DIY Sugaring Hair Removal

If you’d like to give this a try, here are three different ways to make it plus directions for application (and ripping). Good luck!

Supplies Needed:

• Candy thermometer (to measure temperature while mixture is heating)
• 1″ strips of cotton fabric (about 8″ to 10″ in length)
• Wooden popsicle sticks or spatula

Before getting started: Wash well with soap and water, removing all traces of oil, makeup, deodorant and dirt. Pat dry.

Ingredients: (Two different recipes, choose one)

• #1: 2 cups sugar, 1/4 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed), 1/4 cup water
• #2: 1 cup sugar, 1 cup honey, juice from one half lemon (freshly squeezed)

Heating Directions:

• Combine ingredients in a heavy saucepan and turn on the heat to medium. Once it starts boiling, reduce heat to low and cook until the mixture reaches 250°F (stir often so it doesn’t boil over) then take off heat. If a thicker paste is preferred, just heat to 245°F.
• Let it sit until it’s warm then pour into a glass canning jar. Continue to let it cool till it’s at room temperature. Careful! This will cause serious burns if it’s not cooled down properly before applying.

Microwave Version:

• 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup honey, juice from one half lemon (freshly squeezed)
• Directions: Combine items in a large glass bowl then heat in the microwave for two minutes, stopping every 20 to 30 seconds to stir. Once it’s finished cooking, allow to cool down a bit before pouring into a glass canning jar and letting it rest till it’s at room temperature. Source: cbc.ca.

How To Apply:

• Lightly dust the surface with cornstarch and rub it in. Lightly is key, this will help protect the skin a bit so the paste doesn’t stick to it as much (helping lessen the pain).
• Using the popsicle sticks, slather on a thin layer in the direction of the growth then cover with cotton strips (do in batches of 3 or 4 until the entire area is covered). Rub the fabric a few times firmly (in the direction of the growth).
• Let it sit for about a minute then pull skin tight with one hand and rip each strip off quickly with the other (in the opposite direction of the growth). Reapply as needed (can reheat if it gets too cool).

That’s it! Does it hurt? Yes, I think it does but I’m a bit of a wimp ;). Over time with more treatments you do get de-sensitized to it a bit.

Tips:

• Hair should be at least 1/4″ so the mix/paste has something to really grab onto.
• Hand wash the strips in warm soapy water, dry and reuse them again and again. Muslin or diaper flannel work well.
• Careful to avoid growths such as skin tags, warts and moles. Also avoid applying on top of stretch marks, abrasions, scrapes or cuts, scar tissue, delicate area around the eyes, rashes and varicose veins.
• Seal any leftovers in the jar and refrigerate to use later (simply reheat).
• If paste is too hard to work with, add a spoonful of water and reheat in the microwave for a minute or so until it’s hot. Stir then allow to cool as above. Read more