How To: Wax Your Upper Lip

Yes, it’s embarrassing and kinda funny, but almost every woman has at least a little peach fuzz on her upper lip. The truth is, you probably notice it more than anyone who’s ever seen you. Women with dark hair on their upper lips have tried everything in their efforts to hide it (powder, concealer, overdrawn lip lines), and it often works better than you think. Still, if the hair’s too much for you, here’s some tips on removing it.

There are tons of different products out there for removing facial hair, but your best bet is a wax kit. (Please don’t try and tweeze it. Anyone else who’s home will call 911 after they hear that scream, and your lip will be red for days.) You can get this done professionally, but if you give yourself a couple of trial runs at home and get used to a kit you like, the DIY method works just as well.

The ladies at the nail salon can be rather violent, and if you have sensitive skin, you’ll often be bothered by the unidentified products they’re using. If you do decide to brave the lip hair removal yourself, here are a few helpful tidbits as you go through the procedure:

• Keep skin protected. Wash the area first with a creamy cleanser and pat dry. In order to form a protective barrier between the wax and your lovely skin to reduce irritation, dust a light powder on your upper lip. The powder will also absorb the remaining moisture in the area, so wax will go on properly.
• Prepare your wax the right way. Heat the wax until it looks like honey. (Usually. When in doubt, just FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.) Before waxing, always test the temperature to ensure that it won’t burn you. (Yes, violently yanking your hair out is okay, but burning is not. Don’t ask me.) You can test it on your inner wrist just like you would with a baby bottle. If it’s burning your arm, then let it sit out for a while. (Duh.) Once you think the wax is ready, stretch your skin taut by rolling your upper lip down over your teeth. (Yes, I do know how that sounded. Shut up.) This will ensure that all the wax touches all the hair at the best angle possible. Spread the wax starting from the divot in the center that connects your nose and mouth, expanding out to each corner.
• Pull! Okay, this can be kind of scary, but you’ve already got wax all over your lip and arm. Commit! Once the wax has cooled but is still pliable, use one hand to hold down the paper and the other to lift the lower edge up at one end. In a quick motion, pull the strip off using an upward motion. Ouch! Afterward you can soothe your skin with an alcohol-free toner like Chanel Precision Activateur Tendre Soothing Toner. I know you don’t like me right now sweetie, but the important thing is that you respect me.

Here are a couple of waxing tips:

• If you take painkillers at least one hour before waxing, it should minimize the sting. I know what you’re thinking: “Why didn’t you tell me this before?” Well, I’m trying to toughen you up. You guys are my beauty soldiers, and I need you hardened. Also, I don’t encourage needless medication consumption. Needless painful beauty procedures, though, are no problem!
• Make the wax at the ends of your mouth thicker than in the middle – it will make the wax easier to move.
• After waxing, always wear sunscreen on the waxed area. Freshly waxed skin is more prone to sun damage. Actually, ALL skin is prone to sun damage, so just wear sunscreen everywhere all the time!
• Immediately after waxing, rub an ice cube on the area to help soothe the skin and remove redness.
• Just to be safe, NEVER use waxing products that contain retinoid. They can make your skin extremely sensitive and prone to all kinds of damage.
• If you find that wax often irritates you, choose one without beeswax – it’s a little-known irritant that’s often the base for home waxes.