How do I sugar wax? Everything you need to know about sugaring at home

So you’re taking matters into your own hands! Sugaring at home can save you time, money and - when you get the hang of it - be a little less painful. I’ve been making this sugar wax and waxing at home since high school so I’m here to spill my secrets and show you the ropes. Follow this blog to help make your experience as seamless as possible.

What is Sugar wax?

Sugar wax is an all natural hair removal that uses three ingredients: sugar, lemon juice, and water. The high sugar content allows for the sugar wax to be antibacterial and antifungal making it safe and actually good for your skin.

What makes sugar wax different from other hair removal products is its ability to remove unwanted hair while taking good care of your beautiful skin. Our cane sugar wax only adheres to the hair and never your live skin. Synthetic waxes will remove the top layer of your live skin which leaves the skin sensitive and red. Plus, synthetic waxes are destined for the landfill while sugar wax can be backyard composted, making it a plastic free way to remove unwanted hair.

Sugar wax removes the entire root of the hair, unlike shaving and depilatory cream. Repeated use of our product will result in finer more sparse hair that takes weeks to grow back.

Once you get the hang of it sugar waxing can be a time saver, a totally zero waste routine, and far superior experience to shaving or getting waxed at a salon.

Where did sugar wax originate?

Sugar wax was born out of necessity. Sugaring is believed to have been created in ancient Egypt as a way to remove hair for hygienic purposes as it was easier to manage odor on hairless skin. Hair removal was also used for religious and cultural purposes. It is believed that Cleopatra used sugar wax, setting a trend, and over time more and more people began to remove hair as a statement of beauty.

Is sugar wax for me?

Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to hair removal, but when you feel like feeling smooth, waxing saves a lot of time, money, and is better for your skin than a lot of other options out there. I started using sugar wax because most of the hair removal products on the market contain synthetic wax and perfumes, which irritated my skin. But alternatives were hard to find - you don't see sugar wax in a lot of stores. Salons offering sugaring services are expensive and it can be hard to book appointments on short notice. I created this recipe to take matters into my own hands and be able to wax at home with a natural product for a low cost, whenever I felt like it.

If you're looking for a non-irritating, inexpensive waxing solution that you can do on your time, then sugaring is for you! If you're just a beginner, keep reading, we have a method that works for you.

How do I use sugar wax?

If you have recently shaved your hair, wait about two weeks or until the hair is the length of a grain of rice. If the hair is longer, trim the hair back.

Make sure your skin is free of make-up, oils, lotions and antiperspirant and is completely clean and dry before using the sugar wax on your skin.

Do not use sugar wax on sunburnt skin, sores, warts, moles, pimples, acne, rashes, varicose veins, broken skin, peeling or tender skin or skin that is otherwise irritated.

If you are using Alpha Hydroxy, Retinol, or Glycolic Acid products regularly, consult your doctor before using this product.

1. Clean the hair removal area using warm water, non-scented soap and exfoliate. Allow area to dry completely before sugar waxing.
2. For best results, hair should be the length of a grain of rice. If the hair is too short, the hair will not effectively stick to the sugar wax. If the hair is longer, trim to the desirable length to make the process easier and more effective.
3. Remove lid and heat the sugar wax in a microwave for ten seconds or until the sugar is malleable. DO NOT HEAT OVER 110 DEGREES F.
4. NOTE: If you are in a warmer temperature, the sugar wax may already be at a temperature that allows it to be malleable. You may be able to skip microwaving the wax, just check to see if the wax is malleable. If the wax feels like it is melting onto your hands, stick the wax in the fridge for 10-30 minutes. Remember, the sugar wax does not have to be hot to work, just malleable!
5. Using a butter knife, wooden tongue depressor or your hands, apply the wax with pressure in the direction of hair growth until the wax is 1/4" thick.
6. If you're using waxing strips (the strip method), press the strip onto the wax in a back and forth motion with pressure so it adheres.
7. Pull the skin slightly above the hair removal area and pull the wax in the option direction of hair growth in a quick smooth motion.
8. If you are not using waxing strips (ball method), reuse the sugar wax 3-4 times. The wax can appear cloudy after a few passes, this is your dead skin cells being picked up by the wax. When it becomes too cloudy and not as sticky, it's time for a new ball of wax.
9. To avoid ingrown hairs, do not wax the same area more than once.
10. Remove stray hairs with tweezers and clean the area with unscented soap and warm water and exfoliate the area. Continue to exfoliate the area in the shower.

Watch our tutorial on the strip and ball methods here

Best Practices for sugar waxing:

• Exfoliate the hair removal area to remove dead skin so the sugar wax adheres better to the hair. Try using a dry brush to exfoliate the area before waxing and before showering to decrease ingrown hairs.
• Using baby powder or flour on the hair removal area will help the sugar wax adhere to the hair and remove the moisture on the skin.
• By using a butter knife or wooden tongue depressor to apply the sugar wax onto the unwanted hair. Using an applicator is more desirable than your hands because the warmth of your hands can melt the sugar wax and make it harder to handle.
• Your skin may experience a histamine reaction after waxing. You may experience small bumps on your skin which is your body's natural response to a perceived allergen. The small bumps will subside over the next 24 hours but you can take an antihistamine to help reduce the bumps. Consult your doctor before consuming any medication.
• Avoid lotions, exposure to sunlight and synthetic fabric underwear for 24 hours after sugar waxing.
• Continue to exfoliate the area in the shower to avoid ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs can occur when dead skin cells block the pore and prevent the hair from surfacing.
• Moisturize the skin after 24 hours with an unscented lotion like our shea butter lotion .
• Store the sugar wax in a cool, dry area.

