The stucco lustre finish is a demanding technique in the plasterer's trade, in which fresh or slightly dried lime plaster is polished with a heated or cold steel trowel using circular and gliding movements. The lime particles at the surface are compacted and aligned, producing a mirror-like, marble-like appearance. Venetian plaster and stucco marble are typical applications. A finishing coat of beeswax or carnauba wax is often applied and worked in to deepen the sheen and seal the surface. The technique requires considerable practice and precise timing, as polishing must take place at the correct stage of setting.