Body hair is a completely personal choice. Whether you decide to take it all off with waxing at home or proudly leave it be (or something in between!), there’s no wrong way – and never let anyone tell you otherwise.
If you do opt for hair removal, there are a myriad of ways to do so from epilating and shaving to waxing and IPL. As waxing removes hair from the root, the results last longer and there’s slower re-growth over time making it a relatively cost effective method of hair removal.
With salons across the UK taking a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, we spoke to beauty specialist Nadiya Bekar (our beauty director Eve Cameron has been a loyal client for 20 years) on how to safely and effectively do your waxing at home. Her straightforward, expert advice is a must-read especially for beginners!
What do you need for waxing at home?
While Nadiya uses traditional hot beeswax when working on clients at the Four London salon, she highly recommends opting for cold wax (also known as strip wax) for at-home use.
Hot wax comes in a honey-like, thick consistency and stays warm for a few seconds before it cools down on the skin. This relaxes the pores and pulls the hair out with less chance of ingrown hairs. However, Nadiya cautions that it requires more skill and a lot can go wrong (think heat burns, for example). Strip waxes cool down the second it touches the skin, and are often sold as kits that are simpler to navigate.
To start, sit on the floor with your back supported. Lay down some paper, towels or kitchen roll to catch any spillages. It’s important to have a mirror on hand too so you can see yourself from different angles. If you’re waxing the Brazilian area, position a standing mirror in front of you.
How do you prep the skin for waxing?
Always ensure that skin is thoroughly dry, clean and un-moisturised before using a strip wax.
"Dry skin is key because if it is wet or oily, the wax will stick and you won’t be able to get it off," advised Nadiya. It’s the first step to minimising any waxing discomfort.
Your hair growth should be about ¼ of an inch. If it’s too long, you might find the process painful and any shorter will make it difficult for the hair to be removed. If you’re working on the Brazilian region, trim the hair first with a pair of small cosmetic scissors.
The Vintage Cosmetic Company Scissors
£7 at LookFantastic
Credit: Lookfantastic
It goes without saying but remember not to wax on any areas with pimples or wounds. It’s wise to stay off any strong retinol products or skincare acids for a few nights before waxing facial areas too.
If you have extremely sensitive skin or are unsure about a product, do a 48 hour patch test beforehand.
How do you use waxing strips?
Cover the clean, dry area with wax then immediately apply the strip (you can trim the strips if needed). Press firmly to make sure the strip covers every area the wax is applied on except for a tiny bit on the end which will act as a removing tab.
"I can’t emphasise enough the importance of working in small patches and areas – especially if you are a beginner. Don’t get too ambitious to try and mimic what a therapist does. Working in small areas will take longer, but it’s worth it to avoid any friction burns or bruising," said Nadiya. Once you build your confidence, you can try working with larger areas but always start small.
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Credit: Superdrug
Nad's Facial Wax Strips
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Credit: Superdrug
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Nair Coconut Body Wax Strips
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For Brazilian waxes, have a mirror strategically placed in front of you as you want to catch every area possible. It can be daunting for first-timers but relax, and work from the outside, top area and gradually move inwards and underneath in very small patches.
The rule differs slightly for facial hair. "Work from the middle of your face outwards when you’re applying the wax. Then, remove from the outwards in," said Nadiya.
How do you remove waxing strips?
Hold the skin taut with one hand and pull the strip swiftly against the direction of hair growth. Use a handheld mirror for areas that are harder to see.
Nadiya suggested waxing once per area and repeating a second time over any missed spots only when the skin has cooled down. This way you won’t risk any friction burns.
If you’re waxing any areas on the face, holding the skin really taut before removing the strip is crucial to ensure a clean, (almost) pain-free wax.
Remove any stray hairs with a tweezer. Be careful not to dig the skin with them too much as that can cause spots or ingrown hairs. Benefit's Slanted Tweezer scored highly on our GHI Test.
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Credit: Lookfantastic
How do you care for skin after waxing?
"Aftercare is imperative for home waxing in order to reduce risks of skin irritation because you’re not used to doing it often and you might have removed the hair from the wrong angle," said Nadiya.
Jason Soothing Aloe Vera Moisturising Gel
£5 at LookFantastic
Credit: Lookfantastic
Aloe Pura Aloe Vera Skin Gel
£6 at Superdrug
Credit: Superdrug
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Skincity.com Skin Calming Aloe Gel
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She stressed the importance of avoiding hot baths or showers and staying away from heavy creams, lotions, moisturisers and oils. Waxing basically leaves the pores open, so overloading them with heavy products can cause ingrown hairs, spots or pustules to develop. "You want to avoid anything that can create irritation in the pores."
Aloe vera or tea tree gel works best to soothe and heal your skin post-waxing. Give yourself a couple of days before returning to your regular body care routine.
Happy waxing!
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