I have used hard wax before. This one took me a little bit to figure out, due to it's consistency. Every microwave is different, I had to reheat it half way through. Sp next time I might try at least 2.5mins before starting. It was stringy and sticky even when it cooled off enough. I found myself needing to let it cool down a few mins before ripping it off, because though it cools quick it doesn't harden as quick. In the end, it was more of pain to put it on than anything else. I must admit it didn't hurt me as much as the other one. I have PCOS, the reason my sideburns are darker, which is why I wax. Besides my mustache and around eyebrows. It did give me the desired results. I'll be trying it again to get my money's worth.