Waxing....at home?

[Deleted]

Obviously waxing is quicker than using an epilator, because they can spread out a larger quantity of wax.

When my kids were little I was SO happy with the epilator because I could do it on my schedule. When DD asked me to pay for HER to get her legs / bikini line waxed, I thought, HEY, this ain't fair LOL!

After a couple of appts at the salon, I again decided I prefer to do as much as I can at home. Some people like the attention, personally, I HATE people futzing with me. I hate the small talk and the time spent.

So there's that question too ... is it worth the money to go to the salon for you? Is it a welcome break? Or a PITA?

If you like it, then go. If you don't, invest in another epilator LOL.

[raeoflyte]

It definitely isn't relaxing, and I'd much rather have that $30 a month to do something that is.

[mizbear]

Yes I had orange hair. I had always dyed my own hair before moving to well water country with no issues. I had to get these purple drops to put in my shampoo and hair dye. Finally I started dying my hair dark instead.

[swtchks98]

My DH waxes my bikini area for me. I don't know how I got lucky enough to find someone that would do that.
It takes us about 30 minutes to an hour depending on how long in between I let it get out of control. I would like to do my legs but I don't really want to wait for them to grow out.

This is what we use: The GiGi Wax warmer, GiGi Honee wax (there are different kinds), and the strips (I think they are muslin or something like that). I bought it at Sally's Beauty when they had a special going on.
We rub the area with baby powder prior to any waxing and keep the strips on the smaller side (so we also have scissors that are used only for that - I don't want to have to explain why there is something sticky on the scissors). My DH also wear gloves so it doesn't get on his hands, lol.

Personally, I like having it done at home - but I have enver had it done professionally either. I admit that I did minimum research on this and after the first time DH went on YouTube and looked at different videos to see what methods worked better than others.

[Frappuccino]

I have fine leg hair, but I have a lot of facial (sideburn) hair, and bikini area hair. I use the epilator in these areas, and I occasionally run it over my legs. I got mine at Christmas and it has paid for itself many times over when comparing to waxing. I'll do laser in 5-ish years when I can afford them

[leanna]

I did my own waxing on myself for awhile.

Parts that one can do oneself:
-Legs
-Lip

Parts that are very hard to do because of the angle:
-Underarms

Parts that you do NOT want to do yourself:
-Bikini line

It is VERY hard mentally to wax yourself. You can do it, and would probably get better at the mental hesitation over time. I bought my wax warmer & wax from Sally Beauty Supply. It was probably the same kind referenced above. I don't remember as it was a number of years ago.

It's also a bit messy - I definitely got wax throughout the bathroom a little bit despite my best efforts.

The good thing about waxing is that, if you do it often enough you can inhibit some of the hair growth.

I too have dark, coarse hair and fair skin. But, I ended up giving up waxing. I shave my legs. And I got my bikini and underarms lasered. It hurts like he**. And it takes over a year to get good results. But dang it is worth it because it's permanent.

I did the home waxing because I was trying to be thrifty. Maybe you'll get the hang of it and do it. But I hung it up - gave the wax warmer to my Waxist and let her do the work. She was an awesome Waxist - quick and thorough. If I was going to wax again, I'd go to her. But I just shave my legs these days.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

[Deleted]

why does everyone keep saying lasering hurts? Previously all my lasering was done after numbing with the EMLA cream. Now they use the pain-free laser - I don't have to numb - and it definately doesn't hurt like he!!, just feels like pinpricks in some areas. You guys need to find a different place to get lasered!

[naggie1972]

Wow I have found a whole new way to torture myself. I didn't even know what an epilator was. So does an epilator work like tweezing or waxing. When I have the time I wax my face, but it does take a while and it messy. I use the folica.com site to buy a warmer and the wax, but it takes so long and then my whole face is red and last time I had the wax too hot and burned my face, not a pretty site. H knows to stay away when I am in the bathroom having a waxing session. Good to know I can get more muslim strips at Sally's as I am out. The one time I tried to do a bikini wax, it DID not work out.

[mizbear]

my gyn says NEVER get a brazilian wax just FYI- he actually has it posted on a sign in all of the treatment rooms in his office!

naggie- Think really fast moving mini tweezers.
I heard the new epilators don't hurt like the old ones did- my mom said she bought an epilady in high school and thought someone was trying to pull her hair out and kill her. Personally, if I want to be killed while shaving my legs, I'll go back in time and try to use a Flickr again- YIKES!

