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Let's be honest—waxing at home isn't fun or easy, but the results are always worth it. Whether you're an avid at-home waxer or rely on DIY methods to maintain between professional appointments, pre- and post-waxing skin prep, along with safety precautions, will give you the best results. "When you wax at home, you can hurt your skin or make it more sensitive and prone to ingrown hairs if you aren't careful," says Gina Petak, education manager at European Wax Center. She suggests doing a spot test for any allergens, which can give you an idea of how your skin might react. Think you're ready give it a go? These are the best at-home waxing kits for hair removal.
What to consider
Whether you’ve never tried at-home waxing or you’d like a new technique for your next Brazilian wax, finding a quality kit is the first step. Most kits offer instructions on how to wax yourself properly, as well as tips on what to put on your skin before waxing at home. Many at-home waxing kits include exfoliators, oils, and serums to prep your skin for hair removal and soothe it after treatment.
When looking for the best wax, be aware that there are two types—soft wax (which includes sugar wax) and hard wax. The difference is how they’re removed from your skin. Soft wax needs to be warmed until it’s liquid enough to spread, and a strip of fabric is applied to the wax, which you then tear off quickly. Hard wax also needs to be warmed before you apply it, and after it cools for a few seconds (so it can clamp onto your hair), you can pull it off with no strips needed. While there’s no such thing as a fully painless bikini wax, the hard wax method tends to offer an easier experience.
In all, it is safe to wax yourself at home once you find a formula and technique that works best for your skin.
Why We Love It
- Easy cleanup
- Strips are reusable
What to Consider
- Not suggested for waxing your face
Waxing at home is easier when you use a precise roll-on applicator. After prepping your skin, heat the microwave-safe applicator for 20 seconds, shake it up, and it’s ready to use. The wax formula is made with soothing calendula and is gentle enough to use on bikini areas, and the post-wax serum includes healing vitamin E. Reviewers recommend this kit, saying “it’s well worth the price” and noting that the soft wax “actually does come off easily with just water.”
Key Specs
Type of Wax | Soft sugar wax |
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Applicator | Roll-on |
Strips | 10 included |
Why We Love It
- Precise temperature control on the melting pot
- Pre- and post-wax skincare included
What to Consider
- If you don’t like fragrance, you may not like the jasmine scent
This kit includes applicator sticks in three sizes, two skincare sprays, four bags of hard wax beads, and a warmer to melt them. Beginners will like the dial temperature control, which allows you to customize the wax to your skin’s sensitivity. The beads are formulated to be used everywhere, except inside your nose. If you're new to this beauty routine, Lifestance is a smart pick, with one reviewer saying, “I've never waxed myself before, but this made it really, really easy.”
Key Specs
Type of Wax | Hard resin and beeswax beads |
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Applicator | Spatula sticks, 30 included |
Strips | Not needed |
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Why We Love It
- Easy to use
- No added fragrance
What to Consider
- Not recommended for sensitive skin
Flamingo’s no-heat strips make hair removal a little less intimidating. The kit contains 14 strips (10 large and 4 medium) but they’re double-sided, so you’re actually getting 28 applications. Each piece comes with gel wax already on it, so all you have to do is apply and remove the strip. If you have to wax the same spot twice to remove any strays, that’s normal, with one reviewer noting, “[It] took a couple of tries, but I got it all!”
Key Specs
Type of Wax | Gel beeswax |
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Applicator | Pre-waxed strips |
Strips | 14 double-sided included |
Why We Love It
- Blue wax makes it easy to see where you’re applying it
- Easy to reheat
What to Consider
- There may be a learning curve to use it
Bliss’s professional-grade wax is made for everything from your eyebrows to your toes. Apply the heated wax, and it wraps around each hair follicle before hardening in about 30 seconds. No strips are needed; you simply pull it off in the opposite direction of your hair growth. Finish with the included post-wax moisturizing oil, and the result is an effective, salon-quality job. The wax contains chamomile to help soothe and nourish skin, and one reviewer says that it “does not irritate my sensitive skin.”
Key Specs
Type of Wax | Hard paraffin, rosin, and beeswax |
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Applicator | Spatula sticks, four included |
Strips | Not needed |
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Why We Love It
- Can be used for all body parts
- Cleans up easily
What to Consider
- Some users needed to heat the wax to get it soft enough
Nad’s water-soluble gel formula makes the whole waxing process easy. The wax doesn’t need heating up because once applied, it’s designed to soften with your body temperature. The formula is hypoallergenic, the strips are washable and reusable, and the kit does a great job removing hair wherever you need. One reviewer recommends Nad's gel for face waxing, saying, “I’m seriously never buying another face wax kit again.” Made with dates, honey, and lemon, the gel has a natural, light scent.
Key Specs
Type of Wax | Soft sugar gel wax |
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Applicator | Spatula sticks, six included |
Strips | 10 included |
Why We Love It
- Includes pre- and post-wax skincare
- Wax can be reheated as needed
What to Consider
- The kit may not include enough wax for larger jobs
If you’re considering an at-home wax before your next warm-weather vacation, Gigi Brazilian is a reliable choice. It contains everything you need to give it a go, including pre-wax cleanser, pre-epilation oil, microwaveable bikini wax, applicators, wax remover, and slow-grow hair minimizer. Once you apply the wax and let it harden for a few seconds, all you have to do is pull it off, and it can be used two or three times in a row. As one reviewer puts it, “It definitely removes everything.”
