The 12 Best At-Home Waxing Kits for Silky Smooth Skin
These easy kits do the hard work for you.
Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
So, you want to try at-home waxing. Think long and hard about where, why, and how—because this is one area of beauty where a lot can go wrong. (And remember: Razors and epilators are always an option!)
“Waxing at home is not something we would recommend,” says Gina Petak, Education Manager at European Wax Center. “You want to ensure you seek out a licensed professional for waxing who uses the proper before care and recommends the proper aftercare for your skin.”
Still, we understand that life happens. Whether it’s because you can’t get an appointment with your pro or you just need a quick fix, sometimes a professional waxing job isn’t in the cards. Luckily, there are some pretty effective waxing kits on the market that are designed for at-home use. Read on for our picks, plus expert tips courtesy of Petak.
Pros
- Plant-based
- Comes with soothing wipes
Cons
These heat-free wax strips can be used up to three times each. Plus, the kit comes with six tea tree oil wipes to soothe skin and clear away residual wax after you're done.
What the Reviewers Are Saying:
"Great product! No negative side effects. Will recommend to everyone." —Susan
Pros
- Two formulas for different areas of the body
Cons
- Takes practice
Sugaring is said to be less painful than waxing (see, the sugar paste adheres to only the hair, rather than the skin), though it definitely takes practice. This kit comes with both medium and firm "dohs," plus strips and an applicator.
What the Reviewers Are Saying:
"This was my first time sugaring and it was an experience. I was scared at first and kept getting stuck with the strips. But the tutorial videos on the Sugardoh website help tremendously. I learned that I'm better applying the Sugardoh with my hands or a wand. If my doh is too thick, I run hot water over the jar to loosen it up. I'm no longer afraid to dig in and mold it to my needs. If any does get somewhere it shouldn't, it's easy removed with water. " —Shantelle
Bliss Poetic Waxing Hair Removal Kit
Pros
- Doesn't get too hot
- Has nourishing ingredients
Cons
Here's a low temperature soft wax kit you can quickly apply without the use of strips. Since it contains a mix of botanical oils, beeswax, paraffin wax, and lanolin to minimize burns and irritation, it's especially ideal for sensitive skin.
What the Reviewers Are Saying:
"I was amazed at the first time I used this that it did not hurt as much as other products I have used. As a woman, I thought that getting rid of hair was always a daunting task. Now it is quick and easy." —tkspeer
Pros
- No heat needed
- Lasts up to 6 weeks
Cons
With close to four-stars and more than 3,000 customer reviews, this mini wax kit just for brows is a frequent go-to for Amazon shoppers, with one customer writing about how the strips, "[grabbed] everything I didn't want in one fell swoop!"
What the Reviewers Are Saying:
"These wax strips are easy and less painful, in my opinion. They're for general areas of the brow (not designed to detail the arch, etc.). I use them for in a pinch situations where my normal waxing salon is booked up or I don't have time to go. Still will cause redness." —Nikki
Pros
- Contains post-wax cloth and calming serum
- Can be used anywhere on the face
Cons
Get rid of sany unwanted facial hair with this popular face wax kit from the bodycare experts at Flamingo, which also includes a post-wax cloth and serum to calm your skin.
What the Reviewers Are Saying:
"Does not irritate the skin. Takes several strips to do a clean job." —Carlene
Nad's Sugar Wax Kit
Pros
- Great price point
- Can be used on the face and body
Cons
This natural soft wax kit for face and body softens with your body heat, and contains just about everything needed for spa-quality softness—from pre-wax soap to reusable cotton strips.
What the Reviewers Are Saying:
"It worked to remove the hair on my legs. Pain level lower than hard wax at least and it did last 8+ weeks. I love that it’s washable too, made clean up very easy. My only complaint is that they don’t sell the wax by itself. I’m reordering now and since the strips are reusable and I still have the soap and a box full of wooden applicators, I really only just want the wax. " —K
Pros
- Gentle for sensitive bikini area
- Comes with post-wax wipes
Cons
- Strong scent
This raspberry-scented wax kit from Glee is dermatologist-tested, and is optimal for a quick and easy clean up around the sensitive bikini area.
What the Reviewers Are Saying:
"The size is perfect. It's for bikini but I used it for my armpit too, perfect size." —Beth
Sally Hansen Extra Strength All-Over Body Wax Hair Removal Kit
Pros
- Can be used on coarse body hair
- Long lasting results
Cons
Ulta shoppers are raving about this professional-level full body wax kit, one describing how it "removes hair from the root and leaves your skin super soft and smooth."
