Sure, shaving your pins is quick and painless. But it's also a taxing process given that it needs repeating two days later should you want silky smooth skin.
Instead, you might want to bite the bullet and give leg waxing a go. After all, you only need to do it once and your legs stay stubble free for 4-6 weeks.
New to leg waxing? Cynthia Chua, Founder of Ministry of Waxing, Rosie Khandwale founder of sugar waxing brand Sugar Coated and Beauty Therapist Nathalie Eleni, reveal what you need to know, before getting started.
What’s the difference between hard wax and soft wax?
The main difference between the two is that hard wax (such as Mylee Coconut & Arnica Stripless Wax, £21.99) needs to be heated and doesn’t require any strips to remove it. Hard wax is applied to the skin when it’s warm, then as you leave it to cool, it will harden and shrink-wrap the hairs on the leg allowing you to gently tug them out when you remove the wax. By working in this way, it's better adept at removing shorter hairs compared to soft wax.
‘Soft wax is generally found on pre-made strips such as Nair Coconut Body Strips, £6.99 which makes them much less fussy to use. They require no heating and are better for waxing novices,’ explains Eleni.
Is it good to wax your legs?
Yes, is the short answer. Waxing is safe and effective at removing leg hair. ‘Whichever method you use, just make sure you pay particular attention to sensitive areas like the knee. The skin is generally drier, and you run the risk of the wax sticking more to the epidermis than the fabric strip if using soft wax’ says Chua.
‘Make sure you don't apply too much wax and that it is the right temperature, if it’s too cold it will be too thick and hard to spread’ adds Chua.
Does waxing reduce hair growth?
'Waxing involves pulling hair directly from the root. Repeatedly waxing an area and continuing every 4-6 weeks with your hair growth cycle can lead to hairs growing back softer, finer, and thinner, eventually leading to less hair growth,' explains Khandwale
'But make sure you are pulling the hairs from the root, rather than breaking them. The best way to do this is by using a hot sugar wax, that you apply thinly so it adheres to hair and not the skin. Also, pull the strip in a quick flick motion in the opposite direction of hair growth, and parallel to the skin - this leads to fewer hair breakages,' she adds
Is it better to shave or wax your legs?
‘The benefits of waxing are that you are removing the hair from the root rather than just clipping the shaft of the hair, which is what happens when you shave, explains Chua. ‘Waxing will leave you hair free for up to 4 weeks, versus shaving which will be 3 days maximum’ she adds.
Parissa Warm Wax Microwavable Wax 120ml
£12 at sallybeauty.co.uk
nads Nad's Natural Hair Removal Sugar Wax 170g
£10 at Boots
ACORELLE » ACORELLE ORIENTAL SUGAR BODY WAX WITH STRIPS
£24 at naturisimo.com
Veet Ready to Use Wax Strips with Easy Grip x40
Now 50% Off
£7 at Superdrug
What's the best technique for waxing legs?
‘Always follow the direction of hair when applying the wax and waxing strip. When removing the wax or waxing strip go against the hair growth’ says Eleni.
Does waxing hurt?
There will always be some level of pain with waxing, however using a hot wax can be less painful as the heat opens the pores and hair follicles allowing the hair to be pulled out much more easily,' says Khandwale.
'Also sugar wax is applied in a thin layer on to the skin, this allows the wax to grip to the hairs and not the skin when you pull the strip off, making it far less painful. If possible, try avoiding waxing when you are on your period as your skin is the most sensitive right before and during your period, making waxing more uncomfortable,' she adds.
boots Boots Smooth Care warm wax kit 250ml
£8 at Boots
What is the best time to wax your legs?
'Make sure that your hair has at least 4-6 weeks worth of growth. Any shorter than this and you won't get the results you want,' says Khandwale.
How can I wax my legs myself?
1. Prep your skin
To wax your legs with hard wax at home, prep the skin two days prior by exfoliating to remove any dead skin cells.
2. Don't shower
'Avoid taking a hot bath or shower before waxing but ensure the skin is cleansed of all dirt, sweat and lotions so that wax can adhere to the area’ explains Eleni.
3. Warm it up
‘Heat is important when it comes to hard wax,’ notes Chua. ‘In fact, it needs to be heated up in a warmer or the microwave, as per the manufacturer's instructions.'
4. Create a barrier
Next, you’ll need to apply a barrier to the areas of skin you’re waxing as this helps to protect the epidermis. 'An oil or talc powder will work perfectly,’ reveals Chua.
5. Section up
‘To make life easier, and to avoid going over the same patches, section and grid off your leg using a white eyeliner pencil. Keep the patches small and in a rectangular shape, as they are easier to remove than a circle or square on the skin,’ advises Chua. Always follow the direction of the hair when applying the wax to the skin using a spatula.
6. Let it set
‘Next, you need to let the wax set so that it hardens and is able to shrink wrap around the hair. If you don’t let it set it will simply crack and won’t be able to remove the hair. Always hold the skin taught when removing the wax from the skin,' says Chua.
bliss Poetic Waxing by Bliss At Home Hair Removal Kit
£32 at Amazon
How to sugar wax your legs at home
Sugar waxingpure sugar syrup
'It is gentler on skin and can remove hair more effectively. For Sugar Coated Sugar Wax, simply pop the pot of sugar wax into the microwave for 40 seconds,' says founder, Khandwale.
'Wait for it to cool for a few seconds and then apply a thin layer of sugar wax in the direction of the hair growth. Get your reusable, washable strips and press down on the wax, leaving room at the end to grab on to. Then flick the strip up quickly in a parallel motion that is in the opposite direction of hair growth. If your skin is sensitive apply a cold compress to cool down the area and reduce any redness.'
Sugar Coated Full Body Hair Removal Kit 250ml
£13 at Feelunique
Perdita Nouril
Beauty Editor
Perdita Nouril is the Beauty Editor for Women’s Health UK. She has worked in the beauty industry for 15 years since graduating from the University of Nottingham. Adept at exploring the colossal world of beauty, she loves to scratch beneath the surface to debunk the myths, decode the science and challenge traditional notions of beauty. You can always find her preaching sermons on the power of a red lip, extolling the virtues of a decent serum and championing the very best female beauty founders.
You can find Perdita on Instagram on @perditanouril
Read full bio
