How To Guide: Waxing Bikini Area

Did waxing your bikini area end up in a mess? We're here to give you the secret- Hard wax! It's specifically made for coarse hair, doesn't require a strip, and actually 'shrink wraps' the hair making them easier to come out.

These instructions are to do a regular bikini wax at home, removing the hair outside your panty line. Unless you are a gymnast, I don’t think you can do a Brazilian bikini wax on yourself. Leave that one to the pros.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 1 hour or more for waxing bikini area

Here's How:

1. Buy waxing kit. I recommend using hard wax for bikini area because the hair is coarse. Hard wax (compare prices) goes on smooth, but hardens so that it doesn’t require a strip to be removed. The following directions are for the use of hard wax.

2. Have enough hair. Grow bikini hair out to at least 1/4" long. Use hair clippers to trim hair down if longer than 1/2". Scissors don't work well for trimming because you run the risk of making some hair too short.
   
   
3. Cleanse skin. Use pre-wax cleanser on bikini area and apply pre-epilation oil which works with hard wax. Don’t over do it on the oil, more isn’t better.

4. Apply wax. Using an applicator, apply wax evenly FIRST the opposite direction of hair growth, and then WITH the direction of hair growth to a large area (about 4 ½” long and 2 ½” wide)in the same stroke. Don’t stop at the edge of where the hair grows, go passed that point. You will use the part of the wax that isn’t attached to hair as a tab to remove it. The wax will dull as it hardens, and will not be tacky. If the wax isn’t hard enough when removed, it won’t take away all of the hair.

5. Remove hair. Lightly flick up a small part of the wax that isn’t attached to hair on the end to be used as a tab once cooled. Say hair grows from left to right- the end is on the right side. Hold skin taut with one hand, and remove wax in opposite direction of hair growth in one quick pull, all the way to the other side. Don't pull up, which might be your natural inclination. Press hand down on skin to help relieve some of the pain, after wax is removed. (Sounds silly, but it works!)

6. Repeat. Work your way waxing bikini area, repeating steps 4 and 5.
7. Get missed hairs. Use tweezers to remove any hairs missed by the wax.
8. Clean skin. Remove any remaining residue, with wax remover.
9. Soothe skin. Apply after-wax lotion, or an aloe based lotion or gel.
10. After care. The bikini area has a tendency for ingrown hairs. Two days after wax, lightly exfoliate area to try to avoid ingrown hairs and try Flawless Ingrown Hair Serum (read review) if you do end up getting any.

Tips:

1. Waxing can cause red bumps, ingrown hairs and bruising. Read more about how to prevent and stay clear of waxing side effects.
2. Practice using the wax on a small part of your body, like your arm so you get the feel of it. Always test small amount of wax on hand before putting on bikini zone, to make sure it’s warm, not hot.
3. There are some circumstances in which you shouldn’t wax. Read: Waxing Precautions & Warnings for the full list.
4. Take an asprin or ibuprofen 30 - 45 minutes before waxing, and apply a numbing spray (compare prices) if you're concerned about the 'ouch factor'. Read: Top Ten Tips to Reduce Waxing Pain for the full run-down.
5. A couple weeks before waxing your bikini area, shave exactly what hair you want removed and make the bikini lines even on both sides. Once it grows back it will make waxing the area you need to remove hair easier to follow.

What You Need:

• Wax warmer
• Hard wax
• Pre-wax cleanser
• Pre-epilation oil
• Square-edge applicators which makes getting a straight line easier
• Wax remover for the skin (or you can use baby oil or petroleum jelly)
• After- wax lotion, or aloe based gel.