If you need a second job to afford the products and/or services that rid your body free of unwanted hair, you may wish to rethink your priorities. The cost of a single treatment could equal a new blouse or jeans — does it make sense to spend your hard-earned cash on products or services that must be repeated when you can make your own hair removal solution for around $1? You’ll be in good company when you master the art of sugaring: Egyptians used it to get rid of body hair thousands of years ago, and if you can’t count on Cleopatra for beauty advice, to whom can you turn?
1. Cook the sweet potion. Mix 2 cups sugar, ¼-cup lemon juice and ¼-cup water in a saucepan. Heat it to a softball candy stage; around 250 degrees F. If you’ve got a candy thermometer, verify the temperature. No such tool in your kitchen inventory? A gentle, rolling bubble means you’ve got the right temp — but avoid a full boil unless you want to wind up with a pot of sweet sludge.
2. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to take your sugaring experience from utilitarian to luxurious. Choose any fragrance you wish – from cooling peppermint and wintergreen to soothing lavender for a touch of sensory pleasure. Additionally, a nice fragrance really does help when you get down to business after the sugar mix dries.
3. Cool the sugar mix before pouring it into a glass jar. If you’re not going to use it immediately, seal the jar tightly to keep the mix from drying out. On the other hand, if you’re in a rush to try it out, wait at least 15 minutes so the ingredients have a chance to thicken. While you wait for the sugar mix to set, cut foot-long strips of cotton cloth or snip sections from a roll of bandage gauze.
4. Warm up the sugaring mix in the microwave if it’s cold before applying a small amount to an area slated for your depilatory treatment. If it’s too thick, add a few drops of warm water. You must be able to control the mix so it sticks to your skin and doesn’t drip. Use a tongue depressor or spatula to slather on the sugar. Don’t be stingy. Once you’ve used all the solution, place fabric strips over the damp skin. Relax while the cloth and mix dry and harden.
5. Rip off the cotton strips as you would wax strips to remove sections of unwanted hair. If you’ve done the job right, your legs should resemble Steve Carrel’s chest as it looked during the infamous hair removal scene in the film “The 40-year-old Virgin.” By the way, sugaring hurts less than waxing, so if you’re a waxaholic, sugaring should feel downright comfy.
6. Channel your inner environmentalist by throwing the strips into the laundry after you’ve used them. Wash, dry and fold them so they’re ready for use next time you need a treatment. Always end each sugaring session by washing the epilated area(s) with soap and water before applying a soothing cream.
