At-Home Waxing Don't: Wax Hair That's Too Short or Too Long
For ideal bikini or leg waxing conditions, hair should be between 1/4 inch and 3/4 inch long. Any shorter and the wax won't be able to adhere well enough — which will be especially painful if you're attempting a tricky Brazilian wax at home (more on those later). If your hair is longer, try trimming it with safety scissors beforehand to make the waxing much less painful and efficient.
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At-Home Waxing Do: Use Baby Powder Pre-Wax
For hairless (and baby-smooth) skin, you'll want this at-home waxing insurance policy. After cleansing your skin, sprinkle a bit of baby powder to the area about to be waxed. It'll absorb any excess moisture so the wax and cloth strip can adhere properly.
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At-Home Waxing Do: Test the Temperature of Your Wax
To avoid a hot mess (literally), always test your wax by applying a bit to the inside of your wrist to make sure it's at a comfortable spreading temperature. Too cold and it won't spread, too hot and you'll burn yourself. You especially want to test the wax if you are waxing anywhere near your lady parts — à la at-home bikini wax, and particularly a DIY Brazilian wax.
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At-Home Waxing Do: Apply and Pull in the Right Direction
If you're an at-home waxing newbie, then this next tip is especially important in waxing anything at home from, whether it's using a leg and eyebrow waxing kit or attempting your first Brazilian wax at home. Always apply wax in the direction of hair growth, as it allows the wax to adhere more completely. After spreading on the wax, place the cloth strip over the wax and press it down firmly using strokes in the same direction as hair growth. Leave the strip on for a few seconds to set.
When removing the cloth strip, hold your skin taut and quickly pull it off in the opposite direction of hair growth. Stay close and parallel to the skin, like turning a page in a book, don't lift the strip up in the air.
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At-Home Waxing Do: Apply Pressure Post Wax
Beauty is pain, but at-home waxing — even a DIY bikini wax — doesn't have to be unbearable. Immediately after removing the cloth strip, apply pressure to the waxed area to help relieve the sting, prevent bruising and make skin less sensitive.
Once you overlook the temporary pain, at-home waxing is mighty tempting. Besides saving money on countless hair removal products and salon waxing treatments, swapping a salon treatment for, say, a Brazilian wax at home means you can look forward to being stubble-free for weeks — minus the razor burn. However, at-home waxing — especially if it in involves a DIY Brazilian wax — takes more than a simple disposable razor.
While at-home waxing is convenient, there are definitely rules for the at-home hair removal life. So as to avoid ingrown hairs, burns and possible bruising, it's important to know your DIY waxing basics. So before you try that eyebrow waxing kit you just bought, read these essential at-home waxing tips so you wind up with smooth, hair-free skin — not ingrown hairs and frustration from a botched leg waxing or at-home bikini wax treatment.
