At-home bikini wax advice

August 23, 2019 8:33 AM

I would like to give myself an at-home bikini wax, and I would like recommendations for specific products and techniques.

I am leaving on vacation in a week and do not have time to get to a salon for a wax. I have had them in the past (including full Brazilians) so I feel prepared in terms of pain expectation. I do not need to take off tons of hair, just trying not to have anything show while I'm wearing a swimsuit.

I own a hair trimmer so can cut off some length beforehand if that's advised (it's maybe 1/2 inch currently?).

I have access to CVS, but also happy to order via Amazon if there's a really great product. I don't tend to struggle overly much with ingrown hairs or irritation, but if you really love some type of soothing product I'm open to hearing about it!

Both specific products AND technique tips are appreciated! Thanks.

posted by anonymous to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (6 answers total)

I would highly recommend "Wakse." It's a hard wax so melt at home in your microwave (either stay close-ish to the microwave or set yourself up a double boiler-esk situation with hot water because it cools fairly quickly. Apply with a tongue depressor/popsicle stick (thickness of a banana peel). Let harden, use other hand to hold down skin and pull.

I got their little silicone bowl thing for melting. Slightly stupid as the silicone also heats up in the microwave but good because I don't have to worry about cleaning wax out of any mugs/bowls later.

I tried it for the first time when I was in a similar situation. I would only recommend it to people who have gotten waxes before and don't expect to get a perfectly lined up edge but also totally worth it. I think all materials included it came to about $30 with plenty of wax for the future. I got it at all at Ulta but you could probably order directly or amazon.

Definitely use the trimmer a bit.
posted by raccoon409 at 9:44 AM on August 23, 2019 [1 favorite]

Work small areas at a time.
posted by Stewriffic at 10:07 AM on August 23, 2019 [1 favorite]

I used to do this a lot. I would lay down newspaper on the bathroom floor for drips, and set a mirror up so that I could see what I was doing - especially in regards to areas where the hair grows in strange directions! - without contorting myself crazily. Also, two advil beforehand always made it less stressful.
posted by minervous at 11:15 AM on August 23, 2019 [3 favorites]

Powder the skin where you are going to wax so that the wax sticks only to the hair.
posted by Stewriffic at 6:02 PM on August 23, 2019

I bought this kit in store at a Sally Beauty and it worked nicely. I've also ordered it and it arrived in 2 or 3 days if you dont have a local Sally.
Work in smaller sections than the pros do. Take some time with a mirror to figure out the best way to keep the skin taught while applying the wax. The hard wax is way easier to use when doing it yourself.
posted by WeekendJen at 12:01 AM on August 24, 2019

If you end up doing a patchy job don't rewax over the same spot repeatedly, just give up and shave or tweeze or whatever.
posted by poffin boffin at 12:27 AM on August 24, 2019