If and how and when you choose to groom your pubic hair is completely your call. But if you prefer a hairless bikini line, you've probably contemplated the DIY route. While getting a professional Brazilian wax is the safest option, some people may prefer removing their pubic hair in private. Not to mention it's cheaper and more convenient to wax at home instead of having to schedule an appointment. And if you do get professional waxes, there may be occasions when you want to do touch-ups in between.
Thankfully, there are plenty of at-home waxes for the pubic area and when done correctly, can give you the same smooth results without the razor burn and stubble that comes with shaving. We conducted hours of research on the best pubic hair waxes, looking at different types of waxes and the types of strips or pieces that come with each kit. After consulting with experts, we narrowed down our list to give you the best in show.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Best Drugstore:
Best Strips, Runner-Up:
Vidasleek Wax Strips Face, Underarms + Bikini at Amazon ($6)
Best Microwavable:
Bliss Poetic Waxing Straight-From-The-Spa Hair Removal Kit at Ulta ($35)
Best Luxury:
Editor's Pick:
Best for DIY Waxing Pros:
Best Wax Alternative:
What We Like
Comprehensive kit
Wax melts quickly
Includes bonus products
What We Don't Like
Takes a while to heat up the wax
Number of Pieces: 75 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This convenient kit offers everything you need, from start to finish. First, let’s talk about wax. It’s a hard wax, which is especially choice for your bikini area; ideal for coarser hairs, it wraps around each one, making it easier to remove. It does make the process a bit longer since you’ll need the wax to melt thoroughly before you can do anything. Happily, the warmer included here is professional-grade and does so in less than 30 minutes. You also get 30 different applicator sticks in three different sizes, a prep oil to use pre-wax, and a skin cooling and calming post-wax gel.
What We Like
Can be used on legs and body
Strips contain vitamin E
Works on sensitive skin
What We Don't Like
May not pull out all the hair
Number of Pieces: 44 | Cruelty-Free: No
Quick and easy, these also have the benefit of working well on areas other than your bikini line. Think legs, arms, even face. Credit a wax that acts like a liquid, effectively coating hairs of all lengths, and is infused with vitamin E and almond oil to leave skin feeling extra silky soft. We love them for quickie touch-ups.
What We Like
Removes stray hairs
Easy to use
Ideal for on the go
What We Don't Like
The soft wax can irritate skin
Number of Pieces: 44 | Cruelty-Free: No
We’ve all been there: You’re about to head out to the beach when suddenly you spot one or two (or seven) errant hairs sticking out of your bikini. That’s where these strips come up big time. You don’t have to heat or warm them up at all. It’s a straightforward peel-and-stick situation. You get 40 of the strips in a pack, which take off even super-short hairs, along with post-wax wipes to quickly and easily clean up any residue.
What We Like
Affordable
Easy to use
Ideal for on the go
What We Don’t Like
Has less strips than others
Number of pieces: 26 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Another option for when you’re on the go (and/or don’t have a ton of time), these beeswax-based strips are super easy to use. Warm them up by rubbing them in between your hands. Then pop them onto any area you want to be fuzz-free. They work for all hair types, though the size (you get 12, dual-sided strips, six in a medium-size and six in a small) makes them better for areas like the bikini line, underarms, and face. We also like that skin-soothing, post-wax wipes are included as well.
Best Microwavable
Bliss Poetic Waxing Straight-From-The-Spa Hair Removal Kit
What We Like
Contains hydrating oils
Can be used on face and body
Wax melts quickly
What We Don't Like
Contains dyes
Number of Pieces: 4 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Generally speaking, microwaving a hard wax to melt it isn’t the best method since it can result in uneven temperature. And trust us, you don’t want to burn yourself with overly hot wax. But let’s be real: Popping something into the microwave is always the easiest way to go. That’s why we appreciate that this wax contains paraffin wax, so it melts down quickly and smoothly at a much lower temperature. Plus, it’s infused with nourishing chamomile oil, which can minimize the risk of irritation. The vibrant blue hue is both pretty and makes it very easy to see exactly where you’ve applied the wax and where you need to remove it.
What We Like
Gentle formula
Washes off easily
Can be used on face and body
Only made with natural ingredients
What We Don't Like
Contains dyes
Number of Pieces: 22 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This gel wax relies on natural ingredients, such as sugar, honey, and date extract to remove hair. Not only is that gentle on skin, but it also means if you goof up and get it where it doesn’t need to be, you can quickly and easily wipe it away. Also nice: The strips are made of 100% cotton and can even be washed and reused, making this a great pick for those looking to cut down on their beauty trash.
What We Like
Fun, unique product
Come in many bead variants
Soothing formula
What We Don't Like
Doesn't come with warmer
Number of Pieces: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Who says a bikini wax can’t turn into an indulgent self-care moment? These colorful beads contain chamomile oil and aloe vera to soothe your skin. Plus, how pretty are they? All you have to do is melt them in the microwave, apply the wax, and then peel off the stripless formula.
What We Like
Value size available
No mess
Great for travel
What We Don't Like
Can leave skin sticky
Number of Pieces: 33 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Our former editorial director, Faith Xue, is a big fan of this kit, and we can see why. It comes with 24 handy no-heat strips in three sizes and shapes. This allows you to remove only the hairs you want to while working around varying directions of hair growth. Plus, you'll get eight post-wax cloths, which remove excess wax, soothe the skin, and prevent ingrown hairs.
