Sugar waxing is a kind of issues I at all times swore I’d by no means attempt. I chalk it as much as one too many botched eyebrow waxes as a teen—or perhaps it is simply the considered burning myself with melted sugar that does not sit effectively with me.
Both manner, I am pleased preserving a secure distance between me and any type of depilatory wax if I will help it. However I am curious by nature, so I began doing a little analysis. It turns on the market’s a great motive sugaring has develop into so well-liked. Mentioned to be conventional waxing’s cheaper, much less painful and extra pure sister, sugar waxing guarantees a 3-ingredient various to each day shaving.
Whereas the considered ripping my hair out by the foundation does not precisely thrill me, not having to shave my legs for a few weeks completely does. So I went forward and seemed worry within the face, gathered up the substances, and gave it a whirl.
And guess what? I am now a wax-at-home convert. I even wax my face.
Leap to:
Meet the specialists
Robyn Newmark, esthetician and founding father of Newmark Beauty
Tami Blake, sugaring professional, esthetician and founding father of Sweet + True
Medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Haley, board-certified dermatologist
Advantages of Sugar Waxing
For these of us who’ve had a nasty expertise with waxing, sugaring generally is a godsend. It is made with simply three substances—sugar, lemon juice, and salt—so it is freed from skin-irritating chemical compounds and toxins. And it’s virtually free to make, too!
However there’s different causes to like sugar waxing:
Much less breakage and ingrown hairs. Since you take away hair within the route it grows, it is gentler on the hair and pores and skin, which implies fewer ingrown hairs. Plus, the sugar wax wraps across the hair follicle and stays comfortable throughout your entire course of, so there’s much less likelihood of breakage.
There is no likelihood of getting burned. “With conventional waxing it’s as much as the talent set of the practitioner to manage the temperature and strategy of the process,” says Robyn Newmark, esthetician and founding father of Newmark Beauty. “Sugaring might be finished extra usually with much less trauma though neither approach must be creating trauma if finished appropriately.”
Clear up is a breeze. Sugar wax melts proper off when it is available in contact with water. So if there’s any lingering wax in your pores and skin, a moist washcloth will do the trick.
Sugar wax might be reapplied. In case you missed a spot, be happy to use sugar wax to the identical space a number of instances with out opposed results.
It is tremendous light. Sugar wax will not persist with stay pores and skin cells, so it does not rip off a layer of pores and skin while you pull. This implies it is much less painful than conventional waxing, and you will not have the injuries in addition.
Higher for the surroundings. Sugaring can also be extra sustainable in lots of respects! “Sugaring paste is biodegradable (meals grade) and creates much less waste, because it eliminates the necessity for sticks and strips,” explains Tami Blake, licensed esthetician and founding father of Sweet + True. “In reality, you should utilize the identical ball of paste all through your entire service!”
The right way to Make Sugar Wax
Now, I will be utterly trustworthy. Making sugar wax is straightforward when you get the grasp of it. However when you’ve by no means made it earlier than, decide up an additional bag of sugar (or two) earlier than you get began.
The sugar wax recipe that Newmark recommends is:
-1 cup white sugar
-⅛ cup lemon juice (or apple cider vinegar)
-⅛ cup heat water
As a sugar wax beginner, I scoured the web for instructions and adopted the directions to the letter, however I nonetheless managed to burn my sugar the primary few instances. As soon as the sugar begins boiling, it will probably go from golden to black in 2 minutes flat, and you will not even discover till it is too late. After studying this the laborious manner, I dug an previous sweet thermometer out of the drawer to save lots of me the continued trouble of eyeballing it.
If you do not have a sweet thermometer, do not panic. Simply be versatile and do not count on perfection on the primary go-around.
For the reason that wax continues to prepare dinner after it comes off the burner, you wish to pull the sugar off the burner as quickly because it turns a lightweight honey shade and pour it into one other container. In case you overdo it on the primary attempt, pour it within the trash (fastidiously) and begin over once more.
The right way to Apply Sugar Wax
Whereas sugaring is rather a lot like conventional waxing, there are a pair variations:
1. Let the wax cool to room temperature. Not like conventional wax, sugar wax does not should be scorching to work.
2. As soon as cool, scoop the wax out of the container and apply it with a butter knife, popsicle stick, or your fingers. You may wish to apply a ¼-inch layer of wax towards the route of the hair and gently press it onto your pores and skin.
3. Pull the pores and skin taught. Then get a great maintain off the wax and, with a fast flick of your wrist, pull in the route of hair progress.
4. You possibly can roll the wax between your palms and re-use it on totally different sections of pores and skin till it is now not sticky.
One cup of sugar wax ought to final for a number of functions, so be sure to save lots of any leftovers within the fridge and gently heat prior to make use of.
What to do Earlier than and After You Sugar Wax
pre- and post-wax routine will assist maintain ache, ingrowns and an infection to a minimal. Here is the best way to child your pores and skin earlier than and after sugaring.
