beauty

Everything You Need To Know Before Your Next Waxing Appointment

Whether you're a first-timer or regular, these tips and tricks will ensure that you get your smoothest results yet.

Courtesy of European Wax Center

When it comes to removing unwanted facial and body hair, there are a number of ways to do it. Shaving? Speedy, but needs constant upkeep. Lasers? Pricey, and not everyone is a candidate. Waxing, on the other hand, comes with unique perks: It's relatively quick, nicks and cuts are nonexistent, and you can go weeks before seeing any regrowth (which, by the way, usually comes in finer). A professional waxing ensures even hair removal and lasting results.

That said, it's not totally straightforward. Prepping for your wax, knowing what to expect, and properly caring for your skin afterwards can make a major difference in how soft and smooth your skin is — so much so that even those with a standing wax reservation might be missing out. We teamed up with European Wax Center to get tips straight from the pros.

Scope Out The Spot

Only make a reservation at a waxing center that meets certain standards of cleanliness. That means keeping an eye out for the appropriate sanitation and safety measures, both before and during your reservation. For one, "never get waxed somewhere that double-dips a stick in the same wax pot," says Gina Petak, education manager at European Wax Center. "Also, ensure your technician is always wearing gloves." The room (and table and bed in it) should be cleaned after each guest — with cleaning and safety protocols even more ramped up in the age of COVID-19 (eg. masks, face shields, additional deep cleanings, and more).

When In Doubt, Grow It Out

You can't really wax off your hair without some hair. The exact amount can be hard to get right. "If you are a first-time guest or haven’t waxed in awhile, you may try and trim your own hair before going to get waxed," Petak explains. "What usually happens is the guest ends up trimming their hair too short." Some light stubble won't be enough for the wax to grab onto; rather, your hairs should be roughly the length of a grain of rice. Not sure how much to trim? Leave it to the pro. "Your hair can never be too long to wax, but it can be too short," she says.

Don't Stress

If you've never gone for a professional wax, you might feel a bit nervous. But don't worry. "As long as you see a licensed, expertly-trained professional who specializes in waxing, maintains cleanliness and sanitation standards, and utilizes a high-quality wax, you are in good hands," says Petak.

That said, waxing isn't necessarily a sensation-free experience; you won't be falling asleep here. A hard wax is generally more comfortable and cleaner than softer waxes (which are sticky, messy, require cloth strips, and could potentially hurt skin). "European Wax Center uses an exclusive Comfort Wax that is a proprietary blend of the highest quality natural beeswax sourced from Europe plus other skin-soothing ingredients," says Petak. This hard wax makes for a gentle experience.

Exfoliate Wisely

48 hours before your reservation, exfoliate your skin. "Choose an exfoliating product that will gently remove dead skin cells without stripping your skin, which helps ensure you will receive a close wax with great results," says Petak. Try the EWC Reveal Me Body Exfoliating Gel, which does the trick and rinses cleanly — without any oily residue on skin. Otherwise, that sneaky film could prevent you from getting an optimal wax.

Come Clean

When you shower before your waxing reservation, hold off on applying your body lotion. Also, "don’t use numbing creams prior to a wax," says Petak. Similar to oil-based exfoliating products, these lotions and creams can interfere with the efficacy of the wax. Your skin should be clean to get the closest possible hair removal. Afterwards is fair game, though: Slather on a super hydrating body lotion, like Sassy Strut Body Lotion, which includes a hair growth minimizer to help regrowth slow its roll. (Psst: Everything in the Sassy Bath & Body Collection is marked down to $14 now through October.) That'll help you go longer between waxes. Win-win.

Say No To Ingrowns

Preventing post-wax ingrowns requires a little strategy. After your wax, just apply a gentle serum that prevents ingrown hairs, like EWC's Smooth Me Ingrown Hair Serum. "It’s gentle enough to use daily," says Petak. "It contains glycolic acid and tea tree oil to ensure hairs can grow freely out of the skin, as well as glycerin and chamomile to nourish and calm."

This post is sponsored by European Wax Center.