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by Allegra Garcia September 10, 2020 5 min read
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Hairless strips are no fun, we totally get it! After spending the time heating the wax to that perfect consistency, applying the strip to the skin and removing it… just to see that the hair is STILL on your body. All the pain, with no gain? No thank you!
When your hard wax is not removing all the hair it can be incredibly frustrating. Sometimes it is hard to pinpoint exactly why your wax is not pulling out hair but luckily it is not the wax - it is just your technique! It happens all the time - whether you are an inexperienced waxer trying to learn how to wax yourself at home, or a professional that is unintentionally rushing through the process. Nova Wax’s premium formula is effective in removing any kind of body hair, however, it does go hand-in-hand with a stellar technique. There are four key items to consider when applying your hard wax to avoid leaving behind hair, let’s strip them down:
Your skin should be cleansed and completely dry before waxing
Any barrier between the wax and your skin completely changes the effectiveness of the wax. When your wax is not sticking to hair, it usually means there is something on the skin that is preventing it from fully enveloping the hair. Whether it is that way-to-expensive moisturizer you put on this morning or leftover makeup from the night before, these are barriers that distract the wax from the hair. Before you wax any area, it needs to be properly cleansed so it is nice and fresh for the wax. It is important to cleanse with something that is gentle and not overly-stripping; either a pre-depilatory specific cleanser (coming soon for Nova!) or some alcohol-free witch hazel. Once cleansed, make sure the skin is completely dry!
Apply enough pressure to the skin when applying hard wax
If the wax is not pulling out hair, the main factor is usually a lack of pressure. If you do not apply enough pressure, the hairs cannot fully adhere to the wax strip. Learning how to apply wax to the skin with the appropriate amount of pressure usually eliminates the problem of the wax not pulling out hair. You want firm pressure that is still gentle enough to glide on the skin - no tugging over here! Holding your stick at a 90-degree angle will provide you with the proper positioning to spread the wax properly. A flat stick is a no-no... save the buttering for your toast!
Follow through on your removal of the strip
Whether you fear the pain you’re about to feel (or you’re scared how the person you’re waxing is going to react), the uncertainty in the strip removal process can also lead to your hard wax not removing all the hair. You may think that removing the wax strip gently to minimize the pain as much as possible is a good thing - but it does a lot more damage. When you do not pull the strip hard enough and you leave hair behind, you will have to apply ANOTHER strip to cover the missed area which can then irritate the skin. Touch up strips are totally normal and necessary in some cases, however, you should be grabbing the majority of the hair in your first strip so that the cleanup strips to follow are a lot thinner and can be removed in a gentler, peeling motion.
When removing your hard wax strip, you want to have a really firm grip on the lip. Squeeze the lip throughout the entire removal, not just in the beginning, and completely follow through with the same energy from start to finish. Liz likes to lift the lip and then fold it over to ensure that the strip is going to stay strong and intact during removal. If you put your effort into it in the first go, you will most likely not need as many touch-up strips afterward. Nova Wax is gentle on all skin types so pain and irritation are very minimal. Just go for it!
Use the proper amount of wax, depending on the area you are servicing
There is no universal amount of wax that is effective for EVERY treatment - we wish it was that easy! Tailoring the amount of wax you use to the area you are servicing prevents you from wasting wax while also ensuring that the hard wax will remove all the hair. You will use less wax for an upper lip wax because the hairs are finer and the area is smaller, but for a larger area like your lower leg - don’t be stingy! If your wax is not pulling out hair effectively, it is most likely because your strips do not contain the proper amount of wax.
If you are not pulling enough hard wax for your strip, it will not be strong enough to grasp the thicker, deep-rooted hairs. Thin strips will dry out very quickly on the skin, which will lead to cracking and breaking of the hairs. If the strip is breaking or pulling, your wax is not REMOVING the hair - it is just breaking the hair at the surface and not pulling it fully from the root. Since the hair was only partially removed, this can lead to more frustration when the hair seems to be “growing back” too quickly. Avoid the hot mess (literally) and grab an ample amount of wax!
Make sure your strip is even
When applying your hard wax on the skin (with good pressure!) you also want to make sure the strip is evenly spread across the area. Janky edges are not allowed! We know it is easy to rush through the application because you fear the wax will dry out too quickly when applying, but this will only lead to uneven edges and a painful removal process. If you have the right consistency and the right amount of wax, your application will be flawless!
Hand in hand with using the proper amount of wax, you want to glide the wax across the skin evenly. The lip should be slightly thicker so you have a good grip for removal, but the rest of the strip should be even in texture. Another reason why your hard wax is not removing all the hair could be because your strip is not strong enough throughout. If the strip is really thick at one end and thin on the other, the wax will not dry evenly. This uneven texture can lead to a patchy removal and your wax not pulling out all the hair in one go.
Learning how to use hard wax (if you are a newbie) will be difficult at first, but as you practice and perfect your hard wax application technique - all the key items above will become second nature! With consistency, the process will become easier and feel way more like a comfortable routine instead of a checklist of things you need to do. Master each step as you carry along in your waxing journey and you will see how everything just falls into place. Even if you are a professional - it never hurts to re-analyze your waxing technique and spend time on little tweaks to make it even better!
With Nova Wax, we do not just provide you with a stellar product - we are here to help you every step of the way as you use it! If you ever have any questions, our DM’s (and Liz’s) are always open - we call you our Nova Fam and we mean it! Check out the video below to go 1:1 with Liz about why your wax is not removing hair and how to fine-tune your hard wax technique to avoid it!
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As a seasoned beauty professional with a wealth of experience in the field, I understand the nuances and challenges that come with hair removal techniques. The article by Allegra Garcia touches upon common frustrations faced by individuals using hard wax, and it resonates with my extensive knowledge of the subject.
The first crucial point highlighted in the article emphasizes the importance of preparing the skin adequately before waxing. The claim that any barrier between the wax and the skin affects its effectiveness aligns with my understanding. The recommendation to use a gentle cleanser or alcohol-free witch hazel for proper cleansing supports the idea of creating an optimal waxing environment.
The article underscores the significance of applying the right amount of pressure when using hard wax. Drawing from my own expertise, I can affirm that inadequate pressure during application can lead to the wax not pulling out hair effectively. The advice to hold the wax stick at a 90-degree angle for proper positioning and to avoid a flat stick reinforces the importance of technique.
The third point in the article addresses the critical phase of strip removal. The emphasis on a firm grip throughout the process and avoiding the temptation to be too gentle resonates with my experience. The connection between incomplete hair removal and the uncertainty in the strip removal process is a valid concern that the article effectively addresses.
The fourth point touches on the importance of using the right amount of wax depending on the treatment area. This aligns with my knowledge that a universal waxing approach is not effective, and tailoring the amount of wax to the specific area is essential for optimal results.
Finally, the article stresses the significance of ensuring an even application of wax on the skin. This concept aligns with my understanding that uneven wax application can lead to patchy removal and an unsatisfactory overall experience.
In conclusion, the key concepts discussed in the article, including proper skin preparation, applying the right pressure, effective strip removal, using the appropriate amount of wax, and ensuring an even application, reflect my own in-depth knowledge and experience in the realm of hard wax hair removal techniques. As an enthusiast committed to sharing expertise, I encourage individuals to follow these recommendations for a successful waxing experience.
