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Get up to four weeks of silky smooth skin. Wax Burner
We love hair! … when it’s in the right places, that is. But because “right” is purely subjective (sky-high high-fives to anyone flaunting underarm hair), we like to take some control back and be the ones to decide which hairs to keep and which we’d rather do without.
Removing unwanted hair can be a huge hassle – in addition to being painful and expensive. Luckily, there are a handful of ways to get rid of undesired body hair, like laser hair removal and good ol’ razors, but today we are focusing on just one of them: waxing. Whether you're working on your face, bikini line, underarms, or legs, home waxing requires patience and precision so you don't end up with red, irritated skin. Thankfully, there are a number of great kits that make the hair removal process easy and safe. To find the best at-home waxing kits, we put in the research — uncovering top-rated options, and consulting with estheticians and beauty professionals for their top-tier recommendations and tips for best results.
Always apply wax with the direction of hair growth to avoid skin trauma, Page Buldini, an esthetician and founder of Page Aesthetics Skincare.
What We Love: This kit comes with a post-wax cooling gel that calms skin and reduces redness and bumps.
What We Don’t Love: The wax can stick to the bottom of the heater if it’s not cleaned out properly.
If you’re looking for a one-and-done waxing kit, the Gigi Mini Pro has everything you need (like seriously, everything). It comes with an array of helpful tools, including a wax heater with an adjustable temperature, soft cream wax, pre- and post-waxing lotions that reduce inflammation, petite, small, and large spatulas that work for any body part, and more. Additionally, the wax is made with good-for-your-skin ingredients like honey, which prevents dryness, and chamomile, which works to soothe sensitive skin.
While the process may seem intimidating at first — it is five steps — the whole process takes under an hour.
Pro tip: Use the brand’s slow grow lotion every day to maintain soft, smooth skin. Once you’re done with your waxing session, make sure to clean out the heater immediately to prevent any residual wax from sticking to the bottom.
Type of Wax: Soft | Includes: Mini heater, Honee crème wax, Petite, small, and large spatulas, Small and large natural muslin strips, Face and body strips, Pre-hon antiseptic lotion, After wax cooling gel, Slow grow lotion | Treatments per Kit: 2-8
What We Love: This wax is made with azulene finishing oil, which helps reduce redness after waxing.
What We Don’t Love: This wax kit is not good for removing hair from large areas.
Leave it to Sally Hansen to make affordable and effective at-home waxing strips. This handy kit comes with 34 pre-waxed strips that are pre-cut and specially made for the face and bikini line. The unique ridges on the strips allow hair to easily latch onto the wax, meaning it’s quickly and painlessly pulled from the root (no matter how coarse it might be).
To use this, warm up a wax strip by rubbing it in your hands. Once warmed, smooth the strip onto the skin in the direction of hair growth. Then, quickly pull the strip off of the skin. Once the hair is gone, you’ll notice your skin will feel smoother and softer than if you had shaved it — this is because the wax is infused with coconut and marulas oils, which hydrate skin from within.
Type of Wax: Soft | Includes: Wax strips | Treatments per Kit: 34
What We Love: This kit comes with a wax warmer that can hold up to one pound of wax.
What We Don’t Love: The wax can crack if it is not heated properly.
Take full-body hair removal into your own hands with the help of this complete waxing kit. It comes with an easy-to-use wax warmer, your choice of hard wax (pink, blue, or black film beads), pre- and post-wax care products, and 100 wooden spatulas. This kit is ideal for beginners since it comes with all the tools needed to wax any (and every!) inch of your body. Additionally, the wax warmer is easy to adjust, and the pre-and post-wax gels and oils help to protect skin. We suggest setting the wax warmer temperature to about 175 degrees and keeping an eye on the wax while it melts. Once the wax has a honey-like consistency, it will be ready to use.
“I recommend the brand Starpil [for beginners],” says Amelia Bolten, a licensed beauty professional and CEO and founder of Mealz Beauty. “Be sure to purchase the Blue Film Beads to go with it – they give the user a better consistency when melting and make the process seamless when applying to the skin.”
