We have all heard those waxing horror stories, making us avoid waxing altogether. But it’s important to use the correct wax for the correct area, to avoid any mistakes!
Waxing should be pain-free, but if the wrong type of wax is used incorrectly it really can be a DISASTER.
So what is the difference between hard wax and soft wax?
In the short soft wax is applied cold and is used more for larger areas of skin. Hard wax is used hot and is used for smaller more delicates areas. But what is the difference between them and which is best?
We have compared the two waxes, taking a look at all areas of your body you need to wax. So know which type you should choose.
Hard Wax vs. Soft Wax
Even with the huge amounts of different waxes out there, they all fall into two easy categories.
SOFT WAX AND HARD WAX.
It really is easy to understand when you know what the difference is. Be sure to read our guide to understand the pros and cons of each type of wax.
Once you know which area it is you want to wax on your body, you can choose the correct type of wax that is better for you and this will help make your waxing more comfortable, safer and efficient.
Soft waxing is usually what you would use to do a full-body wax at home or to wax larger areas of your body like your legs or arms. It’s simple to apply, just use a waxing spatula to apply and remove with a muslin strip.
You can also buy pre-waxed strips which can be easy to use from home.
Although hard wax is a little different to use as it requires a little more skill to use on your body. Apply the hot wax to the area and let it cool down and harden. Once the wax has hardened you can remove quickly remove hairs without the use of a strip.
I would suggest using hard wax on more sensitive areas of skin such as bikini areas or eyebrows.
According to experts Healthline, you should avoid hard wax on big areas like legs as it can be quite painful to remove.
Read below the pros and cons of both hard and soft wax to choose which is best to remove your hair.
Hard Wax – Pros
- Hard wax is perfect for smaller areas of the body, such as eyebrows, upper lips and underarms.
- Waxing is less unpleasant on the face.
- Hard wax grabs shorter hairs meaning you would only need to go over one area once
- Hard wax leaves no stick residue meaning it’s easier to keep clean.
Hard Wax – Cons
- Financially hard wax is actually more expensive, meaning it’s less popular for businesses such as salons.
Read Here: What is a Manzilian Wax? (What To Expect)
Soft Wax – Pros
- As soft wax is good for removing fine hairs, this means it’s more suitable for larger areas of the body.
- Soft wax is much cheaper to buy than hard wax, meaning salons choose to use soft wax more often.
- Soft wax is less painful, this makes it ideal for more sensitive areas, like under the arms or on the face.
Soft Wax – Cons
- The first time you use soft wax, it has to remove the hair because subsequent uses will only remove layers of dead skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Use Hard Wax or Soft Wax for Eyebrows?
For smaller areas that need waxing like eyebrows, you should stick to using hard wax. Hard wax is less painful for waxing on the face and is much better at pulling out those extra short hairs, meaning you won’t need to go back over the same area, helping to avoid red irritation.
Should I Use Hard Or Soft Wax For A Brazilian?
Soft wax should always be used for Brazilian wax as soft wax is always recommended for smaller sensitive areas for waxing.
Read here: Should you moisturize after waxing?
Conclusion
Comparing hard and soft wax, there is no definitive answer to which is best, as they both have their own pros and cons, meaning they are both good at different jobs.
If you are waxing a small area then be sure to stick to hard wax, yet if you are waxing a larger area of your body like the legs it’s important to use soft wax, or you will have to just repeat the process over and over, causing red itchy skin.
How did you find our guide on the difference between hard wax vs soft wax? If there are any questions we didn’t answer please feel free to contact us, as we love to hear from our readers.