After testing over 25 waxing kits, these are the most painless
Getting rid of your body hair always comes at the cost of time, money, or pain—but you can always minimise at least two of these, and using at-home waxing kits is one way to do this. Those who are sick of spending extra time in the shower shaving, and dishing out countless pounds on replacing dull razors and shaving creams may likely enjoy using them.
At-home waxing kits are a convenient way to keep your skin fuzz-free for weeks at a time, giving you more downtime between hair removal sessions than shaving does. Plus, since one kit can offer endless uses, you generally buy them way less often than you would razors. Unlike shaving, waxing removes hair at the root, whereas razors or blades simply cut the hair down, says dermatologist Reshmi Kapoor, MD. Removing hair at the root can lead to finer and sparser regrowth of hairs in the area over time. "[That's] why waxing allows you to have smoother skin and be hair-free for longer compared to shaving," Kapoor says.
Best At-Home Waxing Kits
Of all the hair removal methods out there, though—and there are many—waxing probably takes the cake as the one that's not only the most intimidating, but also the most painful (though, some would debate it competes with epilating for the top spot). Plus, if you get it done by a pro, it can also get very costly. But get this: At-home waxing kits will not only save you money, but they allow you to go at your own pace—just ask our editors and testers who have tried them.
At-home waxing used to be something only the bravest DIYers would attempt, but today's formulas are much more advanced and gentle. If you’re on the market for a waxing kit that can replace your razor, here are a few things to keep in mind before you buy:
What to consider
Wax type
Before waxing, you should know there's more than just one type of wax. If you want to use something stripless, go for hard wax. Hard wax is a type of wax that adheres to the hair follicle (versus the skin), hardens, and can be removed on its own, eliminating the need for paper strips. For some, it may even feel less painful than soft wax, so it's great for sensitive skin, says dermatologist Nazanin Saedi, MD. The only caveat is that you may have to apply it several times in the same area to make sure all the hairs you target are removed.
Soft wax, on the other hand, is soft and applied in a thin layer. A strip is then used to adhere and remove the wax. Often, the top layer of skin is also removed, so it can be irritating for people with sensitive skin.
What's included
Ideally, beginners should look for kits that contain everything they need to get the job done—wax, strips, and finishing oil, at minimum. Novices may also appreciate waxing kits that come with pre-loaded strips, since they're less messy and require less precision. The tradeoff? You're limited to the size of the included strips, so look for kits with multiple sizes if you're targeting different areas of the body.
Skin sensitivity
It's important to use the safest and gentlest wax kits available to avoid irritating, burning, and potentially scarring your skin. If you have sensitive skin, look for waxing kits that include skin-soothing ingredients, like castor and almond oils or aloe. And whatever you use, first test the wax in an area on your body that isn't too visible. This will allow you to see if it is gentle enough for your skin. If you experience a bad reaction, you'll know it's time to pivot to a different product.
How we selected
For the past six months, Women’s Health editors, including our editorial assistant Sabrina Talbert, lifestyle and commerce editor Jasmine Gomez, and contributor Cristina Montemayor, tested the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated at-home waxing kits. Our team consulted dermatologists Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose, Dr. Nazanin Saedi, and Dr. Uchenna Okereke for pre-waxing advice and aftercare instructions to prevent irritation and promote healthy skin. Then, we got our hands on the kits and tested them in the comfort of our own homes, evaluating attributes like ease of use, comfort, results, and overall value. Of the 25 at-home waxing kits tested, the seven on this list delivered the best results in our in-depth evaluations.
At-home waxing can be a convenient and cost-effective method of removing body hair, and the best kits do it quickly while minimizing pain and irritation. So, if you’re ready to ditch the razors, check out this list of the best waxing kits, tested by dermatologists and WH editors.
Out of all the different at-home waxing kits we tried, wax strips were the easiest to use and the most effective at picking up every single little hair. Flamingo's wax strips won our top spot because they were super simple to apply with very little prep work besides getting the area clean and dry. The wax strips are ready to go whenever you are—no microwave or rubbing your hands together is required. To use them, simply peel apart the strip and apply it, rubbing firmly to make sure it coats every hair.
We did find the strips a little too big for areas like the face, but you can always cut them down to the correct size with a pair of scissors. Pulling up the wax strip stung quite a bit for our tester, but she also says it was over within seconds and that the wax effortlessly removed most of the hair on the first go. The strips are very sticky, so she was also able to go in again and reapply it to the same area to ensure every last hair was yanked. We especially like that the post-wax cloth feels very soothing on the skin, and that it helps remove any excess product and stickiness. Our tester says her redness went away after about an hour, and she was hair-free for a good two weeks after that.
