By Laura
Updated: August 4, 2024
8 minutes
Eyebrow waxing is a very common and appealing method for controlling stray eyebrow hairs and making your eyebrows look neat. This method is highly preferred by people all around the world as it is less itchy and quick, and the waxes are easily available. Furthermore, even beginners can wax their eyebrows, as waxing does not require any expertise.
The method is easy, but there are steps you need to follow for the waxing session to be successful. This article will guide you through all those steps.
Table of Contents:
- Part 1: What is Eyebrow Waxing?
- Part 2: Eyebrow Wax Price
- Part 3: Before and After Eyebrow Wax
- Part 4: Guide to Eyebrow Waxing
- Part 5: Tips for Succesful Eyebrow Waxing Experience
- Part 6: FAQs
- Part 7: Alternatives to Eyebrow Waxing
Part 1: What is Eyebrow Waxing?
Eyebrow waxing is the method of eliminating stray hair from your eyebrows and giving them a neat appearance. It uses a lipophilic substance to trap all the unwanted hair and soften your pores. As a result, when you remove this lipophilic substance, called wax, from the eyebrows, the hair comes off easily.
Hot or cold wax can be used for this purpose. Cold wax is pre-prepared and available in small strips for eyebrows. On the other hand, hot wax needs to be heated at a specific temperature before application to the eyebrows.
Part 2: Eyebrow Wax Price
The price of eyebrow wax varies depending on where you get it done. For instance, eyebrow waxing at salons can cost between $8 and $30. The prices vary according to the location of a salon and the extra facilities it provides.
Hotels and resorts also offer eyebrow waxing, but it is a bit more expensive. In contrast, if you want an at-home eyebrow waxing session, most eyebrow waxes are available for $5-$20. A whole wax kit, including eyebrow and body wax, can cost more, with an average rate of $30.
Looking for some recommendations? Click 10 Best At-Home Waxing Kits for Hair Removal.
Part 3: Before and After Eyebrow Wax
The attached image shows eyebrows before and after using eyebrow wax. It differentiates how eyebrow waxing can define the shape of your eyebrows. The eyebrows look more tidy after a successful waxing session.
Part 4: Guide to Eyebrow Waxing
Preparation for Eyebrow Waxing
Before using the wax on your eyebrows, you need to prepare them so that nothing goes wrong during the process and you get the desired results.
Decide the Shape of Eyebrows
First of all, decide how you want your eyebrows to look. Having a picture of your exact look will help you know the areas where you need to apply the wax and where not to. As a result, you will get better results that match your expectations.
Ensure Optimal Hair Length
For a wax to adhere properly to your hair. Moreover, an optimal hair length allows the wax the pull hair from the roots efficiently minimizing the chances of hair breakage. This further reduces the risk of ingrown hair as it grows as broken hair curves inward.
So, before waxing, grow your hair to a length of 1/8th to 1/4th of an inch. If they are longer than this, you can trim them.
Remove Your Brow Makeup
If you are applying any makeup on your eyebrows, make sure you have removed it before starting your waxing session. Having clean eyebrows will let the wax stick to your hair with no barrier in between.
Moreover, makeup can clog your pores increasing the risk of acne and breakouts.
Discontinue Retinoids
Retinoids or Retin-A and glycolic acid are usually present in your skincare products like anti-wrinkling creams, skin glowing serums, and exfoliating agents. But, with the benefits they provide, these products make your skin sensitive.
And when you wax on sensitive skin, you are going to damage your skin even more. So, either do not use wax or discontinue these products at least 48-72 hours before waxing your eyebrows.
Ensure Your Skin is Not Sunburnt
Lastly, if the area around your eyebrows is sunburnt, waxing is not a good idea. Your skin is already burnt and when you pull off wax from the burnt skin, it is going to irritate your skin and the pain as well.
You should not take any risk since it is your face. So, postpone your session or avoid applying the wax over the sunburnt area.
Step-by-Step Guide for Eyebrow Waxing
Now comes the Step-by-Step guide on how can you do your eyebrow waxing safely and successfully.
- Firstly, you need to ensure that your skin is properly cleansed. After removing the makeup and impurities from your eyebrows, you can rinse them with warm water to soften the hair and loosen your pores
- The next step is shaping your eyebrows. You can outline the shape you want using loose powder or eyebrow pencil
- While you are doing all this, place the wax on a wax warmer and let it melt to the required consistency
- Then, start applying the wax above and under your eyebrows from where you want to remove the stray hair
- Put a strip on the wax and press it lightly in the direction of hair growth so that the wax sticks properly with your hair
- Hold the eyebrow skin taut and pull the strip from the eyebrows in the direction opposite to the hair growth
- Lastly, you can tweeze any extra unwanted hair
Part 5: Tips for a Successful Eyebrow Waxing Experience
Gather All the Necessary Tools
You don’t want to mess up your waxing session so gather all the necessary waxing tools before sitting to wax your eyebrows. With all the tools gathered in one place, you can wax your eyebrows quickly and more efficiently.
