What can you use for waxing strips at home, you might find that you are out of wax strips, or you might want to make your wax strips to save some money.
It is recommended to use paper towels instead of wax strips, but will this work?
No, unfortunately. If you use paper towels, the towel will soak up some of the wax and stick to your skin, and being so thin, it would tear the moment you tried to remove it. You will end up with a bit of a mess, and there will not be enough wax left to remove with a proper wax strip.
Paper towels cannot be used as wax strips. However, some DIY waxing alternatives do work, and they can save you some time and money because you won’t have to purchase store-bought wax strips.
The different types of homemade wax
Homemade waxes are available in 3 types, each of which removes hair from targeted areas differently.
The 3 types of waxes that you can you use for waxing strips home are:
- Hard wax
- Soft wax
- Sugar wax
It is important to use the right wax for the right area, and the right skin type. Choosing which one to use will be more of a personal decision.
1) Hard Wax
Small, sensitive areas, such as bikini lines, underarms, upper lips, and eyebrows, should be waxed with hard wax.
One of the most common waxes used on sensitive areas of the body is hard wax. Beeswax and rosin are the primary ingredients in hard wax. Other therapeutic ingredients, such as oils and vitamins, are usually included. Hard waxes do not require removal strips.
If you want to make your hard wax, you can buy beeswax and rosin. In general, four parts rosin to one part beeswax are used. A small amount of olive or coconut oil can also be added.
Melt hard wax in the warmer for 15 to 20 minutes on high. Once melted, it can be kept on low for later use.
2) Soft Wax
Ideal for large areas such as legs, arms, and other nonsensitive parts of the body.
Waxing softly is a suitable option for larger body parts, such as the legs and arms. The ingredients are similar to those of hard wax, including rosin and oils. The removal of wax strips and cloths is required for soft waxes.
Soft Wax Recipe
The users generally follow this simple recipe:
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup honey
Melt the sugar in a pot over medium heat. After the sugar has caramelized, slowly add the lemon juice and honey. Wax should have the consistency of the batter. To thin a wax that is too thick, add a little water and stir.
3) Sugar Wax
It can be used for all skin types and areas.
Sugar waxing (or sugaring) has gained popularity in recent years as it’s less painful and more natural than soft and hard waxing. It is made of sugar, water, and citric acid, such as lemon juice.
Sugar Wax Recipe
This is a simple recipe for making sugar wax at home using ingredients you probably already have on hand:
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp water
Melt all the ingredients together over medium-high heat, stirring the mixture as soon as it boils. Cook the mixture until it is caramelized and has a honey color. After it has cooled, apply it to the skin.
Sugar wax can be removed with the assistance of a glossy magazine if it is too soft to remove by hand.
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Waxing at home: how to do it
You should take a few pre-waxing steps before removing your body hair with your new at-home wax recipes.
- For the wax to adhere fully to the hair, the skin should be clean of all dirt and debris.
- Exfoliate gently to remove dead skin, open the pores, and allow the wax mixture to penetrate the hair shafts more effectively.
- Before waxing, apply powder to remove any excess moisture. The powder should not be used in the genital area or inhaled.
- Apply a very small amount of oil to help hard wax adhere to hairs better.
- The wax should always be applied in the direction of hair growth and removed in the opposite direction.
- For best results, hair should be at least 1/2 inch long.
- Make sure the wax isn’t too hot before applying it to sensitive areas like your face
FAQS for waxing strips
1) Is there an alternative to magazines for homemade wax strips?
You could always make your cloth strips. These are reusable if cleaned and thick enough to stick to both wax and hair, and will not break when pulled off the skin. As a waxing cloth, you can use an old T-shirt, cut into strips, over and over again. It is also very eco-friendly
2) Is it possible to reuse wax strips?
According to most wax strip instructions, you can use one wax strip twice. Any more than this will result in the wax strip losing its effectiveness, and you will leave your skin exposed to bacteria and infections the wax strip might pick up between uses.
3) Is parchment paper suitable for wax strips?
The paper might seem like a good choice, but it isn’t the best. When removed from the skin, it will tear easily due to its thinness.
4) Is it possible to wax with duct tape?
If you feel the need to wax with duct tape for some reason, you can do so. Duct tape is very strong and sticky, and if used on long hair, it is likely to work. However, it will be really painful and your skin will most likely be damaged by the rough waxing.
