Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (2024)

Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (1)

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Waxing. Bring it up with your friends and you’ll get every different reaction imaginable: People refusing to do it because of the pain, others raving about how long waxing lasts, and even more wondering if waxing really makes hair grow back thinner. (Spoiler: It could, if you do it regularly!) But no matter what you think of the pain-factor, regular trips to the wax center can get seriously expensive — some salons charge $54-$59 for a Brazilian bikini wax that lasts about two to three weeks. That adds up, which is why the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab set out to find the best at-home waxing kits for easy (and inexpensive) hair removal.

Our beauty chemists evaluated a range of waxing products, including hot waxes, cold waxes, strips and hard wax. We enlisted 22 consumer testers to try the products themselves. Each one was sent a waxing kit, which had its brand name blinded beforehand for true, unbiased feedback. The women used each product at least once, monitored their results for up to a week (watching for any irritation or ingrown hairs), then sent us their thoughts. GH experts analyzed the data to find the winning waxing kits that actually perform on underarms, bikini, face, and more.

Before you get waxing, make sure you know how to prepare with at-home hair removal tips and must-knows (for example, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advises that hair should be about about one-fourth to three-fourths of an inch long for best results, and experts advise against trying to pull off a DIY Brazilian).

Now, check out the Beauty Lab’s top-tested waxing kits, plus top picks from our beauty editors and best-sellers you can’t get enough of:

Best Overall Wax Kit

Parissa Organic Sugar Hair Removal Wax

Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (2)

Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (3)

Best Overall Wax Kit

Parissa Organic Sugar Hair Removal Wax

Pros
  • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (4)Removed most hair in Lab tests
  • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (5)Easy to use
  • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (6)Soft wax/cloth strips
Cons

    This classic kit from Parissa (hot wax you heat in the microwave with cloth strips) removed the most hair at once and left skin ultra-smooth in our Lab tests. Testers said it was easy to apply, didn’t irritate skin, and wasn’t unbearably painful. Plus, even though it took a little more time to use than others, testers didn’t think it was difficult to prepare, making it the perfect mess-free choice for everywhere from bikini to underarms.

    Best Wax Strips

    Nad's Body Wax Strips

    Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (7)

    Best Wax Strips

    Nad's Body Wax Strips

    Pros
    • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (8)Beginner-friendly
    • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (9)Didn't irritate skin in Lab tests
    • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (10)Pre-waxed strips; no heat required
    Cons

      Nad’s hassle- and heat-free strips are the perfect intro to at-home waxing. It’s no surprise that testers rated them easiest to use, perfect for beginners— the wax is already on the strips and all you have to do is rub them between your hands to activate it! These wax stripsalso earned the highest score for not irritating skin, but few testers did say it took several tries to remove all hair.

      BEST WAX KIT FOR BEGINNERS

      Bliss Poetic Waxing Hair Removal Kit

      Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (11)

      BEST WAX KIT FOR BEGINNERS

      Bliss Poetic Waxing Hair Removal Kit

      Pros
      • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (12)Beginner-friendly
      • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (13)Hard wax removes without strips
      • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (14)Kit comes with useful accessories
      Cons

        Perfect for beginners, this kit comes with everything you need neatly packaged inside: hard wax in a microwaveable cup, four wax spreaders and post-wax oil to soothe skin and remove lingering traces of stickiness. The bright blue color makes this fragrance-freewax easy to apply.We haven't Lab tested this kit, but our editors especially loved the foolproof instructions on the brand's site for easily achieving the best results. Best of all? The wax nabs every last hair for silky-smooth skin.

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        Most Popular Wax on Amazon

        Cirepil Blue Wax

        Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (15)

        Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (16)

        Most Popular Wax on Amazon

        Cirepil Blue Wax

        Pros
        • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (17)Reviewer favorite
        • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (18)Wax beans melt to hard wax; no strips necessary
        Cons
        • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (19)Learning curve

        Cirepil’s hard wax has earned over 16,200 reviews on Amazon! While you won’t need any disposable strips to use this hard wax, you will need a special warmer since the wax comes in bead form (if you don't want to invest in another gadget,one reviewer said she uses a coffee cup to microwave them). Reviewers rave about how effective the wax is, but warns thatthere is a learning curve when it comes to application. It may be helpful to watch a few how-to videos before attempting a DIY session.

