I have to admit, I enjoy playing with makeup, but I also enjoy sleep. In the past, I chose to stay in bed as long as possible before getting up for work, and I generally didn’t leave enough time for proper makeup application.
However, all that changed last year when I moved to the U.S. and was unemployed for an extended period of time. I started to make an effort to “do my face” in the morning, and in doing so noticed a patch above my nose where plucking just wasn’t working. My makeup seemed to cling to the hairs, and after much thought I decided that I would be brave and wax.
My dirty little secret: I’ve been bleaching my upper lip for years, but I’d never waxed anything on my face before. While contemplating this foray into facial waxing, I noticed a product at my local supermarket that looked like interesting. Sally Hansen Microwaveable Eyebrow, Face & Lip Wax ($5.99) sounded perfect for me — no strips needed, and with results that last up to 8 weeks. I liked the sound of that because it reminded me of something my ex-beautician used on a rather more painful region. I thought, “This could be what I’ve been looking for!”
It’s supposed to be simple to use. Just heat based on the directions. Spread the wax using the spatula it comes with (apply in the same direction the hair grows). Then, let the wax cool for about 10-15 seconds. Using your fingers, peel up one edge, and quickly pull the whole section away, along with all of the hair it captured.
Having used it a few times now, here are my thoughts…
The positives
- Well, it’s wax. It does what it’s supposed to do.
- I do think it’s more convenient than wax that requires the use of strips.
The negatives
- The directions say to heat it in the microwave on medium for no more than 90 seconds, but that hasn’t worked for me. The last time I found it took 2 full minutes on high (pausing to stir with the spatula that comes with it at the halfway point) before it reached a consistency I could use. The directions say it should be like honey. When dipped into the wax, the top of the temperature-sensitive spatula is supposed to read “READY” when it’s the right temp to use. Oddly, I have never once seen it say anything else. No matter what temperature the wax is, mine always thinks it’s ready!
- The wax my beautician used would cool on my skin to a kind of rubbery consistency, but this is more solid and crispy. You may be able to see what I mean from the picture (on the blue spatula).
- I find it quite hard to use. It does remove some of the hairs, but it misses almost as much as it removes. The texture is inconsistent and difficult to spread evenly, with some areas having more wax than others. Where it’s thicker, it removes more hair.
The first time I used this was on the space between and slightly above my brows. It worked really well there. Next, I targeted the stray hairs below my eyebrows, and the first time I did that it HURT! But it didn’t appear to do very much beyond that. Finally, after I’d built up my courage, I tried it on my upper lip, where it did fine, but I’d been hoping for great. Once again it only removed about half of the hairs. For my mustache, there’s no way it will replace bleach.
Yikes! I’m not wearing any makeup
The kit also comes with a few other things, like a useful pair of mini-tweezers, an orange stick that I still haven’t worked out the purpose of, three different eyebrow guide stencils and something called Extrasoothe, a topical analgesic with 5% benzocaine. It really stung my skin, so I only used it once.
Sally states the results can last for 8 weeks, but I just don’t see how. I like the idea, but I can only give this a C+. I would love to hear your results if you decide to give it a try. You can find it at major supermarkets and drugstores for about $6.
Bravo Emma! You are so brave-I could never do my own waxing! Thanks for giving us the scoop on this! It’s a pass for me!
Thanks! Legs I’m fine with, as for the rest, well, you read the review 🙂
I’ve only tried waxing once, on my legs. I was only able to do a small spot before I had to stop. The thought of using wax on my face makes my eyes water already.
You’re right, that formula isn’t great. I use the Sally Hansen microwaveable tub o’ wax (the peach-melon scented one.) It’s much better. Instead of waiting for the wax to dry, you use these paper/cloth hybrid strips to pull the wax and hair away from the face. I’ve done all my own facial waxing for years!
I’ve used their plastic waxing strips, where you warm it up in your hands and pull apart so you can use it. Those worked all right, but they HURT, and it takes a few times for the wax to pick up all the hair. I generally think for facial hair removal, epilating is the way to go, if not waxing at the salon.
I was thinking of maybe using a hair removal cream because its not painful and its easy to use.
I’ve only tried wax once and I can’t imagine doing that anywhere more sensitive than tree bark. Ooooouuuuch.
I use Sally’s Creme Hair Remover every so often. Only lasts a few days until my peach fuzz comes flaring out but it doesn’t hurt and I look momentarily porcelain-ish.
Hmm, I’ve had pretty good results with this wax for my eyebrows. I’ve been using it since I was 16, so about 8 years now. I don’t have the patience for tweezing, too cheap to get my brows professionally done, and I have a high pain tolerance. So this wax is perfect for me. My tub of wax is actually several years old (it lasts me forever) and the outer packaging looks different so maybe the formula is different than it used to be. I really hope not because I’m running out! Oh, and I have light-colored, fine eyebrow hair and the wax usually has no problem yanking it out.
The orangewood stick is for doing more precise applications, like under the brows so that you aren’t slathering wax over skin that doesn’t have hairs.
I use their cold wax strips on my legs and they do miss quite a few hairs. Or maybe I am too hairy? LOL.
After discovering the wonders of threading, I will never wax my eyebrows again. I found an amazing cheap place in Little India in my town that does eyebrows for $5 and upper lip for $2. I use to spend $20 just for my eyebrows!
So this is basically Brazilian Hard Wax just marketed differently. I find that Brazilian Hard wax works well if you are waxing a sensitive area. The girl who used it on me would leave the stick on after she applied the wax because it creates a “lip” so the wax doesn’t need to be peeled off. You just tug the stick off and all the wax goes with it. I suggest stopping by Sallys Beauty and picking up disposable wax applicators, not the plastic one that comes with this system. Hell, you could just by the GiGi kit with a warmer and a tub of Brazilian Hard Wax and be set for YEARS. I use that but I have Cream wax for my eyebrows not Brazilian.
Pretty much. But I think the brazillian hard wax has a much better formulation.
Thanks for this review, Emma. 🙂 I’ve never tried this one — I pretty much use Sally Hansen’s Wax strips for my upper hair lip and pluck my brows.
Thanks Karen, I was happy to share.
Oh, It’s real wax.. I thought that there were little waxstrips inside. I’m not a hero with real wax.
I had the exact same experience with this stuff. You have to heat it forever, and the spatula says always ready and I can never get it where I want it. I ended up accidentally pulling out half my eyebrow one time. From then on I only get it waxed from my hairdresser.
I like the sally hansen wax strips, the come with the wax already on the strips and are pretty good! 🙂
I use Sally Hansen wax strips for my upper lip too. I really like the results. But, instead of warming the strips with my hands, I run it under really hot tap water until I can feel the wax getting smudgy between the plastic. Then, separate the plastic and place one strip on each side of le moustache.
Aiming a hairdryer at the strips works too — that’s what I do.
Sally Hansen definitely doesn’t have the best waxing products. I’ve used many over the years and the best (in my opinion) are from Andrea (face and bikini strips). I generally run up to Wal-Mart Canada and grab a few boxes at a time. They heat up in a few seconds with a hair dryer; then you just press them on and rip them off quickly, like a band-aid. I use them for my upper lip and they’re awesome. They come with azulene (?) oil that takes off any sticky residue. I’m not sure where they are available in the US but they can most likely be found online.
On a side note, I think using any wax around the underside of your eyebrows will be tricky (strips would be impossible here). I’d highly recommend tweezing instead – you’ll get far better control and precision. 🙂