What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.
Ways to procrastinate when you’re sitting at your desk:
- Pluck your eyebrows
- Paint your nails
- Fall into a YouTube rabbit hole of ’80s music videos
- Wax your mustache with Sally Hansen Wax Strips
I used to use Sally Hansen Wax Strips back when I was a waxing newbie, when the strips came in stiff plastic, and you had to warm them up between your hands to soften the wax…
They weren’t all that great, now that I think about it.
The plastic was uncomfortable, and the wax always left a handful of fuzz, so it wasn’t completely effective, but it was convenient, and I could easily find the kits at the drugstore (plus, I hadn’t yet discovered the wonder of the Bliss blue wax in a cup).
I figured, a low-key mustache was better than a bushy, full-on hipster mustache. *shrugs*
The wax in this newly revamped version of the kit is 10,000% better.
It comes in flexible paper (which molds to the curves of your body), and it tightly grips even the smallest bits of fur to lift everything off in a single pass.
Everything — I MEAN EVERYTHING — is smoooooove sailing when you’re done.
Along with 24 variously sized wax strips, the kit also comes with some fancy bells and whistles, like three pre-moistened numbing wipes and four pre-moistened oil wipes to soothe your skin and remove any leftover wax.
I don’t think I’ll use the numbing wipes very often, because I’ve done this a million times, and I actually find the brief sting kinda thrilling (like it makes me stronger as a human or something!), BUT DAYUM, GINA — this new version is pro-caliber serious! I’ve only tried it on my upper lip so far, but it’s so good at vanquishing hairs that I get the sense it would be strong enough to de-fuzz the lady parts.
The kits are $8.99, and you can find ’em at the drugstore.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Rachel says
July 17th, 2019 at 3:32 amI will have to try these! I’ve been using the Parissa wax strips for my upper lip for years.
Karen says
July 18th, 2019 at 7:36 amI used to use that brand back in the day thought it was OK. This new Sally kit is great though!
Neda says
July 17th, 2019 at 6:37 amThe last time I tried wax strips was also when they were in those hard plastic peel-offs that had to be warmed between the hands. Since then I just go to a salon to get the ‘stache waxed. I will definitely be giving these a try, thanks for sharing!
Karen says
July 18th, 2019 at 7:35 amSure! Happy waxing!
Hollie says
July 17th, 2019 at 7:05 amI still have the older version of these hanging around and I bought them only a few months ago from Ulta. They worked in a pinch when I didn’t have time to get my upper lip “Stache” done. I’m curious to see the difference in the 2.
Karen says
July 18th, 2019 at 7:35 amHey Hollie,
This new kit is so much more effective! I hope you give it a try.
Kim says
July 17th, 2019 at 7:29 amI’m glad you posted this because I’ve been thinking about wax for ye olde peach fuzz. I looked for the Bliss in our target but they don’t carry it. I used to love the Andrea wax strips (in plastic) but could only get them at Walmart Canada. Now they’re not available anywhere. Andrea also switched to the paper and I don’t find the wax at all effective. So, I’m not looking to wax a ‘stache but am in the market for something to try on the whispy, white Santa beard that seems to be more noticeable these days. 🙂 But, then I wonder if it’s worth the trouble since it’s only visible in a magnifying mirror or if someone is up in my grill. HAHA!
Karen says
July 18th, 2019 at 7:34 amOK, so when you use wax strips, here’s a few things that might help:
1. Before you wax, make sure the area is completely dry. If it’s sweaty or oily, wax has a harder time gripping onto the hairs.
2. Really press and massage the wax strip onto your face, and do it in the direction of the hair growth.
3. Pull in the opposite direction of the hair growth, and just before you yank it off, take a deep breath in, and then exhale when you pull. For some reason this seems to help lessen the pain, I’ve found.
Kim says
July 19th, 2019 at 6:20 amThanks! I think the new Andrea are just poor quality. There’s not much wax on the strips and, even heated with a hair dryer (which I always do), it never seems to really grip. It’s good at leaving goo on my face, though. HAHA! I’ve even tried pressing aggressively when the strip is warm, then letting it cool a bit to hopefully trap some hair. No good. I mean, it probably removes 20% of the hair? Their originals were awesome. Like, leave a red, Kool Aid mustache for 10 minutes afterward good – because they just took off everything. I’m quite sad they’re no longer available. I’ll try the SH version, though. Unless I can get my hands on some Bliss.
kimkats says
July 17th, 2019 at 8:43 amOoo thanks for the tip about these! I was just twirling my ‘stache, thinking I need to get rid of the durn thing, and since i need to make a CVS run on the way home… Well, these got added to the list! 🙂 I have some Gigi microwaveable wax from Sally Beauty, but just can’t seem to bring myself to spend the 88 seconds it takes to nuke it to its fluid state and use it. So – can’t wait to get and try these!
Karen says
July 18th, 2019 at 7:32 amGood luck! I hope it works out for you. You might not need the numbing wipes; I didn’t think I would, but DANG that wax is serious!
Suzanne C says
July 17th, 2019 at 11:46 amI’m sitting here laughing about the ‘stache talk (yep, I have one, too), because I just started watching Magnum PI (for the hundredth time) on Amazon yesterday. Bow down to the supreme ‘Stache, lol. 😄
This is good news about the Sally Hanson strips, because I really hate hauling out the whole liquid hot wax setup I have just to wax my lip. So messy! And time consuming! And hot!
Karen says
July 18th, 2019 at 7:31 amI used to love that show when I was a kid, HA HA! I have a vague memory if it being on TV on the same evening as The Love Boat and Fantasy Island!
Savannah says
July 17th, 2019 at 3:18 pmI try to wax but I normally don’t have time and I pluck, but out of curiosity, how long do the results last for you?
Karen says
July 18th, 2019 at 7:30 amHi Savannah,
About a week? I’m fastidious about waxing though because every little hair shows up in lip closeups. LOL If I didn’t have to take macro shots I could probably get away with a week and a half, maybe two.