question about waxing

[Tiggeroo]

eyebrows and facial areas.
I've never had my eyebrows done professionally. Recently they looked like i was overdoing things and they were getting really thin. So I haven't touched them for awhile and let them fill in as much as possible. Now I want to go get them waxed. How badly does this hurt? How does the stylist know how to do your brows. I want to go thinner then they are, since I've let them grow in alot.

Also, about home waxing kits. I have a couple spots of middle aged facial hair. Can I do this at home. I know I won't be able to afford to go in every couple weeks and pay somebody.

 

[Beth76]

I don't wax my eyebrows, but I will say this. Take two advils about 1 hour before your appt (if you do it). You might want to have them waxed professionally the first time to get a good shape. Then perhaps you might feel more comfortable doing it yourself at home.

 

[Gurgi]

If you are using ANYTHING that has a retinol in it, discontinue use at least 4 days before, or it's going to rip your skin off.

There's always a chance to get burned from the wax, or have skin pulled off.

You may break out where you were waxed.

 

[Gurgi]

And yes, you can wax your lip, but please do not attempt to wax your own eyebrows

 

[rt2dz]

I have them waxed because it is easier and I can't seem to keep up with the plucking. And after having three boys, I'm harrier. Testorione? Anyhow...

I go to a swanky salon (where I get my hair done). They talk to you before starting, ask what you're looking for and make any suggestions. I tell them I want something pretty natural but, um, clean. They thin 'em, remove any stray hairs, but follow my natural brow line (which they say is really good ; I'm not girly enough to notice).

It does not hurt that much. Pretty quick and painless. But, the guy who does them is really experienced. Of course, it doesn't look pretty for awhile after, so don't do them if you have somewhere to go that day.

I only need to have them waxed about every 4-8 weeks. If I let it go a little while, I need to come in after 3-4 weeks the first time. But the more I keep them up, the less often I need to have it done. Again, I go to a top-notch salon (my haircut costs $95 to give you an idea) and my eyebrow wax is only $15. Not too bad.

You could try, if you're brave, a school. Look for an Aveda one, they're usually pretty good. That's where I go for a pedi and mani. Personally, I wouldn't do them at home--I'm not brave enough.

 

[bookgirl]

I get mine done about every three to four weeks. I am not a girly girl and a big pain wuss so if I can do it anyone can. I actually go to the spa for this not just any little rinky dink beauty shop or nail shop. You need to make sure they are sanitary and that they are trained. I ask for mine to be "cleaned up" that means they just take the extra but they leave a natural brow. If you want a arch or a specific shape to them you'll get them "shaped". It does hurt but in my opinion not as much as plucking them out one by one. I have fair sensitive skin so I red up for a while after. It's like a really sticky bandaid. They good news is that after you do it a while the hair does come in lighter and softer so it's really easy to pull. Some places are using a blue wax to do eyebrows (it's low temp, doesn't "stick" to skin and no cloths used) I hate this stuff it's used for bikini waxes and it just seems to hurt worse and break out my skin. Go talk to the spa first and they'll give you tons of advice. Good luck.

 

[rt2dz]

If you are using ANYTHING that has a retinol in it, discontinue use at least 4 days before, or it's going to rip your skin off.

There's always a chance to get burned from the wax, or have skin pulled off.

You may break out where you were waxed.

YES!!! Also, do not exfoliate for about 5 days prior. My salon tells you that when you make an appointment (both on the exfoliation and the retinol)

 

[honeymom]

I'll be honest with you:

It hurts like heck!

But, it is very fast and so much faster than tweezing that it is worth it. If somebody good does it, you won't have to get it done that often.

 

[*JoGo*]

just wanted to repeat... if you're fair, it will be red for a WHILE afterwards. I'm very fair AND have very sensitive skin... last time I had them waxed, it was still slightly red for a couple days! Still, it's so much easier than plucking. I hate to pluck. My eyes water, and my arm gets tired before I get to my right eye, lol.

 

[chris1gill]

My DH & I both get our eyebrow's professionally waxed (every six months I'd say)... our son recently had his done, he's 12.... He complained about his eyebrow's & I told him to have the hairdresser wax them & he did! I couldn't believe it... but, that's fine & he's happy It really doesn't hurt much at all, just for like a tad bit of a second to be honest... not a big deal... just so long as they don't try plucking them I had a hairdresser that used to do that.. Anyhow, the hairdresser typically follows allow your natural eyebrow...

 

[Chris2597]

I have gotten my eyebrows and upper lipped waxed for a number of yrs and love the results. It is much better than plucking. I had plucked my poor eyebrows into almost nothing but the gal that does my waxing has helped me get a bit of thickness and shape back. I go every 4-6 weeks for both upper lip and brow. It is quick and almot painless.

 

[mickeysgal]

My DH & I both get our eyebrow's professionally waxed (every six months I'd say)... our son recently had his done, he's 12.... He complained about his eyebrow's & I told him to have the hairdresser wax them & he did!

What do the guys have done? Just the area between the eyes? Do they do the strays under the brow? Do they go as far as shaping the brows?

 

[Aimeedyan]

I am the biggest pain wimp ever and it really doesn't hurt much at all. Really. There is no need to take pain meds or anything just for simple facial waxing. Other areas? Yes, but not just the face.

The lip is more painful than the brow but even then, it stings for a second and then goes away.

Tweezing is WAY WAY WAY more painful than waxing.

For at home waxing, I've had great success with Sally Hansen's wax strips that you just rub between your hands to warm up. It's not good for intricate waxing like brows but works great for other spots that don't take as much precision.

The wax, to me, feels great. I've never been burned, had a bad job done, or had the redness last more than a few hours. Totally worth the pampering =)

 

[Tiggeroo]

thanks for the advise. I'm willing to pay for the eyebrows but the little spots of facial hair i'd like to try a home kit. I'm so glad you told me about the redness as I would have gotten it done before an occasion. I hate plucking and recently, i think do to bad vision, have been doing a poor job.

 

[grlpwrd]

My skin is red and sensitive afterwards so if you work I would suggest getting it done on a Friday or weekend or way before a special occasion, especially if it is your first time.

I have also had my eyebrows threaded which is much less painful. I don't have much credence in Wikipedia as a reliable source, but it explains the process well: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eyebrow_threading

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

I wax my own (it's really not that hard!) and it's not that painful. I am fair skinned, and the redness and swelling can last several hours. I've found if I apply a cold compress for about 10 minutes after waxing, the swelling and redness go away much faster.

 

[Tiggeroo]

would the ulta salon be a reasonable place to get this done?

 

[bluesaturn]

Sometimes salons have a "sensitive formula" of wax. This is good for fair skin, sensitive skin, if you're afraid of the pain, etc. Ask about this.

Everytime you get it done it hurts less. It's just for a few seconds anyway, and it's a small area. I think it's less painful than a piercing or a shot personally.

 

[bookgirl]

would the ulta salon be a reasonable place to get this done?

Never been to one but I bet they'd be better than some of these little hole in the wall nail places I see doing it now. And I'd do it a day ahead of any occasion, I'm brunette but fair skinned and I stay red for a few hours. Cold compresses are good as well but the best is to find out what they use as an after product. I had a bad reaction once, be sure to tell them if you're sensitive.

 

[momof2inPA]

Waxing doesn't hurt much after the first time, but I still haven't figured out what to do about the break outs afterward. What's worse, extra hair or pimples?