Hard Wax vs. Soft Wax: A Beginner’s Guide to Body Waxing

Goodbye stubble, hello smooth skin! Are you stuck in between hard wax versus soft wax? Let’s learn a little more about the two kinds of wax, including their pros and cons. All the good, the bad, and the nasty waxing stories of screeching women (and men) have been around that long. Luckily, now, we have advanced with state-of-the-art waxing systems for a better hair-pulling experience.

Hard Wax vs Soft Wax: Why Are There’s More Than One Type Of Body Waxing?

The two depilatory waxes are similar except one does a more delicate job than the other. They both offer a longer time before you begin to see some hairs poking through your skin. As you noticed not all hairs, grow the same length, size, and texture in different areas of our body.

Basically, hard wax needs time to cool and harden before applying it to the skin. The soft wax, however, is removed almost immediately, after pressing the strip tightly to your hairy skin.

Hard Wax

It’s the stripless wax type intended for fine body hairs. Ideally used for hairs found on smaller parts, particularly the facial hair. The ears, upper lips, eyebrows, as well the intimate areas like bikini lines. The thick wax only clings to the hair, not the skin reducing discomfort. If you have sensitive skin, hard wax is your friend.

Unlike the soft wax, applying hard wax doesn’t require special skill to use. It cools when it touches the skin and encapsulates the strands of hair as it hardens. Which is why you only need a thin layer, —enough to grab the hairs when you pull the wax off. Meaning, you can’t use it cold or at room temperature.

Soft Wax

The soft wax is a traditional body waxing offered in heated, cold, or in pre-made strips. It removes ugly hairs on the legs, arms, and other more extensive areas of the skin. You need to use a spatula in applying the wax before using a muslin strip to remove it. So, expect it to be a bit intimidating to use and potentially not so pleasant experience.

Believe it or not, soft wax is excellent for Brazilian waxing. Why? The strands down there is much coarser than the hairs on the legs or arms. Soft wax is capable of taking off every hair strand growing from different directions from the labia to the rear. If you’re a rookie, have a professional do it as it requires swift pulling motions.

Hard Wax vs Soft Wax: What Exactly Are They Made Of?

The soft wax and hard wax are both resin-based waxes, made of ‘rosin’ which is a type of natural resin extracted from coniferous plants, primarily pine trees. It’s just the main ingredient, others are made with synthetic rosin due to potential allergic reactions to the skin. While soft wax is often a mix of rosin and beeswax.

The premium versions offer the optimal texture and are blended with natural ingredients that help soothe and moisturize skin. Such as aloe vera, cocoa butter, green tea extract, chamomile, and fruit extracts are more than just fragrances. It’s a bonus feature that makes waxing an easier task for many people.

Hard Wax Beans, — Do They Work?

Coarse chest hair and on the legs would be first to come in mind when you think of hard wax. A top brand like Fèmiro Hard Wax Beans by NaturalRays works really well even on sensitive areas! Plus, it doesn’t smell strange, who wants a bad chemical smell? What makes this brand so popular is it doesn’t scare off beginners with how
easy it is to use, compared to the most hair wax warmer kits.

Another brand that does a pretty good job focusing on coarse body hairs is Blue Bikini Babe by KoluaWax. It’s made from carnauba palm wax, a native in Brazil, and then formed into beads that melt quickly and pulls off unwanted stubborn hair cleanly. Both brands do not dry super fast which allows you time to carefully apply it.

How Hard Wax Beans Are Better Than Other Waxing Methods?

Let’s begin with this question, whenever we think or talk about a perfect hairless skin, what comes to mind? Painful waxing, right? Sure, the hard wax strips can suck your spirit out of you because of the pain, but it makes hair grow slower. And yet, most of us still say ‘no’ to the unpleasant wax strips.

On the other hand, waxing creams may seem a lot more convenient as it saves you from potentially getting more than just goosebumps. Albeit, regular use of such creams can cost more money since the hair grows back too soon, —even thicker! Thus, in some cases, it causes black patches which can be super annoying.

— Is there an in-between?

Picking between hard wax vs. soft wax can be tough. The most significant outcome is hard wax beans. Also known as hard wax pellets or beads. With the more sensitive skin-friendly formula, it makes the hard wax beans suitable for all skin types. Still, a technique is done correctly in using either of the waxes is optimal.

Soft Wax Pain Factor

Soft wax or strip wax is a fav for salon use despite being a lot less painless compared to its counterpart. We urge you to hand it over a pro if you’re a beginner because if you have no experience, it can result in extra pain since skin layers can end up being removed. But hey, you can only feel the discomfort right when the hair is pulled all the way out. It stops immediately after.

As mentioned, pros recommend the use of soft wax for the bikini area. Understandably, most might imagine “it sounds painful. “Among the many brands that even include pre-made wax strips, we recommend Natural Azulene Soft Wax by Sharonelle because this stuff, by comparison, is fantastic for sensitive skin.

Another favorite brand in the waxing industry is Essential Rosin Wax Oil, Lavender by Depileve. This clear soft wax contains soothing lavender extract which helps lessen the pain with its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Although this is not formulated for sensitive skin, it has good reviews of being non-irritating to the skin.

Soft Wax In Three Ways

Heated: These are the types you find inside cute heating pots. Some are put in anti-rust aluminum jars that you can warm by placing the tin can above a lighted candle. Or you may use a warmer to soften it. This way, you can safely heat it at the right temperature.

Cold: Convenient because you can easily scoop it out the pot and spread it to the skin. Although, it might be a challenge to get a thin layer evenly due to its firmer consistency. Albeit, unlike heated, cold wax tends to hurt more and may leave few hairs behind.

Strips: Well-measured wax attached to strips of cloth that works like ‘plug n play’ to the skin. Rubbing them between your palms to warm it up before applying it makes it more effective in removing unwanted hair.

Hard Wax vs Soft Wax: What To Look For?

❏ 100% natural (Yes, it should meet all material safety standards)
❏ Safe for sensitive areas
❏ It melts quickly and evenly
❏ Effectively grabs all the hair in a single swoop
❏ Doesn’t crack and comes off quickly in one piece
❏ Doesn’t dry super fast
❏ Leaves less to no sticky residue behind (hard wax)
❏ Minimal to no chemical smell
❏ Enriched with soothing ingredients
❏ Fair price

Bottom line

So, what do you think hard wax or soft wax? It solely depends on how your skin responds to a particular type of wax during and after application. One wax may work better for some people than others, as well as some areas of the body. If you have sensitive skin and have low pain tolerance, you might go for the hard wax as it lowers the chance of severe irritation.