What We Like
Before and after products included
Two different size applicators
Wax melts in the container
What We Don’t Like
Only enough for one to two uses
Number of pieces: 15 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you’re well-versed in the ways of DIY waxing, then this kit is the way to go. It’s another hard wax that you can heat up in the microwave. We love how you get everything you need in this kit, from a pre-wax cleanser, oil, wax remover, and hair growth minimizer.
What We Like
Nice alternative to waxing
Works on sensitive skin
Only made from natural ingredients
What We Don’t Like
Messy
Learning curve
Number of pieces: 6 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
So, yes, this may technically not be wax, but for those who are looking for an effective alternative, this is the way to go. Sugaring hair removal works similarly to waxing, but uses, well, sugar to remove the hair—more specifically, a sticky substance of sugar and water. To that point, this contains only five ingredients: sucrose, fructose, water, lemon juice, and licorice root, a boon for anyone seeking out clean and natural products. It also comes with reusable applicators (in two different sizes) and a reusable flicker (essentially the "strip" to remove it). FYI, it can be a bit messy, and there is a little bit of a learning curve when figuring out how to use it, but reviewers rave about how well it works.
What We Like
No rubbing or heating necessary
Affordable
What We Don;t Like
Contains dyes
Number of pieces: 38 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Waxing can be a recipe for stressed skin, particularly if you’re prone to irritation to begin with. That’s why we appreciate that this formula is dermatologist-approved for all skin types, including the sensitive set. The soft gel formula also doesn’t require any heating (or even rubbing), so there’s no need to worry about them getting too hot. Great for face or the pubic area, this comes with two different size strips along with soothing, post-wax serum wipes.
What We Like
Very user-friendly
Completely mess-free
What We Don't Like
Only comes with one size strips
Number of pieces: 13 | Cruelty-Free: No
This combines the ease of pre-made wax strips with the efficacy of a microwavable one. How it works: Pop the roller in the microwave, give it a good shake, then roll the vegan wax on wherever it’s needed. The roller applicator is perfect for applying along curves and contours (yes, like around your pubic area). Use the included—reusable—strips to remove the hair. The only drawback? The strips only come in one size, so you may need to trim them as needed for smaller spots.
Add to Cart
Here are our favorite products to prep and maintain your bikini line:
- Powder to help the wax adhere to hair: Johnson's Baby Powder
- An oil to hydrate the skin and prevent ingrown hairs: Fur Oil
- A serum to fade dark spots: Truly Beauty Jelly Booster Pigment Body Potion
- A salt scrub to exfoliate dead skin between waxes: Sabon Dead Sea Salt Body Scrub
What to Look for in At-Home Pubic Hair Wax
- Formula: Hard waxes, like beeswax and paraffin, tend to be better at wrapping around each strand, making coarse hairs in your bikini area easier to remove. Look for an option with soothing ingredients like azulene oil, chamomile, and honey. You can also find waxes without any fragrances or artificial colors. Additionally, formulas with vitamin E and almond oil can help soothe your skin afterward.
- Meltability: Pubic hair wax needs to be liquified (or otherwise soft) to effectively grasp your hair. Some waxes come with a warmer, which makes it easy to melt them to the ideal consistency while keeping them warm as you get to work. Then there's microwavable wax, which is generally easy to use, as long as you figure out the sweet spot for timing it. Other options can be melted on the stovetop, allowing you to keep an eye on the temperature and consistency. Some ready-made strips are designed to melt in the warmth of your hands, and others are soft enough that they don't need to be warmed at all. Non-melting waxes are convenient, though they not be the best at pulling out coarse hair.
- Strip vs stripless: Stripless options are typically applied with either a plastic or wooden applicator stick or spatula. The wax formulas are usually thick enough that you can get a good grip on the edge and pull it off just like you would with a strip. This type of bikini wax tends to be the most effective on coarse hairs as it allows you to brush it in the direction of growth and then remove it in the reverse direction. This is also true for strip waxes that aren't pre-made. Having said that, ready-made strips are certainly convenient, especially for touch-ups.
FAQ
How do you wax your pubic hair?
The general process of waxing pubic hair involves melting the wax, applying it in the direction of your hair growth, and placing a cloth strip on top of the wax (pressing firmly so it sticks). Once it hardens, remove the wax by lifting the edge of the strip and pulling it back quickly in the opposite direction of your hair growth.
How long does pubic hair need to be to wax effectively?
Generally speaking, you want the hair to be at least 0.25-inch long, or the size of a grain of rice, to make the process easier.
How often should you wax your pubic hair?
Waxing every three to four weeks is usually ideal for pubic hair. If your hair grows quickly or you spend a lot of time in a swimsuit, you might benefit from a biweekly schedule. For those who don't like waxing, depilatory creams are an option.
Is waxing pubic hair painful?
"Having waxed both clients and me, I have to acknowledge that inflicting pain on oneself can be difficult. It also presents a challenge in finding the right angle on intimate parts of your body," says aesthetician Rhea Souhleris Grou. "It is important to pull the wax strip against the hair growth, making it quite difficult to reach tough areas. I would recommend at-home waxing mainly for people with minimal hair in small, easy-to-reach areas. Also, people with very curly or thick hair should avoid waxing themselves to prevent ingrown hair because the follicle can break during the pulling process (especially if you pause)."
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there.For this article, she interviewed the following expert:
- Rhea Souhleris Grous is the founder of La Suite Skincare at Union Square Dermatology and an aesthetics specialist with more than two decades of experience
According to ourDiversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough pubic hair waxes from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com, and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
Article Sources
Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Srivastava JK, Shankar E, Gupta S. Chamomile: A Herbal Medicine of the Past with Bright Future.Mol Med Rep. 2010;3(6):895-901. doi:10.3892/mmr.2010.377