At Home Bikini Waxing: 35 Must-Know DIY Secrets & Tips for First Timers

Want that salon wax without the salon? It’s time to learn the basics of bikini-line maintenance! Try our top tips for an at-home DIY bikini wax. 

Getting a professional bikini wax can be one of the most costly, painful, and downright awkward experiences in a woman’s beauty routine. Wouldn’t it be much better if you could give yourself a DIY at home bikini wax in the comfort of your own home?

If they had to choose between a Pap smear, a spray tan, or a bikini wax done by a professional, many girls will inevitably choose the Pap smear.

Why? The answer doesn’t involve a sincere love of getting poked and prodded by a gynecologist while she asks ho-hum questions. No, it’s because most of us hate being naked in front of strangers without a medical reason.

Spray tanning? That’s the awkward experience of standing like an idiot in a throw-away bra and panty set, waiting to become a lovely shade of orange. And don’t get us started on the bikini wax…

We know we’re not the only ones who don’t appreciate being slathered in hot wax and gawked at by a complete stranger.

From various Internet article comments to in-depth conversations with girlfriends, the topic seems to be universal: bikini waxes are awkward and mind-blowingly painful, especially for first-timers.

So how do you avoid the waiting room worries before having a complete stranger take care of your lady bits? The solution is easy: do a DIY bikini wax at home! [Read: The pros and cons of getting a full Brazilian bikini wax]

Why wax at all?

There are plenty of genital purists out there who prefer a large ‘70s bush or don’t feel that they should take care of business down south just to appease society. Since the early 2000s, it’s become more and more popular to be totally bare down there.

Some women like to follow fashion and feel they need to wax to stay on-trend. However, you don’t have to wax just because it’s fashionable.

Don’t keep trim for society; society is not seeing your vagina! Beauty standards are constantly changing, and don’t make any difference to how valuable you are as a person.

If you do decide to take care of your pubic hair, do it for your own personal reasons. For example, do it because you like being clean, because you like how it looks, or because you prefer the feel. In the end, it’s all about your confidence. Always do whatever makes you feel the most confident in yourself.

Don’t create a double standard with your partners, though. If you expect your man to take care of business *whatever the case may be, whether he chooses to take it all off or simply trim up*, then you should certainly offer him the same benefit.

[Read: Listen up ladies! Here’s how to shave your pubic hair]

Why not just shave it?

We can hear some skeptics out there wincing in pain at the thought of hot wax ripping out the hairs from their sensitive nether regions.

So, why not just shave? Many women do. Shaving is a painless way to get the job done, and almost every woman tries it out at one point or another. However, there are benefits to doing a DIY bikini wax that shaving just can’t live up to.

1. It lasts a million times longer *number may not be exact*

Unlike shaving – which still leaves visible dots of hair under the skin – waxing gets to the root of those suckers.

The wax pulls the hair out completely, meaning it takes much more time to grow back. This will leave you feeling silky smooth for longer.

2. There’s no risk of cutting yourself

Most women have cut their ankles while shaving at some point, and this often results in permanent scars in the shape of a razor line.

Now imagine bringing that sharp blade onto your vagina lips for an up close and personal shave. Not exactly ideal.

3. No ingrown hairs

Nothing is more annoying than having a perfect shave and then noticing dozens of red rash spots or ingrown hairs afterward. Hold on while we grab some tweezers. Ouch!

The benefits of waxing at home

For those who did not grow up in a comfortable “naked family,” or who simply hate the idea of baring it all to a complete stranger, the benefits of waxing at home seem to outweigh all other options.

Here are some other benefits of waxing at home just in case you’re not already convinced.

[Read: Powerful ways to love your body, no matter your size]

1. No strangers have to see you naked

Have you ever watched a reaction bikini wax video or an instructional video for a bikini wax? If so, you’ll see that those women’s hands are going to be all over your V.

Yeah, yeah, she’s a professional and she sees it all the time, but if you’re not comfortable with a stranger pouring hot wax on your va-jay-jay and getting all up in there – home waxing is definitely for you.

