There are two main types of wax that professionals may use for hair removal services. Hot wax is often referred to as hard wax and strip wax as soft wax. When should you use hard wax versus strip wax? How do you know which to pick? What is the difference between hard wax beads and the traditional brick packaging? Below are the answers to these questions and more! 

KEY DIFFERENCES 

The main difference between hot (hard) wax and soft (strip) is the way that the wax is applied and removed. Hot wax is applied against the hair growth, left to set, and then removed without the use of an epilating strip. Strip (soft) wax is applied in the direction of the hair growth and then an epilating strip, like muslin or pelonis, is placed over the wax, pressure is applied, and it is removed opposite to the hair growth, pulling the hair out. Both are effective ways to remove hair and allow for a smooth result. Additionally, hard wax is heated to a temperature of approximately 60°C (140° F); it should be a thick honey consistency. Whereas strip wax is heated to 70-75°C (158-167° F) and is a runnier in consistency. 

WAXCRAFT 

Strip wax is applied thinly and can be removed quite quickly with practice. As a result, it is advisable to use strip wax in larger areas such as legs, arms, back, and even the outer edges of the bikini (inner thighs). A good quality strip wax should not cause skin drag or leave any sticky residue behind. Hard wax is excellent for more sensitive areas such as the bikini or Brazilian area, underarms, and face. Hard wax can be applied in different size patches, which allows for more precise waxing around tricky areas such as the eyebrows and the lips.  

PRE & POST  

With all waxes, it is advised to use a cleanser before and after waxing to help cleanse skin of any debris, makeup, or lotion. Waxing opens the hair follicle, so it is important to ensure skin is clean prior to waxing. Applying the cleanser immediately after the wax will help close the hair follicle. Applying a pre-waxing oil with hot wax adds an additional barrier of moisture to skin, and a little goes a long way! With both hard and strip wax, applying an aftercare product after the service further soothes skin and reduces any redness or inflammation.  

WAX WISDOM 

When choosing which waxes to have at your station, it is important that you consider all factors, such as what areas you will be waxing most and whether you will need both a hard and strip wax always heated. If yes, you will need to look at how big your wax station is and whether it can fit a duo heater or two singles. Being able to have both waxes available allows you to tailor your services. However, ultimately, the most important factor is that you are comfortable waxing with the type of wax chosen as this will make for the most comfortable waxing experience for you and your client.   

Lindsay Miller is the president of LYCON Wax North America. Having first discovered LYCON Wax in the United Kingdom 10 years ago, she has dedicated her time to growing the brand across North America, including introducing LYCON to Canada. Training and product quality are extremely important to Miller and she prides herself on building a strong team around her that can offer the best customer experience possible. LYCON continues to be a market leader in hair removal wax and is used in top spas and salons around the world. 

Standing out from your competition is key to the overall success of your business. The spa and wellness industry is a service-based industry, meaning that the value you provide is largely based on customer service, advice, and knowledge. Considering various ways to strengthen the overall customer experience will allow you to improve your business and differentiate yourself from others.

EXTRAORDINARY CUSTOMER SERVICE

Customer service is an integral part of the foundation of any business, but this is especially true in the spa and beauty industry. The relationship that you foster between yourself and your client is one that is built on trust, loyalty, and integrity. Your clients return to you because they know the wax service they receive is consistent and of high quality. It is important to continually review standard business practices when it comes to client services, as it can often get overlooked. Routinely consider ways to innovate in order to improve and offer the best possible wax every time. Pay attention to small details, such as offering clients water, tea, or coffee when they come in, showing them where the washroom is, and offering to take their jacket. Have monthly meetings with your team to review and brainstorm ways that you can do things differently and make a lasting impression on clients.

FOCUS ON A NARROW NICHE

When you try to serve everyone, you end up serving no one. This can be especially true with service-based businesses. Carve out your business and know who you are targeting. What sets you apart from the competition that will attract those individuals to you? Look at your best clients and understand what similarities they have. Ask your clients to complete a simple survey. The survey could include questions on why they return to you, what they would like to see done differently, and other feedback they may have. You could also consider tying the survey to a draw prize or promotion as a way to encourage clients to take the time to offer their input.

KNOW THE COMPETITION AND YOUR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

Understand what sets you a part from your competition. What makes your business different and unique? Is it the wax product you use? Is it the care you take in explaining the products in service? Is it the care you to take in working with clients to develop a homecare routine? Whatever it is that makes your business thrive, commit to it and resist the temptation to wander off. When other opportunities arise, it can be easy to get distracted and not focus on your core business and what you do well. Consider those opportunities that grow your business and strengthen it while still allowing you to stay focused on what is providing you with success.

