What's a good device for upper-lip hair removal?

January 20, 2024 9:43 PM

I'm a woman with a mustache, and I don't like how it looks. I sometimes use a razor but then I get stubble. I sometimes use a Braun epilator, but it's too large for use on my face. I tried an at-home laser but it gave me a burn on my leg and so I don't want to use it on my face. What is a good device I can use as needed to remove very fine but dark hair?
posted by anonymous to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (19 answers total)

I use wax strips on my facial hair.
posted by ClarissaWAM at 10:56 PM on January 20, 2024 [4 favorites]

The traditional way to do this in South Asia and the Middle East is by threading. If you live anywhere near a South Asian, Middle Eastern or Turkish community you will find salons that offer threading for very little money and it takes 2 minutes. If you already get your eyebrows threaded, they will also do your upper lip.

If you want to do it yourself: there is a significant learning curve but it's doable and there are countless videos online. Equipment required: quality thread (pure cotton or you can get specialist thread online) and somewhere by your mirror where you can tie one end.

Advantages of threading: inexpensive, no stubble, quick and thorough. Disadvantages: I personally find it painful but many people don't, and anyway it's over quickly.
posted by tavegyl at 11:52 PM on January 20, 2024 [2 favorites]

A spring epilator will do the trick too, and it's easier to do at home than threading.
posted by pendrift at 1:36 AM on January 21, 2024 [2 favorites]

A facial epilator. I have an older version of this that I bought about 15 years ago, and it works like a charm.
posted by essexjan at 3:18 AM on January 21, 2024 [1 favorite]

I’ve been tweezing my mo for two decades. Low tech but easy, cheap and portable. Much of the hair no longer regrows, and what’s left has become easier and less painful to remove.
posted by EXISTENZ IS PAUSED at 3:37 AM on January 21, 2024 [1 favorite]

I use a spring epilator. Cheap, effective, and easy (once you get the hang of it). Like any epilator, it hurts at first, but less and less as you continue to use it. I love having not only my upper lip hair gone, but peach fuzz and chin hair, as well.
posted by Dolley at 5:35 AM on January 21, 2024

I usually have a professional wax or sugar it for me and pluck stray hairs with tweezers myself in between sessions if they’re particularly dark.

On edit: it costs <$15 in an expensive area and takes about 5 min
posted by A Blue Moon at 5:37 AM on January 21, 2024

Threading is best for shaping hair, and that's why it works so great for eyebrows. When it comes to totally removing hair, wax strips are the quickest and least painful option which lasts way longer than shaving ever will (and is less damaging to your skin as well). You can do it at home, it takes two minutes to warm up a wax strip between your fingers or a few seconds in the microwave - then separate the wax strips, place it on your face, press down, give it a few seconds, and rip it off. There's nothing to it.
posted by MiraK at 6:34 AM on January 21, 2024

Are you using a regular razor? I use an eyebrow razor, dry. I'm able to get a very close shave without irritation (unlike everywhere else on my body). That said, my real advice is to get professional laser or electrolysis. It's expensive up front, but it's an investment in never having to think about it again. Or you could get less than the full course of treatments and it'll thin things out enough that all you need is to pluck the occasional straggler.
posted by umwelt at 9:04 AM on January 21, 2024

I use one of these for in between waxes and it does a good job. There are some other similar options.
posted by greta simone at 9:57 AM on January 21, 2024

Seconding the eyebrow razor. I use the amusingly-named Tinkle. I've done wax in the past, but the razors are painless and just a better all-around experience. I haven't had any problems with the hair getting darker or thicker in the last 6 years that I've been doing it.
posted by little king trashmouth at 10:00 AM on January 21, 2024

I use a little electric shaver thing similar to this. I like the wand parts as opposed to the flat round head, but it is just a matter of personal preference. I found waxing super painful and irritating (and I get regular bikini/brazilian waxes; I'm not anti-wax). I get my brows partially threaded and it hurts worse than waxing IMO (but is better for precision shaping so I tolerate it). The shaver doesn't hurt. I don't feel like I'm getting "stubble" the same way I do on my legs; the hair just grows back in over time.
posted by jeoc at 11:26 AM on January 21, 2024 [2 favorites]

You can use a nail scissors to just trim it off if you don't like pain and need something quick that doesn't leave redness.
posted by meepmeow at 11:47 AM on January 21, 2024

N-thing a small epilator.
posted by redlines at 12:07 PM on January 21, 2024

I’ve done the wax strips and the little weird razor thingies, but right now my favorite is the little Braun face epilator wand.
posted by matildaben at 9:38 PM on January 21, 2024

I have been threading my upper lip at home for decades. For me it's the easiest and cheapest way to remove fine dark facial hair. I should note I have poor coordination and fine motor skills generally, but I found it super easy to pick up.
posted by guessthis at 4:41 AM on January 22, 2024

Not sure what kind of laser you used but the Philips Lumea uses IPL. Although it doesn’t remove the hair, it slows/stops it growing back and if it does grow back it’s finer and lighter in colour. Comes with a special face attachment and different power settings - I’ve never had a problem with burns.
posted by atlantica at 11:01 AM on January 22, 2024

Agree with professional laser & electrolysis. I did my face: moustache, cheeks, chin, lower lip about a decade ago and it was the best money ever spent. The lasers used professionally are different and often less effective than the lasers used at home. I would get an evaluation by one of the top laser professionals in your area. In my area it costs $90 for upper lip and you get it done every 6 weeks or so. You can get it as needed too.
posted by ColdIcedT at 7:49 AM on January 24, 2024

I went to a professional laser service and had 3-4 treatments on my upper lip and chin over 6 months about 5 years ago, and the darker hair hasn't grown back since.
posted by amusebuche at 11:23 PM on January 25, 2024