What Are Facial Wax Strips?
Wax strips consist of a thin layer of wax applied onto small cloth or paper strips. To remove hair, you simply press the wax strip over the area with hair, let it set briefly to adhere, then rip it off opposite of the direction the hair grows. The wax clings to the hair and pulls the entire follicle out by the root for lasting smooth skin. No more waiting for stubble to grow long enough for your next hair removal session! The texture of the wax helps removes dead skin cells, leaving your face fresh and exfoliated. Many women (and men too) use wax strips to eliminate facial hair instead of shaving or plucking. Compared to other hair removal methods, waxing provides much longer lasting results. Plus, it’s inexpensive, easy to use, and can be done in the comfort of your own home. Still not convinced that may strips should be part of your self-care regimen? Let’s explore why they might just become your new beauty essential.Long-Lasting Hair Removal Without The Pain
If you’ve ever gotten your brows or upper lip waxed professionally, you know it can be pretty painful, not to mention expensive! In-office waxing is performed with hot wax needing to be warmed to very high temperatures. At-home wax strips utilize a different type of wax formula allowing for an easier, relatively painless application. The ready-to-use wax solidifies to the perfect temperature and consistency for clinging to hairs effectively without burning or irritating your skin. Wax strips are made specifically for more sensitive areas like the face, underarms, and bikini line. Many brands use soothing, natural ingredients like oils, extracts, and fragrances to nurture skin and make the process practically painless. The gentle formulas help minimize redness and inflammation that can happen when you remove hair. So you get smooth, hair-free skin for weeks at a time without suffering through the process. When you use wax strips routinely as part of your beauty regimen, you’ll start to notice finer, softer hairs growing back in place of coarse dark ones. This means less frequent waxing needed to keep your skin smooth and hair-free! Plus, the results tend to last 2-6 weeks, much longer than shaving or plucking. Once you get into a regular waxing routine with strips, you may find yourself ditching the razors for good. Dare we say, wax strips might just become your new best friend.Choosing the Right Facial Hair Removal Strips
Now that you know the basics, let’s get into the good stuff – finding the best wax strips for your face. With so many brands available, deciding which to choose can get overwhelming. Here are a few tips on what to look for when selecting wax strips for smooth, hair-free skin that lasts.Ready-to-Use vs Microwave Formulas
Microwave wax kits require you to heat up the wax yourself to a melted consistency for application. This method works well for larger areas like arms, legs, and backs. But sensitive facial skin demands a gentler approach, making ready-to-use wax strips the winner for hair removal. The pre-applied wax is the ideal temperature and texture for grasping fine facial hairs without risk of burns. Simply rub the strip to generate warmth right before pressing it on for the best grip.Natural Ingredients
Seeking out wax strips made with skin-nourishing ingredients ensures a comfortable, non-irritating hair removal experience. Botanical oils like tea tree, lavender, aloe vera, and vitamin E soothe, calm, and comfort skin. Meanwhile, pine and citrus extracts provide antiseptic properties to prevent bacteria leading to ingrown hairs. Brands like Veet, Nad’s, Sally Hansen, and Fur Oil make excellent pre-coated strips for delicate facial skin.Types of Strips
Wax strip fabrics affect efficiency in how well they grip hair for removal. Paper strips easily conform to the contours of the face. The coarseness of the paper provides friction to adhere strongly to fine hairs. Muslin cloth strips offer durability to withstand thicker hair found on brows and chins without tearing. Some brands sell assorted fabric packs, so you can find what works best for each facial area.Sizes
Wax strip dimensions determine which parts of the face they appropriately treat. Full-sized strips measuring 5-7 inches work best for larger zones – cheeks, jaws, and necks. Mini 2-4 inch strips allow for precision hair removal on upper lips, between brows, and sideburns. Seek out value packs with sizes ranging from wide full strips to petite rounds for total facial hair removal. Now that your wax strip shopping savoir-faire is on point, let’s get into usage tips for smooth, irritation-free hair removal you can feel confident about.Using Facial Wax Strips Like a Pro
Put these techniques into practice for flawless at-home waxing:Prep Your Canvas
Get your skin clean and product-free before waxing for optimal adherence. Use an oil-free cleanser before bed, then again in the morning prior to waxing. Avoid moisturizers and oils immediately before applying strips. The wax bonds best to clean, dry skin that allows it to really grip each hair.Test Strip Temperature
Rub the strip rapidly between your hands for friction before applying to activate the wax, bringing it to ideal tacky consistency. This also gauges whether the temperature will be gentle enough for your facial skin. Place the heated strip on your wrist – if it feels uncomfortably hot, blow on the wax to cool it down.Press and Pull
When the wax is prepped, press and smooth the strip over unwanted hair using firm pressure. Rub it in the direction hair grows, pressing into skin with fingertips. Let the wax set and harden for 30-60 seconds. Then keeping skin taut, swiftly pull the strip away against the way hair grows. Do this as fast as possible in one smooth motion to avoid breaking hairs rather than removing them.Don’t Skimp on Aftercare
Calm skin post-waxing with special wipes featuring botanical oils and antioxidants to soothe. Lightly massaging the treated area promotes circulation to neutralize inflammation. Apply a gentle, non-comedogenic moisturizer to hydrate without clogging pores. Avoid sun exposure for 24 hours since freshly waxed skin becomes sensitive. When you follow these tips for preparation, application, and aftercare, wax strips remove hair super effectively with minimal discomfort. It just takes practice to perfect your technique. Once you get the hang of it, you can use strips confidently to tackle facial hair anywhere it may grow.Conquering All Facial Zones
Wax strips can eliminate unwanted upper lip, brow, chin and cheek hair thanks to compact sizes fitting every contour of the face. Let’s break down tips for customizing strips to each area:Eyebrow Shaping
Bushy brows getting unruly? Carefully press mini strips along the brow bone to shape and define arches. To avoid removing hair entirely, apply along the perimeter instead of directly over top – this tames stray hairs for cleaned-up brows that still appear full.Upper Lip
Thick dark upper lip hair can make you feel self-conscious. Mini strips effortlessly erase a mustache and peach fuzz when used properly. Center horizontally over your upper lip, relax mouth muscles, pull smooth and quick against hair growth. Apply post-wax balm to soothe any resultant redness.Cheeks
Faint dark hairs along the cheeks detract from your flawless complexion. Allow full-length strips to adhere closely from cheekbones to jawline in one pass. Pull directly downward toward the chin. Moisturize after for a hair-free glowy complexion.Chin and Neck
When hormonal shifts cause stubborn chin and neck hairs to sprout, don’t hide behind scarves. Carefully warm then align extra-long strips beneath the jawline. Yank downward in careful sequence from chin to neck quickly and directly. Chase with calming wipes to prevent bumps. As you can see, wax strips adapt to remove unwanted hair from every part of your gorgeous face! With the right size strips and techniques for each area, you get precise control for optimal outcomes.Are Wax Strips Safe for Sensitive Skin When Waxing?
Waxing sensitive skin types requires extra caution. While wax strips can be effective for hair removal, they may not be suitable for those with sensitive skin. It’s important to do a patch test and choose wax strips specifically formulated for sensitive skin to minimize the risk of irritation and allergies.