Do or DIY: Sugar Wax & Sugar Paste

Sugar Wax originates from the Middle East and is used in the same way as normal warm liquid wax- spread on and removed with a cloth strip. Sugar Paste is made in a very similar way but instead is used at room temperature- a ball of paste is warmed in the hand, spread across the skin and quickly flicked back with the fingers taking the hair with it. This method of removing hair is also known as Arabic Depilation or just 'Sugaring', and the method is easier to grasp when you've seen it demonstrated- this and this video shows you exactly what to do with the paste once you've made it.

Using sugar paste is slightly more comfortable than traditional waxes- waxes using a strip can pull at the skin making it sore and irritated, whereas the paste doesn't stick easily to the skin. Sugar paste can also be used on hair as short as 3mm although you'll need to have hair 6mm or longer for the wax. Another advantage of sugar paste is that you can go back over areas immediately to catch any stray hairs without over-irritating your skin. 

The ingredients for these waxes are cheap, super simple, and things you'll already have at home, making a liquid wax is really easy but if you're anything like me it might take a go or two to make the perfect paste for sugaring.
To make both types you'll need: a saucepan on the stove, normal granulated sugar, lemon juice (can be from a bottle) and water. Thats it! For the liquid wax you'll also need some cloth strips, if you don't have any spare you can make your own by cutting any unused cotton cloth you have such as an old t-shirt or pillowcase. The wax washes out really easily under warm water or in the washing machine so you can reuse the strips until they start to fray (like mine above!).

Making Sugar Wax
Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1 cup lemon juice 
Combine all ingredients in a pan and set on the stove on a low to medium heat. Stir the mixture while it starts to boil, and simmer it on a low heat for about 15-20 minutes. Keep your eye on it when it starts to change colour, it will turn to a yellowy amber but continue simmering until the mixture thickens slightly and becomes a brown amber. The colour of the first box in the second picture above is what you're aiming for and it will look darker in the saucepan than it actually is so don't be tempted to remove it from the heat too soon- the wax will be too sticky to work with and you'll have to return it to the pan. Once you've hit the right colour, turn off the stove and leave to cool for about 10 minutes before pouring into your storage container. I like to use plastic boxes such as microwavable take-away containers but you can also use a clean jar to store the wax, just make sure that it has an air tight lid.

Using Sugar Wax
To use your wax, heat the whole container in the microwave for about 2 minutes or until your its comfortably hot and a gel consistency- test a small drop on the inside of your wrist before attempting to use it as you don't want any burns! Make sure the area to be waxed is clean and dry, and use a light dusting of baby powder or corn flour to absorb any oils and stop the wax sticking to the skin. To spread the wax in a thin layer over the skin I use wooden ice lolly sticks, a clean butter knife also works well and you need to spread against the hair growth. Stick your cloth strip to the wax and smooth down in the direction of the hair, then it pull back on itself quickly in the opposite direction. Press your hand down on the area for a few seconds to calm any pain, and you should be nice and smooth! The cloth strips can be used immediately again two or three times before they lose effectiveness and need to be washed.

Wax Problems
Is the wax too hard and thick? Place a tablespoon of water on top of the wax before microwaving, you might need more than one tablespoon if the wax is very hard. If it set solid like a boiled sweet after it was cooled, unfortunately you'll have to start the process again.
Is the wax too thin? Place it back in a saucepan and cook gently for a few more minutes, make sure it's an amber colour before removing from the heat.

Making Sugar Paste
Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons sugar
The method to making the paste is exactly the same as above but it needs to be heated for longer to get a darker colour, more of a red amber like the third picture above. The key is to not get impatient (like me) and turn the heat up to get the colour, the mixture needs to be simmered on a low heat for the right consistency.

Using Sugar Paste
Don't worry if the paste seems a bit too thick to scoop out when its cooled, you can put it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or leave it on your radiator to warm up a bit so its easier to use. Basically you are using your fingers to both spread and remove the paste, the best way of understanding how to use the paste is to watch the videos above, I was a bit confused when I first heard of it but searching for a couple of videos cleared up exactly what to do. You can use any size ball of paste, from small for your bikini area to big for your legs, and you want to make sure the area is clean is dry before starting but you don't need to powder. The paste is best applied against the hair growth and pulled back in the opposite direction. Sugar paste will turn a milky colour when it's being used or worked in your hands, and you'll know when you need a new ball because it'll turn thin and sticky, like chewing gum when you've chewed it for too long. 

Using these recipes is a really inexpensive alternative to buying home waxing kits. I don't use waxes that often but I do find the paste especially useful to have in the cupboard as it needs barely any prep, no extra equipment and gives really good results. 

Would you consider switching to home made sugar waxes?