DIY Wax: Our Not-So-Scary Experience and Tips for Smooth Success

Home waxing has always made me nervous. I have sensitive skin and have heard horror stories. The image of microwaving wax and spilling it all over my hardwood floors kept running through my mind. But a mama doesn’t always have time to get to the salon for professional treatment, so when I received a box of no-fuss, no-mess waxing supplies from Nad’s, I was game to let ‘er rip!

Nad’s is safe for sensitive skin — in fact, Nad’s specifically has Body Wax Strips for Sensitive Skin! The strips are made with natural beeswax using an innovative contour weave soft paper technology, which is flexible to conform better to your body’s curves and make it easier to reach tricky areas. With added honey and chamomile, the wax strips help to soothe and calm the skin while gently removing hair as short as 2 mm.

The general guide to waxing seemed doable:

1. Clean and dry the area to be treated. Ensure all oils, makeup and moisturizers are removed.
2. Apply wax slowly in the direction of hair growth.
3. Firmly smooth over strip 3-4 times.
4. Quickly remove strip holding skin taut in opposite direction to the hair growth.

The wax is stuck together between two sheets of body waxing paper. The directions on the box say to rub the sheets between your hands to warm it up and peel them away, much like you would a Band-Aid. Once you peel it open, the wax is ready to go! So, on your body and then a few more rubs to firm it up, hold and RIPPPPPPPP. No pain! Zero! I had to go over the same area twice because I realized that I didn’t give the pads time to grab onto the hair. The second time around I really pressed firmly on the area I was wanting to wax and gave the wax a second to sit and really adhere on. That made a HUGE difference! My seriously sensitive skin did get a little red but nothing abnormal — as red as I get when going for a professional wax, and it eased up pretty quickly. I cleaned the area off with the oil-like wipes that are provided and put some aloe on mixed with Neosporin (which is what I do when I come home from a waxing too; my body responds best to it!).

Here are a few hair removal tips from CEO Sue Ismier that I found helpful, especially since I had never done an at home treatment before:

• The quicker you pull the strip back, the more effective the hair removal. Don’t forget to hold the skin taut and pull the strip back as close to the skin as possible. Bruising may be a result of not holding your skin taut.
• On some parts of your body, like for example your underarms or your center brow, hair can grow in different directions. Always assess carefully before applying the wax.
• Make sure the hair is at least 3 to 5 mm long; otherwise the hair may not be removed.
• Check that you are not perspiring or that your body is too hot (i.e. if you have just come out of the shower) as this will prevent the wax from adhering to the hair effectively.
• Try to avoid waxing just before or during your period. Your skin is really sensitive during this time.
• For optimal results, exfoliate your skin no sooner than eight hours before hair removal and 48 hours after. Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells and maintain vital skin health. It also helps minimize ingrown hairs.
• It is normal for the skin to appear red after waxing. Remove any residue then soothe your skin following hair removal with a cooling aloe vera; this helps to soothe and calm the skin after hair removal. Can be used daily as soothing moisturizer.

Nad’s current line of hair removal products includes facial hair removal, Brazilian bikini, hair removal cream, nose hair removal and wax strips. These are great for travel, on the go and last-minute events. Even those last minute date nights (wink) when you get a chance!

Have you tried at-home hair removal? Did you have success with it? —Jennifer