The Best Hair Removal Wax

Updated on 26 April 2023

This comparison is certified 100% impartial and follows our selection process.

In our tests, this hot wax formulated with sugar and essential oils proved to be effective. It should be heated in a bain-marie or in the microwave (less than 40 seconds at 900W after removing the metal lid). To avoid burning yourself, dip the precision spatula into the jar and wait a little while for the heat to take effect on the blue mark, as the change is not immediate. The vanilla scent, the 12 reusable cloth strips, the rinse-off formula and its effectiveness on short hairs were convincing. This pack will allow you to shave both legs twice. However, as with many other waxes, you should avoid applying it to scars.

There are three types of wax: hot, cold and oriental. They can be applied in various ways.

Hot wax is heated in a microwave or bain-marie, which requires a little preparation.

Oriental wax is a mixture of sugar, honey, water and lemon juice, and is an economical and ecological solution.

Ready-to-use bands are practical, as they do not require any preparation, but are slightly less effective.

Mechanical or electric, the roll-on is useful for spreading the wax evenly on your skin.

The wax heater allows you to heat the wax without using a microwave or water bath.

Check the composition to make sure it is as healthy as possible for you and the environment.

To make things easier, check for the presence of a stick, strips and finishing wipes.

We found this roll-on product easy to use, as all we had to do was roll the applicator over our skin. However, we would like to point out that it’s essential to keep the bottle in an upright position for the wax to flow properly (it takes some getting used to). Also, we find it a pity that only ten reusable strips are included in the box. However, the wax has the advantage that it can be removed with water, which allows you to clean the strips from time to time, as well as clean the roll-on head.

At first we were a bit sceptical, but after trying it, we loved it. In fact, it has proven to be very effective and stays hot for the longest time (more than 25 minutes). It is therefore very practical. It is used with strips (10 in the box to depilate 2 half legs or a full leg), but these cannot be reused even though they are made of fabric, because it is not a washable oriental wax (you can find refills of strips and wax online). Finally, the composition of the product is not perfect without being catastrophic. A very effective product, but slightly overpriced.

This sugar-based oriental wax can be used at room temperature or warmed up for a few seconds in a water bath or microwave. In our tests, it took us no more than 20-30 seconds to prepare. Its texture was easy to work with and it was simply rinsed with water. It is used in tandem with washable strips (12 in the box) and is applied in very thin layers. As long as the strip sticks, it can be reused, which makes it both an ecological and economical solution. We were able to repeat the process 3 times. Its ylang-ylang fragrance is pleasant. However, you need to have at least 3-4 mm of regrowth for it to start being effective.

Our selection

Our choice, Best budget	Best mid-range	Best high-end	Budget alternative
Veet Orientale (250 ml)	Solimo roll-on (120 ml)	Veet Easy Wax Roll-On (50 ml)	Acorelle Orientale (300 g)
This sugar-based wax is affordable, effective and pleasantly scented. In addition, it comes with a spatula with a temperature indicator and reusable strips for easy use.	It is easy to apply thanks to the roll-on and is ready after 20 secs. in the microwave. Its minimalist composition is quite correct and although the depilation is not perfect, it does it better than others.	This highly effective hot wax comes in the form of a roll-on in an electric device that heats it to the right temperature after 20 minutes. It is strongly recommended to follow the instructions for use.	With its natural, minimalist and certified organic formula, this wax is suitable for all skin types and body parts. It can be used cold or hot with washable and reusable strips and is very effective.
£ 8.89 on Amazon	See the price on Amazon	£ 13.00 on Amazon	£ 21.98 on Amazon

How did we do the tests?

We tested all the waxes on the legs to have a similar means of comparison from one to another, naturally following the instructions for use precisely. When it came to heating them, we judged whether the time indicated was sufficient or, on the other hand, too long. The capacity of the waxes to stay hot enough during use was also assessed.