FIX PROBLEMS TO BUILD STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS

The reality of a customer driven business is that you will get at least one unhappy customer. Perhaps you missed some hair or you were running late to their appointment. Whatever the reason is that they are upset, you must respect this and develop a strong plan for a solution. If a bad experience remains unresolved, a client will not only fail to return to you, but they will also spread the word to their network. Negative feedback can spread like wildfire through social media and word of mouth. Accept your mistakes and work to fix them with the client. They will appreciate the honesty and your openness to developing a solution.

STAY ON TOP OF INDUSTRY TRENDS

Staying ahead of the trends and introducing new products and services is a great way to stand out from the competition. Understand the hot, new ingredients that the industry is buzzing about and how to incorporate them to offer a better service to clients. Being educated on industry trends will allow you to have an educated conversation with a client, increasing their confidence in you. This is especially true when they ask your opinion on something they have heard or read. A great way to learn the trends is to read industry publications and blogs and, when possible, attend seminars or tradeshows.

Providing top-notch customer service is among one of the most important ways to differentiate your business from the competition. Always be aware of ways to innovate and improve your business, but take care to not lose sight on who your clients are and why they continue to return to you.

Lindsay Miller is the president of LYCON Wax North America. Having first discovered LYCON Wax in the United Kingdom 10 years ago, she has dedicated her time to growing the brand across North America, including introducing LYCON to Canada. Training and product quality are extremely important to Miller and she prides herself on building a strong team around her that can offer the best customer experience possible. LYCON continues to be a market leader in hair removal wax and is used in top spas and salons around the world.

Successful small business owners are constantly exploring ways to improve their business and increase their earnings. In order to run an efficient business and grow an overall profit, it is important to routinely analyze operations and brainstorm ways to improve your current systems. Focus should be on making your business more efficient, so that you can offer the best possible waxing service every time.

Understanding your overall business and how it operates is the first step in determining where and how you can improve your business. Here are some strategies to consider that will help determine what you can change in order to grow your bottom line.

LISTEN TO EMPLOYEES

Your employees are crucial to your success as a business. They are the first people clients see when they walk into your spa. They work in the trenches and have a great understanding of how the business operates day in and day out. As a result, the information and feedback they provide is important when analyzing your business. There are various approaches when asking for suggestions and feedback from your team. One method is to have your team complete a questionnaire. This questionnaire can be anonymous or open and would cover all aspects of the operations. It can be completed once a month or quarterly and will give your team an outlet to communicate to you. Keeping these types of questionnaires anonymous can prove more effective, as it relieves any negative pressure of being completely open and honest. An alternative option would be to hire an external consultant. This person should be an industry expert who will have the capacity and experience to analyze your current systems and provide recommendations to improve operations. Although hiring a consultant is an investment, the benefits of increasing your business efficiencies should far outweigh the cost of the consultant’s fee. However, before deciding to go down this path, do your research and truly understand how your business will benefit.

OUTSOURCE AND AUTOMATE

Time is money. Your time is a very valuable resource and you should consider how to make the most of it. Consider outsourcing the projects that are not within your scope or focus. This will save time, so that your time can then be spent on what you do well and what your business needs to grow. Automating the tasks that you can will not only help you to save time, but will reduce, if not eliminate, human error – building a strong foundation for your business to grow. Tasks that can easily be automated would include sending pay stubs to employees or reminder e-mails to clients. There are many technologies available to help with the automation and engaging with an expert who can advise what would work best can be beneficial. As waxing is a specialized service, it is important to be aware of the balance between automation and staying engaged with a client. Client loyalty is built through a personal relationship with your client, so ensuring you remain connected with them is important. Try not to lose sight of the personal touches.

FOCUS MARKETING EFFORTS

It can be challenging to truly understand the return on your investment when it comes to marketing. Taking the time to know who your target demographic is and how you can effectively reach them will streamline marketing and provide the most impact per dollar spent. Include a code with promotions that clients must reference in order to redeem so that at the end of the promotion you can see the results. Routinely performing an overall analysis on your client database to break out key demographics, most popular services, and products sold will help develop effective marketing campaigns and focus the budget effectively.

CREATE ACHIEVABLE GOALS

Once you have performed an analysis, gained an understanding of areas you can improve in, and implemented new systems, it is important to define the level of improvement you are hoping to attain. This will allow you to understand whether the changes you have made have had any impact on the overall productivity and efficiency of your business. It will also give you and your team a goal to work towards.

