Hard Wax vs Soft Wax – What is the Difference & Which is the Best?

Hard wax, soft wax, stripless wax…we can see why you’re looking for a little waxing advice. We thought we’d help smooth out the jargon and help you decide which type of wax is best for you.

Gone are the days of needing to head to a professional salon and pay a pretty penny for hair removal. At-home waxing is a thing of the now, and there are some really super products that can help you achieve those same salon results all by yourself at home.

Our waxes have proven time and time again to produce fantastic results. They work for just about every skin type and hair type, so you can spend more time enjoying your silky smooth skin.

Plus, you can get 15% off* the waxes you choose when you sign up for our newsletter – that’s a pretty smooth deal.

Soft wax – or crème wax – is a thin consistency wax that is used to remove hair from the body and face using a non-fibre wax strip.

Soft wax can be made from several different ingredients; however, the base of most soft waxes is Glyceryl Rosinate (a pine resin), Liquid Paraffin (a mineral oil), and Mel (or honey to us common folk). Its naturally sticky consistency makes for a perfect adhesive when warmed.

It can come in many different scents, much like the ones we offer here at Mylee.

Our crème waxes come in Soft Honey, Lilac, Rose, and Tea Tree, all to soothe and nourish your skin while removing unwanted hair with ease.

The main benefit of soft wax is that it adheres to the skin and hair follicles. This gives a smoother finish, as the wax removes dead skin, which helps with exfoliation.

Soft wax is also great for removing finer and softer hair, such as facial hair, and can cover a wider area of skin. You get good control with soft wax, so you can easily shape your eyebrows or remove hair from larger areas like your legs.

We all have our flaws, even soft wax.

Although soft wax can be used in larger surface areas you can only apply the wax to the area once, so any missed hair will need to stay until your next removal.

It also doesn't dry as quickly as hard wax, so soft wax could leave you in some sticky situations. The key is just not to apply too much of the wax to your skin at once to avoid an overly sticky mess.

You do need a wax warmer or heater for soft wax. Despite the name, soft wax is not actually soft at room temperature and needs to be melted in order to become spreadable.

A wax heater allows you to heat up the wax to the perfect temperature before applying it onto your skin.

Our Digital Wax Heater is a fantastic option for heating up your soft wax. It uses clever ActiMelt technology, which automatically lowers the wax's temperature once it has reached the ideal temperature for hair removal.

This means you can avoid any potential burns or discomfort, leaving you with smooth and hair-free skin.

Using our Digital Wax Heater also ensures your soft wax remains at the optimal temperature throughout your entire hair removal session, providing consistent and effective results.

Hard wax, AKA stripless wax, is a thicker consistency wax vs soft wax. Hard wax is specifically formulated to be used without strips and to adhere to the hair and not the skin, unlike soft wax.

Hard wax can come in all kinds of different shapes and sizes. From discs to beads, it is a better wastage system than soft wax, as you can limit the amount you can melt before waxing.

For example, if you know you only need a small amount for your session, you can easily melt just enough without wasting any product.

A good hard wax has a thick, glossy consistency that is easy to spread onto the skin. It should also have a low melting point, making it comfortable to use on sensitive areas of the body.

Another important factor in a good hard wax is its ability to grip and remove even the shortest of hairs. This is because hard wax adheres to the hair and not the skin, making it less painful and more effective at removing unwanted hair (when used correctly).

Our Advanced Professional Stripless Waxes with Flexismooth® Technology are the best of the best when it comes to hard waxes. Unlike many hard waxes, ours are flexible and pliable, which makes pulling off the wax less painful and more effective.

The formula can also grip onto very short hairs, making it perfect for use on any part of the body. Plus, when coupled up with our Digital Wax Heater, the wax heats up quickly and evenly, making it ready to use in no time.

Hard wax is used by applying a thick layer of wax to the desired area in a figure of eight motion. This is then repeated until the hair is completely covered. Once the wax is no longer tacky it is then ready to be pulled off.

Unlike soft wax, you don't need to apply a paper wax strip to the top of the wax. Instead, you can simply use your fingers to grab onto the edges of the hardened wax and quickly pull it off in one swift motion.

While both soft wax and hard wax can be used on various areas of the body, you'll find them to be more effective in different areas.

Hard wax is great for use on intimate areas, such as the bikini line or underarms, as it adheres to the hair and not the skin. While it won't completely eliminate the pain of waxing, it will make for a more comfortable experience.

On the other hand, soft wax is better for larger areas like legs or arms. The paper strip method allows for quicker hair removal and covers a larger surface area.

Soft wax is also good for use on upper lip hair removal, as it is thinner and more delicate. Our Precision Wax Pen is perfect for targeting smaller areas like the upper lip or brows, as it allows for more precise application.

As for which type of wax is better...it ultimately depends on personal preference and the area being waxed.

As we've mentioned, soft wax is best used for finer hair in larger areas and hard wax is best for those more intimate areas. But that's not to say one is better than the other overall.

Many people prefer using hard wax because it doesn't involve the need for wax strips, making it less messy and easier to clean up.

Plus, with the Flexismooth® Technology of our Advanced Stripless Wax Formulas, you can remove the wax without it snapping or not fully pulling out the hair.

Both soft and hard wax come with their own pros and cons, but generally, these are both 2 very good methods of hair removal. 

We like to use a combination of both types depending on the area of the body and the type of hair being removed. Hard wax is great for more sensitive areas, while soft wax is better for larger areas with finer hair.

Whichever type you choose, make sure to follow proper techniques and use high-quality products like our Advanced Stripless Wax and our Digital Wax Heater to efficiently and effectively heat up your wax to the perfect temperature.

Our home waxing kits are also fantastic, as they include all the bits and bobs you need for a salon-quality wax in the comfort of your own home.

*15% off your first order when you sign up for our newsletter