Hair wax is a thick, soft hair styling product that usually features beeswax, lanolin, or castor wax as its base. It often also contains vitamin E extract and lavender or mint essential oils to help nourish hair and give it a pleasant scent. Those who prefer using hair wax over gel, mousse, or hairspray often want an alcohol-free product that gives plenty of hold. Many kinds of hair wax give hair shine and hold without creating stiff clumps or styles that look hard and unnatural. Using hair wax is generally as simple as spreading it onto the fingertips and spreading it through one’s hair.
One of the most important parts of using hair wax is applying it to the fingers correctly. Simply smearing a blob of wax through the hair is likely to create uneven distribution or make hair go flat. Instead, individuals should scoop up a little wax on the fingertips of one hand and cover those fingertips with the other. This warms and softens the wax. Once warm, the user may smear the wax evenly over the fingertips on both hands.
The method for using hair wax usually depends on the length and texture of a person’s hair. Men, for instance, typically have relatively short hair. For a neat, professional look, men should gently spread the wax over their fingertips and push their hands straight back through their hair. This gives the strands lift and hold, keeping them neat and tidy throughout the day. Gentlemen looking for a slightly messier look can simply ruffle up a slicked look with their hands, or gently pull up individual strands and let them fall against the scalp at random.
Women with short hair may use either of the above techniques to apply hair wax. Another technique involves pushing the fingertips against the scalp, pressing the hair between the fingers and pulling upward. This creates volume that often gives shorter feminine cuts lift and plenty of cuteness. Ladies using this particular technique may want to start at the hairline and work backward.
Using hair wax for long hair generally requires a combination of the above techniques. Men and women with long hair should style it before using hair wax. Next, hair wax should be applied to the crown of the head by pressing the hair between the fingers and pulling upward. More wax may then be distributed through the rest of the hair using a very gentle finger-combing technique. This method usually works well for straight and textured hair, though those with coarse hair may need more wax.