Buying guide for Best wax warmers
Waxing unwanted hair isn’t exactly a walk in the park. The process can be painful, and if you get a professional wax, it can be a little awkward if you’re waxing your intimate areas – not to mention costly. Why not make the process as comfortable as possible and wax at home? A wax warmer makes it possible to give yourself a professional wax in the privacy of your own home. Cut out the inconvenience of scheduling a salon appointment and the repeated expense with a one-time purchase of a wax warmer.
You might be thinking: can I really wax myself? How do wax warmers work? Don’t worry, we’re here to answer all your questions about waxing using a wax warmer.
What are wax warmers?
Wax warmers are electric appliances that look a bit like mini slow cookers. Once plugged in and switched on, heating coils warm the metal canister lining the inside of the wax warmer’s pot. Depending on the model, a can of wax is either placed directly into the pot or loose wax is placed in a removable metal pot that rests inside the liner.
Wax is in a solid form until it is heated. Wax warmers are designed to melt wax to a suitable consistency for depilatory use. All wax warmers have plastic covers to prevent contamination, and they are often transparent so you can monitor the melting process.
Key considerations
Temperature settings
When selecting a wax warmer, temperature control is an important aspect. Budget-friendly warmers have fixed temperature settings with a limited range of choices – low, medium, and high heat with some gradations in between. More expensive wax warmers have a thermostat that you can dial to a precise temperature, typically ranging from 160°F to 240°F.
Good temperature control reduces the chance of skin burns that can result from wax heated to too high a temperature. Conversely, wax that isn’t heated enough won’t function properly. Finding that sweet spot is easier when you have a thermostat-controlled wax warmer. Also, look for a warmer that keeps the temperature consistent and stable throughout the whole waxing process. The best wax warmers heat up quickly and cool down quickly.
Capacity
Another important consideration is the warmer’s capacity for wax. Wax warmers designed for home use typically have a pot capacity of 14 to 18 ounces. Warmers designed for salons and spas have a considerably larger capacity of 32 ounces. There are also double or triple warmers for salon use, which have two 14-ounce pots side by side in the same unit or in combination with a larger pot.
Consider a larger warmer if you’re waxing multiple people. The smaller capacity of most at-home warmers should cover an individual job just fine.
Types of wax
Wax warmers melt hard and strip wax. Hard wax requires no cloth strips for the removal process. The melted wax hardens on the skin as it cools and can grip very short hairs. This process tends to be less messy and easier to do at home than strip waxing.
Strip wax, also known as soft wax, requires an epilating strip for the hair removal process. Once the wax is applied to the skin, the strip is firmly placed on the wax. In one quick motion, the strip is removed, taking the wax and unwanted hair away with it. Soft wax tends to be less expensive than hard wax.
Some wax warmers can also be used with paraffin wax, which is not a hair removal wax but a skin-softening add-on treatment for manicures and pedicures. This type of wax needs to be melted at a lower heat than depilatory wax.
Wax forms
Wax for hair removal comes in different forms: beans, cans, bricks (also known as blocks), and microwaveable wax. Some wax warmers will only accommodate cans, which are metallic 14-ounce cans containing hard or soft wax. Others come with a removable pot for loose wax beans, with the main pot designed to fit standard wax cans.
Features
Kits
If this is your first time waxing at home, look for a wax warmer that comes with a starter kit that includes wood applicator sticks, also called spatulas, and packets of hard wax beans. Although a wax warmer is a one-time (and hopefully lifetime) purchase, you will need to replenish waxing supplies. Often kits offer a variety of scents of wax beans, in an array of colors, so you can suss out your preference before reordering.
Indicator light
Eliminate guesswork and choose a wax warmer with an indicator light to tell you when your wax is heated to your desired temperature. We don’t recommend a wax warmer that doesn’t have an indicator.
Caution
Never leave your wax warmer on overnight. This can be a fire hazard.
STAFF
BestReviews
Price
Wax warmers are an investment but usually cost less than a single waxing appointment at a nice salon. A basic unit can run as little as $12 to $15 and may even include a starter kit. These warmers tend to have limited temperature control.
A wax warmer in the $20 to $30 range will usually offer better temperature control and higher-quality heat distribution.
A professional wax warmer for salon or spa use will start at $40 for a single pot and upward of $200 for a large-capacity pot. Double-pot professional wax warmers fall between $60 and $120.
Tips
Don’t microwave wax cans to speed up the melting process. These cans are often made from tin, and metal cannot go in the microwave. If you’re impatient, look for microwaveable waxing kits.
To melt wax faster, turn the warmer up to its highest temperature, then turn it down. Wax should melt in under 30 minutes in a quality warmer.
Don’t use a wax warmer for “sugaring.” Sugar wax isn’t actually wax but a paste of sugar, lemon juice, and water that is heated to a much lower temperature than depilatory wax.
FAQ
Q. How do I clean my wax warmer?
A. Cleaning your wax warmer regularly is important to prevent bacterial growth. Heat your warmer to a high temperature to melt any remaining wax to a liquid consistency. Turn off the unit, then carefully pour out the wax into a container for reuse (never pour it down the drain). Wipe away any remaining wax residue with a paper towel or wax strips and mineral oil. The oil will dissolve the wax. You may need to use spatulas to scrape off stubborn wax. There are also cleaners designed specifically for wax warmers.
Q. What’s the ideal temperature to which to heat wax?
A. The biggest risk of waxing at home is skin burns. These happen when wax is too hot, and if your wax has melted to a liquid consistency, it is definitely too hot. The consistency of the heated wax should be like honey or caramel. The recommended temperature for body wax is 104°F or 105°F, but it could be as low as 86°F. Always dab the wax on the inside of your wrist first to test if it’s safe to spread on other body parts.
Q. Is there any way to make waxing less painful, especially for my bikini area?
A. There are a number of things you can do. The first is wax selection. For sensitive areas like the bikini and face, use a hard wax. If you’re a woman, avoid waxing the bikini area right before or during your period as your body is more sensitive due to the shift in hormones. Lastly, consider a numbing spray, which you can apply to the skin a few minutes before waxing.