Earlier than Waxing
1. Let hair develop a bit. rule of thumb is to let hair develop to about ¼” earlier than waxing. Something shorter and the wax gained’t persist with the hair shaft very simply, which means you’ll find yourself with a splotchy wax job. How lengthy is ¼ of an inch? Effectively, when you at present:
–Shave – it’s about 10-14 days of progress
–Wax – it’s about 4 weeks of progress
–Sugar – it’s about 4-6 weeks of progress
2. Deal with flakes. For one of the best outcomes, Blake recommends gently exfoliating the pores and skin earlier than your first appointment and in between appointments. Strive utilizing a loofah, sugar scrub, or tub mit 3 days earlier than sugaring. This must be simply sufficient time to take away flakes whereas nonetheless permitting any micro-tears or irritation to heal.
3. Skip the sweat session. Extreme sweating can open pores, which can make your pores and skin extra susceptible to an infection. So, don’t do something that may trigger extreme sweating inside 24 hours of sugaring, reminiscent of visiting the sauna, understanding, taking a scorching yoga class or soaking within the tub.
4. Don’t have an excessive amount of caffeine and alcohol earlier than. Consuming and caffeine could make you extra susceptible to bleeding, notes esthetician, Mehvish Patel. She additionally recommends avoiding the usage of any retinoid lotions for no less than 24-48 hours beforehand.
5. Keep away from solar publicity. Sunburn and sugar waxing don’t combine (all I can say is ouch!) Keep out of the solar for no less than 48 hours previous to sugaring. If that’s not doable, no less than cowl any areas you propose to wax.
6. Skip the tub and physique merchandise. Don’t apply deodorant, make-up, lotion, fragrance or every other physique merchandise the day of your wax session. Not solely does the wax adhere finest to scrub hair follicles, however it’ll assist maintain the chance of irritation and an infection to a minimal.
After Waxing
Similar to earlier than your wax session, it’s best to child your pores and skin for 24-48 hours after you wax.
1. Let your pores and skin breath. Put on loose-fitting garments and keep away from all tub and physique merchandise, reminiscent of lotions, make-up, deodorant, and lotions on freshly waxed pores and skin for 48 hours. After 48 hours, start making use of an all-natural moisturizer to replenish moisture and soothe pores and skin.
2. Exfoliate. Beginning 2 days post-wax, gently exfoliate to maintain pores and skin clean and freed from ingrown hairs. Use a dry brush or exfoliating glove, and transfer in a delicate, round movement. Repeat each 3-4 days.
3. Keep away from sweat classes. Similar to earlier than, don’t work out, spend time within the solar or do something that will trigger extreme sweating for 48 hours after waxing.
4. Do not contact. Keep away from touching, scratching or selecting at lately waxed pores and skin.
Sugar Waxing FAQs
We normally get lots of questions on making your personal sugar wax at residence. It seems that, even with a recipe and a video, making your personal sugar wax is not at all times really easy. Hey, I get it! Hopefully, I will help shed some mild on it for you.
What if I haven’t got a sweet thermometer? Would one other form of thermometer work?
You are free to eyeball it and cease the cooking course of as soon as your sugar combination turns a lightweight honey shade.
One other solution to test the temperature is to fill a medium-size bowl with ice water. Take a small spoonful of the sugar combination and place it within the bowl of ice water for just a few seconds. As soon as cool, if it nonetheless seems stringy and will not kind a ball, which means it must prepare dinner longer.
You probably have one other kind of kitchen thermometer, it ought to work so long as it will probably stand up to constant warmth and browse temperatures at or beneath 260°F.
Can I take advantage of different kinds of sugar, like brown or caster sugar?
Sure, it’s best to have the ability to. Nevertheless it would possibly take some trial and error to get the ratio of sugar to liquid proper.
What if my sugar wax comes out too laborious?
In case your sugar wax persistently comes out too laborious, you are overcooking it.
Add extra lemon juice (the precise quantity you want is dependent upon how laborious the sugar combine is) and proceed boiling for one more 1–2 minutes. If it is nonetheless not pliable sufficient, add extra lemon juice and maintain boiling.
As soon as it is overcooked, typically the simplest factor to do is to toss it out and begin over once more.
In case you’ve tried batch after batch and it is at all times too laborious, overlook utilizing the thermometer and simply attempt cooking it for a shorter period of time. And do not let your sugar wax cool within the steel pot you cooked it in, or it’ll overcook as a result of it retains cooking even after you’re taking it off the burner.
What if it comes out too comfortable?
If it is not laborious sufficient and does not adhere to the hair, you are undercooking it. The one answer for that’s to prepare dinner it longer.
You possibly can attempt to get it to the proper consistency by placing it again within the pot on the burner and heating it for one more couple of minutes. Or you’ll be able to try to make use of the comfortable wax as-is with cotton wax strips.
The strips will give the wax one thing to carry on to so you’ll be able to peel it off, hopefully taking the hair with it. If the wax is simply too comfortable to stay to cotton strips, then you definitely positively must prepare dinner it one other couple of minutes, let it cool, and take a look at once more.
