Can You Use Paper Towels As Wax Strips?

You might want to do a quick wax at home, only to find that you are all out of wax strips, or you might be keen to try some DIY and make your own wax strips to save some money.

The short of it is no, you cannot use paper towels as wax strips.

However, there are some other DIY waxing alternatives that actually work, and they can save you time traveling to a salon and money by not having to buy store-bought wax strips.

What Can I Use As Wax Strips At Home?

If you don’t have any wax strips at home, one of the best options to use is a discarded magazine.

Homemade waxing alternatives don’t just mean homemade wax strips; you can also make your own wax.

This gives you considerable freedom to choose the type of wax you use and decide whether to include any special additives or exclude any ingredients that might harm your skin.

Here is a guide on how to make your own DIY waxing kit at home, with minimal cost and minimal effort.

Types Of Waxes

First, you need to decide what type of wax you want to use.

There are 3 main types of waxes that can be made at home, each working differently, while still effectively removing hair from targeted areas.

The 3 types of waxes that you can make at home are:

• Hard wax
• Soft wax
• Sugar wax

Different waxes work well for various areas and skin types. So deciding which one to use will be more of a personal choice than anything else.

Hard Wax

Hard wax is probably the most commonly used type of wax, mainly focused on the more sensitive areas of the body.

Hard wax is primarily composed of beeswax and rosin, but additional ingredients such as oils and vitamins can also be added.

One benefit of using hard wax is that it does not require removal strips and hardens sufficiently on the skin to be pulled off as is.

It is great for use on the face, including the upper lip and eyebrows, as well as for the bikini area and underarms.

Making Hard Wax

Making hard wax at home is wonderfully simple and only requires a few ingredients. You can easily purchase beeswax and rosin online, which is all you need to get started.

You will need to melt the beeswax and rosin before use, and a suitable ratio is four parts rosin to one part beeswax.

Melt the wax just enough to achieve a consistency that is easy to work with, but not so hot that it burns the skin.

You can also add olive oil or coconut oil, which will help nourish and smooth the skin during the waxing.

Hard wax simply needs to be applied to the targeted area, left to harden, and then pulled off in the opposite direction of skin growth.

Soft Wax

Soft wax works well for larger areas of the body, such as the legs, arms, and other areas that aren’t too sensitive.

The ingredients in soft wax are similar to those of hot wax, including oils and rosin, but the difference lies in the fact that soft wax requires strips for removal.

The soft wax, as the name suggests, is too soft to be removed without strips.

Therefore, the strips need to be applied to the wax as it is applied to the skin in order to adhere properly and be pulled off easily.

Making Soft Wax

If you’re looking for a simple recipe for soft wax to get started with, this natural, straightforward recipe is sure to do the job.

• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• ¼ cup of honey
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice

Using a pot, melt the sugar on medium heat. Once the sugar has melted down and caramelized, slowly add in the honey and lemon juice.

The wax should have the consistency of batter. If it is too thick, you can add a small amount of water.

The wax is then applied to the skin at a lukewarm temperature, and a strip is applied over the wax.

The glossy front and back pages of a magazine adhere wonderfully to the wax and have little chance of tearing when pulled off the skin.

The honey sugar wax has excellent antimicrobial properties and also offers potential wound-healing benefits.

Sugar Wax

Sugar wax is possibly the most versatile type of wax and can be used all over the body, and for all different skin types.

It is a more natural and less painful option compared to hot wax and soft wax. It is a mixture of sugar, water, and some citric acid.

Making Sugar Wax

Here is a simple recipe on how to make sugar wax at home, with ingredients that you probably have lying around waiting:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 tbsp. water

Melt all the ingredients together over medium-high heat, stirring the mixture when it begins to boil.

Continue to cook the mixture until it’s caramelized and has a honey color. Allow it to cool and then apply it to the skin.

If the sugar wax is too soft to remove as is, you can use a strip from a glossy magazine to help it along.

Bonus: Pre-Waxed Strips

If you are looking for the most convenient option available, then it doesn’t get any quicker than pre-waxed strips.

These ones are my favorite. They only take a few minutes to warm by hand, and there is no mess!

I use these when I travel because they don’t require any heating elements apart from your own body. Once they reach body temperature, they are ready to be applied.

They are an easy, discreet option for those who want the least amount of hassle possible..

Benefits Of Waxing At Home

Not only can you create your own wax strips using old magazines, but you can also make your own wax.

There are quite a few benefits that come along with making your own waxing kit at home, and here are a few of them:

• Low cost – You will save a significant amount of money by making a batch of wax at home and using old magazines as wax strips. Making your own wax is a cost-effective option, and you can store some for future use. Going to a salon for waxing can sometimes cost up to $100, so imagine the money you would save doing it yourself!
• Better choice of ingredients – At the salon, you run the risk of having wax used that isn’t made with natural ingredients. Making your own wax gives you complete control over what goes into your wax and what doesn’t.
• Privacy – For some, it might be uncomfortable having someone wax the more intimate areas of your body, regardless of whether them being professionals. Giving yourself a bikini wax at home saves you the awkwardness and allows you to be more comfortable during the waxing.

Related Questions

Can I use parchment paper as a substitute for wax strips?

Parchment paper may seem like a good choice, but it’s not ideal. It is very thin and will tear easily when removed from the skin.

What can I use as a homemade wax strip other than magazines?

You could always use homemade cloth strips. These are reusable if washed and are thick enough to stick to both the wax and the hair, and will not break when pulled off the skin.

You can use an old T-shirt, cut into strips, to reuse for waxing. This is also a very eco-friendly option!

Can you wax with duct tape?

If, for some reason, the desire arises to use duct tape as a wax, you can try it out. Duct tape is really strong and sticky, and if used on long hair, it will probably work.

However, it will be extremely painful, and your skin will likely be damaged from the rough waxing.

Can you reuse wax strips?

Most wax strip instructions state that you can use one wax strip twice; using more than this will cause the wax strip to lose efficiency, leaving your skin vulnerable to bacteria and infections that the wax strip may pick up between uses.

Paper Towels For Waxing

Paper towels are not a suitable alternative to wax strips. The paper towel will soak into the wax and tear, leaving you with a very sticky mess.

Instead, you can cut up the front and back pages of a glossy magazine, or make your own reusable cloth wax strips from an old T-shirt.

Make sure to clean both of these before use to ensure they are free from bacteria and impurities. Other than that, you should be ready to go.

Save yourself some money by making your own wax strips and wax at home!

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