There’s a lot of talk about self care these days, and we’re totally here for it. Whether it’s a 10-minute mindfulness moment or a squeaky-clean wax, caring for yourself lays the foundation for feeling (and looking) your best. That said, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with so many self care products, hacks, and trends out there. We believe the most useful self care products are the ones that help you glow confidently, prep your skin like a pro, and feel amazing long after your wax.
In this guide, we’ll simplify self care by breaking down what’s truly useful and can actually make a difference. Ready to get centered? We’ll cover the most useful self care must haves in each of these categories:
- For your skin
- For your home
- For your bag (aka your ride-or-die, bring-everywhere essentials)
For your skin: Self care products that actually work
Forget about long, complicated self care products lists — let’s talk about high-performance essentials. The products below are essential self care items for waxing and beyond that exfoliate, moisturize, and treat ingrowns. Long story short: Think of them as your wax’s best friends, handpicked by the experts who know smooth skin best (hi, that’s us). Find them (and stock up!) at a Waxing the City near you.
1. Don’t Mind If I Dew — Bakuchiol Face Oil
If you’ve used retinol in the past, let us introduce you to Bakuchiol skin care. Bakuchiol is a gentle, plant-based ingredient that delivers all the radiance-boosting benefits of retinol without the irritation, and yes, it’s wax-safe. Your face (and freshly shaped brows) are in for a treat with this face oil.
2. Skin Saver Body Serum
Made with Chaparral herb extract, our Skin Saver body serum is clinically proven to slow the progression of hair regrowth. That means smoother skin, longer. Use it between waxes to keep your glow going strong.
3. Handle It — Body Exfoliating Mitt
One of our most well-loved self care products, this mitt helps reduce unevenness and get your skin perfectly prepped and polished before a wax. We recommend pairing it with your favorite body wash for a mini spa moment that smooths things over, literally.
4. Scented Sugar Scrubs
Exfoliation is essential for smooth skin, in addition to waxing. Enter: our scented sugar scrubs. These scrubs are the ultimate skin treat, packed with a powerhouse trio of exfoliants (brown sugar cane, organic sugar cane, and bamboo powder) to buff away dullness. They’re loaded with skin-loving hydrators like aloe, organic shea butter, and mango seed butter, and finished with renewing ingredients like Vitamin E and organic avocado oil. Translation: smoother skin, fewer ingrowns, and glow that goes beyond the surface. Take your pick:
- Let Them Eat Cake — Give your skin the birthday treatment (no matter what day it is). This shimmery, cake-scented scrub smooths, softens, and leaves you glowing like it’s your big day. Because every shower deserves a celebration.
- NEW Island Time — Scoop up a tropical escape, no plane ticket required. This coconut-vanilla dream gently exfoliates while delivering major hydration, leaving your skin soft, glowy, and beach-day ready. Smooth skin? You’re on island time now.
- Mint to Be — Cool, tingly, and oh-so-refreshing. This minty mood-booster smooths and hydrates your skin while waking up your senses. It’s the self care pick-me-up you were mint to have.
- NEW Lavender Craze — Your moment of calm, bottled. This dreamy scrub smooths and hydrates with a soothing lavender blend and a touch of eucalyptus. It’s the perfect way to unwind, reset, and glow — one scrub at a time.
5. Daily Detox Scrub
This NEW product is especially great for the summer months — it’s a breakout-busting scrub, and your new go-to. Use it to clear up acne on your back and chest or target those stubborn ingrowns. Bonus: it’s perfect for him and her.
6. Bump Buster — Ingrown Pads (a true essential)
Just like the name implies, Bump Buster pads help do exactly that: reduce bumps. When you have an ingrown hair, reach for Bump Buster pads to provide some much-needed relief. Pro tip: Stock up at your next wax appointment!
For your home: Self care items that turn your space into a sanctuary
Let’s be real — self care doesn’t always require a shopping spree. Sometimes, it’s about rethinking how you use what you already have. Whether you’re setting the vibe in your bedroom, upgrading your WFH setup, or creating your own cozy corner, these essentials bring everyday calm into your space. Think of it as your home’s own self care “starter pack” — designed to help you unwind, recharge, and glow from the inside out.
7. Slippers
Comfort begins from the ground up, starting with your feet. No matter the season, pamper your feet with a cozy pair of slippers. Pro tip: Keep them by the door so you can slip into them after a long day, or if you work from home, keep them under your desk at the ready. Your feet will thank you!
