GiGi Wax Warmer : The Professional Touch

The convenience of at-home waxing is ideal for people who don’t have a lot of time on their hands to spend at salons. It’s also much cheaper (by far) to take a do it yourself approach. To make the hair removal process as easy and effective as possible, it’s important to have the wax heated thoroughly and evenly. A GiGi Wax Warmer is a great way to warm tubs of wax (including those produced by other manufacturers) for home use.

GiGi wax products are used by professionals the world over and with this brand you don’t have to worry that you are getting a wax machine that won’t work or which will not last more than a few wax hair removal sessions. Most reviewers praise GiGi wax warmers for their durability – one reviewer on Folica.com has used her GiGi machine regularly for over 10 years with good results every time and it is still going strong with no signs of giving up. See more GiGi wax warmer reviews here.

Which Type of GiGi Wax Warmer?

There are a few different types of wax heater you can choose. The main models on the market at the moment are

GiGi Wax Warmer

GiGi All Purpose Wax Warmer Model 0225

 

This multi-purpose electric wax warmer accommodates wax pots from any manufacturer in any size. It has a transparent cover which allows you to see the wax as it melts and which also protects the wax from contamination. The unit has a variable temperature control so that you can get the exact consistency you need and prefer for waxing and it has an indicator light to show when it is reaches the right temperature so you are not left wondering. This will normally take about 20 to 30 minutes, so set the warmer going before your waxing session. This low cost model will pay for itself many times over saving you the cost of professional salon treatments yet giving you professional results. Buy at a huge discount with free shipping here.

GiGi Space Saver Wax Warmer

GiGi Space Saver Wax Warmer

 

This wax warmer machine is a smaller version of the all purpose GiGi warmer above and though it will use up less space on your counter top, being less than 6 inches wide, it only heats the wax to one temperature with an on/off switch so you cannot experiment to get your preferred consistency and best temperature for waxing. Some reviewers also mentioned that wax containers tended to get stuck in the machine. You can get a good deal on this epilating wax warmer here but I wouldn’t recommend this one over model 0225 unless you really are short of space.

 

 

Buy a double wax warmer if you want to do a big waxing session and want to heat two pots of wax at a time or to different temperatures. For most purposes a single wax warming unit is enough. Even if you want two temperatures you can use the wax at a lower temperature first (say for your face) and then increase the heat for your legs or bikini line if you need to. You would need a double wax warmer for professional use however if you are heating the wax for one client while using a pot of wax on another. You can buy a GiGi double wax warmer here.

 

GiGi Double Wax Warmer

GiGi Double Wax Warmer

GiGi Soy Natural Deluxe Wax Can Warmer

GiGi Soy Natural Deluxe Wax Can Warmer

 

This GiGi wax machine was the winner of the American Spa professional choice awards in 2009 and is the best wax warmer available but it is more expensive than the multi-purpose model and if you are just waxing your own legs it may not be worth the extra cost. This professional wax warmer can heat a lot of wax at once because you can pour up to two 32oz tubs into the container supplied with the machine. It can be used with any type of hair removal wax not just GiGi soy wax. It has a thermostatically controlled heater and indicator light so that you can heat to the temperature you want and know when the wax has reached it. The wax stays at your chosen temperature while you carry out the process. You can buy this wax warmer at a huge discount here.

 

Other GiGi Wax Warmers

Many of the GiGi wax kits come with a wax warmer so if you are looking at the Honee kit, for example, it will contain a warmer called the GiGi Honee Wax Warmer but it is actually the same as the multi-purpose unit above. Just compare the features and image and you’ll see which one is supplied with your wax kit.

Using Your GiGi Wax Warmer

These machines are easy to operate. You just need to follow your GiGi wax warmer instructions and heed any safety advice provided. They basically hold your tub or jar of epilating wax and keep it hot while you’re waxing, relieving any concerns you may have about the wax cooling before you’re done. Most of these wax warmers also have a range of heat options, usually labeled from 1 to 9 with 9 being the hottest. The highest setting is perfect for stubborn waxes that need to get to a high temperature before they are smooth enough to spread.

Make sure you have enough time for your wax to heat completely and cool enough for use before you start waxing. It can take up to half an hour for a large jar of wax to become hot enough in your GiGi wax heater.

The jar of wax will be placed in the center of the GiGi warming device. You should then turn the wax warmer on and use the dial to select your desired temperature. Keep in mind that wax can become extremely hot; in some cases it can be heated to a temperature that’s unsafe for use. Allow the wax to cool as long as necessary before applying it to the skin. Test a small patch once you think it has cooled enough before using.

