Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1533707
96 ASCP Skin Deep Spring 2025 INSIDE EVERY ESTHETICIAN is a budding chemist who gets excited about the science behind skin care—why certain ingredients work the way they do and how skin reacts to daily stressors. It's natural that this love for science lends itself well to experimentation in the treatment room. Lately, the experiment making its rounds on social media is the mixture of cream-based and gel-based waxes to create a customizable formula ideal for each individual waxing client. ASCP Esty of the Year Bree Mesquit knows a thing or two about waxing (you can flip back to her story on page 54). We asked her to share her expertise about mixing waxes (a method she's been using long before it started popping up on social media) and why it's gained popularity. THE GOOD The intent of this trend is to reap the benefits from both wax bases at the same time. "The quicker setting time of cream wax makes it more efficient for pros," Mesquit says. "The tackiness and grip of gel wax enhances spreadability and allows for precise application." Mix it all together and you get the best of both worlds. Since you're the mixologist, you can also customize the ratio each time. Mesquit says this is what makes the trend so exciting: It's about personal preference and adjusting to your skill level and climate as well as your client's hair and skin type. The trend is also versatile: "It's ideal for all areas, from brows to Brazilians and everything in between," Mesquit says. BEHIND THE TREND Mixing Cream and Gel Waxes Investigating the good and bad of this viral fad THE BAD There aren't really any downsides or wrong mixing ratios. However, you might see some mixed opinions floating around the internet. "I've noticed some negativity on social media, with estheticians claiming that mixing waxes means you're working with low-quality products," Mesquit says. "I strongly disagree. Every waxer's needs are different, and factors like climate, skill level, and technique come into play. This technique simply allows you to create a formula that works best for you and your clients." In other words, consider what's best each time you formulate your mixture and tune out the opinions of what others might think. THE CONCLUSION If you don't like your current waxing formula, you might benefit from trying this technique. Mixing your own formula gives you the power to make something that works best for you and your client. Mesquit's brand, Rebel Wax, offers both gel- and cream-based formulas and pre-mixed bags. "I especially love the 2.2-pound trio packs, giving you a total of 6.6 pounds of wax," she says. "You can try each formula individually, mix them together, and experiment with different ratios to find what works best for you and your clients." No matter what ratio you use—if it's premixed or one you mix yourself—there's no wrong way to be the chemist of your wax formula. PEXELS