As you may or may not know, I was diagnosed at 20 with PCOS. I’ve lived most of my adult life battling hormonal imbalances, which often manifest as super fun adult acne and a solid lady beard.
Once I started talking about my facial hair, I realized that it wasn’t just a PCOS thing, though! So many women struggle with some facial hair insecurities, whether it be some peach fuzz on the cheeks or a little ‘stache situation. I thought I would share all my knowledge about removing unwanted facial hair.
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First, I want to say, you don’t HAVE to remove your facial hair. Rock whatever makes you happy, and if a little fuzz doesn’t bother you, don’t let this post make you think you should be doing anything differently! You are beautiful just the way you are.
For me personally, my facial hair has always been an insecurity. I think I went with my older sister to get our upper lips waxed when I was a teenager, and that was the start of it all. After a few rounds of Acutane, my skin is now so sensitive, that I can’t wax at all!
Which brings me to threading.
THREADING
I have been getting my eyebrows threaded for about ten years now. I have big, bushy eyebrows, and love the look of a clean, threaded brow. And a few years ago, I started having the rest of my facial hair removed via threading, too!
What is threading? Threading originated in Iran, India, Central Asia and China. It is quite popular in the US now, as well. Threading allows for a much more precise removal compared to waxing. Unlike tweezing one hair out at a time, you can remove multiple hairs in one swift go.
Where do you go? I was going to the same lady for the last two years, but recently the salon closed unexpectedly. I didn’t have her info or know where to contact her, so I had to bite the bullet and try somewhere new! I did a little research online and through a few of my favorite bloggers here in the city and discovered Browhaus.
It is a little shop in Soho, close enough for to walk from my apartment! I went in for my first appointment over the weekend and shared the video over on my Instagram. It is pricier than some of the other brow studios in the city, but as soon as I laid on the bed, I knew why.
Everything was done so well. Sterile latex gloves, alcohol for cleaning, and zero rush to get the next person in. My technician took her time and was SO thorough! I went for the “complete workout” which took care of all of my problem areas for less than paying for each individually. (I skipped sideburns and forehead.) She really listened to what I wanted and asked multiple times if I was doing alright.
You will probably be asked to make some funny faces, stick your tongue in your cheek, pull your eyelids, etc. It is just to make sure the skin in taught and makes it less painful and more effective!
Is it painful? A little. I’m not going to lie, the upper lip is my worst nightmare. That could be because my skin is super sensitive or just because I have A LOT of hair. Regardless, it helps to take a couple Tylenol before heading to your salon. It isn’t unbearable, but also no like getting a massage.
How often do you go? For threading, I usually go once a month. Ish. I’m not super strict about it, but the more regularly you go, the less painful it is. Both because your hair becomes finer (just like when you wax) and because your hair grows in cycles. You will have less hair if you are threading regularly vs doing it once every four months.
MAINTENANCE
Now, in between threading sessions, you may need to do a little up keep. I don’t like to touch my eyebrows at all. Maybe a little clean up between the brows, but I have found that once I start in with the tweezers, it is easier to get carried away.
I do have a favorite pair of tweezers that are honestly THE BEST. It sounds silly to talk about specific tweezers, but I am telling you. It makes a huge difference! I have three pairs – one in my bathroom, one in my makeup bag, and always one in my purse! You never know when you are going to find a stray chin whisker and need emergency removal!
I prefer the tweezers with a slant. It seems to really help me grab onto an individual hair better than pointed tweezers. These tweezers also have lifetime sharpening. You just send them in and they sharpen them up if they get dull. This is such an awesome service that I have used multiple times over the years.
SHAVING YOUR FACE
I also do a little face shaving once a week. Now, before you come at me… No, your facial hair isn’t going to come back darker. Trust me. If it is going to grow in dark, it is going to grow in dark. It has NOTHING to do with how or when you start to remove it.
When you hair starts growing back in, you may notice your makeup going on a little patchier or skincare not sitting on your skin just right. It is totally fine. You can either let your hair keep growing in till your next threading appointment, or take matters into your own hands.
These little razors are AMAZING. They are like a gentle, at home version of dermaplaning. They are awesome for those fuzzies on the cheeks or some sideburn cleanup if that is your struggle. I don’t use these on my upper lip, but do the rest of my face and chin between appointments.
I have been looking into more permanent options for facial hair removal like laser, just because it is something I am pretty aware of on a daily basis. Especially my chin hair. I can totally own my lady mustache, but the full on black whiskers that pop out on my chin bug the crap out of me.
Have you had laser hair removal? Would love to hear your experience!