The tools necessary for eyebrow waxing are your wax, spatula, non-woven or muslin wax strips, and pre and post-wax moisturizing products.
Always Apply Lotion Post-waxing
Adequate hydration is required for the skin to maintain its protective barrier and stay fresh. As waxing your eyebrows can irritate the waxed area and dry out the moisture from the area, you immediately need to apply a moisturizing lotion or cream to soothe the skin and prevent dullness.
The lotions will keep your skin smooth. Moreover, if you use the moisturizer daily, it will soften your skin and allow the newly growing hair to come out easily. This will minimize the occurrence of ingrown hair.
Avoid Sun Tanning
After waxing, your skin’s protective barrier is disrupted which means it will be easily affected by the UV rays from the sun. If you go out the same day after eyebrow waxing, your skin will be easily damaged by the harmful UV rays which lead to hyperpigmentation or sunburns.
Since it’s your face, no one would want their face to have a sunburn mark or an uneven skin tone.
Do not wax on cuts, and broken skin
If your eyebrows have any cuts, scars, or dryness even on a very small part, avoid applying wax on such areas.
Firstly, it will irritate your skin and cause pain when you remove the wax. To minimize the pain, people do not usually pull the wax strong enough making the hair break instead of getting pulled off from the roots. Additionally, your skin becomes more sensitive after waxing, and since it is already broken, it can easily get infected with bacteria.
Use Eyebrow Pencil in Contrast to Hair Color
You need to draw the shape of your eyebrows to know where to apply wax. Using a similar color to your eyebrows will not help you at all. Use a color in contrast to your hair color. For instance, if you have light eyebrows, you can use a darker pencil to easily see the details.
If you have darker eyebrows, you can use loose powder or an eyebrow pencil with a lighter color.
Part 6: FAQs
How Often Should I Wax Eyebrows?
Your eyebrows stay neat for one to two months after waxing. The duration can vary from person to person as the length of each hair growth cycle varies from one person to the other.
This means you will only need to wax once in a month or two.
How to Treat Breakout After Eyebrow Waxing?
First of all, avoid unnecessarily touching the area. Secondly, wash it properly using a soap or a gentle cleanser. Next, you can apply an over-the-counter acne product. It can remove excess oil from the skin, and get rid of the bacteria causing acne and breakouts.
Furthermore, keep the eyebrow area clean and wash it regularly to avoid any further spread.
How Much to Tip for Eyebrow Wax?
If you are getting your eyebrow waxing done at a salon, it is only appropriate to tip your service provider to show your appreciation for the great work they have done.
You can give a tip of 20% of what you are paying for eyebrow waxing. It is more than enough.
Part 7: Alternatives to Eyebrow Waxing
Shaving
One of the most effective alternatives for getting rid of stray eyebrow hairs is shaving. It is quick, nearly painless, and safe as long as you are doing it the right way. The method gets rid of unwanted hair just above the surface of your skin and they can grow back in 4-6 weeks.
Are you just a beginner and do not know the right shaving technique? Read How to Use an Eyebrow Razor. This comprehensive guide will provide you with information on everything from shaving steps to cleaning the razor and post-shaving care.
Plucking
Plucking the eyebrows can be another good option for keeping your eyebrows in shape and getting yourself a clean look.
It is a precise method of eyebrow hair removal in which you use a tweezer to pull the hair from the roots. It can be painful but the method gives you better control over your hair and eyebrow shape as compared to waxing or shaving. Moreover, as the method uses only a tweezer, it is a very affordable and economical option for you.
Threading
Another cost-effective option for you is threading. It uses only two threads so it can be the most affordable eyebrow hair removal option among all the methods known today.
It can be a bit tricky to do at first, but once you get used to the method you will know how quick and comfortable it is for you. The method is not very painful and can be done at any time at home without having to use any market product. You can always find a thread at home.
Recommended: IPL Hair Removal for Flawless Facial Skin
Besides eyebrows, a clean and tidy facial appearance also requires the removal of some facial fuzz, such as hair on the upper lip and peach fuzz on the cheeks. Facial skin is more sensitive compared to other areas, making the use of IPL hair removal devices a preferable choice. After using an IPL device, you will not have to remove your facial hair for at least a year or the results can last even longer. Do you want a recommendation? You can use the Ulike Air 10 handset as it offers quick hair removal for your peach fuzz, upper lip, and even other larger body areas. It has different modes; you can use the soft mode to remove facial hair. It is gentle and the 4-fold ice-cooling technology will make the process even more soothing for you.
To know more about IPL hair removal with Ulike, Read Ulike IPL Laser Hair Removal: Effective for Men and Women
Conclusion
Using wax for eyebrow hair removal is convenient, cost-friendly, and precise. You can achieve long-lasting results as the new hair will not be visible for a month or two.
For a successful session, ensure your eyebrows are clean and the wax is heated to the right consistency. After this, all you need to do is apply the wax and remove it against the direction of hair growth. Finally, you can apply a moisturizer.
However, this might not be a good solution for everyone. You can try other techniques, such as plucking, threading, or shaving until you find the right one for your eyebrows.
