Do it yourself: Waxing

SO, this is kind of a weird subject perhaps.  And I certainly don't want to put all the great professional beauticians out of business, but waxing my lip is something I've done for a long time.

It all started in 8th grade when the boy I had a crush on made fun of me and told me I had a mustache.  Every 13 year old's dream, I know!  So...my mom took me to Sally's Beauty supply and we bought a wax kit.  She did the waxing for me for quite a while (not many teens can inflict pain on themselves too easily) but in time I started doing it myself and 15 years later.... I not only wax my lip, but between my eye brows, and even under my chin (yup- I just admitted that funny hairs sometimes grow on my chin).

You can buy a waxing kit, which is probably a good idea if you are just beginning.  The kit we bought when I was in middle school came with the wax container, the fabric strips, applicator, and some special lotions for before and after.  Nice, but not entirely necessary.
 

Here is what you really need to wax at home:

1. The wax. I bought this at Sally Beauty Supply a couple years ago for about $11.99.  It will never run out.  You use such a little amount.  Chances of the container getting too sticky for your liking are much higher than you actually running out. This is probably my 3rd canister in the last 15 years.  I did notice that you can get it on Amazon for only $7.95!! When I need a new one I will try that instead!  I'm sure there are a variety of brands, but gi gi works well!

2. Muslin strips.  JoAnn Fabrics sells muslin for about 88 cents a yard (last time I went anyways!) One yard will last you years once cut (or ripped) into strips.  A good size for strips might be about 1"x3" but you can cut them whatever size works for the area you're waxing!

  

3. Scissors to cut muslin (though this fabric rips well too if you make a small cut first).

4. Popsicles sticks (inexpensive at a craft store or save and wash them from real popsicles.  I have one box of craft sticks from when I was teaching that will last me forever. 

5.  Microwave.  You'll want to microwave in short increments (20 seconds about) until the wax is liquid-y but not too hot. Read the directions on your wax before you heat it up.  You want it runny enough to spread easily.

 

Spread the wax on, add the muslin and press down and across with your finger.  Let it sit for a few seconds. Then count to three and RIP it off fast the opposite way the hair grows.  Yes, it will HURT...but only for that short second.  It's really not so bad.   I usually do above my lip in three sections.  Both sides and then the middle.  Then one for below my chin and one for in between my eyebrows.  So 5 short painful seconds. They do say beauty hurts, right?

SAVINGS: I got these waxing prices off the website of a salon down the street from me:

Eyebrows- $14
Upper Lip- $11
Chin- $11
Cheeks- $13
Full Face (3 areas)- $33
So the fact that the container of wax costs $8 on Amazon and getting your lip waxed once is $11 shows just how much money you could save over the years.  Just for fun (yes, I find math fun...I'm a math nerd teacher at heart!!), if I wax my lip on average once a month for 15 years I spend about $35 on wax (3 containers) or $24 if bought offline.  Paying a salon to do that would have potentially cost $1,980!!!

BONUS savings: I also "get" to wax between Aaron's eyebrows to ensure that he does indeed have two of them.  I look forward to a day if/when Mateo asks me to wax his unibrow (which is already nicely filled in haha). 

CAUTION:  I don't recommend waxing during/after a cold because your skin will be sensitive from blowing. Also..... your skin might be slightly irritated or red after waxing so I always do this at night so that I can "sleep it off".  

Next venture:  Learning to cut Mateo and Alex's hair!!!!