Waxing with Liz: How to Wax Your Upper and Lower Lip

Facial hair, don’t care! We all have facial hair, whether it is noticeable or not, and there is definitely nothing wrong with a little fuzz. For those with the confidence to rock it, snaps to you! However, if facial hair is something that bothers you there is no shame in doing what you can to help yourself feel more confident. If you are someone that wants to strip it all off, Nova Wax has the best tips from waxing pro herself - Liz Lugo!

The facial area is more sensitive than other areas of the body, so for thiswe always recommend seeing a professional to avoid any mishaps. If you do want to take on the challenge and learn how to wax your upper lip yourself at home, using Nova Wax premium hard wax with Liz’s tips are the best way to do it. 

HOW TO PREPARE

Waxing does exfoliate the skin, so if you plan on waxing your face anytime soon then take a break from exfoliating skincare products like retinols or chemical exfoliants at least 2 days before waxing (the more, the better!). Prescription acne medications also make the skin hyper-sensitive, so waxing is not recommended for those of you that may use these (there are other options available for you, so don’t fret!) To help clear up the skin for the wax, you can LIGHTLY exfoliate the area with a washcloth to clear away all that dead skin. Your at home lip wax will not be successful if your skin isn’t ready! 

WHAT YOU’LL NEED FOR YOUR AT-HOME LIP WAX KIT

• Wax Warmer- Liz is using her 1lb Nova Wax Warmer, which is great if you want to have the flexibility to wax other parts of your body that are larger in size. If you just want to stick to facial waxing, the Mini Wax Warmer is your go-to. 

• Hard Wax - Nova Wax is, of course, the best wax for upper lips. It is gentle, yet incredibly effective in grabbing even the finest of hairs. Waxing isn’t painless, but Nova Wax makes it as smooth as can be. A pretty wax that packs a punch!

• Wax Spatula - The smaller 4.5” in Wooden Spatulas are ideal for an upper lip wax. 

Luckily, Nova Wax has two kits to provide you with the three essentials above! Shop the Mini Wax Warmer Kit or the Standard Kit. 

• Gloves - Professionals, this an automatic for you! But even for at-home waxing, gloves help the wax from sticking to your fingers and potentially ruining your freshly-manicured nails. Vinyl gloves are Liz’s go-to! 

• Pre/Post Care Products - The Nova Wax Pre & Post Care bundle is a necessity in your waxing arsenal! The Cleansing Gel is a refreshing pre-wax cleanser designed to prepare and protect the skin before waxing. The Dual-Action Oil is a versatile oil that can be used to nourish dry skin before waxing to avoid any cracking or breakage. And finally, the Hydrating and Smoothing Lotion is a luxurious, lightweight post-wax moisturizer that immediately soothes the skin. 
  
  
  

THE LIP WAXING LOW- DOWN

• Tie your hair up so it is out of the way! Wax in your hair is WORSE than gum… so unless you were planning on doing a bold chop to your hair, you’ll wanna save yourself the drama and just pull it up in a bun. 

• Cleanse your skin! Makeup, oil, sweat and bacteria are the enemy of hard wax. Since the upper lip is a sensitive area, you want to avoid having to go over the same area multiple times because your strips aren’t laying on the skin correctly. After cleansing, you want to pat down the area to ensure it is fully dry. 

• Apply a moisturizing lip balm to your lips beforehand. This will help protect your lips from wax that may accidentally graze the area during application. 

• Have the proper consistency of wax.Liz has her 1lb Nova Wax Warmer set to 75 degrees as it melted down, and keeps it between there at 85 degrees to achieve a honey-like consistency. Your temperature and the entire meltdown process will vary depending on how much wax you have in your pot! For an upper lip wax, you want the wax to be slightly warmer so it can fully grasp those finer hairs. Be sure the wax isn’t TOO hot because not only will it burn your skin, it will be too runny and you won’t have control of it on your stick as you apply. 

• Work in Sections.You may think that since the area is so small you can go at it in one go, but that isn’t the case. Fine hairs are needy and require a bit more attention so working in small sections ensures that every single one is stripped away. Working in small sections also ensures you are gentler with your removals. 

• Remove your strips with a strong grip.  As you brace yourself for the slight twinge of pain you may loosen up your grip to try and make it a little more bearable - we get it! However, the only way for all of the hair to be removed in one go is if you commit! Have a strong grip and follow through with it the whole way. 

• A tingling sensation is normal! Don’t freak out if you’re feeling a slight twinge on your lip as this will subside. If you feel a burning sensation, you may have lifted skin and you should stop waxing. When you wax the area regularly, it will become less painful over time. You will notice a little redness as well, and the best way to reduce redness after upper lip waxing is to apply a soothing, natural astringent (like Liz’s favorite - witch hazel) to the skin once you are all finished. 

• Do not over wax the area. Apply cleanup strips only when necessary, two passes over the same area is the max! If you only have a little bit of hair left behind, just tweeze ‘em out. 

• Do not apply makeup or heavy lotions for at least 24 hours. Your pores are nice and open from waxing so any heavy products that can clog the pores can lead to irritation and breakouts. 

Now, how often should you wax your upper lip? It depends on how quickly your hair grows! Waxing usually lasts anywhere from two weeks to a month. If you’re just starting out, it will take a couple of waxing sessions to target each hair cycle. After a few rounds, you will notice your hair grows back more evenly and sparsely. 

If you experience breakouts each time you try to wax your lip - this area just might not react well to waxing! It is incredibly common for people to have certain areas where waxing is great, and other areas where it does nothing but irritate. It’s normally not the wax, it is just your skin’s reaction to wax in that specific area. Always check the ingredients of any products you are using to ensure your skin is not reactive to any of those elements.

Follow along with Liz below!

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