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How to Prepare for a Wax at Home

How to Prepare for a Wax at Home: Getting the Smoothest Result

Written by: Merilin Notton

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Time to read 8 min

If you're experiencing poor waxing results, we have one question for you – are you prepping properly before the big rip? If the answer is no (tut tut), don't worry; we can sort you out. Here's our complete guide on how to prepare for a wax at home.


If you're one to go straight in with the wax, chances are you're getting ingrown hairs, dry skin, pain during the waxing; the list goes on.


With 5 simple steps, you can actually enjoy your waxing experience and achieve long-lasting results with skin smooth and shiny enough to see your reflection.


Okay, that's a slight exaggeration, but you get our point. Prep. Is. Key.


If you want to be one step ahead and get some waxing prep and aftercare goodies in your basket, shop our top picks below and get 15% off* your order!

Products & Tools You'll Need to Prepare for a Wax

When it comes to intimate, armpit, or leg waxing at home, products are key to perfecting your prep, and luckily for you, we've got loads to keep you going. Here are some of our must-have recommendations for your next wax:

We have tons more helpful waxing products and the option to buy bigger bundles! If you want to find something that specifically suits your needs, head to our Hair Removal collection and get browsing.

Step-By-Step Guide to Wax Preparation

Once you’ve got all your wax prep essentials, you can get to using them.


To make things super simple, clear, and easy to follow, we’ve broken it down into these 5 steps. Here’s a quick run-through, but you can scroll down for more deets.

Step 1) Let your hair grow – hair between ¼ to ½ inch is best.

Step 2) Exfoliate (gently) to remove dry skin and prevent ingrown hairs . Do this at least 24 hours before you plan to wax. Use circular motions.

Step 3) Cleanse your skin with a pre-wax cleansing gel and wash thoroughly. Follow up with a pre-wax oil to reduce irritation when waxing, massaging in fully.

Step 4) Choose the right wax for the area you’re removing hair from ( hard waxsoft wax …)

Step 5) Set up your work station in a clean, dry, well-lit room with your heated wax ready to go.

Step 1) Let Your Hair Grow

Let it grow, gals and guys! Although it might not be the most attractive, and you might want to keep your legs covered for a few weeks, the reality is that you need hair for it to be waxed.

Your hair should be  between ¼-½ of an inch  for the most effective wax removal. 

If you shave before you wax, the wax will have nothing to grip to, meaning all your efforts will be pointless.


Again, we know. Growing out hair is a somewhat embarrassing process, but it's gotta be done. As much as we want to shave off every single stray hair,we just can't.

Step 2) Exfoliate

This is arguably the most important step when prepping for a wax. We need to make sure your skin is prepped and ready to go, and if you do it just right, you'll be left with gorgeously smooth skin.


Exfoliating your skin will help remove dead skin cells so the wax can adhere to your hair properly. It'll also help prevent pesky ingrown hairs that we sadly all know, and 100% loathe.


We recommend using the Mylee Exfoliating Body Scrub. Packed with natural ingredients like walnut shell and aloe vera, our scrub will leave your skin looking, smelling, and feeling beautiful.

Exfoliation should be done 24-48 hours before you're planning a wax. If you do it too close to your wax, your skin won’t have time to recover and soothe, and we don't want that.

How to Exfoliate Sensitive Skin


If you have sensitive skin, chances are, you may need to be a little careful when exfoliating.


However, our exfoliator contains natural ingredients, so as long as you use it slowly and gently, you won't have a problem.


It even has extracts of kelp and seaweed to help moisturise your skin, where a lot of exfoliators tend to dry it out.


We also recommend following up with our After Care Lotion to soothe your skin and keep it hydrated.

Step 3) Cleanse & Pre-Wax Care

Now that it's the day of your wax, we've got some more prep for you to complete. You lucky things.


Starting with a nice cleanse to remove any build-up of lotions, products, or general dirt. We recommend using our Pre Care Cleansing Gel on the area you're prepping to wax so you're clean as a whistle.

Then, we recommend going in with a pre-wax oil, which’ll protect your skin against irritation and ensure the wax grips your hair firmly. Just use a small amount of pre-wax oil (enough to cover the area you’re waxing) and massage in fully.


Our Pre & Post Wax Oil is phenomenal at protecting your skin from the inevitable sensitivity that comes from waxing.


It's enriched with sunflower oil and acts as a protective barrier, so the wax only adheres to your hair – genius. It's also packed with vitamins and antioxidants to keep your skin looking supple and revived.

Step 4) Choose the Right Wax

Next up, you need to choose the right wax for where you're planning to remove hair. For example, our Advanced Professional Stripless Wax is amazing for waxing intimate areas, and our Soft Honey Wax is good for pretty much everywhere .

