Home waxing kits allow anyone to remove unwanted facial hair, and the upper lip is one of the most common areas for waxing. It is the easiest area to wax, and it does not require shaping or special waxing skills. Even though waxing the upper lip is relatively easy, there are some pitfalls and mistakes that should be avoided to ensure a smooth wax and avoid injury.
Preparation
Heated wax can cause burns. Wax should be warm and fluid but not scalding. Heat wax in a warmer intended for waxing. If you have to heat it in a microwave oven, stir the wax often to ensure that it heats evenly. Not all wax can be heated in the microwave, so read the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not skip cleansing and preparation steps. Use all of the skin cleansers and prep lotions in your waxing kit. Cleansers remove surface oils and prep the skin for a flawless wax. Some products also contain topical pain relief to make waxing the lip a gentler process.
Application
Apply wax in the direction of hair growth, using a spatula or Popsicle stick. Work on one side of the lip at a time, and do not skimp on the wax. Smooth on a consistent layer of wax, with a thickness similar to that of a fingernail. Press cloth waxing strips into the wax, and smooth it in the direction of the hair growth. Wait about 10 seconds before removal.
Hair Removal
Lift up the outside corner of the muslin strip, and yank it off against the hair growth in a quick motion. It’s like removing a bandage–the quicker, the better. If hair remains, do not reapply wax. You can wax only once. If you try to reapply and wax again, you will lose skin. Instead, use tweezers to remove any hair the wax missed.
Follow-Up
Gently remove excess wax with a cotton ball dampened with wax-removal lotion. Never use a dry towel or scrubbing motions to remove wax. After waxing, skin is highly susceptible to friction burns. Apply cooling gel to reduce redness. The redness will fade after a few hours. If you must go out, you can cover red skin with your favorite concealer or foundation.
