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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
When it comes to the wonderful world of hair removal, any and every type of technique inevitably comes with its own set of pros and cons. Shaving is quick and easy but needs to be done often. Laser hair removal is permanent but costly. Depilatories are effective but can be messy and smelly. And then there’s waxing.
There’s no denying that waxing is an extremely effective way to remove unwanted hair; by yanking the hair out at the root, the results last much longer than shaving. (Oh, and for many people, the more regularly you wax, the finer your hair becomes and the longer it takes to grow back.) Plus, it can be done all over the body, from your brows to your bikini line. The overall cons? Salon waxing can get pricey, while at-home options can be complicated, messy, and often painful. But not these options, which offer all of those pros without the cons.
A few top tips that can help make your DIY waxing process all the more effective: One, prep the skin, first. “Exfoliate with a scrub or loofah glove to remove all the dead, flaky skin from the surface,” suggests Danielle Hogues, licensed esthetician and MyHare product consultant. “Doing this allows the wax to better reach and grab the hairs you’re trying to remove and creates a dry, oil-free area, which ultimately makes waxing more effective,” she explains. Make sure that any hair you’re waxing is at about the length of a grain of rice and remember to always pull the wax or strips against the direction of the hair growth, Hogues adds.
Meet the Expert
Danielle Hogues is an independent Los Angeles-based licensed esthetician with 15 years of experience. She also serves as a product consultant for MyHare, an expert-backed waxing and body care brand.
Dr. Morgan Rabach, M.D. is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and member of Byrdie's Beauty and Wellness Board.
Jodi Shays has been a licensed esthetician and waxer in California for 20 years, and is a member of Byrdie's Beauty and Wellness Board.
Ready to take matters into your own hands? Below are the best home waxing kits.
Best Overall
Bliss Poetic Waxing At-Home Hair Removal Kit
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Amazon
Great for removing short, coarse hair
Low-temp won't burn skin
Includes a pre- and post-waxing oil
May have to reheat frequently
Who else recommends it? Glamour, Women's Health, Today, and NY Mag picked the Bliss Poetic Waxing At-Home Hair Removal Kit.
What do buyers say? 71% of 1,400+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
Bring the spa home with you with this complete kit that contains everything you need to get super smooth, all over your body. First, there’s the wax, the same formula found at Bliss spas. The low-temp, no-strip needed wax coats the entire hair follicle, making it ideal for removing short or coarse hairs.
It also comes with a pre-and post-waxing oil, packed with soothing chamomile flower oil and moisturizing apricot oil. Since there are no strips needed, all you have to do is heat up the wax in the microwave until it’s about the same consistency as thick honey, then apply it.
Price at time of publish: $25
Number of Pieces: 6 | Includes: Wax, sticks, post-waxing oil | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Drugstore
Sally Hansen Hair Remover Wax Strip Kit
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Amazon
Works on face and body
Comes with pre-cut strips
Affordable
May not work well on thick hair
The number one best-selling wax brand in the US offers plenty of at-home options, but this particular kit earns big points for several reasons. One, the formula works equally well on the face and body, making it a one-stop-shop for targeting all your hair removal needs. Two, it comes with pre-waxed, pre-cut strips for fast and easy waxing. Last but not least, it's a great bargain. Check, check, and check.
Price at time of publish: $7
Number of Pieces: 34 | Includes: Wax strips | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Beginners
Flamingo Body Wax Kit
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Flamingo
Super gentle
Requires no heat
Little to no mess to clean up
Not strong enough for thick to coarse hair
These soft, already prepped gel-wax strips remove hair from the root, even the thinnest of hairs, for up to four weeks. No heat is required to use these strips, so they're beginner-friendly and less intimidating than similar waxing kits and types of wax. Plus, the kit includes detailed instructions and a post-wax cloth to soothe the skin and calm any redness.
Price at time of publish: $10
Number of Pieces: 28 | Includes: Wax strips, post-wax clothes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Sensitive Skin
Completely Bare Bare More Ouch Less Waxing Kit
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Reduces inflammation and bumps
Ideal for travel
Won't burn skin
May have to reheat frequently
The worst part about wax strips is when they end up irritating your skin afterward, so ditch them all together with this innovative strip-less wax technology. The formula actually claims to reduce inflammation and bumps. It comes with five applicators, two towelettes, gloves, and salon-quality strip-less wax. Not only is this easy (and ideal for travel), but there’s also no risk of making the wax accidentally too hot and irritating or burning your skin.
