Celebrate International Day of Waxing by trying out a new method of hair removal that works for you! To help you choose the best wax, this guide aims to simplify the different types of wax that are available, what they’re made of, and how ingredients impact the best results.

The technique can make all the difference. We think waxing is a skill worth perfecting; smooth skin that lasts for weeks is hard to beat. You can save both time and money by taking control of your beauty routine.

What are Natural Waxes Made Of?

There are two main types of wax, the difference is because of what the main ingredients are. These are sugar-based waxes and tree resin-based waxes. Each wax type has different properties. They require different techniques for waxing preparation and clean-up.

Sugar-based Wax is Washable

Sugar-based waxes are very simple. They are made from sugar, water, chamomile extract, and citric acid. The key is in warming the wax. The application of heat produces just the right thick sugar syrup for waxing. These waxes are known as ‘washable’ because they clean away very easily with water.

‘SUGAR WAX CLEANS AWAY VERY EASILY WITH WATER’

Resin-based Wax, Salon-Style

Resin-based waxes contain extracts from tree sap or gum, known as rosin or resin. These waxes can also contain other natural ingredients such as vegetable oils and beeswax. They are known as ‘salon’ style waxes as this is the type of wax usually found at a professional salon. Why? They are effective and work on even coarse hairs. The key difference to sugar waxes is that resin-based waxes are not water washable. They must be cleaned away with the oil.

‘RESIN BASED WAX MUST BE CLEANED AWAY WITH OIL.’

Sugar-based Waxes: What You Need to Know

For waxing preparation, sugar waxes work best when starting with clean and dry skin. Key steps for skin preparation when using sugar waxes are as follows: Wash your skin with soap and water, or an oil-free toner, and dry well. After waxing, clean up any excess wax or drips easily with warm water and soap.

‘SUGAR WAXES WORK BEST WHEN STARTING WITH CLEAN AND DRY SKIN’

Sugar waxes are very gentle on the skin because of their simple and natural ingredients. Therefore, it is usually a safe ingredient for those prone to allergies. These types of waxes work best on fine to medium hair types and can be used on the legs, arms, body, face, etc. They are great for those new to waxing because it’s easy to clean away or fix any misplaced wax.

The sugar waxes are liquid. Look for a kit with spatulas and fabric strips. They require gentle heating, which is essential to the application of the wax. A thin layer is needed for the best results. Gentle heating reduces the thickness of the wax, allowing a thin layer to be applied with a spatula. The next step is firmly pressing on a fabric strip, holding the skin tight, and removing the strip quickly in the opposite direction of hair growth.

Resin-based Waxes: What You Need to Know

Remember, resin-based waxes (salon-style) are soluble in oil, not water. This changes the pre and post-waxing steps compared to sugar waxes.

For waxing preparation, do not wash your skin before using resin-based waxes. Key steps are as follows: Do not bathe, wash or clean your skin before waxing. The skin’s natural oils provide a buffer between wax and skin. Appy talc (soft) powder if needed as this can help keep the skin dry in warmer weather.

After waxing, clean up any excess wax or drips with a high-quality aftercare oil or use another gentle oil such as baby oil or mineral oil.

‘DO NOT WASH YOUR SKIN BEFORE USING RESIN BASED WAXES’

Resin waxes can be found in a few different formats. For quick convenience, look for pre-lined wax strips, these are simple and easy to use. For larger areas, you may prefer a liquid wax, which is removed with an epilation strip. Hot or hard wax is also an option. The hot wax contains more beeswax making it solid at room temperature.

Does this sound like information overload? Don’t worry, we’ll go through these different formats of the resin-based waxes below in more detail below. Just keep in mind that for all resin-based (salon-style) waxes: Don’t wash your skin before using them and use oil to clean up any wax residues.

The different types of resin-based ‘salon’ waxes:

Pre-lined wax strips

Parissa Wax Strips are pre-lined with salon-style (resin-based) wax. The best part of these wax strips are that they are easy and ready to use. The clear strips come with the right amount of wax pre-lined on them. Then, you simply apply the strip and zip away unwanted hair.