        BEST HARD WAX

        Nad's Brazilian & Bikini Wax Kit

        Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (20)

        Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (21)

        Pros
        • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (22)Foolproof hard wax; no strips needed
        • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (23)Removes even coarse, short hairs
        • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (24)Red color makes for easy application
        Cons
        • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (25)Can take a while to warm up

        Hard wax eliminates the need for cloth strips:Simply apply the wax, wait for it to harden, and pull swiftly to remove hair.One of our editors swear this wax is less messy and leaves behind less residuethan soft wax or strips, and the formula works better than any other she's tried for removing even stubborn, coarse underarm stubble.

        Itcomes neatly packaged in a microwavable bowl along with application spatulas and post-wax calming wipes, so you're ready to wax right away. The bright red hue makes application and removal easy.Once applied, the waxcan take a bit to harden, so make sure it is fully set but still slightly pliable before yanking.

        BEST WAX FOR FACIAL HAIR

        Glee Face Wax Hair Removal Strips

        Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (26)

        BEST WAX FOR FACIAL HAIR

        Glee Face Wax Hair Removal Strips

        Pros
        • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (27)Pre-waxed strips; no heat required
        • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (28)Small strips perfectly fit on face
        • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (29)Fun, fruity scent
        Cons

          Removing facial hair isn't something peoplelove to talk about, but it is extremely common. These perfectly-sized, berry-scented wax strips come ready to use, so you won't have to rub them or otherwise heat them before using on your brows, lips, chin or cheeks.This pack of 24happy wax strips comes with 12 finishing wipes to calm skin and remove any residue.

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          Best Wax for Legs and Arms

          Nad's Natural Hair Removal Gel Kit

          Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (30)

          Best Wax for Legs and Arms

          Nad's Natural Hair Removal Gel Kit

          Pros
          • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (31)Heat-free
          • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (32)Water-soluble formula makes for easy cleanup
          • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (33)Great for larger areas
          Cons
          • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (34)Can take a few tries to remove all hair

          This pick from Nad’s is a clear, no-heat formula that's alsosuper-easy to cleanup post-wax, perfect for tackling larger areas on the legs and arms. Since it’s water-soluble, you can wash off leftover pieces from your skin, and even clothing and towels if you get any accidental drips on them — which is helpful since testers did warn application could get a little messy. Testers said it was effective at removing hair and didn’t hurt too much, but that it took them a few tries to remove all hair.

          Best No-Heat Wax

          Sally Hansen Insta Wax Strips

          Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (35)

          Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (36)

          Best No-Heat Wax

          Sally Hansen Insta Wax Strips

          Now 10% Off

          Pros
          • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (37)Pre-waxed strips; no heat required
          • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (38)Easy, mess-free application
          • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (39)Beauty director favorite
          Cons

            These innovative strips from Sally Hansen are ready to use right out of the box. You don’t have to warm them for the wax to work — simply separate the strips, smooth on and pull off! GH beauty director, April Franzino, says they’ll save time and cause less of a mess than some other kits. Depending on the temperature of the room you're waxing in (or where you store the product), you may need torub the strips between your hands to warm the wax a bit.

            BEST ROLL-ON WAX

            Nair Roll-On Milk and Honey Wax

            Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (40)

            BEST ROLL-ON WAX

            Nair Roll-On Milk and Honey Wax

            Pros
            • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (41)Convenient roll-on formula
            • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (42)Travel-friendly
            Cons
            • Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (43)Messy

            Thesuper-convenient roll-on applicator is the perfect size for applying to underarms for easy hair removal.Testers said a similar Nair roll-on wax was easy to apply, didn’t irritate skin or cause redness. But while the roll-on design is great for stashing in your bag, a few consumers said application was still on the messy side.

            Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (44)

            Birnur K. Aral, Ph.D.

