Let's face it, keeping on top of hair removal for your body can be expensive. From eyebrow shaping to upper lip waxing, salon prices can seem costly when all you're looking for is some maintenance. However, waxing can be a fairly simple process and one that's easy to achieve from home. So, if you want to save some money on salon appointments and do it yourself, the best face wax will have your face looking smoother in no time.
We've also spoken to our expert, Dr Hiba Injibar, the Consultant Dermatologist at the Dermasurge Clinic to give us some insight into some frequently asked questions. Dr Hiba Injibar is renowned for having honed her craft in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon before bringing her exceptional talents to London.
Best face wax at a glance:
• Best highly-rated facial waxing strips: Nad's Facial Wax Strips - Buy now on Amazon UK
• Best facial waxing strips for sensitive skin: Veet Pure Inspirations Wax Strips For Face and Sensitive Skin - Buy now on Amazon UK
• Best face waxing kit: Mylee Professional Waxing Kit with Wax Heater - Buy now on Amazon UK
Face waxing is a form of hair removal that targets the facial area. Hair can grow anywhere from the upper lip, sides of the cheeks, chin and nostrils. It's perfectly common, particularly during menopause, for hair growth to be affected due to the imbalance of hormones. If you've decided you want to remove this hair, there are many methods of hair removal that you can try.
Removing facial hair can take the form of threading, tweezing and hair waxing, to name a few. However, waxing actually removes the hair from the follicle. Therefore, it may be the best method if you're looking for longer-lasting results. Additionally, if you're a fan of wearing makeup, waxing the face can provide a smoother surface for your foundation to lay on.
Best face wax: rated and reviewed
Best highly-rated facial waxing strips
amazonNad’s Facial Wax Strips feature soft, flexible fabric to conform to the subtle curves of the face, especially those awkward places like the jawline, chin and upper lip. The wax itself is formulated with beeswax for strong adherence to unwanted hair, leaving the skin looking and feeling silky smooth.
From Amazon, these facial strips have over 35,000 customer reviews - with an average 3.9/5 star rating. Many customers praise their effectiveness and great value for money. One customer commented that they're super easy to use and do the job well for tiny facial hair issues. However, some customers do not recommend the after-care liquid and would use aloe or coconut oil instead.
Pros
- Conform to the subtle curves of the face
- Easy to use and formulated with beeswax
- Includes four calming oil wipes for post-wax
Cons
- Some customers do not like after-care liquid
| Hard or soft? | Soft wax. |
| Warm or cold? | Cold wax. |
Best facial waxing strips for sensitive skin
Veet / BootsVeet Pure Inspirations Wax Strips For Face and Sensitive Skin remove the hairs from the root to create smoothness that lasts up to four weeks. Distinctive gel actively grips the shortest hairs. With repeated use, Veet Face Wax Strips give you fewer, finer and softer hairs growing back. And, reviews?
Customers love this Veet 20-Pack- with an average 4.3/5 star rating at Boots. One customer commented that it's super easy for brows - made from good wax and painless. Another customer loves the fact that there's no need for heat and removes facial hair well with no discomfort afterwards. However, some customers are disappointed by the supposed new formula.
Pros
- Creates smoothness that lasts up to four weeks
- Formulated to minimise the risk of allergic reactions
- Suitable for face, legs, arms, underarms and bikini line
Cons
- Some customers were disappointed with the new formula
| Hard or soft? | Soft wax. |
| Warm or cold? | Cold wax. |
Best facial waxing strips for eyebrows
amazonLooking to wax your eyebrows from home and want more control over the shape as opposed to going to a beauty salon? The Parissa Eyebrow Waxing Kit comes with 32 strips so that you can keep on top of your eyebrow growth, as well as a guidebook so you know what to work from.
On Amazon, these Parissa Eyebrow Wax Strips have averaged 3.8/5 stars - with customers praising how easy and painless they are to use. For the delicate area around the eyebrows, these are great for first-time experiences - and the patches are great for brows. Preparation will ensure great results. Many customers agree that it's more comfortable than tweezing - with no redness or soreness.
Pros
- Safe hair removal for your face, underarms and bikini
- Made from natural ingredients with no toxic chemicals
- Ready to use; perfect for travel or quick touch-ups
Cons
- Some found instructions lacklustre
| Hard or soft? | Soft wax. |
| Warm or cold? | Cold wax. |
Best scented facial waxing strips
bootsThese raspberry-scented Sunny Face Wax Strips from Boots are best for the ultimate convenience. With no heating required, apply these pre-prepared wax strips to the area of your choice and then remove them for hair-free results. Perfect for shaping brows or removing unwanted facial hair, these wax strips are so easy to use. What are the reviews saying?