When the wax is as hot as you need it to be, turn the dial back down to the temperature setting of “1″ and switch the device off. If you plan to use the wax for an extended period of time, you can leave the warmer on a lower setting like 1 or 2 to keep it at a reasonable temperature.

Always make sure the container the wax is in can be heated in the wax warmer safely. Most jars and tubs of wax sold for at-home use are heat resistant and can be placed in the warmer without harm.

Anything Else to Consider?

It is worth buying GiGi Wax warmer clean collars along with your waxing machine if they are not supplied with your wax warmer kit as these prevent a lot of sticky mess when waxing. In particular they prevent drips running down the side of the can or wax pot and making it and your wax warming machine sticky for next time you use it. Although they are made of thin cardboard, this thick and tough enough that if you don’t make too much mess the collars can be reused. They also allow you to place your wax pot into the warmer and lift it out more easily and without getting your hands all sticky. The collars come in packs of 20 or 50.

How to Remove Wax from Skin After Waxing

Waxing is a great way to remove unwanted hair, whether you choose to use home waxing kits such as those from GiGi wax or have professional waxing in a salon or beauty spa. Home waxing has many advantages, such as being much cheaper and often more convenient than salon waxing. The results are just as good too as long as you use the right equipment and carry out the whole process just as a beautician would do for you. In order to properly finish the hair removal process, you’ll need to remove excess wax from your skin after waxing however so that you are not left with the sticky residue irritating your skin. Here’s how to remove wax from skin after waxing.

1. Try GiGi Wax Off

GiGi Wax Off Wax Remover

GiGi Wax Off Wax Remover

The first way to get rid of excess wax is to use a product specifically intended for the removal of wax after waxing: GiGi Wax-Off Wax Remover for Skin. Wax Off Wax Remover is a kind of lotion that will quickly soften and remove wax left on the skin. Apply a light, even coat with your fingertips to any portion of your body or face that has wax residue. Then, wipe the lotion off with a tissue or cloth. Leftover wax should come off with the lotion, leaving your skin soft and smooth. GiGi Wax off can be used with any type of hair removal wax although it has obviously been designed by the manufacturers to remove GiGi wax products.

It is quite interesting to read the GiGi Wax off reviews as some swear by it and say they would not wax without it whereas others think it is a bit of a waste of money and that you would do as well with baby oil or other lotion. Where the truth lies between these two extremes of opinion is for you to judge. If you do a lot of waxing and particularly if you use GiGi wax, it is probably worth trying at least once to see if you are in the “can’t live without it” camp. You can always carry out your own consumer test using baby oil on one leg and Wax Off on the other. Feel free to leave a comment and let us know how you get on :)

2. Use Leftover Wax

You can also use the leftover wax itself to remove pieces of wax left on your skin. When using a home waxing kit, the majority of the wax will come off cleanly. Compact this newly-removed wax into a ball while it’s still warm. You can use the ball of wax to pick up smaller, residual bits of wax that were left behind. Just press the ball onto the remaining wax to get wax off skin. If you wait too long and the wax cools before you can remove it all, you have two options. You can dip your finger in hot wax and use that to warm and get rid of the stubborn residue, or you can apply another layer of wax to soften the old wax for removal.

This method works to some degree but sometimes it seems like you are adding more stickiness to get rid of sticky residue if you don’t do it right away after pulling away the wax strip.

3. Use Lotion or Baby Oil

A final way to remove wax off skin is to use lotion or baby oil. This method of wax removal takes a bit longer and is a bit more abrasive than the other methods on newly waxed sensitive skin but the abrasive action can help prevent ingrown hairs after waxing by the process of exfoliation so it is not all bad news. Any mild lotion or baby oil can be used. Smooth a thin layer onto the area where wax remains. You’ll then need to find a cloth that’s soft enough to not irritate freshly waxed skin, but that will still create enough friction to remove wax. Rub this gently in a circular motion over the lotion. It may help to wet the cloth first. Take your time and eventually all the residual wax should be removed. It can sometimes help to warm the oil or lotion first as this helps soften the wax.

As you can see, there are a number of ways to remove wax that remains after hair removal and it is not as difficult as it seems to remove the irritating stickiness that will otherwise spoil a good waxing result. Once all the wax is off your face or body, apply a gentle moisturizer to soothe the area. You can also use a product to slow hair regrowth if you have one available after you complete the hair wax removal process.