Type of Wax: Hard | Includes: Pre- and post-wax care bundle, Hard wax warmer, Wooden spatulas | Treatments per Kit: 100+
What We Love: This wax is made to bond quickly to hair (not skin), meaning it’s suitable for sensitive areas.
What We Don’t Love: This product only comes with wax and not additional tools like a wax warmer or strips.
“For coarse hair, I recommend the brand WaxBare. The coconut wax really gets into those stubborn hairs and gives you a nice, clean, painless result,” says Bolten. This wax is specifically formulated with thick hair and sensitive skin in mind, meaning you can use it on every part of your body.
The only downside of this product is that the wax is sold alone, so you’ll have to buy a wax warmer and other tools. (Luckily, you can find wax warmers for about $20 online.) Because this wax is so effective and gentle on sensitive skin – and the one-pound bag lasts multiple uses – it’s totally worth it.
Type of Wax: Soft | Includes: Wax | Treatments per Kit: 100+
What We Love: These strips were made for short, coarse hair.
What We Don’t Love: The kit only comes with four post-care wipes.
One of the icon hair removal brand’s best products is the Wax Ready Strips, which come in a pack of 40 easy-to-use treatments. These wax strips don’t require any warm-up at all (no rubbing, heating, or microwaving), so all you have to do is apply one directly onto the area you want to remove hair and pull.
Ideal for bikini lines, this product was made to target short, coarse strands, which means you don’t have to fully grow out your hair. Plus, you can use these strips for other small areas like your armpits or upper lip. While there are 40 wax strips per kit, there are only four post-care wipes, so make sure to have a soothing lotion on hand once you run out.
Type of Wax: Soft | Includes: Wax strips, Post-care wipes | Treatments per Kit: 40
What We Love: This soft-gel wax removes short, spiky hair right from the root.
What We Don’t Love: Despite coming with 28 waxing strips, the kit only comes with six post-care cloths.
The Flamingo Body Wax Kit comes with 28 ready-to-use soft gel-wax strips that are ideal for large areas like legs, arms, and the stomach. Each wax strip is good for at least two pulls, which means you can get every last hair, even the really short ones.
Additionally, each wax strip is made with castor seed oil and beeswax, which helps to keep skin nourished even after pulling out the hair. On top of that, the post-wax cloths are infused with almond oil, which helps to gently remove any leftover wax.
Type of Wax: Soft-gel | Includes: Post-wax wipes | Treatments per Kit: 28
What We Love: This cruelty-free wax is made with safe ingredients including beeswax.
What We Don’t Love: The wax warmer can be hard to clean out if you have too much wax in it.
The Happy Waxing kit packages everything you need for waxing at-home into one easy bundle. It comes with a hot-pink wax heater, two bags of pink hard wax beads, nourishing oil to prep skin, purifying lotion to clean skin, a set of vinyl gloves, a protective sheet to cover surfaces, multiple disposable face and body applicators, and two measuring cups. On top of that, the wax heater is automatic, so you don’t have to worry about the wax getting too hot or not melting enough — temperature regulation is imperative for areas prone to burns, like arms or bikini lines.
Type of Wax: Hard | Includes: Wax heater, Clean purifying lotion, Prepare nourishing oil, Vinyl gloves, Disposable face and body applicators, Small and large measuring cups | Treatments per Kit: 100+
What We Love: This cruelty-free wax is infused with chamomile oil, which works to keep skin soft.
What We Don’t Love: The wax is blue, making it more prone to staining.
Easily remove armpit hair in minutes with this cruelty-free wax kit from Bliss. The wax itself is made with chamomile flower oil and apricot oil, which soothes and moisturizes skin. The kit also comes with a pre-and post-waxing oil to help skin stay comfortable and protected during the waxing process. A microwavable waxing cup and a long spatula are also provided. Be sure to apply the included post-wax oil to skin after your treatment.
Type of Wax: Soft | Includes: Waxing cup, Reusable spatula, Pre- and post-waxing oil | Treatments per Kit: 4 to 8
What We Love: These strips offer precise results, so you won’t need to tweeze after.
