Hey
I wanted to go for waxing... I'm not blessed with a lot of body hair. Barely there is what I would describe it as- but it's there. So why not do it myself... at my own pace for a fraction of the price.
So i started researching at home waxes... I love DIY and it looked fine to do with some help with my other half.. At first I was considering sugar waxing but after looking around Mandy's was the range that stood out- locally made, a friend swears by their sensitive wax strips and they were affordable. The sugar waxing was disastrous, and that was after 2 solid set bowls full of "candy". I'll leave it to Mandy's...
First off I went for 3 types of waxes, strips, film wax and hot wax. The Film wax and Strips I purchased myself and the microwavable wax was sent to me by Lee-Chem (the film wax is double the price of the other hot waxes. The microwavable wax seems similar to the film wax so they were kind enough to send me one to try). I happily paid R130 for 300g tub of film wax and so it all started...
Here's some info from Lee-Chem about their Mandy's waxes:
1. Mandy’s Microwaveable Hot wax 300g – available in Dis-Chem & selected Clicks stores
Key Product Benefit:
Mandy’s Microwaveable Hot wax 300g – retails for R69.99 – R74.99
· This is heated in the microwave.
· Peel off traditional hot wax
· Ideal for removing short, coarse hair
· Results last longer than shaving, or using a cream
· Infused with moisturising Shea Butter
Key Product Features:
· Hair Type:
ü short & coarse
· Heating Method:
ü microwave
· Application method:
ü applied with spatula against hair growth
· Removal method:
ü pulled off by hand in opposite direction to hair growth – no strips required
· Pack includes:
ü 300g hard wax in a tray with spatula
2. Mandy’s Film wax 40g & 300g– available in Dis-Chem & selected Clicks stores
Key Product Benefit:
Mandy’s Film wax 300g – retails for R129.95 – R135.00 (40g - retails for R74.95 – R75.95)
· Peel off hot wax.
· Removes even the shortest hair
· Only a thin application of wax is required, making it economical to use
· Results last longer than shaving, or using a cream
· Infused with soothing & fragrant Geranium Oil
Key Product Features:
· Hair Type:
ü all hair types
· Heating method:
ü microwave
· Application method:
ü applied with spatula in direction of hair growth
· Removal method:
ü pulled off by hand in opposite direction to hair growth – no strips required
· Pack includes:
ü 40g hard wax, pre & post wax treatment sachet, spatula
ü 300g hard wax, 2 x post wax treatment sachets, spatula
3. Mandy’s Original Wax Strips
Bikini 20’s – retails for RR60.99 – R63.99. Also come in Face & Leg
variants. Available in Dis-Chem & selected Clicks stores
Key Product Benefit:
· Polyprop strip facilitates a stronger pull, making it suitable even for difficult-to-remove hair
· Convenient, pre-cut strip sizes to cater for specific area
· Hair needs to be 3 - 4mm long.
· Results last longer than shaving, or using a cream
· Infused with moisturising Sunflower extracts
Key Product Features:
· Hair Type:
ü all hair types
· Heating method:
ü warmed between hands, 20 – 30 seconds
· Application method:
ü strip smoothed on firmly in direction of hair growth
· Removal method:
ü pulled off by hand in opposite direction to hair growth
· Pack includes:
ü 20 wax strips ( 10 doubled sided)
4. Mandy’s Soft Feel Wax Strips 12’s – also come in Face & Leg variants. Available in Dis-Chem & selected Clicks stores
Key Product Benefit:
· Non-woven material allows for a smoother pull
· Convenient, pre-cut strip sizes to cater for specific area
· Hair needs to be 3 – 4mm long
· Results longer than shaving, or using a cream
· Infused with soothing Berry extracts
Key Product Features:
· Hair Type:
ü fine hair
· Heating method:
ü warmed between hands, 20 – 30 seconds
· Removal method:
ü pulled off by hand in opposite direction to hair growth
· Pack includes:
ü 12 wax strips ( 6 double sided)I haven't tried the original strips but FYI- there it is. I used the strip wax after this post. It is more expensive- but you get more strips (20 vs 12 in the sof feel strips). The strips are plastic and it works wonderfully as well. Nothing feels better than waxed legs. It didn't come with post wax treatment but I think the face ones in the original strips does have.
Before using Mandy's wax do a patch test 24 hours before EVERY application. If no irritation occurs continue with waxing.
I apply baby powder to the areas to get rid of any moisture- but I read baby oil works as well so will be trying that when I wax again, you can only do this with hard wax.
Apply pressure with your hand on the area you just waxed to take away the sting. Some areas sting more than others, but you'll get used to it after regular waxing.
