Waxing my face - what am I doing wrong?

[MusicianTom]

I've never waxed my tache in my life, but it's getting a bit peri, and hey, lockdown, what else is there to do?

(Note, I've never used any hair removal wax before, at home or in a salon).

I read the instructions, watched a couple of YouTube videos, exfoliated for a few days ahead. Made sure skin was clean and dry.

Smooth on wax strips in direction of hair growth - wax feels very sticky. Hold skin taut, grit teeth against expected pain, pull strip off against direction of hair growth.

Removal hurts a lot less than taking a plaster off, most of the wax stays on my face, and every single chuffing hair is still there.

Stare in bafflement, replace strip for a second try. Nada. Try the other strip - same result.

And to add insult to (lack of) injury, those stupid little wipes don't remove any of the thick coating of wax still on my face. I've tried cleaning it off with everything in the house bar vim and white spirit, and I am still sticky.

Dear S&Bers, please help?

Give up the wax as the home strips don't work, they used too years ago but something in them changed and as you have found the don't remove the hair and they just stick to your skin, I much prefer an epi-wand, I sit and twiddle in the evening whilst watching telly, the first two passes hurt but then your lip goes numb and you can't feel it, www.amazon.co.uk/Epiwand-Facial-Remover-Threading-Women/dp/B00QILP7SK/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?hvlocphy=1007116&psc=1&hvnetw=g&keywords=epilator+wand&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE0QTlIS0FRQ0NQV0MmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA5OTg0NTAzT1RUV0JRNFg5TEpLJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAzNTM5NjcyREZVWDVPRlBRT08zJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==&hvadid=259047495357&qid=1590234330&dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwk6P2BRAIEiwAfVJ0rFa3maFbzF--pUQHU8BeNQK4ZboTD0ukWjDINz2ePVe2K5jvOYcepRoCga0QAvD_BwE&hydadcr=28148_1752695&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=kwd-317841461278&adgrpid=48785806970&hvrand=9632792536259764407&sr=8-2-spons

Just came on to recommend the epi wand thingy - DP uses one on his nose bridge and it works a treat

I use wax strips and they do work! The key is to warm them up between your palms before you pull the two sides apart and stretch the area when you put them on, making sure they are well stuck to the hairs. Hold skin taut with one hand and whip off with the other.

Have you got any acetone or nail polish remover? I hate to suggest it but when this happened to me this was the only thing that got the stickiness off! Agree with pp go for the epilator, you really need the wax to be hot and I find rubbing it in your palm etc doesn't really work.

Well I don't have a problem using them effectively. A lot of wax strips come with wipes that remove any wax from the skin. Alternatively baby oil or any kind of vegetable oil will be kinder to your skin than acetone or nail varnish remover.

Thanks for this thread OP
I had a dreadful experience with facial wax at home years ago (warmed it up, applied to upper lip with a wee wooden stick, then answered the phone - like an idiot - took forever to painfully pick the hardened wax off a few minutes later)
I have always just shaved my facial hair but thanks to this thread and to watching a couple of youtube videos on the epi wand, I have ordered the one Grayhare linked to just now

Incidentally I find it odd that all the youtubers start with "hey guys!" Hahaha

Thanks for all the replies.

I did warm the strips between my hands, the wax was very warm and sticky, it didn't 'set' at all. There was no mention of leaving it to get hard, how long do you need to leave it for? Tbh the product on the strips doesn't feel like wax, it's very thick and gloopy even when straight out of the packet, where you think wax would be harder and need to be softened to use it.

I did use the wipes that were supplied - the sheer quantity of wax left on my face defeated them. I finally got rid of it with baby oil.

Have you bought a cheap brand?
I use Veet with pink wax and they work fabulously! Slap on , rub for 10 secs if that and rip off. Easy and pain only for a second or two.

I got a set of pre wax cleanser and post wax oil.

The key I found to avoid wax sticking to your skin is speed.

Line up
Smooth on in direction of the hair
Rip off - think the speed you'd yank the string of a party popper

I like to have a glass of wine half an hour before so it doesn't hurt as much

I use the Veet ones too.

I gave up on wax years ago and use a cheap manual epilator that someone on here recommended. It's similar to what has been posted above but a cheap unbranded one. There's one here but you might be able to find cheaper.

I warm the stripes with a hair dryer for 3 or 5 seconds. I use normal body wax, not one specific for face and just use scissors to make them smaller.
To remove residue, a body oil works.