Look for strips that are made from clear cellulose for accurate placement of the wax. We recommend wax strips for beginners. They are easy to use and mess-free. Effective on all hair types, wax strips are perfect for hair removal while traveling away from home or for quick touch-ups. The results are instant and happen with two simple steps: Press on & zip off. Wax strips are available in various sizes. They range from mini strips for eyebrows, bikinis, and face-sized, to legs and body size.

Liquid warm wax

Warm Wax is liquid salon-style (resin-based) wax that must be removed with an epilation strip. For best results, use a kit that also includes fabric strips and spatulas. Warm wax requires heating before use. Follow the directions on your kit. They can usually be heated by microwave or on a wax Warmer. Once warmed, apply a thin layer of wax with spatulas. Fabric strips are firmly pressed onto the wax. This epilation strip is removed quickly, taking the wax and unwanted hairs with it.

Hot wax or hard wax

Hot Wax is also known as hard wax or strip-free wax. This wax is applied when warm and liquid, it then firms as it cools. No fabric strips are required, the wax becomes the strip. This unique wax shrink wraps the hairs and is great at removing even short and coarse hairs.

Hot wax contains beeswax which makes it solid at room temperature, and liquid when warm. The beeswax also makes this wax perfect for waxing smaller sensitive skin areas, we recommend it for facial waxing, upper lip, underarms, bikini, and Brazilian waxing.

Tips for all waxing, regardless of wax type:

The 2-week rule: Wait for at least two weeks of hair growth (½ cm or ¼ inch) before waxing. We know it’s hard to wait, but it’s worth it to get the best results from waxing. This is especially important for previously shaved hair, as it can be stubbly and resistant.

Trim longer hairs: For the opposite issue, if the hair is longer, trim it down to around ½ inch (1 cm). This means the wax will apply more easily and comfortably. It won’t tug on the hair so much as you apply it.

Remove quickly: For all waxing, remove the strip quickly and in the opposite direction of hair growth. Keep the skin tight as you remove it, this reduces skin movement and reduces discomfort.

Remove the strip close and in parallel to your skin: Not sure what we mean by this? Check out the diagram below. Don’t pull straight up, pull back and keep the strip close and parallel to your skin. This reduces the pull on your skin and makes hair removal more effective.

Apply an aftercare oil: This will help prevent ingrown hair: Look for a post-hair removal oil that contains soothing ingredients such as chamomile, which has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Exfoliate regularly: This also helps prevent ingrown hairs: Wait at least 2 days after waxing before exfoliation. For excellent results, look for exfoliating gloves, which can be used in the bath or shower.

Real talk about skin redness and waxing warnings:

Some redness after waxing is completely normal. Most people experience some level of temporary pinkness or redness to the skin after waxing. Depending on the area waxed and the hair type, this should disappear in 20 minutes to a few hours. If irritation and redness persist, discontinue use. The skin may be more sensitive after the first waxing session, as hair is more deeply rooted. However, this can improve with each waxing session as the hair grows back sparser, finer, and weaker each time.

Waxing best practice:

Always follow instructions carefully: Improper use can cause skin lifting, bruising, or skin irritation.

• Do not wax skin treated with vitamin A derivatives such as Retin A, Isotretinoin (Accutane) Glycolic Acid, or Alpha Hydroxy Acid products.
• Do not wax sensitive, sunburned, irritated, broken, or injured skin.
• Avoid waxing over varicose veins, moles, warts, or other skin irregularities.
• Do not use alcohol, astringent, or other irritating products on the skin before or after waxing.
• Do not use beauty or cosmetic products on the skin immediately after waxing.
• Do not use deodorants or antiperspirants for 24 hours after underarm waxing.
• Do not sunbathe or use sunbeds before or after waxing.

The benefits of Waxing vs. Shaving:

The main reason we love waxing is that it lasts for weeks longer than shaving. Each time you wax, the hairs also grow back softer, sparser, and more slowly. It gets easier to wax each time. Regrowth time varies from person to person. Expect hair regrowth anytime from 2 to 6 weeks after waxing.