Mandy's Soft Feel Wax Strips for Legs
In the package you get 6 double sided wax strips only, no after wax treatment to calm the skin as it's the sensitive variant and already infused with ingredients to calm the skin. The instructions are printed on the box.
To use- just rub them between your palms or blast with your hair dryer to heat up a but and gently peel away from each other. They are super sticky so anything it touches will ruin them (like my carpet did and leaves it unusable). If you only use one side of the strip- take the remaining strip and fold in half for next time. Just warm between your palms again when ready to use. Don't leave them on your skin too long or you will be left with extremely sticky residue.
The strips are pink in a cotton type of backing. I was looking for the face variant but they were out of stock so I went for the legs one. It was intended for my chin area but I just cut one smaller for my chin area (not sure if I would try upper lip with that one) and the rest I will use on my legs (instead of using loads of hot wax for a few hairs) They were in a promo pack (50% extra free) so I got 3 double sided strips free in the packaging.
There is a sticky residue sometimes- and you don't get post-wax sachets with that one so I just lightly brush the area with baby powder and it solves that problem of the sticky legs. It works wonderfully for me- I don't have much hair on my legs so it really works great and one strip can do a whole leg. It's as painful as pulling hair out of a follicle can be- but the quicker you get it over with the better. Keeping the skin taut is really the secret here. And having someone do it for you and you not looking helps. Just make sure your hair is long enough after your last shave as it doesn't grip as well as the film.
They are really gentle on my skin and it feels so soft afterwards. I would recommend these for legs instead of hot wax- it's cheaper and you can use the one side of the strip more than once. if you use 2 strips (4 double sided) on your legs per use you can get 3 uses out of a normal pack which is R10 per wax. Even if you have a lot of hair and end up using the whole box, R30 per wax is still cheap.
Mandy's Microwavable Hot Wax
In the package you will get:
300 g wax in rectangular jar
Spatula
Instructions
I was SO sceptical about this one. The reviews was really not motivating and I LOVE the film wax so much nothing would be able to live up to it. So I really wanted to check this one out.
*I'd personally recommend using the film wax first, if you have never waxed yourself you'll struggle with this one.
The only difference between this one and the film is the way you apply it- AGAINST hair growth. It comes in a rectangular container which you heat for 2minutes (based on a 900w microwave oven) on top of another microwave safe plate- in the middle of the microwave plate. Once done leave it for 2 mins, take out very carefully not to spill and carefully stir.. DO NOT OVERHEAT OR HEAT LONGER THAN INSTRUCTIONS SAY! If after 2 mins there's still some solid wax in- pop in the microwave for another 10 seconds, check and check again. If you overheat there could be a layer on top and if you touch it with the spatula it could spit (I call it bomb) and splatter- causing serious burns. If there's bubbles it's too hot. Let stand for 10mins if you do manage to overeat. Make sure to check before applying. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE read the instructions and follow to the letter.
Once the wax is stirred and a uniform mixture is obtained- take a little but of wax and apply it to the inside of the wrist to check that it's not too hot.
This wax is a bit harder to work with than the film but it works wonderfully on the short hairs. I think it's also due to the container- it's a really flat rectangular plastic container with honey coloured wax. I had my husband help me cut the wax in quarters, popped in a film wax bowl that I had cleaned (WITH EFFORT) after it was used up and melted it all in there for 2 mins to make things easier.
To avoid messing have everything you need at hand and if you're not used to this type of wax let a friend help you. I usually place the wax bowl on a paper plate and all the pieces I remove I place next to it on a plate. I've read a lot of people complain about this wax but for me it worked great. It's a bit thinner than the film wax, but it also doesn't set that fast so you have loads more time. It's also quite runny so be careful not to mess and remove excess wax from your spatula, you can always lengthen your strip instead of messing on the floor.
I apply it against the hair growth- eg. on my leg apply from the ankle up towards my knee, and I make sure I leave a little thick piece at the bottom for grip. This is a bit tricky as you have to apply your starting point a bit thicker- and with the film wax it's the other way around. I just pop another blob on the end i have to pull once I've applied. Once dry (pat with your fingers to feel if it's still tacky) remove against the hair growth- so where you started to make your strip you start to pull. Always pull parallel to the skin- keeping the wax strip as close to your skin as possible and pulling fast while keeping skin taut. When you get the hang of it apply wax to two sections- when you apply the second strip the first one will be dry and you can just rip those 2 (or 3 or 4) off. Don't let the strips you make touch though- then you will have one massive strip LOL. The wax removes short hairs, does not break if you apply it the correctly (length and width.