It's always best to check the instructions and recommended usage for our waxes, though, just in case.


We also insist you do a lil patch test before using the wax on a larger area of your body. This just makes sure you don't experience any bad reactions.

Step 5) Set Up Your Workspace

Now all you need to do is set up your work station.


We recommend doing your waxing sesh in a well-lit room – we don't want wax in places it certainly doesn't need to be.


You should also carry out any waxing on disposable tissue or an old towel (if you can) in case of drips or spillages on your furniture or flooring.


Lastly, make sure you have a mirror on hand for any hard-to-reach areas; it will come in handy when waxing intimate areas.

Care After Waxing Guidance

Aftercare is super important, so getting it right is essential. Thankfully, it doesn't take long, and, of course, we have plenty of products to help you out.


Straight off the bat, we need to remove any leftover wax stuck to your body with our 2-in-1 Pre & Post Hair Removal Oil. This will gently remove wax in a pain-free way, so you don't have to deal with getting everything stuck to your skin.

Once you've removed all excess wax, you can apply your choice of moisturiser to calm your skin and reduce redness and irritation.


Our After Care Lotion is gentle enough to be used straight after your wax to give your skin a big surge of hydration, eliminating post-treatment discomfort.


Or, you could try our Aloe Vera Cooling Gel, which contains vitamins A and C, magnesium, calcium, and antioxidants. You can't go wrong with aloe vera in your beauty arsenal; it's amazing for post-plucking pain, sunburn, and much more.

Lastly, you should avoid any irritants for the next 24 hours to give your skin a chance to cool off and breathe. This includes showering and bathing, applying deodorant (if you waxed your armpits), exercising, and wearing tight clothes.

Maintaining Results for Perfectly Smooth Skin

Who wants to experience the discomfort of a wax if the results aren't as you hoped because you're unsure how to maintain smooth skin? Not us, and not you.


So, here are our recommendations for maintaining gorgeously smooth skin until your next wax:

  • Start exfoliating 2-3 days after your wax 1 or 2 times a week to reduce ingrown hairs.

  • Moisturise daily to keep your skin hydrated.

  • Avoid shaving between waxes to get the best results from waxing.

Summary: How to Prepare for a Wax With Ease

By following our five simple steps, your waxing experience and results will be 10/10  every time . So, whether you're about to do your first wax or your 50th, let's make it a good one.


To make it even easier for you, below are some of our Mylee goodies recommended for the perfect wax. Add one or more to your basket today, and see how you can transform your self-care days!


Smooth skin has never looked and felt so good.

If you have any questions about waxing or our products, feel free to contact us! We're always happy to help.


*Get 15% off your first order when you sign up for our newsletter. 

FAQs

Do you need to wash before waxing?

Ideally, yes! It's beneficial to remove all dirt and lotions from your skin before you begin waxing. It also helps keep your wax hygienic.


We have a Pre Care Cleansing Gel that'll leave you squeaky clean.


Taking a warm shower or bath before your wax will also open your skin's pores, making it easier and less painful to remove the hair .

Do you have any wax prep products?

We do! From exfoliators to oils and cleansers, we at Mylee have plenty of products in our range to make your waxing experience more comfortable.


To browse our products, head to our  Wax Essentials  section!

How do you prepare a body area for waxing?

Preparing for a wax is simple but necessary to achieve good results and have a pain-free experience. You need to exfoliate and cleanse the area of your body you're waxing before removing any hair.


To get a full breakdown of how to prepare for a wax, check out our step-by-step guide above !

How do you prepare for a bikini wax?

You should prepare for a bikini wax the same way you would for any other wax, as outlined in the steps above. You just need to ensure you choose the correct wax for the job , e.g., our Advanced Professional Stripless Wax .


We also recommend avoiding waxing your bikini area during your period , as your skin can be more sensitive during this time. Aim for a week after your cycle.

How many hours after waxing can I shower?

You should wait at least two hours before showering or bathing to allow your skin time to recover and soothe.

Can I shave in between waxes?

As annoying as it is, it's recommended not to shave between waxes . Over time, waxing will cause the hair to become thinner and softer, letting you reduce the amount of waxes needed. By shaving with a razor in between, the hair will continue to grow thicker and quicker.

Merilin Notton

Merilin Notton

As the Head of Brand at Mylee, Merilin is a seasoned beauty industry professional with a strong passion for nail art. 

With a background as a licensed beautician and a track record of shaping and elevating beauty brands, Merilin is dedicated to empowering individuals to express themselves through nail art, making them a driving force behind Mylee's success in the beauty industry.

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