2. You can do it at your own pace

If you are a wimp when it comes to pain, it might take you longer to brace yourself for the shock and pain of ripping off wax.

With a DIY bikini wax, you can take as long as you want to get your wax done. Do one piece at a time, and go slow. Or, rip it off ASAP to get it all over and done with!

3. It’s way cheaper

If you don’t have $50+ to spend making your vagina a hair-free zone, you’ll much prefer the waxing methods available at your local drugstore.

It can cost hundreds of dollars to get a good quality professional wax. After all, having your pubic hair painfully removed by a stranger isn’t something you’ll want to scrimp and save on.

Opting for a cheap service could have some messy and dangerous results. So, the only safe way to cut down costs is to DIY your wax at home.

4. It’s part of self-care

Self-care is one of the biggest movements in health and beauty right now. If you take the time to do nice things for yourself, you’ll improve your mental well-being, as well as look your best. An at-home DIY bikini wax – done at a low cost and at your own pace – can be a great form of self-care.

[Read: Self-care – why you shouldn’t be ashamed of what you do for beauty]

Types of wax

So, now you know why waxing is important. If you’ve decided that waxing is the best option for you and your body, it’s time to find out how to actually do the deed. Firstly, there are several different types of wax on the market.

Here’s the difference between them, and the pros and cons of each one. All of them should be available at your local drugstore or supermarket.

1. Hard wax

Hard wax is a thicker kind of wax. It works best on sensitive spots – like the vagina – because it sticks to the hairs rather than the skin.

Once the wax has dried and hardened around the hairs, you can remove it directly with your hands rather than using a material strip. Sometimes it’ll even come off on its own.

Hard wax tends to be less painful than soft wax and leaves hardly any residue behind. It’s gentle enough that you can even use it on your face. However, it does need a wax heater and spatula and is much more time-consuming to apply.

2. Soft wax

Soft wax is a thinner wax that adheres to the skin as well as hair. It’s much more painful to use than hard wax – picture the classic scenes of people screaming as the wax is pulled off!

Soft wax is so painful because it also removes the outermost top layer of skin. This will likely leave your skin red and irritated, so soft wax is a no-go for those with sensitive skin issues.

On the plus side, soft wax provides the longest-lasting hair removal, because it removes the follicle as well as the hair. It’s also much quicker and easier to apply than hard wax and doesn’t need as much heat.

[Read: 33 signs you’re unattractive and easy ways to get hotter!]

3. Preloaded wax strips

Heatless, preloaded wax strips are one of the easiest types of hair removal, making them perfect for beginners. All you need to do is rub them between your hands or heat them gently with a blowdryer – no heaters required! Then, stick them on your body, and pull them off to remove hair.

Although they are much simpler than the other two kinds of wax, preloaded strips are less powerful, and much more expensive. It can take several strips to remove thicker hair like the kind on your pubic area. However, if you just need a top-up, these are the perfect option.

How to wax your bikini line at home

So, without further ado, it’s time to learn how to do a DIY bikini wax! We’ll start by going through all the prep you need to do before we move on to warnings and FAQs.

1. Make sure your hair is at the right length

Always make sure that your hair is the right length before attempting to wax it. If you don’t have long enough hair, the wax won’t have anything to grip on to; all it will do is stick to your skin, and rip off the top layer. Ouch!

Your hair needs to be roughly a quarter inch long before waxing. The wax should be able to properly grip the hairs to properly get them out. So save your skin and make sure there’s enough hair to wax before you start.

2. Buy the right product

Look through the types of wax above and decide which is best for you. If you have sensitive skin, opt for hard wax.

If you want very thorough hair removal over a larger area, soft wax might be your best option. Or, if you have thinner hair and want a simple process, pick out a preloaded strip.

3. Cleanse the area to make it less painful

Waxing will be much less painful if your skin is clean. That’s because a less-than-fresh vagina will already be more sensitive; sweat, discharge, and dirt on the skin cause itching and irritation.

