In other words, how can you go about waxing your own brows in the safest way possible — with the least amount of unwanted mishaps. "At-home eyebrow waxing can be a bit more difficult than waxing other areas," Chyla said. "By waxing a few hairs only, you can easily mess up the shape of your eyebrows."Just keep it to a minimum — general cleanup versus reshaping.
Prep
If you're being extra-meticulous or are a veteran waxer, the very first thing Chyla recommends is exfoliating 24 to 48 hours in advance to prevent ingrown hairs. Then it's about making sure both your work area and skin are prepped. To begin, secure your hairline with a headband and clean the brow area with tea tree, rose, or lavender-based toner. If you're using hard wax, you'll also want to apply some pre-waxing oil. For strip wax, the skin should be dry.
Next up: temperature check. Test a bit of wax to the back of your hand before applying to your brow area. Then you're ready to start.
Technique
Chyla suggests starting at the top. "Brush the brows down and apply wax on top of the brow in the direction of hair growth, usually towards the temple." Then, pull the wax off in the opposite direction. Use a similar technique under your brow, but brush the hair up instead of down.
Find yourself in a sticky situation? If the wax attaches to unwanted areas, just apply warm olive oil or pre-waxing oil to remove.
Aftercare
Once you get to a good stopping point (remember, less is more), be sure to follow up with a good aftercare routine. This can include cleaning the skin well and applying a soothing lotion, like aloe vera or rose-, chamomile-, or calendula-based products. For redness, use a cold compress to calm the skin.
Beyond topical suggestions, Chyla cautions against sweating for 24 hours. "Your pores widen allowing sweat to get in easier, which could lead to infection," she said. You should also avoid direct sun exposure, saunas, and steaming hot showers.