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Hard wax kits tend to be messy, but the results are similar to those you would get at a waxing salon. This Sliick kit comes with a silicone cup and spatula, which makes the heating and application process a breeze. It takes a few rounds of heating and stirring the wax to get the right consistency. Once it starts looking like caramel, you’re ready to wax.
“Use a new stick each time you dip into the wax pot to avoid introducing bacteria, which could potentially cause infections,” says Gail Strong, CEO at Invigorate Spa in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The wax itself was easy to spread, but we found that it works best when laid in a thick layer, as thick as a banana peel. Our tester also found that letting the wax cool completely before pulling the strip gave her a better result. The wax strip came up in one piece, lifting and removing all the hairs in its path. Unlike some of the hard wax kits we tried, this one didn’t leave any wax crumbs behind. Once you’re done waxing, all you have to do is let the wax in the cup and on the applicator dry, and it easily peels off. Our tester found that after waxing her legs with this kit, it took another seven to 10 days before she noticed the hair growing back.
Waxing tends to irritate the skin, but these strips from Billie were the most gentle of all the wax strips we tried. The sticky formula contains added castor oil, avocado oil, and aloe vera to soothe the skin, while the no-rub soft-gel wax attaches to every hair, whether it’s very fine or extra coarse.
Our tester used the Billie strips on her underarms and says she was pleasantly surprised at how little it hurt, even though her hair was on the thicker side. It was a little tricky to get all the hairs in the very pit of the underarm, but the strips are so sticky that you can get two to three pulls out of them before they lose their grip. Our tester found that the strip peeled away effortlessly and didn’t leave any wax on her skin, and that the post-wax serum wipes instantly soothed any redness. Any slight irritation she did have went down quickly.
The medium wax strips are great for larger areas like the underarms and legs, but we found the small strips too big to use on the upper lip or around the eyebrows. But you can always trim them to fit your face—and with 32 wax strips in total, the kit is still a great value.
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These waxing sticks are different from anything else we tried. Despite looking like something you would find in a kid's craft box, these don't play around when it comes to their ability to remove facial hair. The kit comes with two crayon-looking wax sticks, one small and one large. The small one is great for getting the errant hairs around your brows, while the larger stick is the perfect size for removing upper lip hair and peach fuzz on the rest of the face. Our tester found that the stick made her feel like she had more control over where the wax went, which is especially important in areas like the face.
To heat up the wax, all you need is a blow dryer. We recommend using the wax sticks in a bathroom because you’ll need to reheat the sticks often. The sticks are a little stringy, and the application can get messy because you’re trying to catch the wax and apply it before it continues dripping down the stick.
The wax applied in a nice, thick layer, which made it easier to remove. We found we could do two to three swipes with the stick before we needed to blast it with the blow dryer again. The wax formula itself was very gentle and didn’t leave any sticky residue behind or tug at the top layer of skin. Overall, it was mostly painless because you’re working in such small sections. Once the stick dries, you can tuck it away for safekeeping and reuse it again the next time you need to remove your facial hair. We particularly like these sticks because they're travel-friendly, too. You can definitely throw them in a toiletry bag on the next trip you take.
This is a bestselling at-home waxing kit on Amazon for good reason. The kit uses hard wax, which is supposed to grip just your hair and not your skin. That means you get smooth skin with a little less pain than other kinds of waxing. Plus, the kit comes with a post-wax spray to soothe any irritated skin—a major green flag for testers.
"While waxing your body at home is way easier said than done, this kit was a lifesaver for me during lockdown when I couldn't see my waxer as often," says WH senior beauty editor Danielle Jackson. Depending on how much wax you're looking to use or what you set the temperature to, the beads only take a few minutes to fully melt. The kit itself comes with four bags, which is several months worth of waxes.
Our tester likes that the wax kit is easy to use, and notes that it's pretty easy to travel with, too. However, we most recommend this for smaller areas like your upper lip or underarms, as larger areas like the legs could be very time-consuming to tackle with this wax.
Its screw-on, roll-on applicator makes applying this wax cinch, allowing you to reach tricky spots more precisely, our tester says. You can easily wash the applicator after each use with soap and water. And to nourish the skin, the formula contains 100 percent organic virgin argan oil from Morocco.
The above considered, it's no surprise that WH editors love this buy, too. "If you want to give yourself a wax at home, but you're afraid of the process being too messy, I think this is a great alternative," Jackson says. "The roll-on applicator makes it super easy to apply the wax, plus it smells good." She calls out that the only downside to the kit is that it's not a hard wax, and it comes with cloth strips that may not cling to thicker hair types.
