Waxing is one of the most popular methods of hair removal, but deciding on which type of wax to use for hair removal isn’t always easy.

This article will look at the different types of waxes available for hair removal and the pros and cons of each. I strongly suggest a patch test to check your sensitivity before a full wax.

My mother is from Ghana, a place where hairy legs and arms are a sign of beauty and considered highly desirable by Ghanaian men. But I am personally not a fan of body hair, so I wanted to test and write a guide on how to remove unwanted hair.

Waxing pain is when you remove the wax, causing a sharp, stinging sensation that lasts only a few seconds. It is more more painful on the more delicate areas like the bikini line or armpits, and for this experiment I only tested on my legs and arms.

Warm Hard Wax

Hard wax is a type of hair removing wax that is applied warm and soft but that hardens as it cools, gripping to the hair, allowing it to be easily removed without the need for strips. Warm hard wax is effective on both thick and fine hair and is perfect for delicate areas like the upper lip, underarms and bikini area.

Rather than the wax sticking to your skin, it grabs onto the hair follicle as it cools, which makes it ideal for people with sensitive skin. Warm hard wax doesn’t require a strip for removal because it acts as its own strip and can be peeled off.

It was so easy and painless I also tested on more sensitive areas with success. I will use this again happily for home use.

jojo shaving legs

Shaving or waxing your own legs at home needs flexibility, the price to be hair-free

Warm Soft Wax

As its name suggests, soft warm wax doesn’t harden. Instead, it is gently warmed and applied in a thin layer over the skin. Cloth strips are then pressed onto the wax before being pulled off, taking even the finest of hairs with it.

Warm soft wax is easily spreadable so it’s perfect for covering large areas, like legs, arms, chests and backs. However, as warm soft wax sticks to the skin as well as the hair, it is more likely to cause irritation.

It’s also more painful than hard wax, but that could be my removal technique. It’s also easier to apply the the cold version as spreads easier.

Cold Soft Wax

Cold soft wax is supplied in jars or on pre-waxed strips (see below). Using cold soft wax removes the risk of accidental burning, making it a good option for novice waxers or those waxing at home. However, cold soft wax is also trickier to apply and spread evenly, and like its warm counterpart, it adheres to skin as well as to hairs so can cause skin reactions.

Premade Wax Strips

Pre-waxed strips come with the right amount of cold soft wax already attached and are ready to use, with no heating required. The major advantage of this is the convenience, making wax strips ideal for large areas and easier to use for beginners. However, if used incorrectly or applied to sensitive areas of the body such as the face, underarms or bikini line, waxing strips can cause skin damage and increase the likelihood of ingrown hairs.

I used to do this method previously for ease, but it’s probably the most painful.

Professional sugar paste

Sugar wax is gaining in popularity as a hair removal method

Sugar Wax

I wanted to visit a professional and ask their opinion, and my local beautician suggested I try this.

Sugar wax is a simple, natural formula for hair removal that is thought to date back to ancient Egypt. It involves creating a paste out of sugar, water and lemon juice, which is then heated, cooled back to room temperature and applied to skin in the opposite direction to the hair growth. The sugar wax is then pulled off along with the hair.

Sugar waxing or sugaring has to be done in small patches, making it a time-consuming process, and the results may not be as long-lasting as waxing. However, thanks to its natural ingredients and gentle process, sugar wax is ideal for people who have sensitive skin and a lower pain threshold.

It was great and painless, if a little time consuming, so I will only do this when I have the time for a visit to the beauty salon or before wearing a formal dress, when I really want smooth skin.

As we are here, it’s good to dispel a common myth. Shaving with a razor does not make the hair grow back thicker or quicker,  it just leaves a blunt tip that feels stubbly and coarse as it grows out.