How to Choose the Right Wax for Your Professional Treatments (2024)

Understanding types of waxes

Before purchasing a professional wax, it's essential to familiarise yourself with the various wax types on the market. The two primary categories are hard wax and soft wax.

Hard wax

Hard wax, also known as hot wax, is applied and removed without the use of strips. It hardens as it cools, allowing you to remove it by gripping the edge and pulling it off in the opposite direction of hair growth.

Hard wax has a stronger adhering power to the hair rather than the skin, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin and for use on delicate areas or deep-rooted hairs. It's ideal for use on the lip, chin, eyebrows, underarm, bikini and inner thigh.

Hard wax gives you more flexibility, allowing you to apply both with and against the hair growth, making it a great option for stubborn and strong hairs.

Some clients prefer this method as it can be seen as less painful and has a lower application temperature, helping to keep them as comfortable as possible during treatment.

Soft wax

Also known as strip wax, soft wax is applied in a thin layer and removed using paper strips. They can come in crème or gel textures, the only difference being personal preference of what you like to work with.

With a low melting temperature, soft wax reaches a working consistency very quickly, making it a more economical option that is very popular with beauty professionals.

Treatments performed with soft wax can be a quicker procedure, so it’s commonly used on larger areas such as the legs. It’s also very easy to control, making it great for precision hair removal, especially eyebrow shaping.

Which type of wax should I use: hard wax or soft wax?

It is useful to offer both types of waxes to ensure you’re able to tailor each treatment to the client and work with a range of skin types, hairs growth problems, etc. There will be instances when hard wax is the most effective means of hair removal, and others where soft wax would be more suited.

How to Choose the Right Wax for Your Professional Treatments (1)

Selecting the right wax type for every client

As with every part of your treatments, you should be tailoring the products you choose to your client’s needs, desired outcome, skin type and more. Here are our key things to consider to help you choose the right wax type and get the very best results every time.

Consider skin type and sensitivity

Every client's skin is unique, so it's important to take their skin type and sensitivity into account when selecting wax. For clients with sensitive skin, a hard wax is preferable as it will adhere to the hair, rather than the skin. Be sure to perform a wax test to ensure your client doesn't experience adverse reactions.

Evaluate hair texture and growth patterns

The type and texture of hair play a significant role in wax selection. Fine hair may be better suited for soft wax, while coarse or deep-rooted hair can be effectively removed with hard wax. Additionally, understanding the direction of hair growth helps you apply and remove the wax in the most efficient manner, reducing discomfort for the client.

Assess treatment areas

Different wax types are better suited for specific treatment areas. For instance, hard wax is often the preferred choice for facial and intimate areas due to its gentle application and removal process. Soft wax, on the other hand, is commonly used for larger body areas like arms, legs, and back.

Temperature and consistency

Pay attention to the melting temperature and consistency of the wax. Ensure that the wax melts to a comfortable temperature that won't cause burns or discomfort to the client. The wax should have a smooth, spreadable consistency that adheres well to the hair and skin.

Quality and ingredients

Invest in high-quality products with ingredients that are not only effective, but also as kind to the skin as possible. Here at HD Brows, we have an in-house product team that work hard to develop the very best formulas and carry out extensive testing and quality control before anything is brought to market.

What are the differences between the HD Brows waxes?

The HD Brows range includes three waxes, making it easy for you to tailor your treatments and achieve those bespoke brows.

HD Brows Hard Wax

The hard wax pellets melt to a smooth consistency that ensures controlled application. The ultra-gentle formula is suitable for even the most sensitive of skins, and is also fragrance free, rosin free and vegan friendly. It’s been designed for small, high precision areas, making it great for brow shaping. Advanced stylists can also use this to perform a speed waxing technique.

The shimmering opal white shade is perfect for helping to create viral-worthy social media content.

Shop HD Brows Hard Wax.

HD Brows Crème Wax

The original wax in the HD Brows range, Crème Wax has a soft, creamy texture that is gentle on the skin. The vegan friendly formula is enriched with natural pine resin for strong adhesion to the hairs. With a low melting temperate, it can be applied in thin layers that allow for precise hair removal.

Shop HD Brows Crème Wax.

HD Brows Gel Wax

This vegan friendly wax has a gel consistency that allows for smooth application. The gentle formula is infused with soybean oil, known for its moisture-retaining and anti-inflammatory benefits. The glistening cosmic black shade is perfect for creating eye-catching social media content (a great marketing tool), as well as acting as a great visual aid for design on all skin and hair tones.

Shop HD Brows Gel Wax.

How to Choose the Right Wax for Your Professional Treatments (2)

Choosing the right wax for your beauty treatments requires careful consideration of various factors, from skin type and sensitivity to hair texture and treatment areas. By understanding the differences between wax types, assessing client needs, and experimenting with different formulas, you can elevate your waxing services and provide clients with exceptional results and a comfortable experience.

Want to stock up on professional eyebrow wax? Shop the full HD Brows wax range.

Want to add eyebrow waxing to your treatment menu? Train in the signature HD Brows treatment.

