Summer Ready: How to give yourself a bikini wax at home according to pros

According to the brand expert, the first rule of waxing body hair is exfoliating first. “A well-timed scrub has plenty of benefits as it removes dead skin cells that block the hair follicle, the cause of undesirable ingrown hairs. Exfoliating also boosts circulation, encourages cell regeneration and improves skin tone and appearance,” explains the pro. Remember to place hot moist compresses for 15 minutes a few times a day to prevent ingrown hairs.

We get it, we’re use to leaving the swimwear maintenance area to the professional but the time has come. If you’re a rookie to giving yourself DIY-waxes, Nad’s Brand Ambassador and Expert, Natalie Ismiel suggests using hard wax, as strip waxes are a little bit more difficult to do on your own and take practice. Try Nad’s Brazilian & Bikini Wax Kit, $15, the wax formula works on coarse hair while being gentle on skin and results can last up to 8 weeks. If you’re experience, you’re ready for the Nad’s Natural Sugar Wax, $10 as these are ready-to-use wax strips. The beauty guru admits, “With wax kits you have more control over the areas you want to apply wax to. They also help to ensure you are applying the wax thickly and evenly over the area, which is especially necessary for coarser hair.”

Skipping wine night or drinking ton of water prior to waxing is a must according to the wax expert. “Avoid drinking significant amounts of alcohol or coffee before waxing, as it can tighten your pores and feel painful,” said Natalie.

You’ll probably get nervous naturally, but remember to take a moment to breathe. “The most important thing is to read the instructions and precautions thoroughly before waxing, to minimize pain and irritation. Sometimes the pain can be caused by anxiety you may be feeling about waxing. Relax your body and take deep breaths! Once you’ve done your first wax, you’ll find that every wax after that gets easier and less painful. Keep in mind to always work on one small area at a time, starting from the outside and working your way into the more sensitive areas. Natalie recommends to let wax cool on skin for about 30 seconds until it is still soft for those using hard wax.

If you’re a frequent waxer, you’re pretty aware how ingrown hairs and shaving rashes are common side effects of hair removal. Hence why it’s absolutely necessary to exfoliate at least 24-hours post-wax session. “You can also use Nad‘s Ingrown Solution, $9 which contains soothing Aloe and Green Tea Extract, suitable for minimizing ingrown hairs, irritation, redness and bumps by reducing the buildup of dead cells that can block pores. After waxing, you should exfoliate at least 3 times per week to prevent ingrown hairs. Some fabrics can irritate newly waxed skin, so opt for light cotton panties, as opposed to lace or nylon,” explains Natalie