With a string of bank holiday weekends on the horizon and warmer weather slowly creeping in, summer holidays are at the forefront of our minds. And coming in a close second place to taking the trip is the pre-holiday beauty prep (just us?).
But after you’ve put yourself through the wince-inducing process of getting a wax, you of course want the smooth finish to stay that way until you reach the beach. With DIY waxing being the talk of TikTok, Love Island season approaching and summer trips on the brain, you may find yourself wondering: when should you wax before a holiday?
To get the answers, we asked a couple of beauty therapists from beauty booking site Treatwell's partner salons for their expert insights. Here's everything to know, from the best time to wax before a holiday and how to keep your skin bump-free.
When should you wax before a holiday?
Firstly, don’t book the appointment for a matter of hours before you're heading to the airport. “To be able to enjoy smooth skin throughout your holiday I’d recommend getting a wax two to three days before your break for the best results," says Shimol from London-based salon Guys & Dolls.
You also want to have grown out the hair you plan on ripping away; about the length of a grain of rice is a good aim. “This [length] is ideal because it allows the wax to get a better grip on the hair and pull it out directly from the root, rather than the hair just above the skin."
How to prevent bumps when you get a wax
“Try to keep the area clean, dry, and moisturised straight after the appointment, as this can help reduce irritation until the skin has recovered from waxing,” Shimol says.
As for keeping any bumps at bay in the days that follow, it’s all about giving your skin a bit of extra care and attention. “Moisturising and exfoliating daily will help to keep ingrown hairs and bumps at bay,” Amanda from London’s Beyond Bronzed salon adds.
Using an exfoliant like the TikTok-famous First Aid Beauty Bump Eraser, £26 here, once or twice a week max, is a great way to keep your skin smooth.
Other at-home waxing tips to know
"A really big one for me is absolutely no shaving in between waxing," Amanda stresses. "It allows the root [of the hair] to re-grow, and it’s most definitely more painful when you start waxing again. It just takes you back to square one."
"I also always tell clients to take paracetamol an hour before a waxing appointment as it really helps to reduce the pain."
You should also avoid moisturising the area before your appointment, as it may impact how well the wax takes to your skin and negatively affect your results.
For those looking to go DIY with their wax, we've shared a couple of the best at-home waxing kits to shop now below.
Sunny The Body Wax Strips, £4.67 here
With cute packaging and a raspberry scent, these strips are easy to use and *almost* make the waxing process fun. You may have spotted them in the villa during previous seasonsof Love Island.
Veet Wax Strips for Sensitive Skin, £8.66 here
When you think of hair removal one of the first brand names that comes to mind is probably Veet. These particular strips are specifically designed for sensitive skin.
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