If you put wax on dirty skin, it’ll only irritate it more. Plus, the dirt will stop the wax from sticking properly. So wash before you wax.

4. Invest in a wax warmer

If you decide to go for hard or soft wax, you’ll need to invest in a wax warmer. This is like a little witch’s cauldron that heats your wax up until it becomes a spreadable liquid.

Once it’s liquid, you’ll be able to properly spread it across your skin. The extra heat will also help soften the hair and make it easier to remove.

5. Always follow the heating instructions

Nobody wants to see you set your house on fire. Follow the heating instructions on the wax wrapper and the manual that comes with your warmer.

Failing to follow the instructions could be incredibly dangerous. You could cause a fire, or even burn off your skin.

6. Get comfortable

Make sure you’re calm, relaxed, and in an environment where you feel comfortable. The bathroom is a great choice; you won’t have soft fabrics to ruin like you would in a bedroom, and you’ll have the privacy you need to feel secure. Also, you’ll have everything you need at hand.

[Read: How to feel more confident in your body and love yourself for YOU]

7. Wax in sections

Don’t try and wax it all at once. If you spread the wax over too large an area, it won’t dry consistently and you won’t get an even result.

Divide the area up into sections, and wax them one by one. While you may be tempted to use one giant wax strip to get rid of everything in one go, working on small areas is more efficient.

Also, always perform a patch test on one small section 48 hours before you wax the rest. This will let you know if you’re allergic to the wax in any way. The box will probably tell you this, but we just wanted to let you know to be doubly safe!

8. Make sure you cool your wax down

Before you touch the wax – whether with your hands, vagina, or with a material strip – always make sure it’s cooled down to a safe temperature.

Remember, you’re working with something very hot that could potentially burn you. Check that the wax is at a safe temperature before you put it on and before you pull it off.

9. Pull the hair away from the direction of growth

When waxing at home, make sure you’re pulling the wax off in the same direction as your root grows. This will help the pieces pull out easier.

It’ll also prevent your skin from becoming too irritated. It’s a little like stroking your pet’s hair in the wrong direction – they don’t like it, and neither will your vagina!

10. To stay tidy, remove leftover wax

Even if you use a low-residue method like hard wax, there still might be a couple of little pieces left behind after a DIY bikini wax.

Make sure you remove these pieces afterward to stay tidy. You can either pull them off gently with your hands or wipe them away after a shower. Gently soaking your skin in warm water will soothe any irritation, too.

11. Don’t work out straight away

Don’t hit the gym right after a wax. This is because working out can cause chafing between your thighs, which will make your skin very angry.

Do your DIY at home bikini waxing on a day when you know you won’t be working out, or just before bed when your skin will have lots of time to relax.

[Read: How to look hot – 24 sexy tips to become irresistibly desirable]

12. Grab some tools

Have a pair of tweezers and baby powder handy. You’ll want to rub some baby powder on your skin before you apply your wax.

This will help the wax adhere to your skin, while the tweezers will be useful for picking up stray hairs left over after waxing.

13. Do your aftercare

Post-wax, you’re going to be a little sore. Be sure to use a soothing lotion as well as an anti-ingrown hair spray after your wax.

This will stop you from getting any ingrown hairs and calm down your skin. Oh, and have an ice pack handy. Cooling the skin will bring down the swelling and redness.

14. Be aware that it hurts, a lot

But only for the first couple of times you do it. After you’ve gotten used to it, you should find the experience to be relatively pain-free.

If you have a very low pain tolerance, popping a painkiller a few minutes before you get started should help.

15. Don’t let your hair grow too long before waxing

Otherwise, you’ll be in for an unpleasant mess of wax and may have to wax the same area a few times to get all the hairs out. If your hair down there has grown too long, grab a pair of scissors and give the area a trim before you start.

