We especially appreciate the post-wax cloths included in the set that gently cleanse skin after you’ve finished the job—which, with proper usage, will last for nearly a month.
“I have superdark hair on my upper lip that frankly requires a lot of attention—and, unfortunately, I can’t use any old wax strip or wax cream since my eczema-prone skin loves to come off…with my hair…if the product is too harsh. Thankfully, these Flamingo wax strips never let me down. The game-changing thing about these is that you don’t need to warm them up! I cannot stress the sheer convenience of this when you’re in a pinch and the stress of rubbing your hands together would just make everything worse. There have been plenty of times that I didn’t (evidently) warm the strips up enough, and wasted wax and time. Instead, you get a perfect 10 when using Flamingo—whether it’s the made-for-the-face strips or the body wax strips, which are easy to cut down to size to use wherever you need to. These strips lift the hair without lifting the skin, pull from the root, and I love that it comes with oil wipes for clean up without breaking me out.” —Shanna Shipin, shopping director
“[This] has, without a doubt, significantly changed the texture of my skin, mainly due to the fact that shaving has always led to ingrown hairs and razor burns. Wax strips have been kinder to my skin than razors and the grow-out period is much longer than shaving, and after years of trialing different formulas, I’ve found [these] to be the gentlest on my skin. The strips are easy to pull apart and the wax itself clings onto each and every hair without ripping some of my skin off like other waxes have done. To give my hair enough time to grow out so the wax can cling to each strand, I wax about once a month.” —Jennifer Hussein, former commerce editor
- Number of strips: 38
- Wax type: glyceryl rosinate
- Who it’s for: people with fine hair
Best for Face: Athena Club Wax Strip Kit for Face
Why it’s worth it: Athena Club’s Wax Strip for Face makes at-home hair removal feel refreshingly easy and long-lasting. Each pre-coated strip tackles upper lips, chins, and other fuzzy spots with minimal fuss and maximum smoothness. The face wax kit comes with 20 wax strips, post-wax wipes, and a mini hyaluronic acid serum to calm and hydrate skin after waxing. Results can last for weeks, so you’re set for the long haul. Grab a single pack when you need it, or sign up for a monthly subscription to stay effortlessly stocked whenever you need facial hair removal in a pinch.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
“I’ve done everything to remove the hair on my upper lip: in-salon waxing, laser hair removal, tweezing, this torture device, and at-home strips. But trust me when I say that these are amazing. The wax is already soft, so you don’t have to warm the strips between your hands, and it still gets a firm grip on hairs. The results were incredibly satisfying and while my skin was a little red, that went away after an hour or so.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
- Number of strips: 20
- Wax type: glyceryl rosinate wax
- Who it’s for: people with facial hair
Best for Legs: Nair Wax Ready-Strips
Why it’s worth it: Nair may be best known for its depilatories, but it’s no slacker in the wax department. One wax strip is all it takes for that “Whoa, where’d the hair go?” moment. The chamomile-infused formula doesn’t require any warming up before you place any of the 40 strips on your body. The wax formula includes calming sunflower seed oil, which we (and our sensitive skin) appreciate. Heads up: Nair recommends exfoliating at least 24 hours before waxing for the most pain-free, non-irritating experience.
- Number of strips: 40
- Wax type: glyceryl rosinate
- Who it’s for: everyone (who remembers to prep)
Best for Bikini Line: Billie Wax Kit
Billie
Wax Kit Face & Bikini
Why it’s worth it: If you’re anything like us, you already own and adore a Billie razor. But did you know the brand also makes excellent wax strips? Behold the Billie Wax Kit, perfect for waxing your face and bikini line. The strips are infused with aloe vera and avocado oil for extra nourishment. If you want to wax larger areas, use The Wax Kit Body & Underarm instead.
These strips feature extra-long pull tabs to help with gripping.
- Number of strips: 32
- Wax type: glyceryl rosinate
- Who it’s for: people with sensitive skin
Best for Sensitive Skin: Parissa Legs & Body Wax Strips
Parissa
Legs & Body Wax Strips
Why it’s worth it: If you have sensitive skin, Parissa Legs & Body Wax Strips are as user-friendly as it gets, since they do minimal damage to the skin. “These strips are a great choice for those with sensitive skin or prone to irritation,” says Kristina Collins, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Austin, Texas. “The wax itself has a smooth texture and adheres well to fine and coarse hair alike, ensuring a clean removal without excessive tugging or residue.” Bonus: The included azulene oil helps soothe the skin after waxing.
You need at least 2 mm of hair growth (think: a grain of rice) for the wax to catch.
- Number of strips: 48
- Wax type: glyceryl rosinate
- Who it’s for: people with sensitive skin
Best Hot Wax Kit: Bliss Poetic Waxing Kit
Why it’s worth it: The Bliss Poetic Waxing Kit is almost as pretty to look at as easy to use. You won’t need to scorch this wax to get effective results—just warm it in the microwave until it resembles thick honey—and it’s infused with chamomile oil to support sensitive areas. It hardens within a few seconds, after which you can tear it off (no separate paper strips needed). Just be sure that before you begin, test a bit of the warmed wax on the inside of your wrist to make sure it’s the right temperature and the right consistency.
The applied wax layers should look and feel about as thick as a banana peel. If it’s too thin, allow it to cool and thicken in the microwave.
- Number of strips: n/a, 5.3 ounces of wax
- Wax type: rosin
- Who it’s for: all skin types
Frequently Asked Questions
Are waxing strips safe?
Yes, waxing strips are safe, but if you have particularly sensitive skin or use retinol, think twice before using them. Retinoids “can contribute to increased skin fragility,” says Craig Kraffert, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Redding, California; if you expose skin to both retinoids and waxing simultaneously, be prepared for irritation and pain. He advises patients to stop prescription retinoid treatments for one week before waxing.
Are waxing strips better than melted wax kits?
“Unless you are an experienced at-home waxer, I am always very cautious to recommend [melted waxing],” board-certified dermatologist Chris G. Adigun previously told Allure. “There are many variables that can go awry with waxing at home, including managing the temperature of the wax, which requires heating, waxing off just the hair (and not the skin), and irritated reactions to components of the kits.” So, before you start prepping, make sure you read over the instructions carefully and follow safety guidelines to a tee.
While many people opt for at-home waxing kits, if you feel you’re not up to the task, visit a licensed professional to do the waxing for you. However, always rely on a pro to use hot wax on your face. “Consequences of bad outcomes from waxing on the face as compared to the body are much greater, such as burns and hyperpigmentation,” Dr. Adigun explains.
How should I prepare for using waxing strips?
While waxing strips are pretty straightforward, you can still take some steps to make the hair removal process go more smoothly. “The hair should be between an eighth- and a quarter-inch long,” aesthetician Hannah Naranjo previously told Allure. “Make sure your skin is clean,” she noted. Lotions, oils, and gels can make it harder for the wax to completely stick to your skin, making body hair removal less effective.
Naranjo urges users not to exfoliate within 48 hours after waxing, but after that, they should return to exfoliation as usual—in part to prepare for their next wax. Board-certified dermatologist Marie Hayag, MD, previously told Allure. “Exfoliating also helps skin look healthy and encourages hair to point up, growing in the correct direction,” she adds.
Meet the experts
- Craig Kraffert, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Redding, California
- Chris G. Adigun, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Hanna Naranjo, NYC-based aesthetician at Haven Spa
- Marie Hayag, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC
- Kristina Collins, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Austin, Texas
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of waxing strips, we considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: product ingredients, efficacy, ease of use, and value. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists and aestheiticians. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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