Beauty Tips

Road Test: In-Salon vs. At-Home Treatments

Should you splurge on the salon treatment or go the do-it-yourself route? Find out which treatments should be done by a pro -- and which ones you should attempt at home

by Dawn Davis

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Waxing At-home waxing can be scary -- especially if you're considering a DIY bikini wax. However, with the right tools and some practice, you should be able to get great results at home. The Sally Hansen Simple Wax Warmer Kit, $19.99, is a miniature version of the gadgets they have in most waxing spas -- and it works just as well. "Always start with clean, dry skin -- you don't want the wax to stick to anything but the hair," says New York City esthetician Natalia Higginbotham. "In the beginning, you'll only want to wax very small sections until you get comfortable." She also stresses the importance of breathing. You should inhale deeply; then exhale as you remove the strip. Another good rule of thumb is to only wax areas you can see easily.

Verdict: Go to a professional for a Brazilian; try DIY for everything else.

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products mentioned

Shu Uemura Essential Drops Purifying Blend

0.0

Clairol Nice 'n Easy Perfect 10

7.4

Sephora by OPI Gelshine At-Home Gel Colour System

10.0

KeratinPerfect 30-Day Brazilian Hair Smoothing...

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Sally Hansen Simple Spa Wax Warmer Kit

3.0

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Older comments

great advice - i wax myself (yes, where i can see, so i do visit the salon from time to time), i sometimes colour my own hair and I would love to try the DIY gel nails and face peel.

by AstridB Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 04:52AM Report as inappropriate

Keratin Perfect may not be any good--never tried it myself-- but don't assume all DIY keratins are bad. I've tried about eight--some were crap, but I actually think Uncurly is better than the Brazilian Blowouts I used to pay $400 for and I think it costs me around $25 per use. I would say Keratin Earth, Pravana, and whatever Sally's brand is called were a waste, but Uncurly and Global were successful for me. A few more whose names I don't recall were so-so--not great, but not as bad as you're describing Keratin Perfect to be. If your hair's like mine--thick, too curly/wavy, and a frizz disaster in humidity--keratin is NOT optional and money IS limited, so you need to be able to do it yourself.

by patriotwoman Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 07:26AM Report as inappropriate

Being so un-geeky this article definitely left me with the attitude that all is not lost. I will at least try one or two of the DIY's. Thanks Total Beauty!!!

by aussiegene Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 03:16PM Report as inappropriate