Body and facial hair are completely natural. However, if you’re looking to go hair-free, whether it’s your upper lip, eyebrows, armpits, legs, arms, or bikini line, you should consider your options. The best hair removal products range from dermaplaning devices to at-home laser hair removal devices. Then there are professional services, but regular visits to a salon for waxing can become an expensive habit. Depending on the area of your body being removed, you can expect a very intimate experience between you and the technician. As a result, some people may choose to purchase one of the best at-home waxing kits instead of using an in-person service. While not for everyone, at-home hair removal kits offer an affordable and thoughtful way to remove unwanted hair the way you want it. They can also be useful between appointments and for small touch-ups, says Vanessa Coppola, APN-C, FNP-BC, RN, founder of Bare Aesthetic. However, “it takes time, patience, and often some practice before you feel comfortable with the process,” adds Rachel Nazarian, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group.
If you’re concerned about the safety of at-home waxing kits, experts agree that most are safe to use as long as you follow the instructions and properly care for your skin before and after waxing.
“Because waxing temporarily damages the skin, you need to pay close attention to the overall health of your skin,” explains Natalie Chan, product development manager at Flamingo, a personal care brand that sells at-home hair removal products.
Are you ready to enter the world of home waxing? The best kits include fragrance-free wax, different shapes of wax strips to suit your needs, and aftercare products to keep your skin in tip-top shape.
1. Nader’s Facial Waxing Strips. Amazon’s best-selling waxing strip kit for hair removal contains 20 pre-cut wax strips for removing hair from small areas of the face. It also includes toning powder and soothing wipes for when you’re done. At just $5, it’s a great deal for those looking for a more cost-effective alternative to regular visits to the salon. What we said about it: “I really enjoyed using these products to remove facial hair. I love the pre-applied powder and wipes it comes with – really worth the money.”
2. Tress Wellness Waxing Kit. “This is a great way to wax at home because it really gives you everything you need,” says Dr. Nazarian. The kit (a best seller on Amazon) includes a pre-applied gentle cleanser, a warmer to melt the wax beads, and a post-treatment spray. “I also like bead waxing because it’s clean, sanitary, and you can use it when you need it without having to worry about contaminating the wax between sessions at home,” she adds.
Reviews note: “This is great for beginners like me because it has everything you need and the instructions are very clear. It smells great, too. The best part? It’s gentle on sensitive skin.”
3. Flamingo Facial Wax Kit The Flamingo Facial Wax Kit contains soft gel wax strips for removing short, fine hairs. For areas like the upper lip, chin, and temples. The kit also includes an oil cloth and a soothing serum to soothe skin after waxing. Hundreds of buyers rated it five stars. Reviews: “Simple and effective. What else do you need to know?” one reviewer wrote. “The cleansing wipes and soothing serum are fantastic.”
4. GiGi Brazilian Hard Body Wax While not technically a set, this hard wax is great for removing coarse hair on sensitive skin and treating the bikini area. Dr. Nazarian recommends it because it’s easy to use and provides detailed instructions on how to use it safely. She also notes that it contains moisturizing oils. You’ll need to purchase a wax warmer separately, but once you have one, you can use the applicator stick to apply and remove the hard wax without leaving unwanted marks. What the review says: “I’ve tried Brazilian waxing a few times and it never quite worked…until I tried the GiGi Hard Brazilian Wax,” one Amazon shopper wrote. “The fact that you don’t need the strips reduces the work and mess and allows you to focus on the small parts, which is an absolute must for me.”
5. Veet Ready-to-Use Hair Removal Wax Strip Kit. These Veet wax strips ensure results that last longer than shaving. They’re perfect for keeping your legs hair-free. The kit contains 40 wax strips enriched with vitamin E and almond oil, wipes for legs and other parts of the body, and four conditioning wipes. The brand promises easy application and results that last up to 28 days. What it says: “I’ve been using Veet patches for about 13 years. They work,” says one reviewer. “You need to practice to figure out the stripes, but once you do, you’ll be so proud of yourself! I’m glad that at-home waxing can save you so much money and time.” How to Choose the Best Waxing Kit for Your Home
✔️ Consider the type of wax. Wax kits come with hard or soft wax. Some come with pre-cut wax strips, while others require you to heat and apply the wax yourself. The best choice is up to you and your comfort level. Regardless, you should also make sure the kit you buy is the right one for the area of your body you want to remove hair on.
✔️ Check the ingredients. Scan the ingredient list for potential allergens, like fragrances, essential oils, and parabens, Coppola says.
✔️ Pay attention to hydration. Dr. Nazarian recommends using a wax with added oils, such as olive oil, to moisturize the skin.
✔️ Invest in a few extras. According to Chen, some at-home waxing kits include aftercare products like wipes to wipe away any nasty residue. These types of items make the process easier and more convenient, so they may be worth buying.