75% of reviewers recommend this product - with an average 4.2/5 star rating at Boots. Many reviews say that they will never try a different brand - praising the great scent and effectiveness on short hairs. They add that the wipes are a good help, moist and help with aftercare. Customers love how their skin isn't left red and irritated. Some customers do not find it a good value for money - very standard.
Pros
- Strips are pre-rubbed and easy to use
- Raspberry scent is a great addition
- Complete with 10 after-care wipes
Cons
- Some customers do not find it a good value for money
| Hard or soft? | Soft wax. |
| Warm or cold? | Cold wax. |
Best value waxing kit
bootsMade from cruelty-free sourced beeswax, this Bliss Poetic Waxing Straight-From-The-Spa Hair Removal Kit's wax contains chamomile oil to deliver soothing and anti-inflammatory effects afterwards. It is also free from any harmful chemicals such as parabens, phthalates and SLS. This hair removal kit from Bliss is an inexpensive kit and an effective choice for hair removal on the face.
On Amazon UK, this Bliss Poetic Waxing Straight-From-The-Spa Hair Removal Kit is a good value kit, with a 4/5 average star rating from over 1,700 reviews. One customer says it's excellent wax and has lasted them ages! Reviews agree that they're very happy with the results time after time. One customer adds that it needs to be spread more thickly than other waxes and to be careful of heat. However, it's easy to clean up and dries up smoothly for use. It's great for beginners.
Pros
- Removes unwanted hair from anywhere
- Fast and easy to use - without irritation
- With the convenience of a microwavable cup
Cons
- You'll need a microwave to heat it
| Hard or soft? | Hard wax. |
| Warm or cold? | Warm wax. |
Best highly rated face waxing kit
amazonThis Tress Wellness Waxing Kit on Amazon is the most highly rated on the site. Offering everything you could need for face waxing at home, this kit is perfect for beginners and intermediates alike. Made from natural and cruelty-free ingredients, this wax is suitable for all skin types and comes with a number of accessories. What are the reviews saying?
From over 24,000 global ratings, this kit from Tress has been well-rated, garnering a respectable average of 4.2 stars. A first-time waxer recently tried this set - and was highly satisfied. Easy to use, the kit comes with comprehensive instructions and all necessary supplies, including wax beads, applicators, and pre-and post-waxing products. Many customers agree that the results were effective - and that it's perfect for beginners due to its easy use. It may take time to get used to, though.
Pros
- Dermatologically tested and made with natural ingredients
- Comes with a guide and pre/post-wax sprays for ease of use
- Complete kit; great for Brazilian and underarm waxing
Cons
- Customers agree that it may take time to get used to
| Hard or soft? | Hard wax. |
| Warm or cold? | Warm wax. |
Best face waxing kit
amazonA bestseller on Amazon, the Mylee Professional Waxing Kit truly offers beauty salon results from home. At a much lower price point than on the Mylee website, you get fabulous value for money with this product. It's suitable for sensitive skin, vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. Additionally, the coconut and arnica ingredients provide soothing and nourishing properties against the skin.
From over 4,000 global ratings, this professional kit from Mylee has been well-rated, earning an average of 4.4 stars. One customer commented that it's the easiest at-home kit they've ever used. Not only is it very gentle on the skin, but the pain is also minimal. It's easy to use but make sure to read the instructions before use. It has top marks from Amazon users - and is a great pick for everyone.
Pros
- Suitable for both salons and home use
- Thermo heat sensor for temperature and safety
- Stripless wax formula ideal for sensitive areas
Cons
- Make sure to read the instructions before use
| Hard or soft? | Hard wax. |
| Warm or cold? | Warm wax. |
FAQs
What types of wax are there?
Not one wax fits all, and as you may have guessed, there are different types of wax for different areas of the body. Face wax may often take the form of cold, soft wax that requires face wax strips to remove. Alternatively, it can also take the form of warm, hard wax that you heat, apply and remove.
Here are some of the different types of wax and their benefits:
Soft wax is ideal for areas with larger coverage, such as the legs. However, it requires waxing strips to remove the hair. It's thinner than hard wax, so it may be slightly more painful when it comes to removal as there's less of a barrier against the skin.
Hard wax is better for sensitive areas, such as the face, underarms and bikini line. It is much thicker than soft wax and you can actually remove it without the use of waxing strips. As well as this, it adheres to the hairs and not the skin, making the process a lot less painful.