            Birnur (she/her) led the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute from 2007 to 2023. In addition to overseeing product testing and GH Seal applications, she conducted our annual Beauty Awards selection process and was an active leader in GH’s green initiatives, including the Sustainable Innovation Awards and Raise the Green Bar Summit. In addition to earning M.Eng. and Ph.D. degrees in chemical engineering, she also has a professional certificate in sustainability management from Columbia University.

            Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (45)

            Nicole Saporita

            Nicole Saporita was an editor and writer at Good Housekeeping from 2014 to 2020, where she researched, wrote and reported original content for the Good Housekeeping Institute and several other departments, including health, travel and family.

            Reviewers Swear This $15 At-Home Wax Kit "Removes Every Hair" (2024)

            FAQs

            Is at home waxing a bad idea? ›

            Chao notes that at-home waxing kits are safe and effective but only if you follow instructions. "Always do a test waxing and don't 'double-dip' used applicators in the wax," she says. "That can cause an infection.

            Why doesn't hard wax remove all hair? ›

            You Aren't Waxing Properly

            Wax has to be applied in the direction of hair growth and removed swiftly in the opposite direction. If it's not removed fast enough (which can be hard to do by yourself), then there won't be enough force to pull the hair out. Additionally, the hair can break in the process.

            Why don't at home wax strips work? ›

            You're not applying the wax strip in the same direction as hair growth: This is the best way to adhere the wax to the hair for removal. Remember to remove the strip in the opposite direction of hair growth. Your hair isn't long enough: Previously shaved hair can be stubbly and resistant.

            Do wax strips remove hair? ›

            Nair™ Wax Ready-Strips are conveniently preloaded with wax so you can quickly and easily remove unwanted hair. No heating or rubbing is necessary.

            What kind of wax do salons use for hair removal? ›

            Hard wax refers to the type of wax that hardens on the skin. It's typically warmed and then applied to the treatment area where it adheres to the hair—not skin—before being removed. While you can use a strip to remove the wax, it isn't necessary. This is what is normally used at salons.

            Does hair removal wax go bad? ›

            Do waxes have an expiry date. There is no "standard" expiration time for wax products. However, wax can change its properties after opened, especially if not stored correctly. Expired wax won't work well; it can go brittle and break or never actually reach the optimal point where it's not too dry and not too moist.

            Why is waxing not recommended? ›

            Waxing cons

            Because the hair is removed at the root, some people say waxing is more painful than shaving. The hot wax can also burn your skin if you're not careful. Waxing can cause inflamed hair follicles, pain, redness, ingrown hairs and skin irritation.

            Should I wax my pubic hair at home? ›

            Not only is this procedure quite painful, but it's also not particularly safe. In fact, while many estheticians feel totally fine endorsing at-home waxing for other parts of the body, we want to be clear that the professional recommendation is not to do your own Brazilian.

            Why is not all my hair gone after wax? ›

            Due to this difference in hair growth cycles, waxing hair when it's too short will make some of the hairs grow back within a couple of days (and in an uneven, prickly wax job), and others not for a week or two. This can turn into a never-ending cycle of mixed growth patterns, ingrown hairs, and breakouts.

            What to put on skin before waxing at home? ›

            Waxing works best on skin that is free of oils, lotion and sweat. So shortly before applying the wax, wash skin with soap and water and pat dry with a clean towel. Powder up. You can also apply a light dusting of powder so perspiration doesn't interfere with the wax sticking to your skin properly.

            Why is hard wax better for Brazilian? ›

            Most people agree that for a Brazilian wax, hard wax is the best option. If your hair is coarse, multiple applications will be necessary, and hard wax allows for this. Additionally, because this area of your body is so sensitive, hard wax removal tends to be less painful.

            How can I get the best wax results at home? ›

            For the best technique and results, dermatologists recommend the following tips:
            1. Ensure optimal hair length. ...
            2. Avoid retinoid creams before waxing. ...
            3. Reduce discomfort. ...
            4. Wash and dry the area. ...
            5. Warm the wax. ...
            6. Apply the wax.
            7. Apply the cloth strip.
            8. Remove the cloth strip.

