Waxing is one of the best ways to get rid of unwanted body hair since it is quick, easy, and lasts much longer than shaving.
However, if you’re thinking of waxing at home, you might be wondering what kind of wax to use, given that you can pick between two options: soft wax and hard wax.
Both can be used with precision to get effective results, as long as you know how to heat hard wax and soft wax proficiently.
Having said that, it’s also essential to understand that both waxes have different purposes and separate lists of pros and cons.
For example, it’s better to use hard wax when doing the more sensitive areas, like your bikini line. On the contrary, soft wax should be your go-to option for waxing large areas, such as your arms and legs.
To put things into further context, here’s a brief soft wax vs. hard wax overview that’ll help you make sure you’re choosing the right product for your at-home waxing experience:
Soft Wax vs. Hard Wax
1- Soft Wax
Soft wax adheres to not only the body hair but also your skin upon application. This means when you pull off the wax, the outermost layer of your skin also comes off with it. Case in point, here’re a few pros and cons of using soft wax:
Pros
- You can apply soft wax on larger areas since it doesn’t break off when you pull it from your skin.
- Unlike hot wax, you can use soft wax at a lower temperature if your skin is heat-sensitive.
- Soft wax is more affordable than hard wax.
Cons
- Soft wax is comparatively more painful than hard wax, hence not suitable for sensitive areas.
- You require a material strip to remove the hair and wax afterward.
- You can’t apply soft wax to the same spot twice due to severe skin irritation.
- Soft wax might cause harm to your skin if it’s not applied or removed as per instructions.
2- Hard wax
On the contrary, hard wax is the way to go if you’re looking to wax sensitive spots. Moreover, since this kind of wax only adheres to the hair, it doesn’t strip away the outermost layer of your skin when used right.
Below are some of the top pros and cons of hard wax that you should know about before applying it for the first time:
Pros
- Hard wax is comparatively gentler on the skin since it doesn’t stick to the skin upon application.
- There’s far less residue on the skin that you can gently cleanse after waxing.
- Hard wax grabs onto the shorter hair, which effectively eliminates the need to apply wax on the same spot twice.
- When using hard wax, the heat opens up pores, making it further easier to pull the hair out from the follicle.
Cons
- Hard wax is comparatively more expensive than soft wax.
- It can only be applied in small portions since it breaks off otherwise.
- Applying hard wax can be time-consuming when used on larger spots.
Now that you know the significant differences between the two kinds of waxes and can make your final decision accordingly, let’s move on to discuss how to heat hard wax appropriately!
Also don’t forget to checkout how to wax the bikini line with hard wax?
How to Heat Hard Wax Using 3 Different Methods
If you’re looking for the best results, it’s imperative to know how to heat the hard wax beans into the perfect consistency.
While a plug-in wax warmer remains the easiest and safest way to melt hard wax, you can also use your microwave or stove, as long as you follow adequate instructions.
Given below are the step-by-step guidelines for heating hard wax beans using the three separate methods:
1- Using a Wax Warmer
Even though you need to purchase a quality wax warmer individually, this is still the most convenient method of melting hard wax among all options. There are two reasons for that.
First, you don’t have to take in the wax temperature manually or worry about balanced heat distribution using this device.
Secondly, you don’t need to get up and reheat the hard wax when it cools down after a while.
You can follow the given instructions to melt hard wax beans using a wax warmer:
Step 1 – Pour Wax Beans Into the Warming Pot
Open the top lid of the wax warmer and pour the hard beans into the designated compartment. If there’s a defined line in the container, make sure you don’t fill the chamber over that edge.
However, if that’s not the case, it’s best to fill only two-thirds of the pot to remain on the safe side.
Moreover, you should see the instructions on the hard wax package to ensure you don’t take out more than needed for your estimated use.
For general reference, it takes approximately 71 grams (2.5 oz.) of hard wax beans to wax your underarms.
Step 2 – Set the Warmer on Recommended Temperature
Most wax warmers have dials exhibiting low, medium, and high settings. However, if your particular model has other settings or features, you can read the instructions manual and determine your recommended heat use.
In general, you should set your wax warmer to medium temperature (125 to 150 Fahrenheit or 52 to 71 centigrade).
The device also keeps the wax from altering temperature throughout your use, so you don’t have to adjust and readjust the dial continually.
Step 3 – Check the Temperature After Half an Hour
After thirty to forty minutes, you can come back to the perfect melted wax paste ready for use.
Unless your model of wax warmer instruction manual specifically states to stir the solution before use, you don’t need to worry about that.
The only downside of wax warmer is that it takes longer for the hard beans to melt compared to a microwave or stove.
However, since you get the perfect honey-like consistency without worrying about the temperature afterward, it’s the ideal deal.
2- Using a Microwave
If you don’t have a wax warmer but want a mess-free and quick method to heat the hard wax beans, using a microwave would be your best bet.
For implementing this routine, you need to have a microwave-safe bowl, silicone or wooden spatula, an oven mitt, and a thermometer.