Cold wax comes as it is and doesn't require heating up. More often than not, you can buy cold waxing strips that are ready for you to use. This wax may be better at removing finer hairs, so is best to use on the face or legs.
Warm wax involves gently heating the wax in a wax heater as part of a home waxing kit. The heat from the wax opens up the pores and adheres to the hairs more strongly than cold wax. Arguably, it's a more efficient hair removal tool compared to cold wax. You can use warm wax across the body; just make sure it's at the right temperature.
As the face is a more sensitive area, you should always do a patch test beforehand. Apply the wax to a small area of the skin and somewhere that is discreet. Keep an eye out for any burning, itching or redness, as this may indicate you've had a reaction. If this occurs, try a different wax or a different hair removal method altogether, such as a laser IPL device.
Does facial waxing loosen the skin?
We spoke to Consultant Dermatologist Dr Hiba Injibar to give us some insight into whether waxing can loosen the skin, cause wrinkles or further emphasise lines in the face.
"To answer simply, no – facial waxing does not loosen the skin," Dr Injibar answered. "This misconception is based on the idea that facial skin is thinner and more delicate, so removing hair from this area will also remove layers of protection provided by the epidermis. This supposedly causes wrinkles on the face, as opposed to other parts of the body where the skin is thicker, such as your legs.
"However, If waxing is performed safely and effectively on the client, no skin damage should occur. When performed incorrectly, waxing can damage the skin due to the wax being too hot, resulting in burns. Beauty therapists should be careful not to overheat the wax beads and use a high-quality wax product, such as hard wax on the face to avoid damage when the hairs are ripped off."
How to wax your face at home
The process of waxing your face is fairly easy to do, particularly at home. You can wax using two methods: waxing facial strips or hard wax. We've included some tutorials from our favourite YouTube channels to give you a demonstration of how to wax your face at home.
Using face waxing strips
Face waxing strips are an affordable and convenient option for waxing your face. These usually take the form of cold, soft wax, which is already prepared for you on the strip. Here's a video from Rosemarie showing you how to wax with face waxing strips.
1. Prepare your skin. Exfoliate to remove dead skin from the area. Using a cotton pad, apply cleanser or pre-wax treatment to remove any oils from the face. This gives the strips a better chance of sticking and removing fine hairs.
2. Apply your waxing strip. Remove the film, exposing the wax on the inside. Place the wax strip face down onto the chosen area of your face. Press it in to ensure all of the hairs are covered.
3. Remove the waxing strip. In a sharp motion, pull the waxing strip from your face. This should have taken off the fine hairs, although sometimes it may take more than one attempt.
4. Treat the area. Afterwards, you may want to apply a soothing balm, lotion or oil to calm the area. Aloe vera gel will offer some relief from any discomfort. Creams with anti-inflammatory properties are also a good choice.
Using hard wax
This method may take slightly longer as you need to wait for the wax to heat up, but hard wax is generally the better and less painful option when it comes to waxing the face. We've included this video from DaquanaWhite showing you how to use warm and hard wax to remove hairs on the face. You can also use hard wax to effectively remove hair around your bikini line, creating looks such as a Brazilian wax.
1. Prepare your skin. Exfoliate to remove dead skin from the area. Using a cotton pad, apply cleanser or pre-wax treatment to remove any oils from the face. This gives the strips a better chance of sticking and removing fine hairs.
2. Heat the wax. Most hard waxes will require heating, as this allows the wax to soften for application and harden for removal. You can heat your wax in a wax warmer. It will need to reach a temperature of around 55 degrees.
3. Apply the wax. Once the wax has reached this temperature, use a waxing spatula to apply the wax onto the face. Try to get a generous and even layer on the area. You'll notice the wax will begin to harden as it cools.
4. Remove the wax. Allow a few minutes for the wax to cool. Once it's hard enough, pull the wax away from your face in a swift motion. This should have taken off the fine hairs, although sometimes it may take more than one attempt.
5. Treat the area. Afterwards, you may want to apply a soothing balm, lotion or oil to calm the area. Aloe vera gel will offer some relief from any discomfort. Creams with anti-inflammatory properties are also a good choice.
This article contains expert advice from Dr Hiba Injibar, Consultant Dermatologist at Dermasurge.
Samantha Price is a contributing Commercial Content Writer at Yours. She's currently part of the Fashion, & Beauty team, covering content on fashion, beauty and wellness.