Price at time of publish: $15
Number of Pieces: 9 | Includes: Wax, sticks, gloves, cleansing towelettes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Legs
Veet Ready-to-Use Wax Strips & Wipes
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Target
Easy to use
Hydrating and nourishing
Includes wipes to clean off excess wax
Cannot be used on face
Key Ingredients
Shea butter is a plant lipid that comes from African shea tree nuts and is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins. It's used to help moisturize, nourish, and soothe the skin.
These strips have a unique gel wax technology that acts more like a liquid upon application, making them ideal for coating—and removing—hair of all different lengths, even stubble. It’s so effective that 95% of hair is removed after the first application, so you don’t have to keep waxing the same spot over and over.
The formula has also been dermatologist-tested and contains hydrating shea butter, along with almond oil and vitamin E. Plus, the kit comes with finishing wipes to help remove any residue post-waxing.
Price at time of publish: $9
Number of Pieces: 40 | Includes: 40 wax strips | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Bikini Area
VidaSleek Hair Removal Wax Kit
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VidaSleek
Great for removing coarse hair
Gentle enough for sensitive areas
Long lasting results
Might not be best for beginners
We should start by saying that attempting a DIY Brazilian is probably not the best idea, but for cleaning up your bikini line, at-home wax is a great option. This kit, in particular, works incredibly well. Just heat the wax—meant to stick just to hair, not skin—in the microwave and apply with the included spatula. The bonus of waxing this area: A much lower likelihood of bumps and ingrown hairs.
Price at time of publish: $25
Number of Pieces: 3 | Includes: Wax, 2 applicator spatulas, 2 wax residue wipes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Upper Lip and Face
Nad's Hair Removal Facial Wax Strips
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Fragrance-free
Won't burn skin
Flexible strips
May not work well for thick hair
The formula of this wax is ideal for the delicate skin on your face; fragrance-free and made with natural beeswax. These are also strips that you simply heat in between your hands, so there’s no risk of burning your face.
And it’s not just the wax that’s noteworthy here—the strips themselves are, too. Super flexible with a contour weave technology, they’re made to adhere perfectly to all those curves and hard-to-reach spots around your face, especially if you're waxing your upper lip, so that you get the best and smoothest result possible. This kit also works well on other parts of the face, too, including the chin. you’re waxing your upper lip, chin, or face—so that you get the best and smoothest result possible.
Price at time of publish: $13
Number of Pieces: 24 | Includes: 12 strips, 4 post-wax calming oil wipes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Eyebrows
Parissa Eyebrow Wax Strip
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Courtesy of Ulta
Great for removing short hair
Includes azulene oil to soften skin
Easy removal
May not work well for thick hair
Shaping your own brows can be a difficult and daunting task to begin with, and even more so when your chosen removal MO is waxing. Enter these 16 perfectly-sized strips infused with a pine resin-based wax, ideal for removing even the tiniest hairs and cleaning up your brows, so you score perfect arches every time. Bonus points for the included azulene oil, too, which helps soften skin.
Price at time of publish: $10
Number of Pieces: 32 | Includes: 16 double-sided strips, calming oil | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Underarms
GiGi Roll-On Waxing Kit
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Courtesy of Amazon
Quick removal
Easy application
Convenient
Hardens quickly
A unique roll-on wax system that makes it easy to apply wax directly to the targeted areas like the underarms. The smaller roller head is best for hair removal in the brows and face, whereas the larger size is meant for the rest of the body. This results in little to no mess when you clean-up after use.
Price at time of publish: $43
Number of Pieces: 9 | Includes: Wax warmer, wax cartridges, roller heads, clothing waxing strips, pre-wax cleanser, wax remover, instructions | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Professional
Gigi Mini Pro Hair Removal Waxing Kit
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Amazon
Don't need to frequently reheat wax
Travel-friendly
Gentle enough for sensitive areas
Expensive
You can basically set up a waxing salon at home with this kit full of all the essentials. Complete with crème wax, calming lotions, spatulas, and cloth, you'll have everything you need for a safe and easy process. Reviewers have mentioned that this wax is sticky, so be sure to try a small area of your skin first before.
Price at time of publish: $55
Number of Pieces: 110 | Includes: Wax, calming lotion, cooling gel, spatulas, cloth, wax warmer | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Thick and Coarse Hair
VidaSleek Hair Removal Wax Kit
VidaSleek
Good unisex formula
Very minimal and clean ingredient list
Cleansing towelettes included
For body use only
For those whose hair is especially coarse or thick, this hard wax option is an excellent choice. The extra-strength formula is ideal for removing even the most stubborn of hairs (think on legs or bikini line), though still boasts a totally natural ingredient list, consisting only of gum resin, pine resin, and avocado oil. Plus, since it does work so well on thicker hair, it’s great for guys, too.