Once you’ve gathered the mentioned essentials, you can follow the given steps to achieve the perfect wax consistency:
Step 1 – Pour Wax Beans Into a Microwave-Safe Bowl
Take a microwave-safe container and load it with the hard wax beans while keeping in mind that the bowl should not cross the two-third limit. For clear guidance, you can look at the wax package instructions.
However, for reference, you might need around 680 grams (24 oz.) of hard wax beans for waxing one leg.
Once you’ve poured the correct quantity of wax beans into the container, you can put it into the microwave.
Step 2 – Lower Your Microwave’s Power Level to 20%
If you use a microwave to melt the hard wax beans at full potential, the wax will nuke them into an uneven paste that’s too hot at some spots and only partially melted in other areas.
That’s why it is essential to decrease the microwave power to 20%, which will heat the wax beans slowly but evenly.
You can use your microwave manual to check how to reduce the power level of the machine.
Step 3 – Heat for 10 Seconds
Granted, you wouldn’t feel any visible difference after heating the hard wax for ten seconds in the microwave.
However, it’s still vital to heat the beans for the given amount of time and then stir the mixture with a silicone or wooden spatula. It’s only once you’ve stirred the beans that you’ll see the wax beans beginning to lose their shape.
Also, stirring helps to ensure that the hard wax beans melt evenly with one temperature throughout.
Step 4 – Reheat After Every 10 Seconds and Check with a Thermometer
Now, you’ll have to repeat the third step with ten-second increments until the wax is fully melted and at a specific temperature.
While doing so, you should make sure you’re wearing oven mitts since the bowl might get too hot and burn your skin. Plus, the microwave power level should remain the same 20% as before.
After every ten seconds, you must stick a thermometer in the paste to ensure the wax temperature remains between 125 to 160 Fahrenheit (52 to 71 centigrade).
It shouldn’t take more than six rounds of ten-second heating increments to achieve the honey-like consistency at the given temperature range.
Once that happens, you can use the melted hard wax immediately.
Step 5 – Reheat When Needed
Lastly, when you feel like the melted wax is beginning to harden and lose its smooth texture, you can pop the bowl back into the microwave to heat in ten-second increments at a 20% power level. While doing so, please don’t forget to stir the paste after every ten seconds as well.
While heating hard wax in the microwave is the quickest technique you can lean toward, you should remember that the residual heat also drops within a few minutes.
This might mean you would have to heat the mixture repeatedly in just one waxing session.
3- Using a Stove
Using a stovetop to melt hard wax might be the oldest technique in the book. However, it’s still an excellent way to do the job if you don’t want to, for some reason, use a microwave. To follow this method, it’s ideal to have a boiler at home.
However, even if you don’t have one, we’ll show you how to make one yourself. To make that happen, you’ll need to have a heat-resistant saucepan and a pot, silicone or wooden spatula, a thermometer, and some water by your side.
Once you’ve got the mentioned ingredients, you can follow the steps given below:
Step 1 – Find the Right Containers
To make your makeshift boiler, you’ll need to grab a heat-resistant saucepan that fits snugly when placed on top of a pot.
Moreover, it’s essential to make sure that the bottom of the saucepan doesn’t reach more than one-third of the way into the pot when placed on top.
Step 2 – Add Water Into the Pot, Lid with a Saucepan, and Put it on Heat
Next, you’ll need to put an inch or two of water into the pot and put that on the stove on medium-high heat after fitting the saucepan snugly on top.
Since the water will be boiling between the two surfaces, it will trap the steam inside and work as a boiler effectively.
Step 3 – Reduce the Heat
Once the water boils, you should reduce the heat to low such that the liquid is simmering gently.
Step 4 – Pour the Hard Wax Beans Into the Saucepan
Now, pour an adequate quantity of hard wax beans into the saucepan while keeping the heat at a low temperature. Again, it would be best to look at the wax packaging to ensure you don’t put more than needed to get the job done.
For reference, you only require 35 grams (1.25 oz.) of wax beans to wax your eyebrows and upper lips.
While pouring wax beans into the saucepan, please make sure that you don’t put so much that the paste spills over the sides when you need to stir the mixture in the next step.
Step 5 – Stir and Check Temperature Until Done
Whether you use an original or a makeshift boiler, you’ll need to stir the wax beans with a silicone or wooden spatula every minute or so to make sure they melt at an even temperature.
Moreover, once the beans completely melt, you should start taking temperature readings with the help of a thermometer after every ten seconds.
While doing that, make sure you don’t touch the thermometer with the bottom of the saucepan since that will give you the pan’s temperature instead of the melted wax.
Once the temperature reads 125 to 160 Fahrenheit (52 to 71 centigrade), you can turn off the flame and use the wax immediately.
Step 6 – Reheat When Needed
When the melted wax begins to harden and lose its consistency, you should put the saucepan back on the stove at a low flame and stir the paste until it reaches the proper temperature again.
Our Final Words
Now that you know how to heat hard wax, you can easily get rid of the unwanted body hair without a hassle.
However, you should always make sure to clean the spots with soap and clean water before applying a thin layer of baby lotion before waxing.