Parissa Wax Strips for Legs and Body, 40 Count Review
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Reviewed by | Sue McCarthy |
Review date | |
Summary | Parissa are well known for their hair removal waxing products and they pride themselves on their ethics and social responsibility - which include using natural, food-grade ingredients which are not tested on animals. This wax strip product for legs and body consisting of 20 double sided, cold wax strips (40 count in total) are easy to use anywhere, so great for taking on your travels. Retailing at around $14 online for the pack, which includes a bottle of Azulene finishing oil, they are not the cheapest on the market, but still offer a substantial saving in comparison to salon treatments |
Rating | 3.9 out of 5 Stars |
Product Overview
Parissa products are Manufactured in Canada using non toxic ingredients which are not tested on animals.
These wax strips for legs and body are just one in their large range of at home hair removal waxing products
The wax is sandwiched between 2 clear plastic sheets which, once warmed between the hands, can be carefully pulled apart to give 2 usable strips.
The product is very easy to use, with no mess and no need to warm in a microwave, and the strips are a good size for covering large areas quickly.
Also included with the strips is a small bottle of Azulene oil for use after waxing to remove any residue wax and leave the skin feeling soothed and moisturized.
Currently available online from around $14 for a pack of 40 strips.
What's in the Box?
Contents of the Box
- 20 Double sided wax strips
- One 8ml bottle of Azulene oil
- Instruction leaflet
A Look at the Product
The Strips
Each sheet consists of two clear plastic strips with wax in between.
The wax area is a good size for treating large areas quickly and efficiently, measuring 140mm x 55mm, but they can be cut down for smaller areas if required prior to use.
Shows the wax area
It is simply warmed between the hands until it softens and is pliable enough to pull the plastic sheets gently apart, giving two usable waxing strips.
I like the fact that the plastic is transparent because it means that it is easy to see the area that you are waxing clearly.
The Azulene Oil
The 8ml bottle of Azulene Oil provided is perfect for removing any residue wax left on the skin after treatment.
It is blue and fragrance-free and leaves the skin with a lovely soft and smooth feel.
It is simply applied by using a cotton wool pad and to gently wipe the area clean.
If you run out of oil, any type of mineral, baby or vegetable oil will be equally effective.
Ingredients
Below is a copy of the list of ingredients for both the strips and oil, to check for any known allergies.
Photograph taken straight from the box
Do be sure to carry out a patch test following the instructions provided prior to any use, just to be sure that you have no adverse reactions, even if you are not allergic to any of the ingredients.
Do not use on varicose veins
How to Use the Product
Precautions
Waxing is not suitable for use on skin treated with Retin A, Accutan. Alpha Hydroxy or Glycolic Acid products.
You should not use this product on sunburned, irritated or otherwise compromised skin and it is not suitable for use on moles, warts or if you have varicose veins.
Sunbathing should be avoided before and after waxing.
Pulling the strip up away from skin, not keeping the skin taut or applying more than once on the same area can cause irritation, bruising or skin lifting.
Make sure that you read all the instructions provided thoroughly prior to use, paying particular attention to precautions and warnings.
Before you Start
Always carry out a skin test prior to use, on a small patch of the area to be treated, following usage instructions. Then wait for 24 hours after which, if no adverse reactions have occurred you may continue with the full treatment.
You should wait for 2 weeks before treating previously shaved areas, or until hair is at least 5mm in length.
If necessary, you can rub in a little baby powder to ensure skin is good and dry.
Skin should not be cleaned prior to treatment.
Method
Warm the product between your hands until the wax is soft and pliable.
Carefully separate two of the strips by pulling gently apart.
Take a strip and place over the hair to be removed and smooth down two or three times in the direction of hair growth (so for legs, top to bottom).
Hold the skin as taut as possible with your spare hand.
Zip off the the strip immediately, pulling back on itself, against the direction of hair growth, as illustrated below:
Smooth in direction of hair growth
Remove against direction of hair growth
Make sure not to pull strip up away from the skin at a 90 degree angle, but parallel to the skin, as close as possible to it.
Pull quickly and firmly in one action, pulling slowly will be ineffective.
Do not apply to the same area more than once during a treatment session.
Post Treatment
Clean the skin or any residue wax with the Azulene oil provided, on a cotton pad or similar.
