To wax or not to wax?
I have always loved being well groomed. I had a pretty decent unibrow until the age of 14 when my mom let me get facially waxed for the first time. We couldn’t afford to get the service regularly so in high school, I plucked and jeeze, WHAT A NIGHTMARE (see photo)!
As I came into my adulthood, I decided that having well-groomed eyebrows would be a high priority to me. Due to moving a lot for my husband’s career, that means I’ve had to frequently find new waxers. I can say from experience, it isn’t easy finding a waxer that doesn’t cost a fortune (looking at you Ulta Benefit Brow Bar) but at the same time listens to what you say you want your brows to look like. For example: I have decently thick brows and I like them thick but groomed. Currently, I’m weighing if I want full on Caterpillar thick.
When choosing a esthetician, I’ve found a few things help:
- Read Yelp reviews: Reviewing the rating and what other customers have to say about a waxer can help you get an idea of how that person listens to their customer. If they have a lot of happy customers, they more than likely listen and translate what that customer wants to the final product.
- Read up on brow terminology: It’s the 21st century, we have all of human information at our fingertips. If you become familiar with the words used to describe the style you want, you might feel less anxiety when going to someone new because there will be less of a chance for misinterpretation to happen resulting in your dissatisfaction until the hair grows back. Here’s a link with basic information on brow maintenance: https://www.buzzfeed.com/alisoncaporimo/killer-brows?utm_term=.qrzx5XV6gx&sub=3752558_5506425
- Find an independent operator: I’ve found that generally, these estheticians are more affordable than chain wax bars (Ulta Benefit Brow Bar, European Wax Center) and are just as talented. A waxer who has left one of those big chains and is operating in a salon suite (https://www.solasalonstudios.com, https://www.phenixsalonsuites.com) independently are affordable, reliable and talented.
Waxing Vs. Threading facial hair:
I had been going to a salon regularly for facial waxing when the esthetician asked if I’d ever had threading. I hadn’t, so I tried it. It was PAINFUL, not as quick as waxing but just as nice at the end. As month’s went on, and I went back to the salon every two weeks, if felt more and more painful each visit. I remember the last time I got threaded, the entire time I had the urge to be fight back as if I were being attacked by the threader because of the pain I was in. I’m not a violent person and after that visit I requested only waxing. I think waxing is more expensive than threading but worth the quick procedure.
Here’s just a funny wax story:
One time, I went to my regular salon to get my brows done the day before a cousin’s wedding and I was getting the services I’d been getting regularly, from the same waxer. Near the end of the wax, she pulled off the wax and said, “uh oh.” What a terrifying thing to hear from your waxer. I immediately asked, “what’s wrong?” and she handed me the mirror and said, “Oh I just didn’t get all the wax off.” Thankfully, there was nothing for me to be worried about, but I’ll never forget how terrified I was hearing those words.
Full Leg Waxing
I have only begun having my legs waxed last summer. Let me tell you, if you can afford it and you hate/have trouble shaving in the shower (like me since I have mobility/reaching issues from my hip replacement) I HIGHLY recommend leg waxes. It hurts a bit the first time you wax an area (according to my waxer) and gets better after but it is SO worth not having to think about that hair for a month (my hair grows slow enough that I wax at six week intervals). Or even if you just want to budget for a full leg wax over the summer while you’re wearing dresses and shorts.
My former esthetician explained to me that at least the hair on your leg has three growth cycles. So, if you’re getting your legs waxed for the first time, it will take three sessions to achieve peak smoothness.
For a more affordable waxing option, I buy Nad’s Facial & separate Body Wax Strips (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003JFJF4A/ref=cm_sw_r_oth_api_i_xyyZEb2A1A92A). They’re hypoallergenic and may take several tries to get the hair out but do work. (Remember to pull the strip off opposite direction that the hair grows)
Here’s a rule I live by when it comes to waxing: Pluck what you can, wax what you can’t. So, I facially, I get my brows and upper lip waxed. I wax my legs as well. I used to get my chin as well, but realized the extra cost wasn’t worth the five long hairs I could easily pluck on my chin). Also, I shave my armpits because it’s very quick and easy for me to do so I don’t think it’s worth it to wax.
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