For those seeking a hair-free bikini area without the expense or inconvenience of salon visits, performing a Brazilian wax at home can be an attractive option. This comprehensive guide provides a detailed, step-by-step tutorial for achieving professional-quality results in the comfort and privacy of your own home, using both sugar wax and hard wax methods.
To achieve optimal results, allow your hair to grow out for approximately two weeks before waxing. This ensures that the wax can effectively grip the hair for removal. Try to give yourself a Brazilian wax about 2 weeks after you’ve last shaved.
Prior to waxing, exfoliate the area to remove dead skin cells and prevent ingrown hairs, especially if you have sensitive skin. Head into the shower and suds up with soap or body wash, then rinse well. Cleanse the area thoroughly with soap and water or a pre-epilation cleanser to remove any oils or lotions.
Apply baby powder or cornstarch to the areas you’re going to wax. This makes the wax stick to the hair and not your skin, which significantly reduces the pain.If your pain increases throughout the process, apply more powder. You can use corn starch as an alternative to talc powder, which some people believe poses health risks. Baby powder ensures that the wax sticks to your hair, not your skin.
Hard wax, or traditional wax, typically comes in solid form. To melt it, follow the instructions on the package and either warm it up on the stovetop or in a wax warmer. Heat the wax according to the manufacturer's instructions, using either a stovetop or a wax warmer. If using a stovetop, exercise caution to prevent overheating. Maintain a consistent, safe temperature throughout the process. To test the wax, apply a little bit to the inside of your wrist.
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Use a wooden tongue depressor to pick up a ball of wax. Start in an area that isn’t very sensitive, like the inside of your thigh. Apply the wax in a thick layer, similar to the consistency of peanut butter, in the direction of hair growth. Each smear should be about an inch wide and up to three inches long-and always in the direction of the hair growth. Ensure the wax adheres firmly to the hair.
Let the wax sit for about 30 seconds to harden a bit; you should be able to hear a tapping noise when you hit it with your fingernail. Pull the section off in the opposite direction of the hair growth-do your best to try to hold the skin beneath the section taut while you pull away to lessen the pain. It will be excruciating, that I can guarantee. Hold the skin taut with your free hand and quickly pull the wax strip in the opposite direction of hair growth. Apply immediate pressure to the waxed area with your hand to help alleviate discomfort.
When you buy a good sugaring wax, the instructions will tell you how to warm it up. Typically, you can pour the product into a pot and then warm it up on medium heat for about 5 minutes. If your sugar wax is a roll-on, there’s no need to heat it up. Warm the sugar wax on the stove. The main difference between sugar wax and traditional hard wax is the application method.
Instead of using a wooden stick, pick up a glob of sugar wax with your fingers about the size of a golf ball, then roll it into a ball. Start with an area that’s not too sensitive, like your inner thigh. Stand with one leg up on the toilet for better reach, and slowly swipe the wax onto your skin in an upward motion (against the direction of hair growth). The key to sugar waxing is to press the sugar into your pores. After you spread the wax 2 or 3 times on your skin, it will harden slightly and may even stick to your fingers a bit.
Use your free hand to hold your skin taut, then quickly rip the wax in a downward motion (in the direction of hair growth). You may have to pull your wax strip 2 or 3 times before it comes off completely. If your skin is stinging, gently press down on it with your free hand to apply mild pressure. The key to sugar waxing is to press the sugar into your pores. After you spread the wax 2 or 3 times on your skin, it will harden slightly and may even stick to your fingers a bit.
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Is your skin stinging? To prepare for a wax, hop into the shower and give yourself a quick rinse, then scrub with body wash or soap. Apply immediate pressure to the waxed area with your hand to help alleviate discomfort. While some sources claim there are no numbing creams, sprays or OTC pills that will dull the sensation, finding a method that works for you is key.
Ensure the waxing area is clean and dry to prevent infection.
Work in small sections to minimize discomfort and ensure thorough hair removal. Start in an area that isn’t very sensitive, like the inside of your thigh. Having trouble seeing what you’re doing? Use your free hand to hold your skin taut.
For your first time waxing, expect to spend about 45 minutes to 1 hour applying wax and then taking it off. You can continue to use the same ball of sugar wax that you were using until it cools down completely. You may notice the sugar wax changing color over time, which is normal.
Use cool water to help soothe your skin and rinse away any leftover wax. If this is your first time waxing, you might notice a little bit of blood, which is totally normal. Sometimes your wax (especially hard wax) will get stuck to the skin and dry. If that happens, pour a little bit of baby oil onto a cotton pad and swipe it over your skin. Apply moisturizer to soothe your skin. After waxing, your skin will be slightly dry and irritated.
Read also: Comprehensive Guide to Brazilian Wax
You’ll probably still have small pieces of wax stuck in your crevices when you finish. I use the in-shower mittens to prevent ingrown hairs by exfoliating the waxed areas. And I wear high-cut leotards, too-tight jeans, and stand on glass-floored observation decks as much as possible over the following three weeks to make the horrifying experience worthwhile. Use oil to reduce mess while waxing. Rub oil on any surface to ball up the unwanted wax for easy clean-up, or rub oil on your skin AFTER waxing to clean off any excess wax.
Sometimes your wax (especially hard wax) will get stuck to the skin and dry. If that happens, pour a little bit of baby oil onto a cotton pad and swipe it over your skin.
If you have open sores, pimples, or infection, you should stay away from waxing until healed.
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