Buzz
Visiting a salon for hair removal can be quite costly! In reality, you can remove hair at home using sugar wax made from just 3 basic ingredients. All you need is white granulated sugar, lemon juice, and water. Sugar waxing is less painful compared to traditional hot waxing, making it an ideal choice for those with sensitive skin.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (200g) white granulated sugar
- 1/8 cup (30ml) lemon juice
- 1/8 cup (30ml) warm water
Steps
Making Hair Removal Wax
Place a medium-sized pot on the stove. Although this recipe makes only a small amount of sugar wax (enough for hair removal on two legs), you should still use a medium or large pot. The mixture will boil vigorously when heated and may overflow if you use a small pot.
Add white granulated sugar, lemon juice, and warm water to the pot. First, measure the white granulated sugar and pour it into the pot. Next, add the lemon juice and warm water. Finally, stir the ingredients thoroughly.
- You can use either white granulated sugar or brown sugar. Powdered sugar will not work.
Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Turn the stove to high heat and boil the mixture until it starts bubbling. Stir frequently. Keep a close eye on it, as the mixture will bubble vigorously when heated.
- Be careful not to burn the mixture. If this happens, it will harden when cooled and become unusable.
Reduce the heat to medium. Once the mixture starts bubbling and boiling vigorously, reduce the heat to medium. Continue stirring. The sugar will dissolve into a liquid at this point.
- If the mixture continues to boil vigorously on medium heat, reduce the heat to low.
Remove the pot from the stove when the mixture turns golden brown. Keep stirring as the mixture simmers. Once it thickens and takes on a deep amber color, turn off the heat and take the pot off the stove.
- The consistency should resemble syrup. If it’s as thick as honey, it needs to cook longer.
Pour the mixture into a bowl or jar and let it cool for about 30 minutes. Unlike traditional hot wax, sugar wax should not be used while hot. Transfer the mixture to a bowl or jar and allow it to cool for approximately 30 minutes. If the warmth of the mixture feels uncomfortable, wait a few more minutes for it to cool further before proceeding.
Using Hair Removal Wax
Use your fingers to scoop a small amount of wax. The wax should still be warm but cool enough to handle, so you can use your fingers throughout the process. Take a small portion and roll it into a ball using your palms.
- If preferred, you can use a butter knife or a popsicle stick instead of your hands.
Apply the wax to a small area of skin. Use your fingers or a popsicle stick to spread the wax against the direction of hair growth. Smooth it out until you have a layer about 0.6cm thick. Work on small sections of skin, a few centimeters at a time.
- Estimate the amount of wax needed to cover both legs evenly.
Take a deep breath and pull! Use your fingers to grip the wax firmly and pull it against the direction of hair growth. Move quickly, like ripping off a bandage. This step might sting a bit!
- You can also roll or peel the wax off with your fingers, but this method can be more painful. It’s better to act swiftly.
- If preferred, you can place strips of paper over the wax, smooth them down, and pull the strips off instead of just the wax.
Continue applying wax to small areas until you’re done. You can reuse a piece of wax 3-4 times if you like. Alternatively, use a fresh piece of wax for each section.
Pour any leftover wax into an airtight container and refrigerate. If you have excess wax, transfer it to a container, such as a Tupperware box. Store it in the fridge and use it within 4-5 weeks. Reheat the mixture before use.
Preparing Your Skin Before Waxing
Wash your skin with soap and water. Use warm water to help open up your pores and reduce pain during waxing. Cleaning your skin also minimizes the risk of infection, which is rare but still worth being cautious about.
- Opening your pores also reduces the chance of ingrown hairs.
Exfoliate your skin 2 days before waxing. Use a brush or a nylon glove to scrub your skin in circular motions. Exfoliation helps the wax adhere better, as sugar wax can remove dead skin cells along with hair.
Moisturize your skin the night before waxing. Water helps keep your skin and hair follicles healthy. However, avoid moisturizing on the day of waxing, as your skin needs to be dry and clean during the process.
Post-Waxing Skin Care
Hydrate your skin with natural oils, body butter, or serum. You can moisturize immediately after waxing, as long as you avoid harsh chemicals. Hydrating your skin helps keep it smooth and prevents ingrown hairs.
Use Dead Sea salt to reduce itching. Avoid touching your skin too much after waxing. Instead, soak in a sea salt solution to reduce inflammation and itching. Dissolve ½ teaspoon (2.75g) of Dead Sea salt in 60ml of water. Dip a cloth into the solution and apply it to the irritated area for 15 minutes. Rinse with clean water afterward.
Exfoliate to prevent ingrown hairs. Wait 2 days after waxing, then start exfoliating every 2-3 days. Use a gentle exfoliating serum, but avoid scrubbing too hard since sugar wax has already removed the top layer of skin!
- For sensitive areas, try using coffee grounds or sugar scrubs instead of a brush.
Avoid using products that may irritate your skin. Your skin remains sensitive for 24 hours after waxing, so steer clear of body oils, creams, and makeup (if you waxed your face). Additionally, avoid UV exposure and heat sources like saunas or steam rooms.
- Skip deodorant if you waxed your underarms.
What You'll Need
- Medium or large pot
- Spoon
- Clean bowl or jar
- Popsicle stick (optional)
- Paper strips (optional)
