How to wax your face at home

Apr 01, 2012 1:53 AM by Jana Randall

Posted in Beauty & Style / Makeup & Skin Care / Skincare

Waxing Woman

A smooth face can make you look and feel your best. To rid yourself of annoying hairs that can make you feel you’re less than sexy, try waxing your face at home. At a fraction of the cost of most salon waxing services, waxing your face in the privacy of your home can be cost effective and simple.

Woman looking in mirror

Purchase the wax

The first order of business in waxing your face at home is to find the wax of your preference. Take a trip to the local drugstore and look for waxes that have been dermatologist tested and are designed for sensitive skin. Additional ingredients such as the white lilly found in Nair Face Roll-On Wax Kit can help prevent extra tenderness.

Cleanse

A clean face prepares you for the best wax. Rinse and wash your face, as well as your hands, since they’ll be touching the wax first.

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Heat and check

Follow the directions according to the wax packaging and heat it to the specified temperature. Don’t forget to check to make sure that it isn’t too hot for your precious facial skin. Not only is a burn not flattering, it's not comfortable either.

Apply & remove

Spread wax onto your face in a thin, even layer. Apply a strip and leave it on for the recommended amount of time. Pull the strip off in a rapid motion, pulling in the opposite direction of hair growth. Avoid pulling hair upwards, as it can cause hair to break and appear to grow back faster.

Soothe

Immediately apply pressure to the waxed area to avoid extra discomfort. Avoid waxing more than once, as it can cause unnecessary damage to the skin. Apply a layer of your favorite facial lotion to relieve skin.

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Exfoliate

Exfoliating your skin a day or two before you wax will help provide a smooth surface on which to wax. A regular wax can last from two to four weeks. Exfoliating will help extend the time between waxes to the four week max.

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A few pointers

Use a large or magnifying mirror for a close look. If you can see where you are applying the wax, you are more likely to get all of your unwanted hairs.
Do a test run. To ensure that you do not have any allergies to the wax, do a test strip on an arm or a leg.
If you're afraid of the pain that can come with waxing, look into numbing sprays. These can easily be applied pre-wax to bring your pain level down a notch or two.
Avoid extra waxing by plucking stray hairs with tweezers. This can be done quickly and is just as effective.