8. A scented candle
A flickering flame paired with a soothing scent can turn any room into a retreat. Science backs it up, too. According to Travel + Leisure, certain scents interact with the part of the brain linked to emotions and can help regulate mood. We recommend soy wax candles, which are eco-friendly and don’t have paraffin wax, which can release residue into the air.
9. A plant
When it comes to creating a serene indoor space, a good plant (or a few) is a no-brainer. The benefits of keeping plants around go beyond being nice to look at. According to Healthline, they’ve been shown to improve focus, boost mood, and purify the air. If you live with children or pets, before you do any plant shopping, check to make sure you’re choosing one that is safe to keep in their environment.
10. A light box
Light boxes, aka light therapy lamps, are a trend we can get behind. Maybe you’ve read online reviews or received a stellar review from a friend — in any case, the hype is real! These are designed to mimic sunlight, offering the mood-boosting, energizing effects of the sun when you’re indoors.
Pro tips:
- These lamps only need to be used for about 30 minutes a day.
- Using the lamp can support your body’s internal clock for better sleep.
- No light box? No problem. An early-morning walk offers similar benefits.
11. Your favorite book or album
Sometimes, the most powerful reset is the one that takes you back. Keep your all-time favorite book or album nearby (even if that means digitally!) to come back to when you need a self care moment or a quick reset. The one that makes you laugh, cry, or sing at full volume. A page, a verse, a moment? That’s all you need.
12. Tea, coffee, or your drink of choice
When you want to press pause, making yourself a hot cup of tea, coffee, or another healthy alternative is the perfect solution. Take a moment to savor the taste, smell, and feeling of the cup in your hands to ground yourself before returning to what you were doing before. Slow sips, deep breaths, total reset.
For your bag: At work or on the go
Life doesn’t always give you spa days and perfect playlists. Sometimes self care means being ready for whatever the day throws at you — traffic jams, flight delays, surprise weather changes. With the right self care essentials on hand, keeping your cool becomes a little more doable. These self care essentials help you stay grounded, refreshed, and put together, no matter where life takes you.
13. Cozy scarf
We’ve all been there: You’re at a store, restaurant, or event, and it’s freezing. Save yourself from this situation by tossing a cozy scarf in your bag — ready to save the day at a moment’s notice.
14. Sleep mask
Sleep masks (also called eye masks) aren’t just for sleep. If you’re traveling on a flight or road trip, keeping a sleep mask in your bag creates the perfect opportunity for some to give your eyes a break and simply rest or tune in, even if you’re wide awake.
Bonus items:
- Sunglasses — To keep the sun’s rays at bay
- Ear buds — To turn on your own personal soundtrack
- Ear plugs — To tune out excess noise (perfect for a long flight)
15. A hair brush
Don’t let the wind, rain, or a hat get in your way. Keep a hair brush in your self care toolkit (aka your bag) to make every day a good hair day. Go from brunch to errands to evening plans looking and feeling put together, ready for just about anything.
16. Journal
Whether you journal daily or not at all, keep a notebook or journal with you. Here’s why: You can jot down reminders, ideas, inspiration, and even practice reflection when you have a moment of down time for yourself. If you’re traveling, you can review the highlights from your day and write them down to come back to and remember your trip.
17. Water bottle (one of the all-time best self care products!)
To keep your body hydrated, keep a water bottle by your side — always! Whether you’re on your way to a fitness class or sitting in a meeting, bringing your water bottle helps you stay refreshed. By simply having it accessible, you’ll be more likely to reach your hydration goals and enjoy the skin benefits that come with that. If you’re on the hunt for a new water bottle, we suggest glass over plastic since these are eco-friendly. Just don’t toss it in a bag of bricks.
18. Jade roller
A little glow-to-go? Yes, please. This cooling facial tool helps reduce puffiness and feels amazing on tired skin. Stash it in your bag for a mini facial massage during lunch breaks, travel delays, or anytime your skin needs a pick-me-up.
According to Good Housekeeping, benefits may include:
- Less puffiness
- Reduced visibility of fine lines
- Detoxifying
If you’re serious about self care, these products will seriously make a difference
Whether you are shopping for self care products or getting organized by reviewing the items you already have, we hope this guide helps you focus on what’s most essential and effective. From at-home skin care to self care on the go, your well-being is always a priority. Because here’s the thing: when you care for your body and mind, everything else starts to click. That inner glow? It shows. And yes — a professional wax definitely helps.
Want more glow-know where that came from? Review these reader favorites:
Pro tip: Self love starts with skin love. Discover your smoothest skin ever when you schedule a waxing appointment with our expert professionals. Let’s get your glow on!