Price at time of publish: $25
Number of Pieces: 6 | Includes: Wax, sticks, strips, cleansing towelettes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Wax Beans
Wakse Hard Wax Beans
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No strips needed
Helps moderate usage
Easily melts in microwave
No melting container
Wax beans offer the unique advantage of being super customizable based on how much wax you need. Only want to do a tiny spot or quick touch-up? Simply melt as many beans as you need without having to melt the entire pot of wax. These are some of our favorites; the colorful beads could easily be mistaken for candy, even more so given their cotton candy scent. The stripless formula is infused with aloe and chamomile and melts beautifully in the microwave (though FYI, you do need to purchase a separate melting pot).
Price at time of publish: $15
Number of Pieces: 2 | Includes: Wax beans, reusable spatula | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Hard Wax
GiGi All Purpose Hair Removal Hard Wax
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Courtesy of Amazon
Doesn't require a wax strip
Easy to use
Takes awhile to harden
Hard wax is effective enough for areas with fine and/or thick hair, and typically doesn't require a wax strip to use. This hard wax from GiGi, in particular, is designed to work on all areas of the body, regardless of your skin type. It doesn't adhere to your skin, so you're left with fuss-free hair removal that shouldn't irritate afterwards. Just let it completely dry on the skin before gently removing the wax.
Price at time of publish: $14
Number of Pieces: 1 | Includes: Hard wax | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Sugar Wax
Nad's Sugar Wax Kit
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Courtesy of Target
Natural formula
Gentle
Great for sensitive and reactive skin
Not for thick to coarse hair
Sugar waxing is a tried and true method that has been trusted for centuries. It is one of the more natural and simple approaches to wax, and tends to be best for those with reactive and sensitive skin because it is super gentle, just like this mess-free Nad's Sugar Wax kit. Due to its formulation, the wax is best for fine to medium hair types.
Price at time of publish: $10
Number of Pieces: 4 | Includes: Sugar wax, cleansing soap, wooden spatula, reusable cotton strips | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Final Verdict
DIY waxing doesn’t have to be scary, especially if you’re using a good at-home kit. The Bliss Poetic Waxing At-Home Removal Kit is our favorite, a low-temp, strip-free option that’s the same as what is found at the brand’s professional spas. If you have super sensitive skin, you’ll appreciate that the Completely Bare Bare More Ouch Less Waxing Kit boasts a wax formula that reduces inflammation. The Veet Ready-to-Use Wax Strips & Wipes are our favorite for legs; the Nair Wax Bikini Pro Kit is our pick for bikini waxing.
What to Look for in Home Waxing Kits
Cream-Based Waxes
According to Hogues, sugar- or honey-based waxes are much tackier (like the GiGi All Purpose Hair Removal Hair Wax), and as such, adhere to the skin more strongly which can translate to more discomfort. Cream-based options are gentler on the skin but equally as effective at grabbing and removing hairs, she says.
Skin-Soothing Ingredients
Especially if you're a beginner, look for waxes that have hypoallergenic and sensitive skin-safe formulas. Waxes with shea butter, chamomile, and beeswax are some ingredients Morgan Rabach, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, suggests for every skin type, including the most sensitive (our Best Overall pick, the Bliss At-Home Waxing Kit, contains chamomile flower oil and apricot oil to moisturize and soothe the skin).
From a professional waxer's standpoint, Jodi Shays, who is also a licensed esthetician, loves the ingredients glyceryl rosinate and titanium dioxide in her waxes. "The glyceryl rosinate is the wax and the titanium dioxide is the buffer—together they work as a team," she explains. "The wax binds the hair and the titanium dioxide keeps it from sticking to the skin...Your skin should never feel sticky after a wax, it should have a powdery, smooth feel, and that is the titanium dioxide’s job."
Strips for a Smaller Area
Particularly if you’re a newbie, Hogues advises starting your DIY waxing adventure by waxing smaller areas first. “Try your upper lip before you shape your brows. Or start with your bikini line before you move onto a full Brazillian,” she says. This gives you time to practice and familiarize yourself with the product, how you react, and creates less room for error, she explains.
Why Trust Byrdie?
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. While she’s all about waxing, she doesn’t love to take the DIY route, so she relied on expert input, lots of product reviews, and input from family and friends when writing this article.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any at-home waxing kits from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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