Key Specs
Type of Wax | Hard rosin and beeswax blend |
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Applicator | Spatula sticks, five large and five small |
Strips | Not needed |
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Why We Love It
- Eyebrow stencils and tweezers included
- You may not need to wax again for 2 months
What to Consider
- The wax needs to be heated slowly
When waxing your face, a gentle formula that won’t irritate sensitive skin is key. Sally Hansen’s kit uses a microwavable beeswax blend that doesn’t get too hot and includes chamomile oil and aloe. You’ll also get spatula applicators, mini tweezers to remove pesky strays, and a post-treatment soothing lotion. Nearly all five-star reviews mention how easy it is to use this kit, with one reviewer adding that it’s “not painful at all when having to wax [my] upper lip and eyebrows.”
Key Specs
Type of Wax | Soft rosin and beeswax |
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Applicator | Spatula sticks, two included |
Strips | Not needed |
Why We Love It
- No added perfumes but moisturizing oil gives it a light scent
- No animal testing
What to Consider
- Not recommended for face waxing
Some people prefer a sugar-based formula because it works as well as other waxes, but it doesn’t leave a sticky mess behind, and it’s usually less irritating. It may help slow regrowth, too, with one reviewer comparing Nair to her usual wax, saying, “The hair also didn't grow back nearly as fast.” This wax is made with only six ingredients (one of them is water), and it takes about 30 seconds in the microwave before it’s ready to apply.
Key Specs
Type of Wax | Soft sugar wax |
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Applicator | Spatula stick |
Strips | 14 included |
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Why We Love It
- Each strip can be used twice
- With 40 strips, it’s a great value
What to Consider
- If you don't like fragrance, you may not like the berry scent
Veet has been in the hair removal business for more than 100 years, so you know it pays attention to details. These pre-waxed strips have added exfoliants and moisturizers, plus an acai berry scent. Each kit comes with 40 strips that are easy to apply and remove, and they work well on short hair, according to this reviewer, who says, “They grasp even the tiniest hairs, leaving my skin silky smooth.” Also included are four wipes for cleanup. Depending on where you waxed, you may not need a repeat treatment for up to four weeks.
Key Specs
Type of Wax | Soft rosin wax |
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Applicator | Pre-waxed strips |
Strips | 40 included |
Why We Love It
- Two applicator tips included
- Gentle enough for your face
What to Consider
- The container can be hard to hold if it’s too warm
If you have sensitive skin or are new to waxing, try Parissa’s organic, vegan sugar wax infused with chamomile. Two applicator tips—one large, one small—deliver a thin layer of wax for a mess-free session. A little goes a long way, with one reviewer saying, “The bottle appears a bit small but actually covers a lot of area.” The wax rinses away easily with warm water when you’re finished, and the cotton strips are reusable—wash them after use and hang them up to dry for your next wax.
Key Specs
Type of Wax | Organic soft sugar wax |
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Applicator | Roll-on |
Strips | 20 included |
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Why We Love It
- Melt as much or little as you need
- Wax beans are easy to store
What to Consider
- The pineapple scent may not be for everyone
This set includes everything you need, including a melting pot for Wakse’s hard wax beans. Let the wax solidify on your skin for a few minutes, then you can pull it off with your hands, no strips necessary. Calming aloe and chamomile oil in the wax help soothe your skin, and the post-wax illuminator is a moisturizing serum that makes your skin glow. Although it’s a more complex kit, anyone can get the hang of it. As one reviewer notes, “All of the products were straightforward and easy to use.”
Key Specs
Type of Wax | Hard resin wax beans |
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Applicator | Spatula sticks, 70 included |
Strips | Not needed |
Why We Love It
- No heating required
- Cruelty-free ingredients
What to Consider
- Users report wanting more of the post-wax wipes in the kit
Athena Club’s pre-waxed strips are made with a plant-based carnauba wax that’s strong enough to grab even the finest hairs. They also contain jojoba seed oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and sunflower seed oil to soothe your skin and leave it feeling moisturized. They’re as gentle with your face as they are with your legs, which is why this user says, “These wax strips didn’t irritate my skin at all.” Although the strips only come in one size, they’re easy to apply wherever you need when waxing.
Key Specs
Type of Wax | Soft carnauba wax |
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Applicator | Pre-waxed strips |
Strips | 24 included |
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Why We Love It
- Two wax formulas included
- No heating required
What to Consider
- Takes practice to not make a mess
Not all skin is the same, which is why you’ll appreciate the two sugaring pastes included in this kit. Use the firm formula for coarse hair in your armpits and bikini line, while the medium formula is ideal for your legs, arms, and face. Both are safe for sensitive skin, and because they don’t need to be heated, you can get started quickly. Sugardoh comes with detailed instructions on how to use the wax with or without the strips, which reviewers recommend. One says, “Followed the video instructions and works perfectly!”
Key Specs
Type of Wax | Soft sugar wax |
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Applicator | One body spatula, or your fingers |
Strips | Five included |
Brigitt Earley
Contributing Writer
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
Genesis Rivas
Genesis Rivas is the Beauty Editor at Oprah Daily, where she covers hair, makeup, skin, nails, and more. Before joining the Oprah Daily team, she wrote for several publications, including InStyle, Real Simple, and Shape. When she’s not testing, researching, and writing fun and educational beauty content, you can find her dancing and eating her way through New York City. Follow her on Instagram or TikTok
Jessica Dukes
Commerce Editor
Jess is a Commerce Editor, covering best-selling products for Hearst Magazines. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and two kids.