Easy DIY Sugar Wax
I remember that first time I had my legs waxed... I was pregnant with my daughter, Raisa, and we lived in an apartment with a very tiny stand-up shower, so bending over to shave my legs was totally out of the question. It was winter. I was hairy. When my friend Julie (who's an esthetician) offered to wax my legs, I jumped at the opportunity! Oh, THIS IS AWESOME I thought. But, after the first strip was pulled off my leg, I thought I was going to pass out. I remember thinking, if I can't handle a simple leg waxing, how in the world will I ever be able to deliver this baby! Well, I delivered my baby a short time later, and realized that leg waxing didn't hurt that bad after all ;) Plus, my legs stayed hair free for WEEKS, and when the hair did start to grow back, it was soft, thinner, and not even a little bit stubbly. And itch free - which was HUGE for me, because my legs used to itch like crazy after I shaved them.
I was a convert.
But, going to a salon to have that done every few weeks wasn't in the budget for me, so I started buying jars of over-the-counter sugar wax like this one HERE. I did this for a couple of years before deciding I could probably make the stuff myself for much less money, and without the hassle of ordering it online. Boy, was I right.
And today, I'm sharing my recipe with you!!
SUGAR WAX RECIPE
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed or from a bottle)
1/4 cup water
Candy Thermometer
1. Put sugar, lemon juice and water into a saucepan. 2. Set heat on low until sugar is fully dissolved in the lemon juice/water mixture. 3. Raise heat - but do not walk away from stove, even for a second. 4. As the mixture begins to turn a golden brown, turn down the heat, and place a candy thermometer into the mixture. At this point, the mixture will start to bubble/foam, so seeing the color is tricky. This is why the thermometer is essential! 5. When the wax begins to turn brown - or when the thermometer hits 260 degrees - take mixture off heat. 6. Pour immediately into a heat-tempered glass jar.
NOTE: If you cook it too long, it will harden into a piece of candy-brittle; if you don't cook it long enough, it'll never get gooey enough to be efficiently sticky. Ten seconds on either side of perfection can make a big difference. If you use a candy thermometer, and take it off at 260 degrees, you'll nail it every single time.
Here are a few pics to help you along:
So now that you know how to make your own Sugar Wax, I'll show you how to make your own reusable wax strips! It's simple. I used one of my son’s woven the-buttons-don't-work outfits, and cut it into (8) 1" x 3" [for pits and bikini area] and (10) 2" x 6" [for legs] strips. See here:
IT'S TIME TO WAX!!
Before you begin, make sure your leg (or whatever it is you are waxing) is clean, dry, and oil-free. If you're feeling all icky-sticky, take a shower and dry off really well. You'll also want to prep the wax. If you just made it, wait a bit for it to cool so you can apply to your skin without burning yourself. If it's been sitting in the cupboard (it stores for months), you'll need to heat it in the microwave for about 30 seconds to soften if up. It's ready when it's pliable - not too thin/too hot and not too thick/too cool.
1. Start with hair that is 1/4" long (between waxings, around 3 weeks). This is a must because the hair needs something to stick to. If it's way longer than that, trim it to 1/4" with a set of clippers.
2. Using a popsicle stick applicator, apply the sugar wax in a thin layer, following the direction of hair growth.
3. Immediately press wax strip over the sugar wax - giving it a good rub so it sticks.
4. To remove the strip, rip in the opposite direction of hair growth. And when I say rip, I mean RIP. Fast. If you go slowly, it won't work, and it'll hurt like the dickens.
Here are some photos to help you along:
The first time you wax, it'll hurt. I'm not gonna lie. Especially because your hair will be at its thickest. But over time your hair will actually thin out and become less coarse. Think about it... every time you pull a hair out by its root, you're actually damaging the hair follicle! My legs are far less hairy (thinner and more fine) now than they were 8 years ago!!
Well there you have it!
What d’ya think? Wanna try it?!
If you've got further questions, ask me. I've focused this post on leg waxing, but you can wax your pits and bikini area too (I do!). If you're interested in any tips and tricks for these girl-parts, let me know!
Here's to hair FREE, razor FREE & stubble FREE living!
xo Stasia