Does anyone have any luck with electric razors? I love my Conair grooming kit for the multiple attachments- it shapes anything from the ankles to the eyebrows and everything in between and the attachments all come off so you can clean them thoroughly- but I have had rotten luck with electric razors.

[Deleted]

I home wax my bikini area, and while it is no walk in the park I get through it in less than 1/2 hour. It's no big deal to me.
I, too, cannot wait to get my leg hair long enough to wax it and it never occurred to me to wax my armpits. A couple of swipes with the razor keeps those in check anyway.

[naggie1972]

That is great that you are better coordinated than me Beer, I couldn't see, I was trying to do it blind, with one leg on the tub. I wasn't even trying to do a brazillian wax job just yanno the "crease area". I was spreading it and it got on the "wrong" area (that I didn't want waxed) then it didn't all come off and I waddled over to the de waxing stuff and then my inner thigh was stuck to my "girly area" from the wax that DID NOT come of with the first good old swipe. Beer, you must tell us how you accomplished it, considering my first time was a wicked mess.

I do have one of those cheapy little small pencil sized shavers for my fax, NO I am not a yeti I just don't like the little downy hairs
on my face. It works in a pinch but I much prefer to wax the facial area.

[Deleted]

I am sorry you had such a rough time of it naggie, but was not talking about you specifically.

As for my technique, well, I work in small batches and do a strip at a time; maybe 3-4 long by 1-2" wide. This last time I bought the Sally Hanson Sugar wax kit and it is stickier than hell!! I'm going back to their regular wax as soon as I'm done with it (at least that loses it's "stick" when you add water).

[kgb18]

My DH waxes my bikini area for me.

I'm glad that works for you. There's no way in hell I would want DH anywhere around while that was going on, let alone doing it. Even in marriage, it's nice to have some mystery and try to retain a little sex appeal. But then again we don't go to the bathroom in front of one another either.

[Deleted]

Your marriage is a SHAM!

[naggie1972]

No, I was serious, I think my clumsiness in the matter (I am hella clumsy and uncoordinated) made my situation laughable. Well I could laugh about a week later when my burnt thigh and "girly bits" were better. So smaller starts would work possibly, when it grew back was it similar to shaving (that itches). I do think I have gotten quite adept with the home waxing but only do my face, no legs or underarms. It still takes a long time and sometimes if I am feeling rough I will do it over two evenings, I am even getting better and not making such a mess. I put plastic bags under everything, I have the popsicle sticks but do need more muslin.

LOL at KGB, when H does come into the bathroom I ask him to get out as I am doing girly stuff (beautifying) and he I don't like him watching, some mystery is good.

[Deleted]

The best part about the Sally Hansen kits is the azulene finishing oil! It soothes the area and prevents "wax/razor burn". I wish they sold that stuff separately!

[leanna]

Feb 14, 2012 6:31:34 GMT -5 @singlemominmd said:

why does everyone keep saying lasering hurts? Previously all my lasering was done after numbing with the EMLA cream. Now they use the pain-free laser - I don't have to numb - and it definately doesn't hurt like he!!, just feels like pinpricks in some areas. You guys need to find a different place to get lasered!

The only thing they gave me was ice to put on prior to lasering.

Would love to have more done if there wasn't that much pain. Where did you get yours done?

[973beachbum]

Sorry everyone but reading this thread cracked me up!!!

It also made me very thankful that I am not very hairy!

[kgb18]

I need to get in for a wax soon. I'm getting to the point in my pregnancy where I'll have to start having exams. I want to make sure I'm, uh, presentable?

I got a wax about a week before DD was born. It was soooo painful. The further along you get in your pregnancy, the more painful they get. My poor waxer thought she was going to send me into labor.

[Deleted]

DAYUM! Once I couldn't see it anymore I didn't give a crap what it looked like! ;D

[mizbear]

With my dumb luck if I was going to do an at home de-furring- I would stick myself together on a weekend when TBear and ZBear were here.

TBear and ZBear would be on the phones calling their mother to tell her what happened. Momma Bear would probably just run away and leave.

