How Do I Do My Own Brazilian Wax?

So, what exactly is Brazilian Waxing? It’s like bikini waxing, but you just keep going. Generally a traditional Brazilian means the complete hair removal of absolutely everything except a ‘landing strip’. Doing your own Brazilian wax takes patience to learn and let’s be honest, some ‘flexibility’. We do not recommend doing your own Brazilian waxing if you’re new to waxing. It can be difficult and requires good technique with the Parissa Hot Wax application and removal. We know some experienced waxers who wax everything, yet still go to a salon for Brazilian waxing. However, we know there are some DIY beauty ninjas out there who want to take their waxing to the next level. These tips are for you:

It has to be Hot Wax (a.ka. Hard Wax) for Brazilian waxing.

Please don't let anyone wax this area if they're not using hard wax. Even if you're not waxing from home, it pays to call a new salon ahead of time and make sure they're using a hard wax for this procedure. From our range, the Parissa Strip-Free Hot Wax (Hard Wax) is without question the best choice for waxing in this area. Our hard wax contains beeswax, this means the wax doesn't stick to your skin as much. The wax is applied as a liquid and firms up as it cools. It encapsulates the hairs, grabbing everything. This is why Parissa Hot Wax is so great for short or very coarse hair and delicate skin areas. 

Shop: Parissa Hot Wax

BEFORE WAXING

1. Use the Parissa Wax Warmer to control wax temperature

Trust us, you're not going to want to run back to the stove-top to re-melt wax during this procedure. The Parissa Wax Warmer is a small appliance that's super portable and easy to use. Simple plug it in and place the hot wax on it. Keep an eye on it, once the wax has half-melted, mix it up with a spatula. As soon as the wax reaches a thick honey consistency, you can remove it from the wax warmer. You will need to place it back on the wax warmer as it starts to cool. You'll know as the wax with thicken too much. A good rhythm is a few minutes on the wax warmer and a few minutes off the wax warmer.  Always do a small test before starting to prevent any burns. If the wax is very liquid, it's probably a little too hot to use.

Shop: Parissa Wax Warmer

2. Start at the bikini area to see if you can handle it.

The hardest thing about Brazilian waxing isn't applying the wax, it's removing the wax. Start with your bikini line if you're unsure. As you head downwards, work in small patches. The last thing you want to do is dive right in and apply a large area of wax if you're struggling to remove it quickly. 

3. Apply a fine layer of oil or talc powder, before waxing.

This tip can help reduce skin redness from waxing. You can experiment and see which method works the best for you. Some people sweat much more easily than others. It can also be a typical response to pain. If this sounds like you, talc powder (soft powder) is going to be your best bet to stay dry. Any sweat on the skin is going to interfere with the wax gripping on your hairs. If sweat isn't a problem for you, then you can try oil application before waxing. We're talking about a super fine layer. Here's how to achieve this: Take a cotton ball and apply some Azulene oil to the area you will be waxing. Then, importantly, remove the oil with a tissue. By doing this only a very fine layer of oil will remain. I know this may sound nuts, but Parissa Hot Wax is oil soluble so it will still grab onto the hairs just fine. The oil provides a barrier for your skin, protecting it as you remove the wax and hairs. Please note, do not use these techniques with sugar based wax.

DURING WAXING

1. Apply the wax in the direction of growth.

Unlike all other waxes, when you are working with short coarse hair, apply the wax in the direction the hair grows. By applying it this way, you can really lift and get under all the shorter hairs. Then as per our other waxes, remove the wax in the opposite direction the hair grows. This technique will work beautifully for a Brazilian. 

2. Apply a thick layer of wax with rounded edges.

Unlike the other Parissa waxes, you need to apply a thick layer of Hot Wax. Make sure the edges are rounded and have some extra thickness. This will make it much easier to remove the wax when you peel up this edge, and then grip it to zip away the whole section of wax quickly. You can overlap these rounded edges slightly onto areas with no hairs. This will help as it means you won't be starting to lift hairs as you lift the edge in order to grip the wax. This reduces discomfort.

3. Work in small sections.

Don’t be too ambitious, especially at the start. It’s important to work in small sections, say about the size of a couple postage stamps. Small areas will also help you be able to keep the skin taut as you remove the wax sections. Note the direction of hair growth and work in those areas accordingly.

4. Always keep the skin taut and hold firmly.

Brazilian waxing means dealing with very flexible skin, and you must keep it held firmly. This is really the part that makes doing your own Brazilian waxing difficult. Where’s that third hand when you need it? It’s important to keep your sections small and pulled taut enough so that you are working on a fairly flat surface. This means you will avoid bruising, which can happen by lifting the skin too much. Never wax over or into a bend in the skin.

BONUS WAXING TIPS 

1. Advil can help with the discomfort.

We have heard that some people ease the discomfort of Brazilian waxing by taking Advil (ibuprofen), approximately 20-30 minutes before waxing. And of course, avoid waxing the days around when you have your period as pain sensitivity is higher.

2. Don’t pull away from the...

When tending to the ‘tush’ area, the same rules apply for waxing as above.  Apply the small wax sections starting near the opening and then moving outwards. When removing the wax, make sure you’re pulling in and towards the, ah, bullseye. Never pull away from the rear opening as the skin there is sensitive and mobile. You may find that propping a mirror up will optimize your vantage point.

AFTER WAXING 

When you have finished waxing, don’t forget that any excess wax for Parissa Hot Wax can be removed with the Ultra Soothe Oil, or other gentle oils like mineral oil, baby oil. Don’t forget to follow our Waxing 101 tips for all waxing:

• Don’t wax before or after strenuous exercise.
• Follow the 2 week rule, at least 2 weeks of hair growth.
• Trim down longer hair for ease of applying the wax.
• Make sure you have everything you need at hand before starting.
• Don’t wax over irritated, red or broken skin.
• Don’t wax over the same area more than once in a single session.
• Always do a 24 hour patch test (allergy check) before using a Parissa product for the first time.