Ladies, let’s talk about something most of us struggle with: unwanted hair. Whether you’re dealing with unruly eyebrows, facial fuzz or unsightly underarm hair, it can be costly and time-consuming to keep it from coming back.
So which method works best – shaving, waxing or tweezing? I’ll weigh the pros and cons of each:
Shaving: Undoubtedly the least expensive method of hair removal, shaving is quick and relatively painless; unfortunately, it doesn’t stop the hair from coming back, sometimes the same day! I prefer shaving when I need to get rid of unwanted hair (legs and underarms) at the last minute – say, for an impromptu trip to the beach. To make your shave as smooth as possible, I recommend a triple-blade razor and richly hydrating shave lotion, such as Kiss My Face Moisture Shave.
- Works best for: Last-minute hair removal
- Tip: Don’t shave your chin, upper lip or brows
Waxing: This method involves applying a sticky resin to your skin, then covering it with a cloth strip that binds to the wax and hair. Yes, it does sting a bit when you rip off that strip — but when waxing is done correctly, the results are hard to beat. It removes hair at the root, so all you’re left with is silky smooth skin. Plus, that pesky hair won’t be coming back for several weeks, and when it does, it may be thinner. The cons? It can be messy – and upscale salons may charge a pretty penny for their waxing services. The good news is that there are plenty of easy, do-it-yourself waxing kits, such as Sally Hansen Hair Remover Wax Strip Kit and Parissa Wax Strips for Face and Bikini.
- Works best for: Legs, underarms, bikini area, upper lip
- Tip: The day before you wax, use a gentle exfoliating scrub to rid the area of dead skin cells
Tweezing: Are you sporting a unibrow? It’s time you got acquainted with your tweezers! It may seem intimidating to grab and pluck your body hairs one by one, but trust me – it’s the best way to ensure your eyebrows stay smooth and perfectly shaped. I recommend a set of slanted-tip tweezers for coarse eyebrow hair, and a pointed pair for fine or ingrown facial hairs – this Earth Therapeutics tweezer kit features both. Remember, tweezers aren’t ideal for removing large areas of hair – in fact, doing so could cause scarring.
- Works best for: Eyebrows, stray facial hairs
- Tip: Calm red or irritated skin with a soothing facial cream after tweezing
Other methods: There are several other methods of hair removal – including depilatory creams, threading, trimming and sugaring – try the ones you’re comfortable with to find out which is right for you!