I’ve tried this recipe ‘x’ instances, and it nonetheless will not come out proper. Now what?
For a wide range of causes, there is not a one-size-fits-all sugar wax recipe. Listed below are just a few of the potential points which may have an effect on how your wax seems:
It might be the local weather you reside in (extra moisture within the air will have an effect on your sugar wax), or it might be your provides.
Your thermometer is not calibrated appropriately or it isn’t delicate sufficient.
Your burner will get too scorching and the liquid evaporates too shortly.
Possibly while you eliminated the wax from the range, it stored cooking (this can be a massive downside for lots of people), so even when it was excellent while you turned off the warmth, it could have burned because it sat.
As at all times, if this recipe does not be just right for you, one other one would possibly work higher. Preserve making an attempt till you discover a technique you want.
Do I want to make use of cotton cloths with this?
If the sugar wax is the proper consistency, then no, you do not want cotton cloths. It ought to adhere on to the hair and draw back from the pores and skin cleanly by hand.
But when your sugar wax is not the proper consistency, cotton waxing strips could assist by giving the wax one thing to cling to.
What sort of cotton cloths ought to I take advantage of?
You possibly can both purchase pre-made waxing cloths on-line (like these), or make your personal utilizing previous cotton pillowcases, sheets, or curtains lower into 2-inch x 4-inch strips. You may need material with none stretchiness, so it pulls off in a single fell swoop.
Can I sugar wax if I am diabetic?
Sure! Except you are ingesting the sugar wax (which, um, you should not be…), the sugar won’t ever enter your blood stream and due to this fact will not have an have an effect on on blood sugar ranges.
Can I retailer leftover sugar wax?
Retailer it in an previous microwave-safe container. If you’re prepared to make use of it, pop it within the microwave and warmth in 15-second intervals till melted. Simply be tremendous cautious as a result of scorching sugar wax could cause severe burns.
How lengthy will it keep good?
“The excessive focus of sugar naturally preserves the paste permitting it to remain contemporary for 2-3 years if saved and maintained in a local weather managed surroundings,” says Blake.
How lengthy ought to your hair be with a purpose to persist with the wax?
Hair must be no less than ¼-inch (5–6 mm) lengthy.
Are you able to make sugar wax within the microwave?
I examined it out utilizing this recipe:
- 1 cup sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
Mix all the pieces in a bowl and microwave it on excessive in 20-second intervals for about 2 minutes with out stirring. At this level, it must be the best consistency for sugar wax.
Irrespective of how lengthy I microwaved it for, I simply could not get mine to come back out proper. Since making sugar wax is all about evaporating the liquid till the melted sugar reaches a comfortable, sticky consistency, microwaving made it laborious to boil off sufficient liquid.
It additionally made it in order that I could not bodily watch the sugar because it boiled, so after one microwave session too many, my wax burned. (See how darkish it’s beneath?)
For me, no, it didn‘t work. Whereas technically a microwave would possibly work, when you’re new to creating sugar wax or you do not have the time or persistence to undergo just a few check rounds, persist with doing it on the range the place you’ll be able to maintain an in depth eye on it.
The right way to Make Sugar Wax At House
This 3-ingredient sugar wax is a fast, cheap various to expensive spa visits and each day shaving.
Yield: 1 cup
Value: $2
Gear
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Sweet thermometer
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Medium saucepan
Supplies
- 2 cups white sugar
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon salt
Directions
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Add all substances to a pot, and with out stirring, flip the warmth to medium-high (stirring could cause sugar to crystalize on the edges of your pot). You probably have one, connect your sweet thermometer to the aspect of the saucepan so you’ll be able to watch the temperature carefully because it cooks.
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As soon as the sugar combination begins to boil, gently swirl the pot to combine the substances.
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Preserve an in depth eye on the combination and prepare dinner till it turns the colour of honey or till your thermometer reads 260 levels F (this took about 5 minutes for me, however it might range relying on the dimensions of your saucepan).
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Instantly take away wax from the warmth and switch it to a glass jar to cease the cooking course of (the wax can shatter chilly glass, so run your jar below scorching water for a minute to prep it for the wax). In the meantime, take a spoonful of wax and put it within the freezer. Wait till it has cooled utterly, then test the consistency. It must be stretchy like a chunk of bubble gum and barely sticky. If it is too runny, return wax to the pot and boil for one more 30 seconds. If it is too laborious (like crunchy sweet), both add extra water and boil a bit of longer or throw it out and begin over.
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As soon as your wax is the proper consistency, let it cool utterly earlier than making use of to pores and skin.
Video
Notes
You possibly can retailer any leftover sugar wax within the fridge indefinitely. When it is time to reheat it, microwave in 15-second intervals till comfortable and pliable however not scorching. In case you overcook it, you run the chance of significantly burning your self or ruining the wax so it is now not pliable.
This put up was medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Haley, a board-certified dermatologist with intensive expertise in medical, beauty and surgical dermatology. Study extra about Hello Glow’s medical reviewers here. As at all times, this isn’t private medical recommendation and we suggest that you simply discuss together with your physician.
