Our top pick is the Bliss Poetic Waxing At-Home Hair Removal Kit
When it comes to the wonderful world of hair removal, any and every type of technique inevitably comes with its own set of pros and cons. Shaving is quick and easy but needs to be done often. Laser hair removal is permanent but costly. Depilatories are effective but can be messy and smelly. And then there’s waxing.
There’s no denying that waxing is an extremely effective way to remove unwanted hair; by yanking the hair out at the root, the results last much longer than shaving. (Oh, and for many people, the more regularly you wax, the finer your hair becomes and the longer it takes to grow back.) Plus, it can be done all over the body, from your brows to your bikini line. The overall cons? Salon waxing can get pricey, while at-home options can be complicated, messy, and often painful. But not these options, which offer all of those pros without the cons.
A few top tips that can help make your DIY waxing process all the more effective: One, prep the skin, first. “Exfoliate with a scrub or loofah glove to remove all the dead, flaky skin from the surface,” suggests Danielle Hogue, licensed esthetician and MyHare product consultant. “Doing this allows the wax to better reach and grab the hairs you’re trying to remove and creates a dry, oil-free area, which ultimately makes waxing more effective,” she explains. Make sure that any hair you’re waxing is at about the length of a grain of rice and remember to always pull the wax or strips against the direction of the hair growth, Hogue adds.
Ready to take matters into your own hands? Below are the best home waxing kits.
Best Overall: Bliss Poetic Waxing At-Home Hair Removal Kit
Bring the spa home with you with this complete kit that contains everything you need to get super smooth, all over your body. First, there’s the wax, the same formula found at Bliss spas. The low-temp, no-strip needed wax coats the entire hair follicle, making it ideal for removing short or coarse hairs.
It also comes with a pre-and post-waxing oil, packed with soothing chamomile flower oil and moisturizing apricot oil. Since there are no strips needed, all you have to do is heat up the wax in the microwave until it’s about the same consistency as thick honey, then apply it.
Best Drugstore: Sally Hansen Hair Remover Wax Strip Kit
The number one best-selling wax brand in the US offers plenty of at-home options, but this particular kit earns big points for several reasons. One, the formula works equally well on the face and body, making it a one-stop-shop for targeting all your hair removal needs. Two, it comes with pre-waxed, pre-cut strips for fast and easy waxing. Last but not least, it’s a great bargain. Check, check, and check.
Best for Beginners: Flamingo Body Wax Kit
These soft, already prepped gel-wax strips remove hair from the root, even the thinnest of hairs, for up to four weeks. No heat is required to use these strips, so they’re beginner-friendly and less intimidating than similar waxing kits and types of wax. Plus, the kit includes detailed instructions and a post-wax cloth to soothe the skin and calm any redness.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Completely Bare Bare More Ouch Less Waxing Kit
The worst part about wax strips is when they end up irritating your skin afterward, so ditch them all together with this innovative strip-less wax technology. The formula actually claims to reduce inflammation and bumps. It comes with five applicators, two towelettes, gloves, and salon-quality strip-less wax. Not only is this easy (and ideal for travel), but there’s also no risk of making the wax accidentally too hot and irritating or burning your skin.
Best for Legs: Veet Ready-to-Use Wax Strips & Wipes
These strips have a unique gel wax technology that acts more like a liquid upon application, making them ideal for coating—and removing—hair of all different lengths, even stubble. It’s so effective that 95% of hair is removed after the first application, so you don’t have to keep waxing the same spot over and over.
The formula has also been dermatologist-tested and contains hydrating shea butter, along with almond oil and vitamin E. Plus, the kit comes with finishing wipes to help remove any residue post-waxing.
Best for Bikini Area: VidaSleek Hair Removal Wax Kit
We should start by saying that attempting a DIY Brazilian is probably not the best idea, but for cleaning up your bikini line, at-home wax is a great option. This kit, in particular, works incredibly well. Just heat the wax—meant to stick just to hair, not skin—in the microwave and apply with the included spatula. The bonus of waxing this area: A much lower likelihood of bumps and ingrown hairs.
