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Upper Lip Hair Removal - best option?

34 replies

AntoniaB21 · 21/03/2021 14:58

I have recently become very self conscious of my upper lip hair - I am blonde, but the hair seems to be just that little bit more noticeable at the moment due to my pale skin.

What is the best way to remove this? I was initially thinking waxing, but in a review of the product I was going to buy, a woman was left with a sore/scabby upper lip so I was immediately put off of buying that!
Any ideas or recommendations as to what method/product is best?
Also, I’m a bit worried about stubbly/darker regrowth - will the hair texture or colour change once I start removing it? Definitely don’t want to bleach though , as I fear that will make it even more noticeable!

OP posts:
DariaMorgendorffer · 21/03/2021 15:00

I used to use boots facial hair removal cream, but now I use one of those small 'beauty' razors and it works well. Just go slow, and don't go over the same patch of skin repeatedly.

KimchiLaLa · 21/03/2021 15:05

Get a tiny, tiny pot of wax from Amazon, and heat it in the MW or stove (very carefully - I do this in a pan so I have all that buffer keeping me from the hot wax). Apply with a small wooden stick which will come with the pot, and peel off when dry. This is what I use, and my mum used the brand before me (we have dark hair), but be very careful when applying as it does get hot!

Smooth Appeal 40g Wax Original Formula Facial Hair Remover https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001JU8B6K/ref=cmswwrcppapifabcc_D1PF7QMAQ770RNAFPH27

NothingIsWrong · 21/03/2021 15:09

I use cold wax strips. Takes about 2min twice a month. First time I did get a wee scab, but I think it's because I did the same area multiple times and took the skin off. As I got more practice, I didn't do this. No scabs now just smooth lip :-)

Orchidflower1 · 21/03/2021 15:11

I use the eye brow razors.

AntoniaB21 · 21/03/2021 15:57

The razors scare me a little bit, I have to admit!
I am still leaning towards the cold wax strips, as they seem the easiest option and the most long lasting without regrowth.

@NothingIsWrong what brand of wax strips do you use out of interest?
I was looking at these ones www.superdrug.com/Toiletries/Female-Hair-Removal/Waxing/Superdrug-Sensitive-Facial-Wax-Strips-x20/p/780111
and the Veet Sensitive cold wax strips.

OP posts:
Greenvalleysightseeker · 21/03/2021 17:45

I use wax strips too, I warm them for a few seconds under my hairdyer. It takes less than a minute to do, and I do it every month or two. I would be too scared to use a razor!

2andahalfpints · 21/03/2021 17:49

I use the hard wax, the kind where you just peel the wax off once it's dry, do my eyebrows with it too, no more tweezing.
I got a kit with a warming pot which holds the temperature so it doesn't get too hot and loads of wax pellets for about £15 on amazon

Girlwhowearsglasses · 21/03/2021 17:55

OP you need a Mumsnet recommended item! Search Epistick in Amazon. Springy thing that cost about £2 and once you get the hang it's brilliant.

tenlittlecygnets · 21/03/2021 17:56

Cold wax strips. Works a treat - no scans, but does sting and go red afterwards. Then plucking stray hairs in between.

Cam2020 · 21/03/2021 17:58

VEET facial wax stripes always work a treat for me, but I'm not particularly sensitive to wax.

lonelySam · 21/03/2021 18:07

Shave with a regular razor. Easiest and cheapest options. Repeat when necessary.

NothingIsWrong · 21/03/2021 19:08

@AntoniaB21

The razors scare me a little bit, I have to admit! I am still leaning towards the cold wax strips, as they seem the easiest option and the most long lasting without regrowth. *@NothingIsWrong* what brand of wax strips do you use out of interest? I was looking at these ones www.superdrug.com/Toiletries/Female-Hair-Removal/Waxing/Superdrug-Sensitive-Facial-Wax-Strips-x20/p/780111 and the Veet Sensitive cold wax strips.
The Veet ones as that is what Morrison's sell.
halfwaythrough2 · 21/03/2021 19:55

I've been removing the hair for about 10 years now.
If your going to use the cold strips you need to make sure it is very very warm
In your hands first.
The warm wax stops you from getting a rash if you do it properly as it takes less skin layer off. The cold wax can rip and irritate the skin.

I ended up with bad scabs the first few tries with cold wax strips. Always get the sensitive formulas even if your skin isn't that sensitive else where. Gently cleaning the area and holding it taught when your waxing the area helps as well and don't go over more than once. If you miss some it's best too wait a few days and also the hair maybe too this or short so also pointless to keep trying.

Normally wash with cold water after and blot it with a towel gently and then don't put anything on for the rest of the day, then some moisturiser at night or aloe Vera xx

Stealhsquirrelnutkin · 21/03/2021 20:00

I second the Epistick recommendation for getting rid of light to moderate facial fuzz.