            What are the disadvantages of strip wax? ›

            Cons
            • You need a material strip to remove the wax and hair.
            • It's more painful to remove, compared with hard wax.
            • There's a higher risk of skin irritation if you apply the wax to the same area more than once.
            • It may be more likely to cause harm to your skin if applied and removed incorrectly.
            Oct 28, 2020

            What type of wax doesn't need strips? ›

            Hard wax hardens on the skin, which means you can just pull it off with your fingers, so there is no need for waxing strips. Since it doesn't adhere to the skin, you can re-treat areas where you may have missed some hair.

            Why are my wax strips not getting all the hairs? ›

            If the wax is not pulling out hair, the main factor is usually a lack of pressure. If you do not apply enough pressure, the hairs cannot fully adhere to the wax strip. Learning how to apply wax to the skin with the appropriate amount of pressure usually eliminates the problem of the wax not pulling out hair.

            Is it better to wax or use hair removal? ›

            While hair removal creams remain a good depilatory option, the results typically only last for a few days or, at best, one week. Waxing is the longer-lasting option because the results can last up to six weeks, depending on the rate at which your hair grows back.

            Is shaving or waxing better? ›

            waxing, we can see that waxing is the best method to remove hair if you want the very best results and to keep your skin looking its best for longer. When seeing a trained professional, waxing puts an end to ugly razor bumps, itchiness, and hyperpigmentation that causes areas of the body to turn darker than the rest.

            What wax removes all pubic hair? ›

            A Brazilian wax removes all the hair in the pubic region from front to back. A bikini wax removes hair only from the front.

            Which wax is best for a private area? ›

            Heated hard wax is recommended for the bikini area because the hair is so coarse there. Hard wax goes on smoothly, and you can pull it right off with your hands once it hardens. If you're new to waxing, you may want to buy a hard wax kit. It will come with everything you need and include detailed instructions.

            What is the least painful wax for hair removal? ›

            Use Hard Wax

            "It's created specifically for sensitive areas, as hair comes out easier, which reduces the pain and prolongs smooth, hairless results," says Romanenko. "Soft wax, with its stickier texture, is best used for less sensitive areas like legs."

            What happens if you leave hair wax on too long? ›

            WAX BUILD UP

            If it's not removed thoroughly, a mixture of wax and scalp oil can build up on your scalp. Between washes, this mixture begins to oxidize and break down into potentially irritating substances. This could have a few effects: irritation and itch.

            How damaging is hair wax? ›

            Hair wax contains a high amount of alcohol which dries out your scalp and makes your hair dry. Dehydrated hair is breakage-prone. Also, the dense hair wax blocks the hair follicles making it difficult for them to breathe. Naturally, the hair follicles stop functioning properly, thereby leading to hair loss.

            Can I reuse hard wax on myself? ›

            The temperature needed to melt this substance is not high enough to kill these germs. So, the wax you use at home can be re-used a few times, but only for one person. If you have multiple people in your household who are all waxing, it makes sense for each to keep their supply separate.

            Is it better to wax at home or in a salon? ›

            Even though waxing at home can be much cheaper than going to a waxing salon, it may end up costing you more if it's not done correctly. Incorrect waxing can cause rashes, ingrown hairs, or burns that may require medical care or healing creams.

            Is it safe to do a Brazilian wax at home? ›

            A do-it-yourself Brazilian wax at home can be a cheaper option than visiting a salon or spa. But since your pubic area can be very sensitive, it's safer to see a professional. If you do decide to do your own Brazilian, buy a wax that's made for the bikini area. Never wax sunburned or irritated skin.

            Is it better to wax yourself or get waxed? ›

            Often home waxing can result in less than a perfect waxing. You may have a few or more hairs, here and there, that you didn't notice or can't get out. Especially if the area you are waxing is hard to reach. There is also an increased potential for ingrown hairs and infections.

            Is it better to shave or wax at home? ›

            Waxing can be better for sensitive skin. Shaving can cause ingrown hairs, reaction to the metal of the razor, and dry your skin. Waxing works like an exfoliator. Skin can feel and look much smoother as the dead skin cells are removed.

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