Waxing your eyebrows with strips can give you clean, sharp lines that last weeks - but only if you do it right. Too many people skip the prep and end up with redness, breakouts, or even broken hairs that grow back faster. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about avoiding the simple mistakes that ruin the whole process.
Don’t apply makeup or skincare products before waxing
Your skin needs to be clean, dry, and free of anything that creates a barrier. Lotions, oils, serums, sunscreen, or even foundation can make the wax stick to your skin instead of the hair. That means more pain, less hair removed, and a higher chance of irritation or ingrown hairs.Wash your face with a gentle cleanser 30 to 60 minutes before waxing. Pat it dry with a clean towel. No moisturizer. No toner. No primer. Even if your skin feels dry, skip it. The wax needs direct contact with the hair follicle to pull it out cleanly.
Avoid sun exposure for at least 24 hours before
Sunburned or even just tanned skin is more sensitive. UV rays weaken the skin’s barrier and make it prone to blistering, peeling, or severe redness during waxing. If you’ve been out in the sun - even for a short walk - wait at least a full day before waxing.And don’t think just because you’re wearing sunglasses or a hat, you’re safe. UV rays still affect the skin under your brows. If you’re planning a beach day or a hike, reschedule your waxing for the next day.
Stop using retinoids and exfoliants 3 days before
Products with retinol, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or any chemical exfoliant thin out the top layer of your skin. That sounds good for acne, but it’s a disaster for waxing. Thinner skin means the wax pulls more than just hair - it can lift away live skin cells, causing raw patches or scabbing.If you use tretinoin, adapalene, or even over-the-counter retinoid creams, stop them at least 72 hours before waxing. Same goes for scrubs, chemical peels, or acne treatments with benzoyl peroxide. Your skin will thank you with less pain and zero peeling afterward.
Don’t shave right before waxing
Shaving and waxing don’t mix. If you shaved your brows recently, the hair is too short for the wax to grip. Wax strips need at least 1/4 inch of hair (about the length of a grain of rice) to work. Anything shorter and you’re just tugging on nothing.Wait at least two weeks after shaving before trying wax strips. If you’ve been tweezing or threading, that’s fine - those methods leave hair long enough. But if you’ve been using an eyebrow trimmer or razor, you’ll need to wait. Patience here saves you from a wasted strip and a lot of frustration.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol the day before
This one surprises people. But caffeine and alcohol both increase blood flow and make your skin more reactive. If you drink coffee, energy drinks, or alcohol the day before waxing, your brows might swell more, sting longer, and take longer to calm down.It’s not a hard rule - but if you’ve ever had a wax that felt like it burned for hours, chances are you had a latte at 8 a.m. that morning. Skip the espresso and the wine the night before. Water and herbal tea are better choices.
Don’t wax if you’re on acne medication like Accutane
Isotretinoin (Accutane) and similar oral acne drugs make your skin extremely fragile. Even mild waxing can cause scarring, deep tearing, or permanent damage. If you’re taking any prescription acne treatment, talk to your dermatologist before waxing.Most dermatologists recommend avoiding waxing entirely while on Accutane and for at least six months after stopping. Use tweezers or trimmers instead. It’s slower, but it’s safe. Your skin will thank you years down the line.
Avoid waxing during your period
Hormones shift during your menstrual cycle. In the days leading up to and during your period, your pain tolerance drops. Your skin becomes more sensitive. Waxing can feel twice as painful and leave you more red and swollen than usual.If you can, plan your waxing for the week after your period ends. That’s when your skin is least reactive and most resilient. If you’re stuck with timing, take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen 30 minutes before - but don’t rely on it as a fix. Prevention is better than painkillers.
Don’t touch or pick at your brows after waxing
This isn’t before - but it’s so common it’s worth mentioning. Right after waxing, your pores are open and your skin is vulnerable. Touching your brows with dirty hands introduces bacteria. Picking at stray hairs or red bumps can cause infection or scarring.Keep your hands away. Avoid sweating, saunas, or hot showers for at least 4 hours. If your skin feels itchy, use a cool compress. No alcohol-based toners. No astringents. Just let it calm down.
Check the expiration date on your wax strips
Wax strips don’t last forever. Over time, the adhesive loses stickiness. Expired strips won’t grip hair properly. You’ll end up pulling half the hair out, leaving the rest behind - and it’ll hurt more because you’re trying harder.Look for the expiration date on the packaging. Most brands last 12 to 18 months unopened. Once opened, use them within 6 months. If the strip feels dry, stiff, or doesn’t stick to your skin when you peel it back - toss it. Don’t risk a bad wax on old strips.
Don’t wax if your skin is broken or irritated
Eczema flare-up? Acne breakout? Cut or scrape near your brow? Don’t wax over it. Waxing over damaged skin can tear it further, cause infection, or leave scars. Even a tiny pimple under the brow line is enough reason to wait.Wait until the area is fully healed - no redness, no pus, no flaking. If you’re unsure, skip it. You can always tweeze the stray hairs later. Better to wait than to ruin your skin.
What to do instead
Instead of making these mistakes, follow this simple checklist:- Wash your face with mild cleanser 1 hour before
- Pat skin completely dry
- Stop retinoids and exfoliants 3 days prior
- Avoid sun exposure for 24 hours
- Wait 2 weeks after shaving
- Skip caffeine and alcohol the day before
- Use fresh, unexpired wax strips
- Don’t wax if skin is broken or inflamed
Do this, and you’ll get clean, smooth brows that last. No burning, no peeling, no regrets.
