Waxing is definitely intimidating. Just the whole concept—hot wax and, gulp, what happens if ya make a wrong move? But sometimes a girl gets sick of shaving (or it just isn’t an option!) and ya gotta get rid of some hairs. How do ya do this at home without totally hurtin' yourself? GL's gotcha covered!
Wax is great ‘cause it keeps ya hair-free for 3-6 weeks. Plus, you can use it on big areas (legs) or teeny ones (upper lip). If you’re gonna do your brows for the first time, we recommend seein’ a pro to make sure you get the right shape!
TESTING 1,2,3
Skin is some pretty sensitive stuff so before you wax any area try taking a small sample before you dive in and do the whole thing. If your skin gets irritated or itchy you're sensitive and allergic to the wax you're using so don't do the whole area with that wax. Try a different brand or type of wax.
PREP STEPS
The hair that you're removing should be at least a 1/4 of an inch long. A couple nights before, exfoliate the area you’re gonna wax. That day, make sure to clean and dry the area that you're waxing. But don't shower! Hair absorbs the water and will make it too soft (and harder for the wax to grip). Make sure the wax is smooth and soft—not runny. You don't wanna overheat the wax or else you'll burn yourself! Yikes.
WAX FACTS
First, relax! Sure waxing isn't painless, but the more tense you are the more it's gonna hurt. If you're super-nervous put on your fave tunes to help you destress.
Wax in the direction that your hair is growing. All waxing kits are a li’l diff but pull the skin taut before pulling the strips off. And don't hesitate when you're rippin' those strips off because that'll just make it hurt. Pull back in one rapid movement. Phew!
AFTER CARE
Be sure to clean the area with a warm, moist towel to get rid of any excess wax. Wear loose-fitting clothes to avoid irritation and ingrown hairs (ick!) A day or two after waxing exfoliate to prevent dead skin from making an appearance (ouch!). Avoid swimming for 24 hours. It'll increase the chance of you getting a skin infection.
WHAT KINDA WAX?
Here are a couple of GL's faves:
Naturally Bare Honey Wax (Hair Remove For Face and For Body) by Sally Hansen
The wax is made of honey, sugar, lemon and chamomile so it's sounds more like tea time than ouch! It's also completely eco-friendly so you're goin' green at the same time.
GIGI Sugar Bare Microwave Hair Removal Kit
This kit comes with little goodies to take of your skin pre- and post-waxing, including a concealer for redness.
BY CAIT ROHAN ON 5/23/2008 12:46:00 PM
POSTED IN waxing 101