Best for Upper Lip and Face: Nad’s Hair Removal Facial Wax Strips
The formula of this wax is ideal for the delicate skin on your face; fragrance-free and made with natural beeswax. These are also strips that you simply heat in between your hands, so there’s no risk of burning your face.
And it’s not just the wax that’s noteworthy here—the strips themselves are, too. Super flexible with a contour weave technology, they’re made to adhere perfectly to all those curves and hard-to-reach spots around your face, especially if you’re waxing your upper lip, so that you get the best and smoothest result possible. This kit also works well on other parts of the face, too, including the chin. you’re waxing your upper lip, chin, or face—so that you get the best and smoothest result possible.
Best for Eyebrows: Parissa Eyebrow Wax Strip
Shaping your own brows can be a difficult and daunting task to begin with, and even more so when your chosen removal MO is waxing. Enter these 16 perfectly-sized strips infused with a pine resin-based wax, ideal for removing even the tiniest hairs and cleaning up your brows, so you score perfect arches every time. Bonus points for the included azulene oil, too, which helps soften skin.
Best for Underarms: GiGi Roll-On Waxing Kit
A unique roll-on wax system that makes it easy to apply wax directly to the targeted areas like the underarms. The smaller roller head is best for hair removal in the brows and face, whereas the larger size is meant for the rest of the body. This results in little to no mess when you clean-up after use.
Best Professional: Gigi Mini Pro Hair Removal Waxing Kit
You can basically set up a waxing salon at home with this kit full of all the essentials. Complete with crème wax, calming lotions, spatulas, and cloth, you’ll have everything you need for a safe and easy process. Reviewers have mentioned that this wax is sticky, so be sure to try a small area of your skin first before.
Best for Thick and Coarse Hair: VidaSleek Hair Removal Wax Kit
For those whose hair is especially coarse or thick, this hard wax option is an excellent choice. The extra-strength formula is ideal for removing even the most stubborn of hairs (think on legs or bikini line), though still boasts a totally natural ingredient list, consisting only of gum resin, pine resin, and avocado oil. Plus, since it does work so well on thicker hair, it’s great for guys, too.
Best Wax Beans: Wakse Hard Wax Beans
Wax beans offer the unique advantage of being super customizable based on how much wax you need. Only want to do a tiny spot or quick touch-up? Simply melt as many beans as you need without having to melt the entire pot of wax. These are some of our favorites; the colorful beads could easily be mistaken for candy, even more so given their cotton candy scent. The stripless formula is infused with aloe and chamomile and melts beautifully in the microwave (though FYI, you do need to purchase a separate melting pot).
Best Hard Wax: GiGi All Purpose Hair Removal Hard Wax
Hard wax is effective enough for areas with fine and/or thick hair, and typically doesn’t require a wax strip to use. This hard wax from GiGi, in particular, is designed to work on all areas of the body, regardless of your skin type. It doesn’t adhere to your skin, so you’re left with fuss-free hair removal that shouldn’t irritate afterwards. Just let it completely dry on the skin before gently removing the wax.
Best Sugar Wax: Nad’s Sugar Wax Kit
Sugar waxing is a tried and true method that has been trusted for centuries. It is one of the more natural and simple approaches to wax, and tends to be best for those with reactive and sensitive skin because it is super gentle, just like this mess-free Nad’s Sugar Wax kit. Due to its formulation, the wax is best for fine to medium hair types.
Final Verdict
DIY waxing doesn’t have to be scary, especially if you’re using a good at-home kit. The Bliss Poetic Waxing At-Home Removal Kit is our favorite, a low-temp, strip-free option that’s the same as what is found at the brand’s professional spas. If you have super sensitive skin, you’ll appreciate that the Completely Bare Bare More Ouch Less Waxing Kit boasts a wax formula that reduces inflammation. The Veet Ready-to-Use Wax Strips & Wipes are our favorite for legs; the Nair Wax Bikini Pro Kit is our pick for bikini waxing.
What to Look for in Home Waxing Kits
Cream-Based Waxes
According to Hogue, sugar- or honey-based waxes are much tackier (like the GiGi All Purpose Hair Removal Hair Wax), and as such, adhere to the skin more strongly which can translate to more discomfort. Cream-based options are gentler on the skin but equally as effective at grabbing and removing hairs, she says.