Focus on making small changes in your business, as these will often have the most impact on overall performance. Understanding the ins and outs of your business will allow you to make educated decisions on how you can improve operations and grow your bottom line. Remember to focus on efficiency, but don’t let it take away from the primary goal of operating a successful business and providing the best possible services every time.

Lindsay Miller is the president of LYCON Wax North America. Having first discovered LYCON Wax in the United Kingdom 10 years ago, she has dedicated her time to growing the brand across North America, including introducing LYCON to Canada. Training and product quality are extremely important to Miller and she prides herself on building a strong team around her that can offer the best customer experience possible. LYCON continues to be a market leader in hair removal wax and is used in top spas and salons around the world.

Growing your business isn’t easy. Without the right marketing strategies to fuel growth, building a profitable business can be extremely challenging. Identifying the right channels to market your business will help you to reach the market that you are targeting and do it in the most cost-effective way.

As a business owner or an aesthetician looking to grow your clientele, it is easy to become very focused on the day-to-day schedule and operations of the business. As a result, you may forget to spend time and resources understanding how to continue to build and grow your overall business. How can you shift this mindset? It is important to take time to take a step back from the everyday in order to analyze what your end goal is and what you are working towards. For example, if your desire is to grow your current clientele, you will want to understand who your target market is and how you are currently reaching out to them, and, then, develop strategies on how you can continue to target a larger audience. What are the best marketing channels to use? Below are a few suggested strategies that you may want to consider implementing.

SOCIAL MEDIA

The presence of social media has expanded across the globe and is one of the most cost effective ways to grow a business and effectively get the message across to a target audience. Navigating the world of social media takes time and research. Reading blogs, articles, and listening to experts speak on the topic will help in deciding the best practices for you. It is important to be authentic and educate your market on what you do, what waxing services you have to offer, and how you are different. Often, adding live wax demo videos and open forums where your followers can ask questions are great ways to generate more interest, while building your credibility in the industry. Don’t forget to provide links to all resources referenced and include the appropriate tags and hashtags in posts. Social media is a very powerful tool that, when used effectively, can prove to be a great way to expand your reach and grow your business.

AFFILIATE MARKETING

When you build your business, you will naturally be building your community around you – whether that is through your online presence or within your physical community. Consider what other services and businesses complement yours and try to reach out to those around you to form a community. Work with other businesses by setting up referral programs where their clients can receive a certain discount when they come to you and vice versa. On social media, collaborate with influencers that complement your brand and will help you to get your mission out. Within your community, post community events to show love and support of your local neighborhood. When considering how and who to work with, always ensure that you are aligned with what you believe in and that there are consistent values between all involved.

PAID ADVERTISING

Often, paid advertising, such as Google Ad Words, Facebook Ads, or advertisements in local papers or community newsletters, can a seem expensive and it is hard to measure their effectiveness. However, combining paid advertising with other strategies is a good way to create a well-rounded marketing effort that will reach a large target audience. Before jumping in, do research to really understand the reach you are getting, who the target is, and how long it will take to see the return on the investment. Incorporating promotions with each paid advertisement will create a way to track the campaign to be able to see the full results and analyze the overall success.

CUSTOMER LOYALTY PROGRAMS

Often, the best tool for marketing is your current clientele. Your clients are returning to you for their wax for a reason. They believe in your business and love what you do. Build a customer loyalty program that keeps them happy and coming back for more. Loyalty points programs can be an effective way to do this. Have clients earn points for every wax service and retail product they purchase. Other programs could include establishing a VIP customer program, in which these clients receive exclusive promotions or giveaways, such as a small gift on their birthday. Additionally, set up referral programs where current clients can receive a free service or a discount if they refer a new client to you. This is an excellent way to grow your business and offer value to current clients at a small cost.

The key to knowing how to most effectively market your business is to truly understand who you are marketing it to. Know who your target market is and how to reach them. By taking time away from your day-to-day to analyze your business, you will gain valuable information that will allow you to set up a successful marketing strategy and grow your overall bottom line.

Lindsay Miller is the president of LYCON Wax North America. Having first discovered LYCON Wax in the United Kingdom 10 years ago, she has dedicated her time to growing the brand across North America, including introducing LYCON to Canada. Training and product quality are extremely important to Miller and she prides herself on building a strong team around her that can offer the best customer experience possible. LYCON continues to be a market leader in hair removal wax and is used in top spas and salons around the world.

