Your technician will clean up any stray hairs with tweezers, but they’ll probably ask your permission first, since tweezing this area can be painful. Although these strips make at-home waxing so much simpler, there are still some tips everyone should follow before yoinking out hair from the roots. "The hair should be between an eighth- and a quarter-inch long," aesthetician Hannah Naranjo previously told Allure. Furthermore: "Make sure your skin is clean." Moisturizing lotions, gels, and oils can make it harder for the wax to fully adhere to the hair you're attempting to remove. Cost: Wax strips can vary in price, so consider your budget when choosing a product. Cheer options may sometimes be better quality, so it may be worth investing in a higher-priced option if it works better for you. Again, these are cold wax strips, which are more gentle on sensitive areas of skin; but you may find you need to go over the same area a few times for a totally smooth finish. Coming in at a super-affordable price, you certainly get a generous number of strips for your outlay. Look around and make sure their operation is sanitary. They should be wearing gloves, and you should never see a technician double-dipping with an applicator. Also, keep an eye out for accreditation and don’t be afraid to ask if you don’t see a certificate hanging somewhere.

Bring on the wax! If it’s hard wax, your technician will wait a bit for it to solidify before removing it. If it’s soft, they’ll remove it with paper strips. Nair’s straightforward apricot wax strips are formulated to be effective yet gentle when it comes to de-fuzzing unwanted facial hair. Despite the fruity name, the strips are fragrance-free, which will be great news for those with sensitive skin. Your technician will likely ask you to remove your top and get on the table. If you’re wearing a top with thin straps, you might not have to take off your shirt.Tweezing: This time-old method is the easiest and most accessible way to remove small hair around your brows and chin by removing stray hairs by the root. Above all, our Beauty Lab pros say it's important to wipe tweezer tips before and after every use with rubbing alcohol and a cotton pad, not soap and water. Storing it in a protective pouch helps keep the facial tool in tip-top shape.

As with most things, a little research and word of mouth go a long way. Get online to scope out products or salons, and don’t be ashamed of tapping friends for advice or recommendations. Easy does it Veet knows its stuff when it comes to hair removal and the brand’s cold body wax strips are designed for both seasoned pros and novices. Formulated with almond oil and vitamin E to suit sensitive skin types, they’ll leave pins velvety soft. Lightly exfoliate the area with a buffing mitt or gentle scrub. This isn’t necessary, but it can help prevent stray hairs and ingrown hairs. Work in parallel. Pull the wax off in a motion that is parallel to your skin's surface, rather than up and away which is perpendicular to the skin.Then, they’ll apply the wax substance. If you choose a soft wax, they’ll remove the wax with strips of paper of cloth. If you choose a hard wax, they’ll wait for the wax to firm up before removing it. The area is small, so they may only wax two to three times on each side, moving from the left, to the middle, to the right of the pit. Skin sensitivity: If you have sensitive skin, look for wax strips that are designed for sensitive skin or contain natural ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, or lavender to help soothe the skin. Naranjo recommends holding off on exfoliation in the day or so after waxing, but after that, regular exfoliation between waxing is a must. In addition to exfoliation preventing ingrown hairs, board-certified dermatologist Marie Hayag has told Allure, "Exfoliating also helps skin look healthy and encourages hair to point up, growing in the correct direction." Skip the deodorant — or at least apply less than usual — to avoid clogging your pores the day of your appointment. Some waxing products use hot wax, but pre-made waxing strips are most often cold. However, most suggest warming the strips up in your hands for around 20 seconds before application to increase grip and effectiveness. Always read the instructions carefully before trying any new wax strips, even if you consider yourself a seasoned pro. Tips for using waxing strips

Choose the shape you want for this oh-so-sensitive area. Using a favorite bikini or underwear bottom as a template can be a great place to start. You may experience redness, itching, and bumps after a waxing session. These side effects tend to calm down within a few hours or a couple of days, and some folks are more sensitive than others. Avoid sun exposure and any potentially irritating activity — i.e., soaking in a bath or strenuous exercise — for 24 hours after an appointment. If you don’t want to invest in a heater but like hard wax, Waxup is a microwaveable hard wax that comes with applicators. Apply the wax in the same direction of the hair growth, and avoid double-dipping your applicator (ew).

Minor bleeding is fairly common if it’s your first time waxing. Be sure to keep the area clean if you find any residual blood to prevent infection.