I've read people say it's brittle and breaks but it's really not. If I remove it too soon it's like toffee, and I just pop the piece in my hand that's tacky on what's left on my body and pull away (like sugaring). It stays pliable in my hand, so I tend to roll it in a ball and take the ball to remove all the residue. I have extra post wax balm so I apply that afterwards, oil should also work.
It smells amazing and I can't find anything wrong with it. They could just give some post wax balm as this can get sticky. But for the price it's really great, and I would use it in place of the film wax should my budget be tight. You can use this on your bikini area as well and I've had great results with my underarms.
Mandy's Film Wax
In the package you will receive:
Legs and body:
300g of wax in a microwavable jar
1 spatula
2 sachets of post wax treatment to soothe and remove wax residue
Face:
40g wax
Pre wax wipe
Post wax treatment
Spatula aka Popsicle stick
THIS WAX IS THE BEST EVER! OMW This was the first hard wax I've EVER tried and I could not have been happier with my choice. If I had chosen an inferior product from an inferior brand I would have been put off from waxing for sure! I'm a proud Mandy's user and I would not consider changing the film wax- bikini waxing is daunting so I will be sticking to what I know!
The wax comes in a pink 300g microwave jar and you heat it for 90 seconds (I have to heat it a bit longer for all the wax to melt, add 10 seconds and check in intervals). The wax is hot pink as well, stir to combine and get a evenly heated wax. All safety precautions should be followed like the previous hot wax to make sure it's a safe temperature.
Apply WITH hair growth, allow to dry. I just lightly pat with my fingers and rip off, apply pressure.
The wax should be applied thinly (hence the name "film"), making it cheaper than the other options in the long run- even though the initial expense is higher than with the other waxes. Try to make the bottom (where you'll be pulling) a tab bit thicker to make yourself a handle when pulling. You should also try to make sure your starting point is on a spot with no hair- I know it's tough when you just start your wax but there is no pain like trying to flick up the ends and ripping hair out one by one.Pull FAST, close to the skin, and leave the little bobs and bits. If a piece breaks- just apply wax over that one and build up that strip and try again.
This wax sets quickly, so you may have to reheat. I have a Tupperware bowl that's perfect for the tub of wax, that I fill with boiling water and put the wax into, to extend my time a bit. Once the wax cools I'm done lol.
Through all the pain and as gross as it may sound...there is nothing better than seeing all those hairs on the wax with the hair bulb still in tact. They worked like a dream for my underarms and bikini area- it worked so well midway through the wax it went from a bikini wax to a Brazilian! I previously waxed my armpits with the sensitive wax strips for legs cut in half, but I will be sticking to the hot waxes from now on.
There's not much else to say about this one- it's so easy to do- apply and rip! After you're done apply some post wax treatment and soothe over skin and residue. One tub was enough for 3 waxes (i waxed once a week for 3 weeks because after shaving the hair grew different paces, my hair growth cycles are in sync now)
I would recommend also purchasing some "tongue depressors" from the pharmacy. After you use the wax you will either have to scrape the stick clean or heat it in the microwave on a paper plate to get it clean (or leave it like that and it will melt off when you use it to stir the wax again). But rather buy the sticks- I paid R1.99 at checkers for 4 stick. And this wax dries, so you have to work kind of fast or you will end up reheating. I've also found the last bit is a bit difficult to use (it sets quick). What I did was melt it- scraped it in a little stainless steel container and put it in a ramekin with boiling water. The last bit I use for small areas like my armpits, chin, etc.
Just a recap:
For legs: Go for strips, much cheaper than hot wax
For eyebrows: I would use the face film wax for precise application, but I prefer tweezing
Facial hair- Film wax Face or facial strips
Armpits: I've used the strips, hot and film wax, film wax was less painful but I prefer the cheaper waxes on my pits.
Bikini wax: I use both microwavable hot wax and the film wax. The microwaveable wax for the normal bikini area, the film wax for the more sensitive areas (when doing Brazilian). You could also use the original wax strips for bikini area.
When in doubt- use the film wax! It's the best product in the range but it's worth the money. In my opinion it's a bit too expensive to use on legs.
Next on my bucket list is the Mandy's Water Soluble wax, it's a sugar wax you use with strips. Costs about R90 and smells like a dream- you also get strips with that one.
There you go ladies... happy waxing starts with Mandy's :)
PS: Clicks has a HUGE buy one get one promo on Mandy's products! I bought 2 containers of microwavable hot wax, 2 tubs of film wax legs and body and 2 tubs of film wax face for just over R280! I would have paid R260 for the two film wax 300g tubs! I'm set for this year (and the next). The expiry dates on the products are all 2018, be sure to store in a cool place. Special is running until 23rd of October 2016 :)
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