There are many reasons to start a business. The most successful businesses are often built from passion by finding something you love doing and then making it your job. Whatever the reason for starting a business, the most important factor is how it is going to make money. All businesses need a profit to survive. Often, businesses can become too focused on sales growth and can lose sight of their costs. Reducing and controlling costs is critical in order to keep your business alive and thriving. Here are a few ways that your business may be losing money and some tips on how to fix it!There are many reasons to start a business. The most successful businesses are often built from passion by finding something you love doing and then making it your job. Whatever the reason for starting a business, the most important factor is how it is going to make money. All businesses need a profit to survive. Often, businesses can become too focused on sales growth and can lose sight of their costs. Reducing and controlling costs is critical in order to keep your business alive and thriving. Here are a few ways that your business may be losing money and some tips on how to fix it!

PRODUCT USAGE
Considering the correct usage and application of the waxing products you are using in your spa can help eliminate waste and reduce costs. Asking the supplier or distributor if they can provide you with a usage chart can help you better understand the cost per service. When it comes to waxing, consider using a strip wax that is applied super thinly, as it will allow you to get more waxes per jar. Less wax buildup means less buildup on strips, so you are able to reduce the amount of strips you use per wax. Additionally, choosing a hard wax that can pull the short, stubborn hairs the first time will mean less applications and, therefore, less wax usage. Once you have selected the products you will be using, keep track of the actual usage. Be aware of small things like making sure all wax is scraped from the bottom of the jar before being thrown out, as overtime that small amount of wax can equal a large amount of wasted product and money. Routine check-ins with the team will help to manage product usage and bring costs down.

STAFF EFFICIENCY
Scheduling your team can be one of the most important aspects of your business, as the payroll expense is often one of the largest. Analyzing the flow of your business throughout the day and the week will allow you to know when your busy times are versus slower, quieter times. During those busy times, ensure you have the appropriate number of staff on the schedule in order to fully maximize your business’ capacity. If you find there are times when things are quiet and staff does have some downtime, make sure to use this time to keep the team engaged by having them perform tasks, such as counting inventory, cleaning their room, cutting wax strips, or practicing on each other. Not only will managing the staff schedule closely make the business more efficient, it will reduce staff costs and grow the bottom line.

MISSED APPOINTMENTS POLICY
Do you currently have a missed appointment policy? If not, this is something to consider. A missed appointment is a missed opportunity. Although it might not seem like a problem, a lot of missed appointments add up and can cost the business a lot of money, as these are appointments that could have been filled by another client. Developing a missed appointment policy and staying consistent with using it will likely help clients to respect that booked appointment and reduce the chances of them missing it. Sending a text, making a phone call, or sending an e-mail reminder at least 24 hours in advance can help reduce those missed appointments. Plus, clients often appreciate the check-in and it is a great time to remind them of the pre-appointment recommendations for their wax, such as not shaving prior to the appointment or answer any questions they may have. 

NEW VERSUS CURRENT CLIENTS
The cost of acquiring new clients is higher than retaining current ones. One of the main reasons for this is that the outreach to new clients can be expensive, depending on the marketing strategy used. Additionally, it can be challenging to measure how effective these marketing campaigns are. Although reaching out to new clients is still important to grow sales, continuing to build loyalty with current clients can cost less and also grow sales. Retaining clients can be as simple as providing the best possible service that you can by using quality wax products, showing clients they are important by offering simple promotions, or creating a loyalty program. Remember, loyal clients trust you and are going to be keen to spread the word to their network. As a result, a new client base will naturally grow without a lot of financial investment. 

Finally, as you focus on the areas that might be losing money, don’t forget there are certain elements that won’t cost a cent and will positively affect your business. Remember to always welcome clients in the door with a smile and be confident that when they leave you have provided them with a more pleasurable waxing experience. 

Lindsay Miller is the president of LYCON Wax North America. Having first discovered LYCON Wax in the United Kingdom 10 years ago, she has dedicated her time to growing the brand across North America, including introducing LYCON to Canada. Training and product quality are extremely important to Miller and she prides herself on building a strong team around her that can offer the best customer experience possible. LYCON continues to be a market leader in hair removal wax and is used in top spas and salons around the world.

Folliculitis is a form of skin irritation characterized by tender red spots on the skin that originate from the hair follicle. It results when bacteria enter the hair follicle and becomes infected, creating a red spot or pustule on the skin. Folliculitis can occur on any area of the body, but it is most common on the more sensitive areas, such as the chest, back, and bikini area. Although folliculitis is not completely avoidable, there are important tips to consider to help reduce the chances of it occurring.

The powerful healing benefits of tea tree date back to the 18th century, when British sailors landed on the southeast shores of Australia and discovered massive groves of trees thick with sticky, aromatic leaves. The leaves of these trees, which was later named the Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree), had been used for many years to treat cuts and wounds.