A review of natural hair removal products

Ladies, I mustache you a very important question... 

Now that you have totally herbalicious skin,

*Gag*  

I'm sorry.  I won't do it again.

Anyway, let's ask some tough questions: 

1.  Do you have facial hair that needs to be dealt with?  Please be willing to honestly assess this situation, and please don't always trust indoor lighting.  For years now I've kept tweezers in my car.  Why?  Because even if I think I have my eyebrows, etc. under control, when I get in my car and look in the rearview mirror, I almost always see something I missed.

2. If you are using a commercial product to deal with facial hair, have you read the ingredients?  Do you know what they are and can you pronounce them?

For years I used a commercial wax strips product and then I read the ingredients:

Wax Strips Ingredients: C5-6 Alkane/cycloalkane/terpene copolymer, polyisobutene, glyceryl rosinate, ethylene/va copolymer, bisabolol. 

Azulene Finishing Oil Ingredients: Ethylhexyl isononanoate, sesamumindicum (sesame) seed oil, C13-14 isoparaffin, phenoxyethanol, isononanoic acid, menthol, methylparaben, tocopherol, butylparaben, ethylparaben, guaiazulene, isobutylparaben, propylparaben.

The search for a natural alternative began.  At this point I was in the rather unfortunate position of having a hair removal emergency, so I headed to my local Target for an immediate, interim product before I could do more research and here's what I came home with:


Nad's Facial Wax Strips 

Hair Removal Strips - Triethylene Glycol Rosinate, Glyceryl Rosinate, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Parfum (Fragrance), CI 4700 Yellow 11, CI 61565 Green 6.   

Soothing & Finishing Wipes - Isopropyl Myristae, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Isohexadecane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) oil, Calendula Officinalis Oil, Bisabolol, Parfum (Fragrance), Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, BHT.

Verdict:  They worked just fine, and I did rather like their "softer fabric technology."  However, despite marginally better ingredients, many are still unacceptable to me.



Next I tried a sugaring product:

Moom Organic & Natural Hair Remover For Face & Travel 

Cane Sugar (Organic), Lemon Juice (Organic), Chamomilla (Organic), Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia) Oil (Organic), Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Juice, Water

Verdict: The ingredients were great, and I liked that it came with reusable cloth strips, but I didn't find it very effective or easy to use.  In all fairness, I only tried it once, so maybe I could have achieved better results with more practice, but...



Finally I found a winner!

Parissa Wax Strips

Note:  I am not associated with Parissa in any way, nor do I receive any compensation for promoting their products.  I just like them.

wax: glyceryl rosinate (pine resin), ricinus communis (castor oil), cera alba (beeswax), titanium dioxide

azulene oil: isopropyl mystrate (vegetable source), tocopheryl acetate (vitamin e), azulene (chamomilla recutita extract), menthol crystals

Verdict:  Easy to use, effective, and I'm okay with almost every ingredient.  (I'm not a big fan of titanium dioxide, but since this isn't a product I'm leaving on my skin I'm willing to let it slide in this case.)

 What about you?  How do you deal with unwanted facial hair?




This post shared at Frugally Sustainable's Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways #84

Naturally Radiant Skin Care: How to treat yourself to a complete herbal facial!

Once a month treat yourself to a luxurious herbal facial!

Step 1: Cleansing Grains - For the recipe see this post.

Gently cleanse, exfoliate, and nourish your skin with cleansing grains.  Mix 1/2 tsp of grains with water to form a paste and gently massage into your skin, then rinse with warm water.

Step 2: Herbal Facial Steam - For the recipe see this post.

Boil several cups of water in a large pot.  Add 1/4 cup of herbs, cover and simmer for a minute or two, then remove from heat.  Place at a level you can comfortably sit and lean over the pot.  Cover your head and the pot with a towel, breathe in the delicious aroma, and let your pores open and drink in the nourishing plant oils for 5 - 8 minutes. Follow with a cold water rinse.

Step 3: Mask

Try a clay (white, green, rhassoul, bentonite), or raid your kitchen for honey, avocado, banana, yogurt, turmeric and oatmeal, etc.  Be creative!  Mix something up, leave it on until dry, then rinse with warm water.

Step 4: Herbal Toner - For the recipe see this post.

Herbal toner/astringent is used after cleansing to remove all traces of dirt and oil, tighten pores, balance pH, and prepare skin for moisturizing.

Step 5: Moisturizing Oil - For the recipe see this post.

It may seem counter-intuitive to put oil on your skin, but moisturizing with gentle, nourishing oils will most likely make your skin very happy.  Use oils that are lightweight, non-greasy, quick absorbing and luxuriously nourishing and healing.  Dispense 4-5 drops into hand, rub hands together and gently massage oil into skin.

Here's an awkward bathroom selfie so you can see what my skin looks like after an herbal facial.   

 

If you're wondering where to get these ingredients, Mountain Rose Herbs sells high quality herbs and other products, and they are a fair trade company.  (Full disclosure, I do receive a small commission if you click the links on my blog and complete a purchase.)

If you're not a DIY-er, or you're not up for a another project right now, I do have these products available for purchase in my store.


This post shared at Frugally Sustainable's Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways #83

For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.