How to Wax Your Face

No woman wants a mustache or a chin full of whiskers! This guide will explain how to remove unwanted whiskers easily and at home-- all for a lot less money than you would have to pay a salon (which means you can do it as often as needed).

Here's How:

1.Purchase wax. Some people find that the hard wax (Surgi-Wax) is easier to use, while others prefer the soft wax used in combination with muslin strips. Experiment to see what works for you.

2.Heat wax if the directions indicate you should do so.

3.Apply the wax in the direction the hair is growing in.

4.Press the muslin strips onto the wax (if applicable)

5.Allow wax to harden adequately.

6.Pull up a small section of wax opposite to where you started (see tips and next step)

7.Hold skin taut and pull the wax or strip backwards, against the way the hair grows (see tips)

8.Apply any ointments, soothing lotions, or other included items to the spot as directed.

Tips :
- When applying the wax, you want to apply it the direction the hair is growing. Imagine that your chin is a cat and picture which way the fur is going: you want to go WITH the 'fur', from head to tail.

- When pulling the wax off, you should pull it the opposite direction than that which you applied it. If you applied the wax from the foremost part of your chin towards your neck, pull it from your neck out and away from you.

- Hard/Surgi-wax is a little harder to use but achieves a more professional look. Also, thicker, coarser hairs may not come off with soft wax and muslin strips.

- Always follow the instructions that come with the wax; every brand is different.

Warnings!
*DON'T overheat the wax. if you do get it too hot, let it cool until it's the right creamy consistency. You may get burned very badly if it's too hot-- and then you have to further irritate the area by pulling the wax of.

*Be extra vigilant when doing brows. Hard wax especially can drip onto more of your brow than you want gone, or worse: your eyelashes. Please be very careful.

*Always do a patch test if you've never waxed before or if you're trying a new brand of wax that has a strong scent. You might develop an allergy on already irritated skin.

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How to Wax Your Legs

From Julyne Derrick

Waxing your own legs can be tricky and sticky. But do it right and you can save yourself a lot of money from the salon.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 30 minutes

Here's How:

1.Ensure hair is long enough to wax. Hair needs to grow out 1/4 inch (the wax needs hair to stick to otherwise it can be yanked out by its roots).

2.Two days before exfoliate legs to remove dead skin.

3.Apply baby powder to skin. Baby powder removes oils helping the wax stick better to hair.

4.Heat wax in microwave or by immersing container in warm water (follow the package instructions methods vary widely).

5.Work in small sections. Apply wax in the direction of hair growth. For proper application hold the stick at a 90-degree angle & apply a smooth thin layer.

6.Before wax cools completely apply the strip to wax

7.To remove strip peel it in the opposite direction of hair growth. Don't pull straight up, it's less painful to keep the strip as close to skin as possible. If the area stings it can help to apply pressure on immediately after the strip removal.

8.Apply a lotion containing salycylic acid to prevent ingrown hairs. Try Bliss ingrown hair eliminating pads

9.To remove excess wax on skin use a body oil do not try to remove wax with hot water. Also consider a sugaring kit like Moom Sugar. Sugar washes off much easier than wax.

Tips:
If you're using Retin A Renova or Accutane don't wax that area of the skin. You're much more susceptible to rashes & irritation.

Take 2 ibuprofen pills an hour before your treatment to cut down on the pain.

What You Need:
* Wax kit (comes with the spatula, wax and strips)
* Hairy legs
* Post-waxing cream (see Step 8 above for product info)

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Brazilian Wax

From Julyne Derrick

Brazilian bikini waxes have been 'all the rage' since the late 90's, but they're certainly not new the US. Brazilian waxing was introduced to New York in 1987 by seven Brazilian-born sisters. So how does it differ from a regular bikini wax? Basically, with the Brazilian, hair is removed in the front, back & everything in between. Most of the time a 'landing strip' is left in the front, but some clients opt for everything removed.
Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 15-30 minutes

Here's How:

1.Most waxings occur in a private room with a door. I have heard of some with just a curtain between you and others. You remove your pants & underwear & lie on a table with clean paper or sheets. It is possible that you could be provided with a paper thong, but chances are... you won't.

2.Because you only need about a quarter-inch of hair for the wax to grab onto, your waxer will start by trimming your pubic hair to the right length.

3.The best waxers are fast, which means less discomfort for you. The waxer will dip a waxing stick into a pot of hot wax & then spread it onto your skin & hair. She will then apply a cloth strip over the still-warm wax, pressing firmly so the cloth, hair and wax adhere to one another. When the wax has cooled, she will pull the strip off, in the opposite direction of your hair growth, pulling the hairs out by the root.

4.Most likely, your waxer will tweeze any stray hairs.

5.Waxing usually starts in the front & moves toward the back. You'll likely have to move around in all sorts of odd positions in order for the waxer to do her job.

6.Once the waxing is over, the waxer will spread soothing lotion over the waxed areas. You should ask what to do in case of bumps, redness or ingrown hairs. Your waxer should be trained in this.

7.Don't forget to get the name of the waxer so when you make another appointment you can get the same person so you don't have to bare all for another complete stranger (wink).

Tips:

1.The procedure, like any waxing, can be very painful at first, but frequent visits usually cuts down on the pain factor. I suggest taking a couple Advil at least 15 minutes before your procedure. As for the embarrassment factor -- we like to think getting a Brazilian can't be any more embarrassing than a typical visit to your gynecologist's office. These aestheticians have seen it all before.

2.The downside of a Brazilian wax... while it lasts as much as 3 weeks, the hair will grow back & you'll have to do it again.

3.Another downside... hair has to be a certain length before it can sucessfully waxed.

4.Another down side... you might experience red bumps or ingrown hairs.

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