This Kit is awesome ~ almost painless!!! I've already done a Brazilian wax and waxed my underarms, in the less than the week that i've owned it :D I'm not going to stick to my tips and tricks rather than revisit some of the amazing reviews that are already here.
I've never gone to a salon for waxing, I'm always scared i'll have a reaction to the chemicals. So my method of choice (until purchasing this system) was Nair/Veet or shaving.
In the past I've tried cold wax strips, microwave waxes etc, but they all left me more bloody and bruised than hair free. This product is the only one I've ever tried that has worked and it worked well. I'm italian and the hair i waxed is pretty course, and thick. This kit took it out pretty painlessly. I'm thrilled with the amazing results
BRAZILIAN: this took me like 3.5 hours and i did not do the back. Mainly because i had been doing this for 3 hours and i had stuff to do. That being said, I removed about 95% of the hair, and areas like the front, and my bikini line are perfectly smooth. I think the main reason was wax was too warm (see below for more info). I'm sure then next time it will be way faster.
UNDERARMS: This took me a bit less than an hour- again see below. However, I got rid of about 99% of the hair, and the hair i did miss was easily plucked right out. (I did need hubbie for this on a couple of pulls). However the next day, my underarms are smooth and beautiful!
A FEW UPDATES TO OTHER POSTERS:
1. They must have updated the video (as of Aug 1) because it was only on the hard wax and not other types as other reviewers said. The video was a nice bonus in the kit.
2. The kit includes 1 collar to help keep your warmer clean. You can purchase a set of 50 for $6 well worth it. There was NO clean up on the warmer when i was done. Plus each collar can be used more than once if you're neat.
3. Test the wax on the inside of your wrist before putting on your bits.
4. I had no problems with the oil or the gel spilling in the container.
5. My kit does NOT look like the one in the photo. I don't know if they recently re-did packaging. Doesn't really matter i guess, my box & products look different but are as described.
MY STEPS TO DO WAXING
1. lay down garbage bag under wax warmer and working surface on the bathroom counter, an old sheet on floor & a small bag to put used wax in after.
2. Add collar to the wax pot, set in warmer and turn on
3. Take Advil
4. Shower & exfoliate (I used Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash- its for the face, but it's gentile and I love it).
5. Flip the hard solid wax that's still in the center of the pot
6. Add Pre-Epilating Oil (DON"T FORGET THE OIL IT HURTS 1000 times more if you don't remember the oil)
7. Start waxing
8. Use olive oil to remove any wax residue
Honestly, i think the hardest thing in the whole process is figuring out what temperature is the right consistency for the wax. I've done two waxes with it (Brazilian and under arms) and still don't think i have it quite right. I wax wouldn't be sticky to the touch on top but then would have the consistency of gum on shoe (best i can think of to describe it). I ended up with both waxes getting an ice cube, and putting it in a plastic bag and rubbing it over the wax strip. It worked -- YAY!!! Seems counterintuitive but i think maybe i am still having the wax too hot. One reviewer said waiting for the wax to cool was hardest part, and boy oh boy is she right.
Those that complained the "Kit doesn't come with strips to remove the wax", really aren't giving the product a fair shake. You don't need strips. That being said, I can understand why they want them. For me, the wax never seemed to get to that perfect not sticky state. Therefore, when i was doing my second underarm i had an idea. i took a used bit of wax and kinda made a wax strip out of it. Then i'd cover the spot to be waxed with fresh wax from the pot, then put the wax strip over the hotter wax cooling on my skin. I then rubbed the strip a little bit, so the wax strip sort of melts into the fresh wax i just applied. Then RIIIIPPPPPPP!!!!!
That seemed to give me the best result. It allowed me to really get at the hair with the wax, and the 'wax strip' i added on top was too cool to stick to skin at all, but added enough strength the wax underneath so everything came out nice and clean. I actually can't wait to try this technique during a brazilian, there were a few spots I couldn't get and i think this would be perfect! As an added bonus, because you are re-using wax you need less 'fresh wax' to make the thick hard wax strip.
Overall, I didn't find this wax messy (some of the reviewers had me scared). i spilled a little bit on my granite counter, and it cleaned right up.
OTHER THOUGHTS:
1. After Wax Cooling Gel (included in the kit)- stung. I don't know if it's supposed to but I've ordered 100% aloe to use next time.
2. GiGi Wax Off Wax Remover (purchased separately)- this stung too, didn't do a great job of cleaning the wax off and it stinks like cheap lotion. I just used olive oil. . Save your money. Do NOT purchase it.
3. GiGi Clean Collars 14 oz.- You get one free one in the kit. You'll want to purchase this (50 collars for $6). If you figure 3 waxes per collar that $6 will last a long long time.