Azulene oil can be used daily to retain smoothness - Parissa produce a 60ml bottle of spray on Azulene oil, available separately.
Is it Effective?
I tested this product on my legs and found it very easy to use and effective at removing the hair.
I did find that it left wax residue, but the oil provided was good for clearing it, and left my skin feeling lovely and soft.
Having read several reviews where warming with a hairdryer was advised, I gave it a try and found it to be a really good tip.
It was easier to get the wax evenly warmed and softened quickly with the hairdryer and was good for re-warming before applying for the second time to make it retain its stickiness.
In my experience cold wax strips are never as effective as the warm wax, cloth strip kits but they are so much more convenient and easy to use anywhere, and this product is as good as any that I have tried.
What are the Advantages of Waxing?
One of the benefits of waxing which appeals to many people is that it is pretty easy to do at home (depending on the treatment area) at your own convenience, without needing to make costly visits to a salon and bare all to a stranger.
It can be a cost effective and efficient method for hair removal, providing good results that can last for several weeks.
The results of waxing last longer than other popular methods such as shaving and depilatory creams, which only remove hair at the skin's surface.
The other advantage waxing has over these two methods is that, with regular use, regrowth becomes lighter and finer over time.
Although waxing is painful, it doesn't require use of the harsh chemicals used in depilatory creams, and the pain becomes much easier over time, as the skin becomes used to the process its tolerance increases.
There are ways to minimise pain while waxing and we have published a separate article with recommended products to relieve pain while waxing.
Epilators also remove hair from the root and so give similarly lasting results, however waxing is a quicker for clearing large areas.
Is it Painful?
There will inevitably be a level of pain as you are effectively ripping out the hair from the root.
The pain level varies from person to person and some areas, such as underarm and bikini-line are more sensitive than others e.g. the legs.
Therefore, if you have not waxed before, it is advisable to start with the legs to get used to the correct method and how it feels, before steaming in and waxing your armpits!
It is always a good idea to wax in the evening when you are not planning to go out, to give the skin time to calm down and for any redness/irritation to disappear overnight.
Deodorants and other cosmetics should not be used immediately after treatment.
There are products available to help reduce the pain experienced, and do bear in mind that the skin becomes more tolerant over time, with continued treatment.
This, coupled with the fact that regrowth will become finer and weaker, helps the pain to diminish with regular use.
Product Q & A's
Why are there only 20 strips in the box?
Each one has wax in between 2 clear strips. Once warmed between your hands they can be easily pulled apart to make 2 usable strips - 40 in all.
Can the strips be washed?
No, they are pre-waxed, ready to use strips that are discarded after use.
Can they be used more than once?
The instructions state that you can use them a few times in one treatment session, but in practice, I found that twice was the most they were really effective for as they lose their stickiness. The first application is definitely the best.
Do you need a microwave for these?
No - just warm between your hands until the wax softens and becomes pliable. I read that some people use a hairdryer, so I tried it out and found it to be a good method and it was easier to get the wax nice and pliable. It was also good for re-warming the wax on the second strip that was waiting for a few minutes before use.
Are they easy to use for a first time waxer?
Yes they are, because they are pre-waxed and ready to use. I would advise that you start on the legs, as the least sensitive area, until you have perfected the method and got used to the feel of waxing, before using on the more sensitive underarms etc.
I have hairs growing from a mole, is this product effective for this?
No - waxing is not suitable for removing hair from moles or warts.
Conclusion
These strips are super easy to use, pretty efficient and cost effective.
They can be used anywhere with no mess or fuss, great for travelling they take up next to no room in your case.
They can be cut down to size for smaller areas and are a good size for covering large areas quickly.
The clear plastic backing strips make it easy to see what you are doing.
If you are in the market for cold wax ready to use strips I would happily recommend this product.
Things we Liked
- Inexpensive compared to visiting a salon - 40 strips for around $14
- Effective - removes most hair efficiently
- Large Strips - great for treating larger areas, and clear backing makes it easy to see what you are doing
- Easy to use - no mess, no fuss, no microwave heating
- Use Anywhere - great when travelling
- Finishing Oil - removes wax residue and soothes the skin post treatment
Things we didn't Like
- Effectiveness - Removed most hair, but the odd stray remained
- Need Regrowth - hair needs to be long enough for strips to be effective (approx 5mm)