Efficiency was the most critical point in our test. The waxes had to be easily removed without leaving too much behind and with good hair removal. We also assessed what each of the complete products was capable of depilating in terms of surface area. Finally, we kept an eye on the composition of each wax.

How to choose your depilatory wax?

If you value long-lasting hair removal but are not a fan of electric epilators, waxing remains a traditional and popular choice. However, the choice is not always easy: hot or cold wax? The different ways of use, disposable or reusable strips, the type of composition? It is not easy to find one’s way around.

In order to choose the best product for your needs, the first thing to do is to know the different types of wax:

• Hot wax: as its name suggests, hot wax is melted or heated in a bain-marie or microwave. Although its main advantage is that it is not very painful and is very effective, you must nevertheless be careful to use it correctly, as there is a risk of burning yourself. It also takes a little time to prepare. It can be bought in jars, pellets or beads.

• Cold wax: these are strips already impregnated with wax and ready to use. This solution is very practical for those in a hurry or on holiday, as it does not require any special preparation or equipment. On the other hand, it generates waste, as the strips are disposable.
• Oriental wax: this is generally an economical and environmentally friendly solution, as it is made from a mixture of sugar, honey, water and lemon juice. It has the advantage of being used warm or even at room temperature and can easily be applied with reusable cloth strips (just let them soak and then dry before using them again). The best part? It simply runs off in the water. Plus, you can easily develop your own recipe at home!

In addition to this, it may be worth considering the type of application you want:

• The strips: as explained above, these are ready to use and do not require any preparation. Some need to be warmed in your hands before application, while others just need to be applied and lightly rubbed in. While these are convenient, they are unfortunately not always very effective.

• The spreading wax: either hot or oriental, it is applied with a stick or spatula in the direction of hair growth (from top to bottom for legs, for example). For some, it is necessary to put a strip on top to be able to remove it, while others just need time to cool down.
• The roll-on: a bit special, this type comes with an applicator in the form of a roller that you just have to keep straight to spread the wax evenly over your skin. There are electric or mechanical models, and they can contain hot wax or oriental wax.

• The wax heater: although it does not specifically affect the application of the wax as such, we wanted to tell you about this accessory. It simply allows you to warm the wax in the form of beads or granules without the need to use a microwave or a water bath. In our opinion, it can be useful, but our experience has shown us that the wax provided with it is not necessarily of good quality.

Finally, here are the last two points to which we advise you to pay attention:

• The composition: it should be as healthy as possible for you (especially avoiding allergens and endocrine disruptors) but also for the environment (excluding products containing mineral oils, petrochemical derivatives, etc.).

• The accessories: to simplify the use of the wax, check if there is a stick or spatula for application, as well as enough strips if they are needed. Finally, some brands include finishing wipes which are usually very greasy and allow you to get rid of the wax remains without having to scrape them off.

Honorable mentions

Nad’s Natural Hair Removal Gel Kit (£8.75 / 170 g upon publication): a good, attractive option. This cold wax gel is attractive because of its clean formula with glucose, honey, vinegar and lemon juice, as well as its effectiveness. Since it can be rinsed off with water and does not need to be heated, it is very simple to use. It can be combined with reusable strips.

Other products tested

Veet Easy-Gel (£11.69 / 40 strips upon publication): ineffectives. Comfortable, easy to use and with a decent composition, but ineffective. In addition, it generates more waste and remains stuck to the legs than anything else…

Veet Spawax (18.99 € / 6 strips upon publication): poor composition and an unpleasant odour. As well as having a rather unpleasant chemical smell, this wax proved to be ineffective and left a lot of residues that stuck to the skin and were difficult to remove. This is a shame, as the brand’s wax heater is quite effective.

Mealiss Plastimea (£19.90 / 1 kg upon publication): a difficult choice. This product can be used in combination with the Mealiss Sense wax heater. This latter offers you a complicated choice, either effective hair removal at high temperatures (65 to 68°C) with the risk of burning yourself or useless hair removal at a more suitable temperature (55°C or less). What more could be said?

Translated by Ramsés El Hajje