What We Don’t Love: They are scented, which can sometimes irritate skin.
Keeping your eyebrows in tip-top shape is hard work (trust us, we know). The hairs seem to grow quicker than most, leaving expertly-shaped arches looking uneven and bushy. For a quick fix, these Glee wax strips offer speedy, efficient, and sharp results.
The vegan formula is safe for sensitive skin, providing long-lasting results for even the most unruly brows. You also don’t have to warm up the wax, so all you need to do is apply the strip to the unwanted hairs and pull. Be aware that these strips do have a raspberry scent which we think is delightful, but could be irritating for those with extra sensitive skin or noses.
Type of Wax: Soft | Includes: Finishing wipes | Treatments per Kit: 24
What We Love: These hypoallergenic and fragrance-free wax strips are safe for sensitive skin.
What We Don’t Love: If hair is really thick, you might have to wax it twice.
This waxing kit comes with 20 treatments that are ideal for small areas like the upper lip, cheeks, eyebrows, and even toes. What makes these strips stand out from others is that they have flexible waxing papers that easily contour to the skin, meaning no hair is overlooked, no matter how small it may be.
This product is made with beeswax, which works overtime to cling to tough hairs. The hypoallergenic formula is safe for all skin types and sensitive areas like the upper lip and eyebrows. While it’s great for peach fuzz, if you have thicker hairs, you might need two passes to get every last bit.
Type of Wax: Soft | Includes: Post-wax calming wipes | Treatments per Kit: 20
What We Love: This kit comes with three different waxes, each specifically made to target certain areas.
What We Don’t Love: The wax can become thin if it is heated for too long.
Giving yourself an at-home Brazilian wax might seem unsettling, but with the right kit it’ll make you wonder why you haven’t tried it sooner. The KoulaWax Kit has all the tools you need to get rid of hair, like a wax warmer, large and small applicators, a pre-wax oil, a post-wax spray, and three waxes that are suited for different body parts (the Bikini Babe for Brazilians and underarms, the Best Loved for all hair types, and the Bare Faced for sensitive areas). Be sure to set the wax warmer to a medium heat setting when warming up the beads as this specific wax can melt quickly.
The Bikini Babe wax targets coarse, thick hair and can remove strands that are as short as one-fourth of an inch long. To prevent ingrown hairs, use an ingrown hair treatment once the post-wax treatment has dried.
Type of Wax: Hard | Includes: Wax warmer, Silicone bowl, Pre-wax oil, Post-wax spray, Spatulas | Treatments per Kit: 20
What We Love: This waxing kit is portable, convenient, and easy to use.
What We Don’t Love: The wax can get sticky if the container is left somewhere sunny or hot.
Picture this: You just got ready, you’re in the car, and you’re en route to your destination. Just as you pull up to your stop, you look in the mirror to double-check that your makeup is on point. To your horror, you notice that while, yes, your makeup looks incredible, there are a few mustache hairs that must’ve sprouted during your drive over. But, no fear. With the tiny, portable No Mo-Stache Lip Wax Kit, you can fix this in no time.
This pack of 24 lip waxing strips makes hair removal on the go easier than ever. Just warm up a strip in your hands for 20 seconds, apply it to your skin, and pull off the hair. It also comes with post-wax aloe cream that will instantly soothe and hydrate skin.
Type of Wax: Soft | Includes: Post-wax aloe cream | Treatments per Kit: 24
What We Love: These strips are enriched with moisturizing shea butter.
What We Don’t Love: The kit only comes with four finishing wipes.
These Ready-to-Use Wax Strips are about as easy as it gets since all you have to do is apply the wax strip to skin, pull it off, and give the area a once-over with the soothing finishing wipes. What we especially like about this formula is that it's infused with shea butter, which keeps skin deeply hydrated and soft.
These effective strips can be used on any part of your body — from your toes to your nose. If you want to wax a small area like your upper lip, we suggest cutting the waxing strip in half. This way you’ll have two strips in one as well as more control over the area you are waxing.
