During the lockdown years, men and women across the globe had to find a way to achieve a salon-grade, at-home grooming experience.
While many individuals succeeded in training themselves to use hard wax, strip wax, eyebrow tint, bleach, gel polish and so much more, there remains a significant portion of us who prefer to leave it to the experts.
For the former camp, curating the perfect home grooming kit is essential. If you’ve mastered the art of using strip wax for legs and arms, you might be in the market to graduate to hot wax for intimate areas and facial hair.
Preferred for its ability to adhere solely to the hair follicles in question rather than the skin, hard wax offers a more pain-free and cost-effective waxing experience. This is because the hot wax also works to open up the pores and follicles for better removal (and ingrown hair prevention). Plus, you won’t need to invest in additional materials such as wax strips.
We chatted with Ruuby beauty therapist, Asta for some insight into hard wax.
What is the difference between hard wax and strip wax?
“Hard wax is a thick layer and hardens as it cools, by gripping an edge and pulling it off in one piece. Strip wax is applied in a thin layer and then has fabric or paper strips pressed onto it before being pulled off. Hard wax is generally considered better for sensitive areas like the bikini and face.”
What are the rules for applying hard wax?
“Proper application is crucial for hard wax. The area must be thoroughly cleaned and any lotions/oils removed. Always apply the wax in the direction of hair growth in a reasonably thick layer. Allow it to fully harden before attempting removal by gripping an edge and pulling against the hair growth direction in a firm motion.”
Should different hard waxes be used for different skin types?
“Yes, different hard wax formulas are often recommended for different skin types. Those with sensitive skin may prefer a more nourishing, gentle hard wax. While for thicker hair, a stronger grip hard wax could be more effective.”
Do you have any lesser-known top tips and tricks for using hard wax?
“Applying powder before the wax can help absorption and can make it less painful!”
What are your favourite hard waxes and why?
“Some of my personal favourites are the Cirepil Blue hard wax for sensitive areas and also I like the Aromawax for coarser hair - it has a nice subtle fragrance.”
In line with Asta’s advice, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best hard waxes for at-home use.
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Perron Rigot Cirepil Blue Depilatory Wax Beads 800g
Recommended by professionals across the globe, Perron Rigot’s Cirepil Blue depilatory wax beads are suitable for all areas of the body. Crafted to heat up and cool down quickly without ever sticking to the skin, it adheres to hair follicles and removes hair with a gliding pain-free ease. What sets Cirepil Blue apart from the rest is that it’s easy to apply in thin layers, which makes it suitable for intimate areas and short, shaved hairs.
Buy now £33.15, Amazon
Mylee Charcoal and Green Tea Stripless Wax 500g
For those who have been using hard wax regularly yet still seem to be getting pesky ingrown hairs, we highly recommend giving Mylee’s charcoal and green tea beads a go. The original, new-generation formula produces wonderfully flexible wax which is easy to remove and kind to even the most sensitive skin.
Buy now £15.00, Lookfantastic
Hive Brazilian Hot Film Wax Pellets 700g
Hive Brazilian hot wax beads are perfect for Brazilian-style waxing. Hypoallergenic and gentle on skin, the pellets melt to form a wonderfully smooth consistency which is void of pesky stringy bits. This makes waxing those hard-to-reach and often painful areas a fuss-free breeze.
Buy now £16.85, Amazon
Tress Wellness Bikini Wax for Coarse Hair 550g
Tress Wellness hard wax beads are specially formulated for coarse hair. The 550g bag of pellets comes with 12 application spatulas and the Tress ‘wax like a pro’ guide in case you’re in need of a refresher course. Tough on hair but kind to skin, you can expect salon-grade smoothness without any irritation.
Buy now £17.95, Amazon
Lifestance Violet 450g Wax Beads
Lifestance’s classic formula was created with home waxers in mind. The bright violet hue makes seeing exactly where you’re waxing and removing easier than ever, while the wax itself heats up at lower temperatures without cracking. Flexible when dry and easy to spread in thin layers, you simply can’t go wrong.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
Hard wax kits
Mylee Coconut and Arnica Stripless Wax Kit
If you’re looking to purchase an entire hard wax kit and caboodle, look no further than Mylee’s highly effective and value-for-money set.
Suitable for all skin types including sensitive, the stripless waxing kit comes with Mylee’s best-selling vegan coconut and arnica beads which provide soothing and redness-reducing care from the minute the hot wax touches your skin. It also comes with handy waxing spatulas, a heater as well as pre- and post-waxing care treatments.
Buy now £57.99, Lookfantastic
Rio Total Body Waxing Hair Removal Kit
Though slightly different to traditional wax pellets, Rio’s stripless body waxing hair kit is a brilliant value-for-money option. The salon-grade hard wax comes in a brick, which makes measuring the perfect amount of wax needed for each session easier than ever. The set also comes with strip wax for stubborn areas, as well as a wax-removal solution for if you accidentally get some wax in the wrong area.
Buy now £40.00, Argos
