Carnauba << kahr NOW buh, >> wax, is a vegetable wax. It is obtained from the leaves of the carnauba palm, which is native to Brazil. The leaves are dried until their waxy coating turns to a flourlike dust. This dust is melted, cooled, and formed into cakes for shipment. Carnauba wax is the hardest natural wax. It is used in polishes, plastics, varnishes, and other products.