Skin-Soothing Ingredients
Especially if you’re a beginner, look for waxes that have hypoallergenic and sensitive skin-safe formulas. Waxes with shea butter, chamomile, and beeswax are some ingredients Morgan Rabach, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, suggests for every skin type, including the most sensitive (our Best Overall pick, the Bliss At-Home Waxing Kit, contains chamomile flower oil and apricot oil to moisturize and soothe the skin).
From a professional waxer’s standpoint, Jodi Shays, who is also a licensed esthetician, loves the ingredients glyceryl rosinate and titanium dioxide in her waxes. “The glyceryl rosinate is the wax and the titanium dioxide is the buffer—together they work as a team,” she explains. “The wax binds the hair and the titanium dioxide keeps it from sticking to the skin…Your skin should never feel sticky after a wax, it should have a powdery, smooth feel, and that is the titanium dioxide’s job.”
Strips for a Smaller Area
Particularly if you’re a newbie, Hogue advises starting your DIY waxing adventure by waxing smaller areas first. “Try your upper lip before you shape your brows. Or start with your bikini line before you move onto a full Brazillian,” she says. This gives you time to practice and familiarize yourself with the product, how you react, and creates less room for error, she explains.
FAQ
What is the best way to wax at home?
“[It is best to] exfoliate a few days before [you wax] because it takes off the outer layers of the skin and allows the wax to adhere better.” says Dr. Rabach. “Cut hairs to be around 3/4 inches so that there is enough for the wax to adhere to, but not too long so that it makes waxing more complicated. Always cleanse the skin before waxing to help reduce the number of infected bumps.” After you’re done waxing, both Dr. Rabach and Shays recommend applying a soothing, non-comedogenic balm, oil, or cream, such as an aloe lotion and an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream.
How do you use an at-home waxing kit?
Follow the package instructions as methods vary a bit, but in general, you’ll start by applying a cornstarch-based baby powder to the area, which you’ll want to have exfoliated a couple of days beforehand. Then, apply a thin layer of wax to a small section, holding the stick at a 90-degree angle and going in the direction of hair growth. Before it can cool, firmly press a strip onto the wax and smooth it in the direction of growth, then quickly peel it in the opposite direction once it’s time to remove it, staying as close to the skin as possible. Apply pressure if the area stings, then use a lotion containing salicylic acid to prevent ingrown hairs. Use a body oil to gently remove any excess wax.
For waxing sensitive areas (e.g. upper lip, bikini line), Shays advises against using honey and resin waxes, and instead apply “soft cream waxes that contain titanium dioxide or high quality hard waxes” in small sections. “With the lip and bikini, when you pull, keep your hand as close to the skin as possible. If you pull ‘up’ you will cause bruising,” she says. If you’re waxing when you’re on your cycle, Shays recommends taking a pain reliever to reduce discomfort.
Are at-home waxing kits safe?
At-home waxing kits are safe, but you’ll want to make sure to use them correctly. Cream wax is better for more delicate skin, and it’s not advised to do any waxing in general if you’re taking Accutane or using retinol products. Be careful to follow instructions—making sure your wax is at the correct temperature and that you’re using the right amount is crucial to a minimally irritating result.
“When you talk about people with darker skin tones or hyperpigmentation, the only way a wax is going to harm them is if the wax is too hot, too sticky or is removed in an incorrect way,” Shays says.
Is there a way to lessen the pain of waxing at home?
Making sure your wax is the correct temperature (never apply wax that is too, too hot) and amount goes a long way in reducing the pain of DIY waxing, but anyone with sensitive skin may also want to use a numbing cream or spray.
Is it better to shave or to wax?
According to Shay, it depends on your lifestyle because both have their pros and cons (e.g. you have to wait for your hair to grow for waxing, whereas shaving requires you to remove the hair daily). But for Dr. Rabach, she prefers shaving over waxing. “I think shaving is the safest, tried and true, and my preference because it isn’t painful! When hair is torn out in a wax, there is more chance for irritation and ingrowns.” Ultimately, it is what works best for you!
We suggest using scissors or trimming devices for removing hair inside the body, such as removing nose hair, instead of waxing to avoid irritation and soreness.