Type of Wax: Soft | Includes: Finishing wipes | Treatments per Kit: 40
What We Love: The smooth nectar wax is made with a gentle hydrating formula that exfoliates the top layer of skin while preserving the skin’s barrier.
What We Don’t Love: This kit is better for seasoned waxers rather than beginners.
Give your skin the TLC it needs with this gentle at-home wax kit. Complete with a super cute electric “honey pot” (aka wax warmer), vegan hard wax, a pre-and post-wax cleanser that caters to the skin, and a special post-wax oil, even the most sensitive skin is sure to be protected during a wax.
“If you have sensitive skin, I recommend Honeycomb Wax company. They make a smooth nectar hard wax that is vegan but also adheres to your hair, so it is beneficial for sensitive skin,” says Bolten. The wax itself is formulated to tightly wrap around each hair follicle, removing even the shortest, coarsest, and most stubborn strands from the root.
Type of Wax: Hard | Includes: Small wax warmer, Metal insert with handle, 1 lb hard wax, Full-size BeeClean pre/post cleanser, BeeSmooth post oil | Treatments per Kit: 10+
What We Love: It can accommodate many types of wax formulas.
What We Don’t Love: It does not come with any wax.
Without a wax warmer, you won’t get far in your hard waxing journey. If you have all the wax, strips, and applicators at hand but no warmer, you can buy it separately right here. This option accommodates most wax formulas, and you get to watch as it melts into the right consistency through the clear dome. A temperature control lever and indicator light ensure you never go too hot or too cool. It can hold up to 14 ounces of wax and melt it in under 30 minutes. The device itself is also on the smaller side, making it easier to store while not in use.
Type of Wax: N/A | Includes: Wax warmer | Treatments per Kit: N/A
What We Love: There is a variety of wax scents, including lavender and eucalyptus.
What We Don’t Love: The wax bags look smaller in real life than pictured.
If you’re already quite versed with the at-home waxing process, then you might benefit from a hard wax kit. As the name suggests, this type of wax hardens on your skin (after first melting it in the provided pot) and can be pulled off with a fast hand motion. The lack of strips allows you to spot treat on big or small surfaces with the help of one of the 30 spatulas.
Like any good kit, this one comes with a pre and post-spray as well, minimizing the stinging pain and possible redness after the session. There are several color and scent options, including peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender. In other words, you won’t be running out of wax for a very long time.
Type of Wax: Hard | Includes: Pre spray, after spray, large and small spatulas, paper rings, hard wax, wax warmer | Treatments per Kit: 100+
What We Love: The 24 wax strips are double-sided.
What We Don’t Love: You won’t be able to cover a lot of ground, so this is best for smaller areas.
For a mess-free experience, soft wax in the form of strips may be preferred. This type of wax is favorable for thin hair and small areas, as the strip can be better placed on areas such as the upper lip or underarm. Praised for its ease and convenience, you won’t have to worry about unboxing an entire melting pot and waiting half an hour for the wax to melt. See a patch of hair? Rip it out. It’s that fast and simple.
The 24 strips provided here are double-sided and made with plant-based wax. You’ll find a few (six) tea tree oil post-wax wipes to add a soothing touch at the end.
Type of Wax: Soft | Includes: Wax strips, post-wax wipes | Treatments per Kit: 24
Learning how to use wax beads and a heater at home might sound intimidating, but once you gain confidence in the steps, it’s not as hard as you might think.
Step 1: “Depending upon the size of the pot and the area being waxed, you can eyeball how much wax you’d like to pour into your preheated pot,” Bolten says. “For this process, you want to turn the heat up as far as you can. You can mix the [wax] beads around to ensure your product is melting evenly.
Step 2: “Once the beads are completely melted, you can turn the pot down to 50-70 degrees,” she continues. “After letting that cool, check the consistency by picking some wax up with a stick and twirling it like you would with spaghetti on a fork. If it falls off the stick instantly it’s too hot. If you can twirl it and it moves with your motion, you’re ready to wax.”
Step 3: Before waxing, test an area of your skin to make sure you are not allergic. Once you’ve done that, prep the area you want to wax. You can do this by washing the area with soap and water or by using a pre-wax treatment if your kit came with one.
