Last time around, I talked about the basics of bikini and Brazilian waxing, so now let’s talk about the various waxes used in these depilatory processes. I wasn’t familiar with the various options myself until recently. For years I went to Caramello Sugar-Waxing Shop because it’s just a stone’s throw away from the FDHQ. But now that I’ve moved to another office, I go to just about any place that is convenient for me at the time that I need it, which means anywhere in a mall most of the time. Since then, I’ve gotten to know both Honeypot Wax Boutique and Strip: Ministry of Waxing, two places which introduced me to hard wax. I was a bit confused at the difference between sugar-waxing and hard wax at first; added to that confusion was something called soft wax. Time to clear the air!
Here are the three different waxing pastes used:
- Sugar-waxing: this actually dates back to 1,900 BC, with most people suspecting the use of honey at that point in beauty history. Today, the sugar paste is prepared by the sugar-waxing shop and spread with a spatula onto the skin. The sticky, usually lukewarm paste is spread evenly into a small area in the opposite direction of hair growth. Then a strip of cloth — usually muslin — is applied on top of it. And then in one quick motion, the strip of muslin is removed in the direction of growth.
- Soft wax: made out of wax and applied thinly onto skin. The rest of the procedure is very much the same like sugar-waxing, which is why both soft wax and sugar-waxing are referred to as strip waxing.
- Hard wax: a thick liquid similar to soft wax and applied evenly to a small area of the skin with a spatula. Much thicker in texture than soft wax, with the difference from the rest being that the liquid hardens after after cooling. The technician can then just quickly peel off the paste without needing to apply a strip of cloth on top of it.
Which one is better?
After further reading, I’ve found that hard wax is the best way to go.
Waxing procedures remove some surface layers of dead skin and offers a pretty good means of exfoliation. But in some cases — like the use of soft wax and sugar wax — a lot more layers are removed and chances of bruising or rashes are high. In most cases, it also takes higher temperature for soft wax and sugar wax to soften up, therefore increasing the chance of burning.
Hard wax, however, sort of “locks down” on the hair and doesn’t tug the skin at all. This is exactly the reason why the procedure is also less painful. After the different types of waxing, I personally find hard wax to be the least painful of all. It’s also more likely to adhere to hair follicles stronger, meaning that no repetitive stripping on the same are is needed. This decreases the chances of a skin irritation, which is always desirable. Hard waxing will hold off hair growth for one to two weeks before you need to go back for another service.
So why doesn’t everyone choose hard wax?
It all comes down to money, ladies! While hard wax is less painful and significantly faster (about 10 to 15 minutes), but it’s way more expensive. Strip: Ministry of Waxing charges IDR 370,000 and Honeypot Wax Boutique charges IDR 325,000 for Brazilians.
Soft wax and sugar wax are most the most commonly found options at boutiques. Strip: Ministry of Waxing also offers Brazilian strip wax using soft wax at IDR 260,000, while the same services at Caramello (my favourite sugar-waxing pick) are going for only IDR 130,000. So it’s no wonder that it’s the much preferred waxing method, right?
Now, what about you. Which one have you tried, and which did you prefer? Do you know of any other wax boutiques that we should know about?