[raeoflyte]

kgb--my mil is a labor and delivery nurse and trust me--they've seen it all. So don't do anything for the doctors/nurses that you don't want for yourself.

[Wisconsin Beth]

Rae, I just assumed that. And DH refused to help me shave my legs so I figured screw it and turned into a bear once it got uncomfortable shaving.

I've done waxes in the salon but not lately. No money, no time and no desire to get it done. If I'm doing salon time and money, it's going toward massages...

[Deleted]

Feb 14, 2012 13:56:36 GMT -5 @beerwench said:

DAYUM! Once I couldn't see it anymore I didn't give a crap what it looked like! ;D

I tried to wax my bikini line at home with no success. I have a lot of cellulite-type fat at the top of my thighs, so I couldn't hold my skin taught as I pulled. It was just plain painful with no results. I've been using an electric razor on my bikini area, but it's still all stubbly. I'm thinking of getting a professional wax closer to summer.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I made the mistake of letting DH help when I could no longer see down there. OMG, I was going to murder him when I saw the results. I had to try to contort myself in the shower in order to do damage control.

[Deleted]

Feb 14, 2012 13:16:01 GMT -5 leanna said:

Feb 14, 2012 6:31:34 GMT -5 @singlemominmd said:

why does everyone keep saying lasering hurts? Previously all my lasering was done after numbing with the EMLA cream. Now they use the pain-free laser - I don't have to numb - and it definately doesn't hurt like he!!, just feels like pinpricks in some areas. You guys need to find a different place to get lasered!

The only thing they gave me was ice to put on prior to lasering.

Would love to have more done if there wasn't that much pain. Where did you get yours done?

reveal med spa in the washington dc area....they have a pain-free laser now. I had my bikini and underarm done with the regular laser and used the numbing cream and am now having my lower legs done.

[forwardwego]

Raeoflyte, Thank you for starting this thread...it is indescribable. This is some really valuable info to learn from others rather than experience some of the trial & error described. Gotta say this saved one insomniac's night from being totally miserable or boring...thanks gals!

I'm with debthaven on the salon experience, & am really grateful for the at-home tips. On the laser hair removal... how expensive are we talking? Also, I used a very early model "Epilady" and nearly cried plus my skin looked plucked for quite a while afterward. Can anyone give me a personal experience comparison between that & today's epilators?

So i'll out myself, yep i'm a hairy gal. Without intervention would have a unibrow & was taunted as "monkey arms" in school, but prefer either of those to using Nair-type products. Not a girly-girl, Originally i was reluctant to pluck/tweeze my brow into 2 separate brows because it was such a big job and painful, so i used Nair which would have been okay except i got some into the part i wanted to keep & i have the school pic to prove it.

Sam, thanks so much for sharing the waxing story, just helpful on so many levels. And it leaves me wondering do i have a close enough friend i could call in that situation??

[raeoflyte]

When I started looking into laser hair removal for lower legs it was $1800-$3000. I've found a local place that does smaller monthly treatments/payments, and they'll do lower legs for just over $1000 now. It's $59 a month for 18 months.

Ladies--while you're in the laser process--do they just do sections, or are they lasering all the visible hair? I'm wondering if I'd have to still get waxed in between laser treatments.

[Deleted]

Feb 15, 2012 8:35:42 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

When I started looking into laser hair removal for lower legs it was $1800-$3000. I've found a local place that does smaller monthly treatments/payments, and they'll do lower legs for just over $1000 now. It's $59 a month for 18 months.

Ladies--while you're in the laser process--do they just do sections, or are they lasering all the visible hair? I'm wondering if I'd have to still get waxed in between laser treatments.

there are 4 stages of hair growth (I think it's 4) so they laser off one stage of hair. It takes about 10 weeks in between stages. so they laser the whole area that is being lasered each time and kill whatever hair is in the right stage. Yes, you would need to get waxed in between. also, I don't think you would want to be lasered each month - too close together will not be effective. Also, you can't be lasered if you've had any sun exposure or self- or spray-tanning.

[naggie1972]

I frequently do my eyebrows but the last time I was over zealous with the wax and I took of half my eyebrow, I didn't go out for months..

Laser is def. on my agenda in the future, when I have saved my pennies.