Step 4: Once the skin is dry, apply the wax to the area. “Always apply wax with the direction of hair growth,” says Buldini. Hold the skin tight with one hand and pull the end of the wax strip with the other. You’ll remove in the opposite direction of your hair growth. This should be done in one fluid motion — don’t start and stop pulling on the strip. Place your hand over the waxed area immediately after, this can stop the sting.
Step 5: Once hair is removed, apply a post-care lotion or oil. Natural remedies like aloe vera or tea tree oil can reduce inflammation, while products that contain glycolic and salicylic acid can help to prevent ingrown hairs.
Hard and soft wax are not drastically different from each other, but they do offer unique features that might make you more inclined to use one over the other. “Hard wax tends to be the more painless wax method,” explains Bolten. “However, it requires a pot to melt the beads or blocks down. In my opinion, you get a better wax [with hard wax] because it really sticks to the hairs and doesn’t leave wax behind.”
On the other hand, soft wax is better to use if you need a quick fix. “Soft wax works great if you’re looking for more convenience – for instance, if you’re in a time crunch and need a fast wax. It can only be applied to the same area of the body once, but it does have great consistency making spreading easier, which means [you can get] larger areas in less time. This wax also works well on all hair types but not necessarily on all skin types, so be careful when using,” adds Bolten.
It’s important to prepare your skin properly before waxing by exfoliating 24 hours before. “When preparing your skin for a wax you want to make sure you have a good cleanser to clean the area of any oils, lotions, or makeup,” says Bolten. “I advise my clients that if they are on any medications, they should be checking with their doctor before placing any product on their skin. If the area being waxed tends to have moisture, always apply talc-free powder or cornstarch powder to ensure the wax is sticking.”
After waxing, take the necessary steps to keep your hair-free skin soft, smooth, and healthy. “Be mindful of sensitivity — hold off on working out, hot yoga, swimming, hot tubs, spray tan, [and] sex for 24 hours,” advises Buldini. “Always hydrate and use your favorite body lotion or oil.” Additionally, if you are waxing an area on your face, be sure to use sunscreen to keep the area protected.
After waxing, take the necessary steps to keep your hair-free skin soft, smooth, and healthy. “Be mindful of sensitivity — hold off on working out, hot yoga, swimming, hot tubs, spray tan, [and] sex for 24 hours,” advises Buldini. “Always hydrate and exfoliate waxed skin. You can use your favorite body lotion or oil.” Additionally, if you are waxing an area on your face, be sure to use sunscreen to keep the area protected.
To get the best results from at-home waxing, it is recommended to clean your wax warmer after each use. Luckily, cleaning out a wax warmer is quick and easy. First, melt any leftover wax that is still in the warmer. (It’s much easier to clean out liquid wax than it is to clean out hardened wax.) Once the wax has been melted, unplug the warmer and let the wax cool for a few minutes. Then, transport the melted wax into a heat-resistant container (you can do this by using a silicone spatula to scrape out the wax). If you want to reuse the wax, we suggest storing it in a tin container. On the other hand, if you want to discard the leftover wax, it’s best to pour it into a heat-resistant container and then throw that away.
Once the wax has been removed from the warmer and the warmer is completely cool, wipe down the inside of the it with a wet paper towel. To clean out stubborn wax, dampen a paper towel or cloth with isopropyl alcohol and rub the inside of the warmer. Then let it dry.
Wax Melter Lauren Harano has been contributing to InStyle since August 2022, covering a wide range of beauty topics. She is knowledgeable on topics regarding skin, body, and hair care, and has tested hundreds of products during her career. Bianca Kratky is a commerce writer with over three years of experience covering fashion and beauty. For this article, the following experts were interviewed to learn more about which waxing kits are recommended for at-home use: Nidah Barber-Raymond, a licensed esthetician and founder of the Peel Connection, Page Buldini, an esthetician and founder of Page Aesthetics Skincare, and Amelia Bolten, a licensed beauty professional and CEO and founder of Mealz Beauty.