Whether you’ve had many brow waxes or this is your first appointment, it’s important to follow a simple guideline to ensure you get the most out of your Kimberly Bearden Beauty experience. These are my top tips for how to prepare for your eyebrow waxing appointment to guarantee that you get the best results.
1. Let them grow
Allowing brows to grow out will help your brow stylist achieve the best shape for your brows. Hair length matters with waxing in order for the wax to remove the hair properly. Attempt to grow out your brow hair to 1/8 to 1/4 (length of a grain of rice), this could take 2-6 weeks depending on how fast your hair grows.
2. Medications
Some skincare ingredients or prescriptions can make skin overly sensitive or cause tears in the skin. Inform your esthetician if you’re taking or using topical medications that could make your skin more sensitive to waxing. 72 hours prior to your wax, stop any usage of Retin-A, Retinol, OTC Retinol, Alpha Hydroxy Acids (i.e. glycolic, lactic, mandelic), Beta Hydroxy Acids, (i.e. salicylic), Renova, Differin, or any other acne medications. Antibiotics can make your skin sensitive as well. Accutane users must be off the medicine at least 6 months to receive waxing treatments.
3. Keep the area clean
It’s best to keep the freshly waxed area clean. Try to avoid touching the area, applying heavy creams or wearing makeup right after. Makeup residue, bacteria and oil can clog freshly opened pores causing post wax pimples.
Any skin procedures like facials, peels, treatments or cosmetic procedures should be done at least 2 weeks before your appointment.
4. Sun tanning and self-tanning
There’s no way you’ll want to wax sunburnt skin. Wait a couple of days so your skin can heal. It is also best to wait at least 24 hours after a brow wax to suntan or lay in a tanning bed. When your brows are waxed it lightly exfoliates the area around the brows and is more sensitive to burning if exposed to the sun.
As for self-tanning, it is best to do your brow waxing before because the waxing can remove the self-tanner right along with the unwanted hairs. You should never wax your skin within 48 hours before the spray tanning session. The skin would be extra sensitive and vulnerable immediately after waxing. And if you receive a tint with your service it can cause the tint to discolor and grab excessively to the skin.
5. Scheduling
Do not wax for the first time right before a special event. It’s good to try waxing for the first time at least one to two weeks before a special event so you know what to expect. Skin can sometimes react badly to waxing, especially the first time and you could experience irritation or post-wax pimples. And if you receive a tinting service you may want it to fade some before your event.
6. Avoid tweezing
It is super easy to get tweezer-happy and remove too many hairs, and sometimes it takes months for the hairs to grow back. If you are growing your brows out for a fuller shape, trust the process. I’ve taken brows from thin 90’s brows to full fluffy 2020s brows, but it takes time and being committed.
If the stray hairs are driving you crazy, put makeup concealer on the stray hairs and blend. It will help stray hairs seem more subtle until your next wax appointment.
And there you have it! These are my top tips for how to prepare for your eyebrow waxing appointment. If you’re ready for brows that you love, book your brow appointment with Kimberly Bearden Beauty.