I have PCOS and my facial hair started getting thicker and more bristly every year. It was really starting to annoy me, because I'd epilate and tweeze out the sneaky ones, only for yet more hair to sprout the next day, and a couple of days later I'd catch sight of the senile bag lady in the mirror again. It was requiring too much time and effort, but I really noticed how people treated me differently if I went out in public with loads of long bristles sprouting all round my face.

I got so cross with it that I blew over £300 on the Braun IPL Silk Expert Pro 5 last June, and have been using it on my face at least once a week since then.

The blonde fuzz that covered my top lip has vanished, with only one or two lone hairs reappearing every month or so, which surprised me, because the information leaflet says "The device is not effective on very blonde, red, grey or white hair where the smaller amount of melanin would not absorb the light energy."

Some of the wiry black bristles under my chin still keep growing back, when I expected them to be among the first to be permanently zapped. Perhaps it has something to do with all the extra subcutaneous fat for the follicles to hide in under my chin, while the follicles on my upper lip are closer to the surface and more exposed?

I started off being very careful not to burn my face, keeping the lowest setting and moving the device before each new zap. Now I have it on the highest setting, and zap some areas three times in a row, which hurts (like being flicked with a rubber band) and leaves my skin hot and red like I've spent the day in the sun without sunscreen. I started doing that after the first 12 weeks, which were supposed to be long enough for permanent results, but far too many very coarse hairs were still surviving, and now most of them have gone.

I used to have stubble all over my chin, and now there are just one or two bristles that I haven't managed to destroy yet. Not sure if they are ones that have been dormant and have just woken up, or if some are just tougher and more deeply rooted than others and will take longer to defeat. I've forgotten the weekly treatments a couple of times recently, because my face has been smooth and hairless, so it's certainly having an effect, even if it is taking a lot longer than the 12 weeks mentioned in the information. Perhaps that's arm and leg hair? I dunno because I'm not very hairy except on my face.

I slap on some after sun serum once I'm done, and the redness fades in half an hour or so. I do it in the evenings though, don't think I'd want to do it in the morning and go straight out into the sunlight.

PresentingPercy · 21/03/2021 20:19

Laser treatment in a clinic as soon as they open. You keep going for a bit but the hairs weaken. Home diy wasn’t for me.

AnnieSnap · 21/03/2021 20:34

I use the ‘Veet Precision beauty styler’ - essentially a small battery operated razor and daily tweezing of the course chin hairs most mornings. It’s tedious and pisses me off, but sadly, I doubt lazer treatment would work for me as many of my course hairs are now grey! Hmm

Littleguggi · 21/03/2021 20:43

Threading 100%

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 21/03/2021 20:45

I just shave it off with a Mach 3. It's like dermaplaning but with extra blades.

Redcrayons · 21/03/2021 20:47

@Girlwhowearsglasses

OP you need a Mumsnet recommended item! Search Epistick in Amazon. Springy thing that cost about £2 and once you get the hang it's brilliant.
Plus one from me. So easy to use, so cheap, works brilliantly.
AOwlAOwlAOwl · 21/03/2021 20:55

I have an epistick - took me a few goes to be able to do the sensitive bits under my nose but it works really well.

More recently though I've bought an IPL device - mainly for body hair but I also use it on my lip area and it's definitely making a difference.

slooowdaysinlockdown · 21/03/2021 20:55

This is what I do... Cold wax strips (eg veet) nb cut to smaller rectangular pieces the height of the area that has hair and use four. Do the outside corner to a quarter way along the lip first then the middle section and then repeat on the other side. Don't press down too hard before pulling back the wax. Just smooth over with a finger. Do not go over the same area twice, use the wipe or baby oil to remove residue and then a cold flannel for a minute. Do it at night and not after a bath.

PilatesPeach · 21/03/2021 20:57

I have one of those lipstick razors - they are on Amazon - really good and safe no nicks

Cheesypea · 21/03/2021 20:58

Cold wax strips then put on my daughters salicylic acid to stop the inevitable spots.

LonstantonSpiceMuseum · 21/03/2021 21:02

+1 for threading too. I get my whole face done in one go - lip, chin, cheeks and eyebrow shaping!

AntoniaB21 · 21/03/2021 21:05

Wow, thank you for all of your recommendations - I’m glad it’s not just me battling with upper lip hair!
I am intrigued by the epistick, and I think I might give that a go. I’m quite cack-handed, but I’ll watch a few videos to get the technique.
Seems the cold wax strips are prone to causing scabs - I have quite sensitive skin so don’t want to risk that.

Is regrowth noticeable with the epistick? I don’t want to remove the hair just for it to look even more obvious.

OP posts: