Thinking about doing my own waxing at home.

[Noglassjustthebottleandastraw]

Does anyone wax there legs/underarms at home themselves? I tried it years ago and the products either didn't work or the pain was bad. If you self wax what products would you recommend.

It's pretty nigh on impossible to wax your own leg, without help, as the hair on the back of the leg grows accross the leg from side to side, whereas on the front it goes up and down, iuswim. You need a different angle to pull against the hair growth for the back of the leg, whereas the front is just pull a waxing strip from the bottom to the top. I hope this makes sense. For that reason, I wouldn't try it personally (ex beautician). Again, underarms, you need the skin to be taut, so generally hands behind head. maybe other hand holding boob out of way for maximum tautness. Again, needs help. You can epillate, but IME this often breaks the hair off, rather than properly pulling it out, and can create lots of ingrowing hairs, which are a pain to deal with.

I did this years back with a kit where you warm the wax and used fabric strips. It did work pretty well but word of warning, make sure you remove ANY wax left on the skin.

I thought I had, got an infected hair follicle which ended up as cellulitis which the tracked in to the bones in my foot. Of course this is pretty rare but worth mentioning! It was not nice.

I taught myself how to wax with a hard wax pot during lockdown and continued doing it after - it's not too hard at all. I've since got an IPL machine so don't do it any more but would recommend.

this is gonna get weird but I really advocate for plucking the hair from your underarms instead

If you’ve been having your underarms waxed already then it’ll be fine. But if you’ve only ever really shaved them then I’d suggest getting them waxed professionally 2-3 times before you swap over to diy. They can be really painful and stubborn and you can bruise or bleed if you do it yourself poorly while the hairs are still so stubborn. But after a few goes they should be fine to do yourself.

Have you thought about a Phillips Lumea? Have a search for threads as there have been loads. I've found it very successful and pain free. Yes the upfront cost is there but over time it's worth it I think.

I use Nair wax strips for underarms, arms and legs. Have done for decades. Can't be bothered to spend all that time in a salon when it takes me minutes at home. Legs take longer - around 20 mins. Underarms every weekend and legs only in summers.

I use an epilator on my legs - much easier than trying to navigate the angles for waxing.

I’ve waxed my own legs/underarms for years. Just get a proper salon pot/kit.

Also have a Lumea which I’ve never got into the habit of using.

Veet roll-on. I've been doing mine for years. Under-arms a bit tricky (and still sometimes it goes wrong and I cause a bruise) but so much cheaper, convenient and straightforward.

I've never had problems with hairs on my legs growing a different way, you just get used to the direction and wax accordingly.