most foolproof products you can test out. Waxing can be a tricky sport, so make sure to be patient and give yourself adequate time to follow all the directions. This can minimize any chance of you having a horrific experience that will scar you (possibly physically and emotionally) for the foreseeable future. You may just become a master and start touting the benefits of home waxing from your rooftop.