How do I use Sugar Wax in certain areas?

Hair grows differently in different areas of your body and your skin can react differently as well. Read below for the best ways to remove unwanted hair from your bikini area, legs, underarms, and face.

Make sure to have a warm damp towel in case of needing to remove sugar wax from your bikini area.

Prep the area by exfoliating and cleaning with soap and warm water. Let dry completely and use baby powder or cornstarch to effectively dry the area.

The less malleable the sugar wax, the better it sticks to shorter hairs. If the sugar wax is too runny, it will not properly adhere to the hair and will be difficult to strip off.

Once you have completed sugaring, exfoliate and clean with soap and warm water. Avoid any moisturizers, oils and direct sunlight for 24 hours.

Wear loose cotton underwear to allow the skin to breath.

If your skin is prone to break-outs after waxing, we recommend using an acne treatment cream after the area has been cleaned.

The bikini area grows in multiple directions, work in smaller sections.

Begin with the Mons Pubis area. This is the most sensitive area of the bikini area. Work in three sections, the right side, middle, and left side.

When applying the sugar wax, do so with pressure. You may feel some pulling of the hair as you apply the sugar wax which can cause some discomfort but this will help the sugar wax stick to the hair.

Pull the skin tight and remove the sugar wax in one quick motion as you forcefully exhale. Press down on the skin with your fingers to alleviate any sting.

If you are removing all hair from your pubic area, keep in mind to keep the skin tight as you remove the sugar wax from the labia majora.

Feel free to use the warm damp cloth to wipe away any perspiration that may occur and use baby powder or cornstarch to dry the area. If the area is damp the sugar wax will not effectively adhere.

If the hair is not long enough (about the length of a grain of rice) the hair will not adhere to the sugar wax. If the hair is too long, trim it to the desired length.

To reduce inflammation, use ice cubes after sugar waxing.

Legs:

Follow our general directions before beginning sugaring your legs.

Study the direction of hair growth before spreading the sugar wax.

Make sure to have a towel or other material to catch any spills. Take a grape size amount of sugar wax and apply below the knee, spread the wax with pressure in the direction of hair growth. Hold the skin taut and quickly remove the wax in one smooth motion in the opposite direction of hair growth.

Continue to apply and remove the hair on the shin and calf and then move to the knee and, if desired, the thigh and hamstring area.

Use a smaller amount of sugar wax around the knee and in smaller sections as the hair tends to grow in many different directions.

After waxing is completed, clean and exfoliate the skin and avoid moisturizers, oils and direct sunlight for 24 hours.

Underarms:

Follow our general directions before beginning sugaring your underarms.

Study the direction of hair growth before spreading the sugar wax.

Make sure to have a warm damp towel in case of needing to remove sugar wax from your underarms.

Prep the area by exfoliating and cleaning with soap and warm water. Let dry completely and use baby powder or cornstarch to effectively dry the area.

The less malleable the sugar wax, the better it sticks to shorter hairs. If the sugar wax is too runny, it will not properly adhere to the hair and will be difficult to strip off.

Once you have completed sugaring, exfoliate and clean with soap and warm water. Avoid any moisturizers, oils and direct sunlight for 24 hours.

If your skin is prone to break-outs after waxing, we recommend using an acne treatment cream after the area has been cleaned.

Underarm hair tends to grow in multiple directions, work in smaller sections and make sure the area is free of antiperspirants.

If the hair is not long enough (about the length of a grain of rice) the hair will not adhere to the sugar wax. If the hair is too long, trim it to the desired length.

Stretch your arm above your head and behind your ear to tighten the underarm skin.

Remove the sugar wax in a north or south direction and not outward to avoid bruising.

To reduce inflammation, use ice cubes after sugar waxing.

Do not use antiperspirants for 24 hours.

Face:

Follow our general directions before beginning sugaring your face.

Study the direction of hair growth before spreading the sugar wax.

Make sure to have a warm damp towel in case of needing to remove sugar wax from your face.

Prep the area by exfoliating and cleaning with soap and warm water. Let dry completely and use baby powder or cornstarch to effectively dry the area.

The less malleable the sugar wax, the better it sticks to shorter hairs. If the sugar wax is too runny, it will not properly adhere to the hair and will be difficult to strip off.

Once you have completed sugaring, exfoliate and clean with soap and warm water. Avoid any moisturizers, oils and direct sunlight for 24 hours.

If your skin is prone to breakouts after waxing, we recommend using an acne treatment cream after the area has been cleaned.

Eyebrows:

Follow the natural shape of your eyebrows and use the sugar wax to remove stray hairs. Do not go over the same area more than once.

Use a face oil around the hair that you do not want to remove. The sugar wax will not adhere to the oil, however oil will migrate into your skin and can make it more difficult for the sugar wax to adhere. using a cotton swab to apply the wax is helpful.

Upper Lip:

Study the direction of hair growth and apply the sugar wax in three sections, the right half, left half, and middle below the nose. Do not apply the sugar wax to the entire area because as you will remove some sections in the direction of hair growth, resulting in less hair being removed.

Due to the sensitive nature of the upper lip skin, redness can occur. Applying ice cubes to the area will alleviate the inflammation.

Avoid makeup and lipsticks and lip balms for 24 hours.

For other areas of the face make sure to work in small sections, study the direction of hair growth and only pass through an area once with sugar wax.