In my previous blog, I touched on some controversial topics, and now I want to dive into another hot-button issue: soft wax. It’s a topic that’s been surrounded by debate and finger-pointing, with many proclaiming hard wax as the superior choice.
Reflecting on my own journey, I started my career 13 years ago, mainly learning the ins and outs of soft wax. My exposure to hard wax was limited, and I didn’t get enough practice to truly master it let alone fully understand it. During my esthetics training, I witnessed some of the soft waxing disasters that make even seasoned pros cringe—skin lifts, burns, and bruises galore. Despite my efficiency with soft wax that my instructors praised me on, these horror stories I heard and witnessed made me question if waxing the whole body with soft wax was right for me.
After graduation, I experimented with various wax brands from that era, even dabbling with sugar as a substitute for soft wax. I quickly discovered that while soft wax was cost-effective, the potential risks I knew of made me wary. I turned to hard wax, knowing it was generally considered safer, albeit at a higher price. My journey and discovery for hard waxes is a blog for another day.
It took me years to overcome my initial fears about soft wax. The root of my anxiety wasn’t the wax itself but my lack of education. I wasn’t taught the nuances of wax composition or the differences beyond what the labels claimed. I remember my final waxing exam was for a bikini, which unexpectedly turned into a Brazilian. We hadn’t been trained for Brazilian waxing, and I was the only one of my classmates required to perform one. How fair was that? Scoring only 70% felt like a crushing defeat, especially since I had excelled in all the other areas and I am also a notorious perfectionist. My instructor praised my technique but noted that my nervousness had affected my score. That experience has been implanted in my brain to this day and my decision to avoid Brazilian waxing with soft wax in the future.
Well, that was until I came across Caronlab.
WHY DOES SOFT WAX GET SUCH A BAD RAP TODAY?
It might sound like I’m downplaying soft wax, but that’s definitely not my intention in this blog. In fact, I always stock 2 strip waxes, 1 natural and 1 synthetic resin wax from Caronlab and decide on which wax to use based on the client and area to be waxed. With the knowledge I’ve gained, I now understand the full spectrum of waxing options. While soft wax can be highly effective and cost-efficient, especially for beginners, its reputation suffers due to potential adverse reactions and improper use or as I like to call it, “the horrors of waxing!”
Soft wax is often criticized because, in certain areas, professionals might wonder, “Where did I go wrong?” It’s not always about the wax itself but rather about whether it’s the right choice for the area you’re treating. Maybe your prep wasn’t quite right, but don’t jump to the conclusion that pre-oil is the magic fix. The need for pre-oil actually depends on the type of resin in your wax. In some cases, applying pre-oil can actually reduce the effectiveness of the wax. So, rather than relying on pre-oil as a one-size-fits-all solution, it’s important to understand how it interacts with your specific wax formula. It could even be down to poor technique, application and removal. Waxing technology is advancing rapidly, and there are now safer alternatives that function similarly to soft wax without the drawbacks.
Ultimately, the choice of wax is personal and should align with your ‘waxdentity’—the waxing style that best suits you and your clients. As I always say in every post, every class, and every student I come across with, “you do you.” At Caronlab, we generally recommend avoiding soft wax for facial and intimate areas (except for specific spots like the bikini line and the top of the pubic mound for Brazilian waxing).
When tackling large areas, any soft wax from the Caronlab range will do the job. The choice depends on what you’re aiming for. The key thing to remember with Caronlab is that it requires no pre-oil. In fact, using pre-oil can actually reduce the wax’s effectiveness in grabbing hairs. So, trust the wax and skip the pre-oil—it’s designed to work best on its own. To help you decide, I’ve outlined the benefits of each of our soft waxes in the chart below.
For those who still prefer using soft wax for facial and intimate areas, I recommend the Strawberry Crème Deluxe and Pro HD Strip. Both are synthetic resin-based, hypoallergenic, and exceptionally gentle on the skin. Personally, if I need to use soft wax on the face, I lean towards the cream-based options. They’re still quite grippy, but the key is to apply them ultra-thin—so thin that the skin underneath is almost visible. This technique ensures the best results and minimizes chances of adverse reactions. Ultimately, we highly recommend transitioning from your soft wax to Browvado Gel Sculpting Wax for all your facial waxing needs. It combines the gripping power of strip wax with the protective benefits of hard wax, offering the best of both worlds for a superior waxing experience.
THE VERDICT
The debate over whether soft wax or hard wax is superior is endless. Ultimately, it boils down to the professional and their ‘waxdentity’—the unique style and technique that suits them best. While certain products and waxes may offer distinct advantages, the key to delivering exceptional service is proper education and hands-on practice. No two professionals will provide the same experience, even with identical products and techniques.
If you choose to stick with soft wax, invest in the training and practice needed to perfect your skills. Conversely, if you find that you do need to incorporate hard wax—even if you believed soft wax was the only way for you—it’s okay, just welcome it and embrace it. The best approach is whatever works most effectively for you and your clients.
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