|DICASTIO|

Getting waxed at a salon can be expensive! You can make sugar wax with 3 simple ingredients and do your own waxing at home. All you need is granulated white sugar, lemon juice, and water. Sugar wax is also less painful than traditional hot wax because it doesn't remove the hair follicle, making it a great option for those with sensitive skin.^[1]

[Edit]Ingredients

1 cup (200 g) granulated white sugar
1/8 cup (30 ml) lemon juice (preferably bottled)
1/8 cup (30 ml) warm water

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Making the Wax

Place a medium-sized pot on the stove. Even though this recipe makes a fairly small batch of sugar wax (approximately enough for 2 legs), use a medium or large pot to make it. The mixture starts to bubble when you heat it, and it can overflow if you use a small pot.
Add the white sugar, lemon juice, and warm water to the pot. Measure out the granulated white sugar and dump it into the pot. Then add the lemon juice and warm water. Stir to combine them.^[2]
- Use white or brown granulated sugar. Powdered sugar won't work at all.
Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Turn your burner on high and let the mixture heat up until it starts to boil. Stir frequently. Keep an eye on the mixture, since it will start to bubble as it heats up.^[3]
- Take care not to burn the mixture. If you do, it will completely solidify once it cools down, making it unusable.
Reduce the heat to medium. Once the mixture starts bubbling and boiling, turn the heat down to medium. Continue to stir frequently. The sugar should be completely dissolved in the liquid at this point.^[4]
- If the mixture continues to bubble rapidly at medium heat, turn it down to low.^[5]
Remove the pot from heat when the mixture turns golden brown. Keep stirring the mixture as it simmers. Once it reaches a smooth consistency and becomes a deep golden color, turn off the heat and move the pot to another burner.^[6]
- The consistency should be similar to hot syrup. If it's thick like honey, heat it a little longer.
Pour the mixture into a bowl or jar and let it cool for 30 minutes. Unlike traditional hot wax, sugar wax should not be used hot. Pour it in a bowl or jar and give it about 30 minutes to cool down. If it still feels hot or warm enough to be uncomfortable, let it cool for several more minutes before proceeding.^[7]

[Edit]Applying Sugar Wax

Scoop up a small amount of wax with your fingers. The wax should still be warm but cool enough to touch, so you can use your fingers for the entire process. Scoop up a small amount and roll the wax into a ball with your hands.^[8]
- You can use a butter knife or a wooden popsicle stick instead of your hands, if you prefer.
Apply the wax to a small strip of skin. You can apply it with your fingers or a popsicle stick. Be sure to apply the wax in the opposite direction of hair growth. Spread it evenly until it's about 1/4 in (0.6 cm) thick. Work in small sections that are only a few inches in length and width.^[9]
- Yields enough wax for both legs (approximately)
Take a deep breath and pull! Get a firm grip on the wax with your fingers and pull it off in the opposite direction of your hair growth. Make it quick, just like you are pulling off a bandage. It may hurt a little bit!^[10]
- You can also use your fingers to roll or pull it off, but this prolongs the pain. It's better to make it quick.
- If desired, apply paper strips on top of the wax, smooth them out, and pull those off instead of the mixture itself.
Continue to apply the wax in small sections until you're done. You can reuse the same piece of wax 3 to 4 times, if you like. Or you can use a fresh amount of wax for each section of skin.^[11]
Pour any leftover wax in an airtight container and refrigerate it. If you have leftover wax, pour it into an airtight container, like a sturdy plastic Tupperware container. Pop it in the fridge and use it within 4 to 5 weeks. Reheat it before you use it.^[12]