I've had waxing and I've do my own epilating.

TBH, the waxing was uncomfortable at the end, but I suppose I could have had a haircut first IYKWIM. The sides and edges etc didn't hurt. Upper lip, now that hurt! Legs were quite comfortable and relaxing. Underarms not that great. (Apparently I have a really great pain threshhold too - I wonder if it just doesn't hurt and we're all told that to preserve a myth? LOL.)

I usually like just a neaten up job, doesn't hurt. I can do most of that at home with an epilator, not that painful.

What you need to do is try plucking - I know. Just 1-2 hairs every few days during your cycle. I find that if I'm on my period I don't notice, but if I'm ovulating then it HURTS. Time your waxing session around when you have the least pain (probably period time for everyone TBH).