Can I use baby oil to prep my skin before waxing?
No. Baby oil, coconut oil, or any oil-based product creates a slippery barrier that prevents the wax from gripping the hair. This leads to incomplete removal and more pain. Always start with clean, dry skin.
How long should my eyebrow hair be before waxing?
Your eyebrow hair should be at least 1/4 inch long - about the size of a grain of rice. If it’s shorter, the wax won’t grab it. If you’ve been tweezing or threading, you’re likely fine. If you’ve been shaving, wait two weeks.
Is it okay to wax if I have sensitive skin?
Yes, but you need to be extra careful. Avoid harsh products before waxing. Test the strip on a small patch of skin first. Use a calming post-wax lotion with aloe vera or chamomile. Don’t wax if your skin is already irritated or reactive.
Can I wax my eyebrows after getting a facial?
Wait at least 24 hours. Many facials use exfoliants, acids, or steam that leave skin sensitive. Waxing too soon can cause redness, peeling, or burns. Let your skin recover first.
Why do my eyebrows get red after waxing?
Redness is normal right after waxing - it usually fades in 1 to 2 hours. If it lasts longer, you may have waxed over irritated skin, used expired strips, or applied too much pressure. Apply a cool compress and avoid makeup for a few hours.
Ian Cassidy
January 7, 2026 AT 04:12Just did my brows last week and skipped the coffee. Big difference. No redness, no burning, just smooth. Seriously, that caffeine tip is gold. I used to think it was just a myth until I tried it.
Now I drink my espresso after, not before. Game changer.
Aaron Elliott
January 7, 2026 AT 10:58One must interrogate the epistemological foundations of aesthetic grooming rituals. The waxing paradigm, as articulated herein, presupposes a Cartesian dualism between the corporeal self and the aesthetic ideal - yet it fails to account for the phenomenological experience of pain as a constitutive element of bodily autonomy. One cannot simply ‘avoid’ caffeine; one must transcend its ideological grip.
Moreover, the notion of ‘skin integrity’ as a metric for beauty is a capitalist construct propagated by the beauty-industrial complex. Do we wax to liberate, or to conform?
Chris Heffron
January 7, 2026 AT 19:58That Accutane warning is SO important 😅 I know someone who scarred their brows because they didn’t know. Please, everyone - read the fine print. Your future self will cry tears of gratitude.
Also, expired wax strips = wasted money and tears. Just saying 😅
Adrienne Temple
January 8, 2026 AT 06:41Hey everyone, I’ve got sensitive skin and I used to dread waxing - until I started following this list. Seriously, the retinoid rule changed everything. No more peeling, no more angry red patches.
And I swear by the cool compress after - a clean cloth with ice water, 5 minutes, and I’m good to go. No makeup for 4 hours, even if I’m late for work. Worth it.
Also, if you’re on your period and it’s unavoidable? Take ibuprofen, breathe slow, and remind yourself it’s just 10 minutes of discomfort for weeks of smooth brows. You got this 💪🌸
Sandy Dog
January 10, 2026 AT 05:46OH MY GOD I DID ALL OF THESE WRONG AND NOW MY BROWS LOOK LIKE A CAT WALKED ON THEM 😭😭😭
I used baby oil because I thought it’d ‘soften’ the hair - NOPE. I pulled half the hair out and the rest just stayed like little stubbly ghosts. I cried in the bathroom for 20 minutes. Then I cried again because I had to tweeze the rest. Then I cried because I bought NEW wax strips and they were EXPIRED. I’m not even mad - I’m just… emotionally scarred.
But now I know. And I’m telling EVERYONE. Don’t be me. Please. Save yourself.
Also, I skipped coffee and I felt like a zen monk. I’m not joking. I meditated before waxing. It helped. 😌
Nick Rios
January 11, 2026 AT 14:22I’ve been waxing for years and this is the most thorough, practical guide I’ve ever read. No fluff. Just facts.
Especially the part about sun exposure - I never realized UV rays affect the brow area even if I’m wearing a hat. Learned something new.
Also, the Accutane warning? Critical. I’ve got a friend on it and I’ll send this to them right away. Safety first.
Taylor Hayes
January 11, 2026 AT 17:22Just wanted to add - if you’re new to waxing, start with a professional. Even if you’re using strips at home, getting it done once by someone trained helps you understand what ‘right’ feels like.
And don’t panic if you miss a few hairs. Tweezing afterward is totally fine. It’s not a race. Your skin’s not a battlefield.
Also, hydrate after. Your skin’s been through a lot. A little aloe goes a long way.
Sanjay Mittal
January 11, 2026 AT 22:43From India - we use sugar waxing here a lot. Same rules apply: clean skin, no oil, no sun. But we also avoid waxing after eating spicy food - it increases inflammation. Worth a try if you’re prone to redness.
Also, if your wax strips are old, microwave them for 5 seconds. Sometimes it revives the stickiness. Not ideal, but better than wasting them.
Mike Zhong
January 12, 2026 AT 13:27You’re all missing the point. This isn’t about waxing. It’s about control. Society tells women they need perfect brows. Men? They get to have messy, natural brows. Why? Because beauty standards are tools of oppression.
You’re all just performing compliance - washing your face, skipping coffee, waiting two weeks - all to meet an arbitrary aesthetic dictated by Instagram influencers and cosmetic corporations.
What if you just… didn’t wax? What if you embraced your natural hair? That’s real rebellion.
Stop optimizing your face for strangers. Start living.