I do my own bikini wax at home this is what I've learnt

I'm a noodle-armed, uncoordinated people pleaser: so 'tough' is not a frequent feeling for me. Yet the one thing makes me feel like the spitting ginger kitten in The Aristocats, absolutely ready to tell any assailants, 'fight me'? Doing my own Hollywood bikini wax at home.

I started in 2020 (it could only be lockdown that drove me to such seemingly drastic measures), and don't think one wax has passed where I haven't muttered to myself: "Don't f*ck with me, I wax my own vagina." I mean, no one is trying to fight me, and I am in fact waxing my vulva not my vagina, but saying it feels great. It's a reflection of how fearless it makes me feel.

And I'll let you in on a secret... it's less painful and scary than everyone thinks.

Of course, whether or not you choose to remove body hair is a completely personal choice. However, if you do choose to remove your body hair, I'm going to make the case for attempting your own bikini wax.

It's saved me hundreds of pounds a year (and hours of pant-less small talk), so let me fill you in on everything I've learnt as a relatively novice hard waxer. Plus, step-by-step instructions from an actual professional.

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What I've learnt from doing my own bikini wax

1) Personally, it hurts me less than a professional wax – hear me out. Hair grows in three stages and I don't want to cough up £30+ until all those stages are poking out, ready to be caught. That takes four to six weeks, and means a fair bit of hair for yanking (ouch). But at home, I'll do a wax even when hair is minimal, and as a hardened wax-ee, that's a breeze.

2) You get to be balder more of the time. By waxing as soon as you would like to, you avoid the pre-wax week that's fluffier than your liking.

3) Don't attempt to be a waxer, as a first time wax-ee. When I was 19, I tried to give my BFF an emergency Hollywood wax. We used strip wax and I tore off half her skin*. Since then, I've had years-worth of in-salon waxes and have learnt so much from watching the professionals. So if you haven't had done before and would like to, book an appointment.

4) *Don't use strip wax. Sorry, just don't. It's easier to buy, and some will argue for it, but they are sadists. It hurts so much more and isn't even as good.

5) Put the heating on an hour before and take painkillers 30 minutes prior.

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6) Give yourself plenty of time – I'd say 1 hour and 30 minutes. You won't need all of it, but you don't want to rush. This gives you time for pep talks, mishaps, and breakdowns sat naked from the waist down in front of your full length mirror.

7) Choose a fun podcast that will keep you entertained, it lightens the mood and is a better distraction than music. Sorry to the gals, but Nads Brazillian Wax will forever smell like The Receipts podcast for me now.

8) You will get the wax off. Even in a moment where you think: 'I can't do it. It's going to have to stay. This slather/rock/strip of hard wax is just a part of me now'. No matter how much you mess up, you will get it off. Just be gentle.

9) Willpower can always be found... when you have no option.

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How to do your own bikini wax at home, according to a professional

Now for some actual advice on the waxing itself, from a professional. Natalie Ismiel-Gamble is brand ambassador and brand manager for my fave hair removal brand, Nad's. She runs the Aussie company with her sisters and their mother, who founded it when they were teens. Hair removal is the family biz.

Gentler on skin, yet tough on course hair, Natalie says hard wax is ideal for getting salon-quality Brazilian results at home (told you so), and shared her wisdom on how to get the best results and most comfortable process.

Natalie's step by step home wax:

🧴 Ensure your skin is clean, free of moisturisers/creams and completely dry before applying the hard wax. This allows the wax to better grip onto the hair (and not the skin).

📏 Hair should be a minimum of 3mm or 1/8 inch long. Hair too long or short will be more difficult to remove.

🪞Place old towels on the floor in case any wax drips. Be sure to have a mirror close by to regularly check your work.

🌀Work on one small area at a time, starting from the outside and working your way into the more sensitive areas.

🍯 Heat your wax to the consistency of thick honey. Then, apply it in the direction of hair growth, forming a smooth, even layer of wax approximately 1 -2 millimetres thick. Leave a small amount of wax at the end of the patch curling up as that will make it easier to remove.

⏰ Let the wax cool on your skin for approx. 20 seconds, until it is still soft and pliable but no longer sticky to touch. If wax is left on skin too long (more than one minute), it may become hard and difficult to remove.

🫳🏽 Hold the skin taut with one hand, and lift the end of the wax with your free hand. Grip the wax and, with a quick motion, pull close and parallel to the skin in the opposite direction of hair growth.

💦 Try not to panic if some wax gets stuck! Breath! Be kind and patient with yourself and use a tissue soaked in oil (body/massage oil, olive or coconut oil) to remove. Do not attempt to use water.

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