Immac Cold Wax Strips

For us girlies, the quest for certain bits to become (and remain) hairless, is never-ending. I have shaved, plucked, exfoliated and deforested with the best of them! I have always avoided waxing, firstly because I have a low pain threshold and, secondly because it always seemed a bit of a hassle. It was either pay a fortune at the beauty salon, or get in a mess heating wax at home.

So, when I saw that Immac had produced some Cold Wax Strips I decided this would be my ideal chance to experiment with the waxing process.

DESCRIPTION*****************************​**************

A pack of Immac Cold Wax Strips contains 12 single sided wax strips and 4 sachets of moisturising wipes. They cost me around £5.00, from my local branch of Bodycare, but prices vary considerably. I have seen them for sale in Boots, Superdrug and Tescos, but I am sure that most good retailers will stock them.

INGREDIENTS*****************************​**************

These are long-winded and technical, but they are useful list, in case you are allergic to any of the contents.

Strips: MODIFIED COLOPHONIUM, GLYCEROL ROSINATE, CERA MICROCRISTALLINA, PARFUM, CALENDULA OFFICINALIS, AZULINE.

Moisturising Wipes: PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM, OCTYLDODE-CANOL, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, TOCPHERYL ACETATE, PERSEA GRATISSMA, BHT, GUAIAZULENE, PARFUM.

HOW TO USE*************************************​******

This is the bit that they should have sold tickets for…I was in aright old state! I got myself stuck to the strips and the strips also got stuck to everything else. According to the pack they are simple, quick and convenient to use. They are! But, only when you have got the hang of it.

Remove a strip from the packet and warm the strip by rubbing it gently between your hands if it is cold. If the wax appears sticky, you can stick the pack in the fridge for about half an hour and then try again. Unlike me, who didn’t read that bit and super-glued myself to the first strip! Once they are at body temperature you are ready to start waxing.

Make sure your skin is dry and free from any oils or other products. Now peel the strips from the covering and smooth one onto your skin; make sure it’s on in the direction of the hair growth. Hold it down firmly for about one minute and then brace yourself! Hold the skin taut and quickly pull the strip off. I recommend you do it as swiftly as you can, because this minimises any pain!

You can use the strip again a few more times, but I find that as it gets more hairy, (and hopefully you get less) it is less effective: Not as sticky, so not as much wax to pull out the hairs!

Then you moisturise the skin using the wipes provided. Simple eh? Almost, it did take me a while to get untangled from the wax.

WARNINGS********************************​*************

Don’t use on skin that is broken or sensitive. If you develop any ill effects from using them, like a rash or discomfort, just stop using them. They also warn you not to use them after a bath or sunbathing; this is when your skin is at its most sensitive and your pores are open.

A word of warning; don’t use deodorant (if you’ve waxed your under arms) or other products (if you’ve waxed any other areas!) for at least 24 hours after waxing. Not only is it not recommended it is also pretty painful! If you haven’t used Immac Strips before, I advise you to try a test area first. Use them on an area that won’t show: That way if you get a bad reaction, if your skin is sensitive, you won’t feel silly if you get a rash.

DO THEY WORK?***********************************​****

Well, after the slight discomfort and the initial teething troubles, I have to say yes, they do! They did leave a bit of sticky wax on my legs which didn’t wash off. The only way to remove it is to use oiled cotton wool; water won’t work!

The hair was definitely removed, but it did take quite a lot of effort and time. I also didn’t like the idea that I had to leave the hair until it was about 3-4mm in length before waxing. It’s not always practical to wait that long; sometimes a quick whiz round with the electric razor is the simpler option!

CONCLUSION******************************​************

Immac Cold Wax Strips are good and they work well. They aren’t really for me though, because I find them a bit messy and not as convenient as my razor. The result from using the wax strips was longer lasting than with my usual method and I did feel that they left me smoother and more hair-free.

So I’m really in two minds about this product. On one hand I am recommending it as a good and effective product, while on the other I am saying that I prefer my razor. I think that if I had a bit more time to spend on my pampering routine I would use Immac Cold Wax Strips more often. I was pleased with their performance, but not with the procedure.

I will buy them again and I will use them for a thorough “deforestation” before my holidays, when there will hopefully be more flesh on display than normal! The rest of the time I will stick with my razor.

I still think that you should give them a try; I’d be really interested to see how other people get on.

For further product information check out:

http://www.homesolutionsnews.com/rbdocs/​uk/immac/

UPDATE:
I've just been through the long and messy process of using the strips before we go on holiday tomorrow: They have done their job well and I have smooth, hairfree legs. I'll be taking the razor with me though...don't think I can go through all this agin in a hurry; and I don't think sun, sand and wax will mix!