What the Reviewers Are Saying:
"I constantly use this on my husband for any spare hairs he might have on his back. He loves it because it does not hurt and it's easy to use." —yanelya1
Pros
- Full set with mini heater, different size spatulas, and more
Cons
Take your at-home waxing game to the next level with this top-rated kit that features a range of small and large spatulas, muslin strips for face and body, after-wax cooling gel, and more.
What the Reviewers Are Saying:
"This is a great starter kit. I wasn't sure about the creme wax but it worked wonders on my underarms and legs. I also like the mini samples of pre-cleaner and post wax gel. Definitely worth the money." —Danielle
Veet Leg and Body Hair Remover Cold Wax Strips
Pros
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- No heat required
Cons
These pre-cut cold wax strips target the hair on your legs and body, and use a gel formula featuring shea butter and acai berries to help keep hair growth at bay for up to 28 days.
What the Reviewers Are Saying:
"Never going back to hot wax again... As an Indian-American girl, my leg hair can be on the thicker side. I've been using hot wax at home, but it has always been such a hassle...then I found these strips. Do they work as well as hot wax? No. But they work well enough that I don't need to mess with the hot wax again and it's totally worth not necessarily getting every single hair perfectly removed to not have to deal with the hassles of hot wax."
Pros
- Unisex
- Comes with soothing oil-based cleansing towelettes
Cons
- Not for use on facial hair
Here's an extra strength, spa-level wax kit to use on the most stubborn hairs on your body, which heats up in the microwave in just one minute.
What the Reviewers Are Saying:
"Super sticky but works incredibly well. Best at home wax I’ve ever used! Other waxes would leave random hairs but this leaves nothing behind. Some other reviewers suggested using olive oil to rub off excess wax and that worked great." —R Full
Pros
- Great price point
Cons
You may never return to a professional again after using this top-rated hard wax kit that includes it's own digital warmer, strips, applicator sticks, five bags of wax beads, and even two sets of gloves to keep your hands protected.
What the Reviewers Are Saying:
"It’s good for all over use. I suggest to order more of the non-woven strips depending on how you plan on using it for the first time. I love the pre and post prep spray as well." —Robyn
Frequently Asked Questions
When is it OK to use an at-home waxing kit?
Honestly, only in a pinch. The products above are highly reviewed, but mistakes can happen easily, especially with something as precarious as waxing.
"At-home waxing is not something I would recommend," Petak says. "It is best to leave waxing to licensed professionals who specialize in waxing and use a high-quality wax. Additionally, you want to ensure wherever you are serviced never double dips a stick and takes sanitation and cleanliness very seriously."
Instead, Petak recommends other hair-removal options. "You can always tweeze any stray or pesky hairs using a high-quality stainless steel tweezer," says the pro. "Tweezing works especially well for any stray eyebrow, chin, or facial hair. In a scenario where you are unable to get in for a bikini service, you can use a trimmer, but should only be done if necessary."
What pre- and post-wax care should you do when using an at-home waxing kit?
How you prep your skin before waxing and take care of it after the fact is key. "At European Wax Center, we have a four-step process to cleanse, protect, wax, and rejuvenate skin," Petak says. "This helps give the best and smoothest result." That means having clean skin before you wax, and treating skin with extra TLC after you've finished.
"You want to ensure you use a product targeted to calm and nourish skin while combating any potential bumps, breakouts, and ingrown hairs," says the pro, who recommends European Wax Center’s EWC TREAT Ingrown Hair Serum. "You also want to use something to exfoliate dead skin cells while not leaving a film on the skin," she adds. "Try our EWC TREAT Face & Body Exfoliating Gel, which contains pineapple fruit extracts to help remove dead skin cells allowing new hair to grow freely from the skin and also contains vitamins A, C, and E to nourish skin."
Tiffany Dodson is currently the associate beauty commerce editor at Harper’s Bazaar, where she specializes in trend forecasting, building relationships with major and emerging brands, and crafting shopping stories—from holiday gift guides to product road tests. Tiffany's work has previously been featured in outlets like SELF, Bustle, and Teen Vogue, and she's been quoted as a commerce and beauty expert in publications and platforms like The Business of Fashion and NPR’s Life Kit podcast.
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