How to Choose the Right Wax for Your Professional Treatments (2024)

FAQs

How to Choose the Right Wax for Your Professional Treatments? ›

Assess treatment areas

What kind of wax do professional salons use? ›

Hard wax is the most popular choice for professionals because of its many benefits. One of the most significant advantages is that it's much gentler on the skin than other wax types.

What wax do pros use? ›

Pro surfers rave about Fu Wax's incredible traction. Unlike other waxes, this one only gets better as you surf. Fu Wax comes in cold, cool, warm, tropical, and Cool Water of Summer options, meaning that you have the perfect wax available—no matter when or where you choose to go surfing!

What wax should I use for a Brazilian wax? ›

Most people agree that for a Brazilian wax, hard wax is the best option. If your hair is coarse, multiple applications will be necessary, and hard wax allows for this. Additionally, because this area of your body is so sensitive, hard wax removal tends to be less painful.

What is the most effective type of wax? ›

Hard wax is an effective option both for areas with thicker hair and fine, thin hair. The wax is applied warm and hardens as it cools. It's also known as strip-free wax because, in its hardened form, it acts as the strip itself.

What is the wax they use at salons? ›

Paraffin wax is a white or colorless soft, solid wax. It's made from saturated hydrocarbons. It's often used in skin-softening salon and spa treatments on the hands, cuticles, and feet because it's colorless, tasteless, and odorless.

How do I choose a wax salon? ›

We've outlined what to look for when selecting a professional waxing salon below.
  1. Exceptional Reviews. ...
  2. Qualified and Licensed Technicians. ...
  3. Hygiene. ...
  4. Skilled, Caring Personnel. ...
  5. Five-Step Process. ...
  6. Conclusion.
Mar 3, 2022

How do I choose the right wax? ›

How to choose the right wax for your professional treatments
  1. Hard wax. ...
  2. Soft wax. ...
  3. Which type of wax should I use: hard wax or soft wax? ...
  4. Consider skin type and sensitivity. ...
  5. Evaluate hair texture and growth patterns. ...
  6. Assess treatment areas. ...
  7. Temperature and consistency. ...
  8. Quality and ingredients.

What wax do professional detailers use? ›

Most professional detailers use some type of carnauba paste wax. However, applying paste-style carnauba waxes can sometimes require more elbow grease than liquid or spray waxes. Many at-home detailers find that they get a satisfactory shine and protection from easier-to-apply spray or liquid waxes.

What is the best wax method? ›

For the best technique and results, dermatologists recommend the following tips:
  • Avoid retinoid creams before waxing. ...
  • Reduce discomfort. ...
  • Wash and dry the area. ...
  • Warm the wax. ...
  • Apply the wax. Apply the wax to a small section of your skin with unwanted hair. ...
  • Apply the cloth strip.
  • Remove the cloth strip.
  • Soothe your skin.

Which wax is best for a private area? ›

Hard body wax is typically used for smaller, more sensitive areas including the upper lip, underarms and bikini area. This type of body wax is applied warm, directly onto the skin. It is given time to cool and then harden, and is then pulled off in the opposite direction of the hair growth.

Which wax is better Rica or Brazilian? ›

RICA Wax range guarantees a superior hair removal without irritation and allergens. Rica Wax is gentle to the skin, thanks to the natural Patented Formula that contains Glyceryl Rosinate, Vegetable Oil, Titanium Dioxide, Natural Beeswax, Zinc Oxide.

What is a full Brazilian wax called? ›

A Hollywood wax is where all pubic hair is removed from the whole intimate area, including the labia, perineum and anus, as well as from the mons pubis.

What kind of wax do estheticians use? ›

Hard wax is perfect for Brazilians and facial waxing because it is gentler on the skin. Hard wax adheres to the hairs rather than to the skin, which gives it an advantage in the hair removal process. Hard wax is applied thicker than soft wax and hardens on the skin.

What wax do professionals use? ›

Berodin – Black Soft Wax + Blue Hard Wax

This is Rose's favorite brand of wax! She has been using it for years. Endorsed by the Wax Queen herself, Lori Nestore! You can tackle just about any waxing service with the Berodin Blue Hard Wax or Berodin Black Soft Wax – Click Here.

Is it better to wax or shave pubic hair? ›

For bikini areas, waxing is more precise and can result in less razor bumps because of the delicate skin area.

What do estheticians use after waxing? ›

We recommend Finipil as a proactive antibacterial treatment to use after waxing. Glow recommends using Finipil for 4 days following your wax. THEN start using it again 2 weeks from your wax date until your next appointment, because that's when the hair really starts to push through and can cause problems.

Do salons use hard wax? ›

Most salons that offer waxing services keep both hard and soft body wax on hand for various types of waxing services and client preferences. Hard wax is the default wax for certain waxing procedures and skin types, and many clients prefer it to soft wax.

What wax do professional candle makers use? ›

Some makers choose eco-friendly options like soy or beeswax, while others prioritize the strongest hot throw that's possible with paraffin wax.

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