To use cold wax strips, press a strip firmly onto clean, dry skin in the direction your hair grows, smooth it down several times, hold the skin taut, and pull the strip back quickly against the direction of growth, keeping it close to the skin. Cold wax strips come ready to use, so there is no pot to heat and no temperature to judge. The technique is simple, but the details decide whether hair comes away cleanly.
What are cold wax strips?
Cold wax strips are strips of backing material already coated with a layer of wax. You apply them straight from the pack. Double-sided strips are two strips pressed together with the wax in between: you peel them apart and get two usable strips. Like all waxing, they remove hair from the root, so skin stays smooth for longer than it does after shaving.
Before you start
| Check | Why |
|---|---|
| Hair is long enough to grip, roughly a few millimeters | Wax cannot hold very short stubble |
| Skin is clean and completely dry | Oil, lotion and sweat stop the wax from sticking |
| Skin is calm and unbroken | Waxing over irritation, cuts or sunburn can damage skin |
| You have done a patch test | It shows how your skin reacts before you do a large area |
| You have read the pack directions | Products differ, and the directions for yours come first |
For a patch test, use a small piece of strip on a small area, remove it as directed and wait 24 hours. If the skin looks and feels normal, carry on.
How to use cold wax strips, step by step
- Wash and dry the area. A light dusting of plain powder can help if your skin tends to be damp.
- Soften the strip if the directions say so. Many cold strips are rubbed between the palms for a few seconds so the two halves separate easily. Follow what your pack recommends.
- Peel the two halves apart slowly. You now have two strips. Set one aside with the wax side up.
- Apply in the direction of hair growth. On the lower leg that usually means from the knee toward the ankle.
- Smooth it down firmly. Rub along the strip several times in the same direction so the wax grips the hair.
- Hold the skin taut. Use your free hand to hold the skin just below the end you are about to pull from.
- Pull back fast. Grip the free end and pull against the direction of growth in one quick movement, keeping the strip low and parallel to the skin. Do not pull upward, away from the body.
- Press your hand on the area. Brief pressure straight afterward takes the sting out.
- Reuse the strip on the next section while it still grips, then switch to a fresh one.
Tips by area
Legs
Work in sections from the ankle up, placing each strip so it overlaps the last one slightly. Bend the knee to flatten the skin before waxing over it.
Underarms and bikini line
Hair in these areas grows in more than one direction. Cut strips into smaller pieces, wax one small section at a time and check the direction of growth for each. Trim long hair first so it does not tangle in the wax.
Face
Cut a strip into narrow pieces for the upper lip or chin. Facial skin is thinner, so be especially careful to hold it taut, and do not wax the same spot twice in one session.
Strips made for legs, body and face
The Uexim double-sided cold wax strips are ready to use with no heating needed, and are intended for the legs, body and face. They have a paper strip backing, come in pink or green, and are sold in packs of 6, 10 or 20. The listing gives a period after opening of 3 months, so note the date you open the pack.
What do you do about wax left on the skin?
Do not scrub it with water, which will not dissolve wax. Press a used strip over the residue and lift it off, or massage in a little body oil or baby oil and wipe it away with a soft cloth.
Aftercare for the next 24 hours
- Wear loose clothing over the waxed area.
- Avoid hot baths, saunas and heavy exercise that makes you sweat.
- Stay out of strong sun and off sunbeds.
- Skip fragranced lotions, deodorant on freshly waxed underarms, and exfoliating products.
- From a couple of days later, exfoliate gently two or three times a week to help prevent ingrown hairs.
When should you not wax?
- On broken, irritated, sunburned or very dry, flaking skin
- Over moles, warts or varicose veins
- If you use retinoid creams or other prescription skin treatments, or take medication that affects the skin, unless your doctor has said it is fine
- If you had a reaction to your patch test
Frequently asked questions
How long do results last?
Waxing removes hair from the root, so regrowth is slower than after shaving. Many people wax every three to four weeks, but it varies from person to person.
Does waxing with cold strips hurt?
There is a brief sting as the strip comes off. Holding the skin taut and pulling fast and low makes a real difference.
Why did the strip not remove the hair?
The usual reasons are hair that is too short, skin that was oily or damp, not rubbing the strip down firmly, or pulling too slowly.
Can I reuse a strip?
Yes, within the same session, until it stops gripping. Throw it away afterward.
The bottom line
Clean dry skin, apply with the growth, pull against it, fast and close to the skin. Follow the directions on your pack, look after the area for a day, and cold wax strips are a tidy way to wax at home.
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