Waxing at home for beginners - everything you need to know

Proof that you can get salon results in the comfort of your own home

Whether you're a fair-weather-hair-removal type of gal or a once a month regular, waxing at home has never been easier.

Yes you could opt for an in-salon bikini wax, but there really isn't the need when you can do it so easily and for much less money from the comfort of your own sofa, in front of Love Island.

Waxing may be a little on the painful side, but it is quick and yields longer-lasting results than your razor will.

Read on to master the art of at home waxing, from lower leg to full-on Brazilian.

Waxing at home with wax strips

'Making sure you have time, tools and the correct preparation are essential,' says beauty and skin expert Nichola Joss.

The number one thing you should remember while waxing yourself is not to rush it, 'take the time, make sure you have all the tools you need and prep the skin. Cleansing and exfoliating can help to ensure the skin is prepared for waxing, giving you better results. If you need to exfoliate the skin do this 24 hours before.'

'On the day, cleanse the skin with a fragrance free non-oily product and ensure your skin is dry,' Nichola advises. 'Take your time and do one strip at a time, ensuring you gently apply to the skin. Remember to remove as instructed.'

Waxing strips need to be pulled from the skin in a single, quick move. Be bold and go for it. Slowly peeling them off will be uncomfortable and won't remove the hair effectively.

'After you have waxed the desired area, gently apply an oil and lightly massage into skin,' Nichola adds. 'Wait 24 hours before applying any self-tan.'

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Leg waxing and eyebrow waxing are both pretty self explanatory, but some hair removal procedures using wax have slightly more ambiguous names.

Hollywood waxing

This kind of waxing involves removing ALL the hair; bikini line, vulva, butt crack, the works.

It's not an easy one to do DIY so, we're calling it: you'd have to be mad to do your own Hollywood wax at home. The logistics of removing all hair from your nether regions without causing yourself injury just isn't worth it.

Brazilian waxing

Brazilian waxes are very similar to Hollywood, except usually a small, visible strip of hair is left on the vulva (the external part of your lady garden). Again, unless you're a pro, we don't really recommend you try this one at home.

Bikini waxing

Removing hair from your bikini line, on the other hand, is pretty straightforward.

For a successful DIY bikini wax, pull the skin taut, apply the wax strip, press firmly and use the warmth of your hands to soften the wax if necessary.

After that, it's a case of just gritting your teeth and pulling away quickly.