[Read: 32 hot secrets to be beautiful and feel more attractive]

16. Do a test wax first

We’ve covered this before, but it’s doubly important so it’s worth mentioning twice. If it’s your first time using at-home wax, be sure to do a test area first to make sure you can A: handle the pain, and B: you don’t get a horrible skin reaction to the wax.

17. Only buy wax that is perfume-free

Whether you have sensitive skin or not, you should never be putting a perfumed product near your nether regions.

Perfumes used in wax for other areas on your body might not be safe to use on your genitals, either. So always pick out an unscented, intimate area wax.

DIY Bikini Wax FAQs

1. How long does an at-home bikini wax last?

The answer to this question depends a lot on how fast your hair grows. If you’re a person that needs to go to the hairdresser every two weeks, you’ll get a different answer if you have slow-growing hair. In general, though, your wax should last 4-6 weeks.

In turn, most people who wax will find that their hair type down there changes after a few sessions. It becomes thinner and finer, and may even become lighter in color – so you won’t have to wax as often in the future.

2. How long does an at-home bikini wax take?

In a salon, a typical full bikini wax *known as a Hollywood or a Brazilian* will take around 40 minutes to complete. That’s in a salon environment with a professional, though!

At home, you’ll find your wax takes between 30 minutes and an hour.

If you’re very new to the waxing game, it’ll be more time-consuming. However, as your skill *and pain tolerance* grows, you’ll find things speed up. The time it takes to wax also depends on what type of wax you use; preloaded strips will be faster than hard wax, for example.

3. Does an at-home bikini wax hurt?

In short, yes. An at-home bikini wax is bound to be painful. However, following the pain relief tips above will help you cope with that uncomfortable feeling, and take care of your delicate skin.

[Read: 19 powerful ways to take care of yourself as a woman]

4. Is waxing my bikini area at home safe?

If you follow the instructions and wax safely, waxing your bikini line at home should be perfectly safe. While you’re waxing, stay aware of the fact that you’re working with heat, and that you’re subjecting your skin to a lot of rough treatment.

Always be sure the wax is at the right temperature, and only pull it off when you feel ready. Also, make sure you perform your patch tests properly and do appropriate aftercare.

5. What should I do if I experience irritation from waxing at home?

If you experience irritation from home waxing, there are several things you can do. First, make sure that your skin problem is actually waxing irritation.

If the area is red, angry, and has small raised bumps, that’s a sign of waxing irritation. Try putting a cold compress on the skin – such as a bag of ice – or a soothing lotion to calm it down.

6. How can I avoid burning myself?

The best way to avoid burning yourself with wax is to use preloaded wax strips. These don’t need much more than the warmth of your hands to melt the wax, and some don’t even need that!

However, if you have thicker hair, have less to spend, or just prefer a heated method, you can still easily avoid burns.

Just always make sure the wax is cooled before it touches your skin. Also, follow the usual precautions when you’re using something that plugs in. Don’t leave your burner on hot surfaces, touch the heated element, or get it wet.

7. What should I do if I burn myself?

If you burn yourself, follow the usual first aid for a burn. Run the area under cold water for 20 minutes to stop the skin from continuing to burn, and wash off the wax with a mild soap. Then, apply a cold compress.

Don’t put the ice directly on your skin, but wrap it in a cloth instead. Lastly, dry your skin, put on some gentle antibacterial ointment like Neosporin, and cover it with gauze.

8. How can I prevent skin injuries?

The best treatment for skin problems is not to get them in the first place! If you keep your skin clean, wax safely, and only use wax types that are appropriate for your skin, your DIY bikini wax should come off without a hitch.

Don’t work out after waxing, and be sure to let the skin breathe by staying away from tight clothes for a day afterward.

[Read: Love yourself first – 36 whys and ways to do it right]

Waxing isn’t for everybody, but for those who fancy an at-home treatment, remember to do it for you – not for your boyfriend or anyone else. You should only endure this pain for your personal enjoyment of having a smooth and clean bikini area. Good luck!