These wax strips from Sally Hansen are infused with coconut and marula oils for a more nourishing and less irritating waxing experience. They’re large enough to cover a good amount of ground—like armpits and legs—and can leave you hair-free for up to eight weeks. One tester recommended putting a dish towel in the microwave for 20 seconds and placing the strip in the towel to warm it up before using for better results. Others, who have been using these strips for years, appreciate that this kit requires zero hassle.
"Before I started getting laser hair removal, I kept these strips on hand all the time," says Jackson. Her pro tip: follow up with an oil or serum, since it occasionally leaves a sticky residue on the skin that can be uncomfortable.
How to care for skin after at-home waxing
After waxing, you can prevent ingrown hairs from forming and minimize irritation immediately afterwards by applying cool aloe to soothe skin, and sticking to loose clothes that won't create friction. Some kits also come with nourishing oils and wipes to help minimize any post-wax irritation.
Waxing tips
Before you head off to wax unwanted hair, these are a few other tips you should keep in mind.
Waxing can cause major skin damage—if you're not careful.
Waxing removes hair by lifting it out at the root. With traditional waxing, hot wax is applied to skin and the hair is pulled off in the opposite direction of the way it's growing. The key word here and what can make at-home waxing dangerous is that it's hot.
“Hot wax can burn the skin—and it is a particularly dangerous type of burn because the hot product adheres to the skin,” says dermatologist Blair Murphy-Rose. Always make sure you're following the heating directions closely and that you hold your hand over the wax after it's been heated to gauge the temperature before applying it to your skin.
Then, first test the wax in an area on your body that isn't too visible. "That way you can check the temperature, but also see how your skin reacts," says dermatologist Dr. Saedi. Testing a product will also allow you to see if it is gentle enough for your skin. “It's important to use the safest and gentlest wax kits available to avoid irritating, burning, and potentially scarring your skin," says Dr. Murphy Rose. You should also avoid any ingredients you have a known allergy or sensitivity to. If you experience a bad reaction, you'll know it's time to pivot to a different product.
If you have dark skin, hyperpigmentation could be an issue.
"Hot wax tends to adhere the strongest, so while it may remove hairs more efficiently, it can also stick to skin more and pull off those top layers of the skin as it's also pulling out your hair,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose.
It's this exfoliation of the uppermost layer of skin that leaves it more susceptible to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (also referred to as dark spots), says dermatologist Uchenna Okereke. She says to think of the skin after waxing like a fresh, pink wound.
"Ultraviolet rays are attracted to wounds, making the freshly waxed skin more susceptible to darkening as melanin (the dark pigment in skin) floods the area to try and protect it." Luckily, there is a simple fix: Wear sunscreen! Better yet, keep that new skin out of the sun completely for at least a few days.
Prep your skin by avoiding retinol products, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion.
As mentioned above, waxing is already exfoliating the skin so you'll want to avoid any extra exfoliation a few days prior and a few days following your at-home wax. A few other good to knows before getting started: Always wax on clean skin to avoid bacterial contamination in pores and make sure your hairs are long enough (at least 1/4 of an inch) to be grabbed by the wax.
Pull skin taut and away from the direction of your hair growth.
The key to preventing ingrown hairs (an all too common downside of waxing for many) is to get the full hair follicle. The best way to do this is by keeping your skin taut and pulling the wax strip in the opposite direction of the way that your hair grows.
Consider sugaring if you have more sensitive skin.
Sugaring, aka sugared wax or sugar gel, is generally safer because it’s applied to skin at room temperature, (read: no risk of burning skin) and warms up with body heat. “Sugared ‘wax’ is not truly wax,” Dr. Murphy-Rose says. “The sticky product is made primarily of sugar, lemon juice, and water, and variations include glycerin, fragrance, essential oils and/or honey, so it is usually water soluble and any residue left on the skin can be more easily rinsed off after application compared to true hot wax.”
Threading and sugaring remove the hair follicle from the root but with less exfoliating, offering a gentler process, Dr. Okereke says. Though she warns that she's also had patients with coily textured hair that still develop ingrowns and scarring from sugaring as well. The bottom line: "If you know you're prone to hyperpigmentation, ingrowns, or scarring, see a dermatologist to discuss the best hair removal practices for you," Dr. Okereke says.
Meet the experts
Reshmi Kapoor, MD, is a dermatologist and owner and founder of Brooklyn Dermatology in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, is a dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Nazanin Saedi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Philadelphia and a clinical associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University.
Uchenna Okereke, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Brooklyn, New York.
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