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Sugaring. This is a method which has been around since ancient egypt, though it evolves throughout the years.
The mixture itself is simple. Getting the right consistency takes practice, and you are not going get it exact the first time. But practice makes perfect. I have tried both the microwave and stovetop methods, and find the stovetop to be best, since there is more control in the cooking process. Microwave times vary drastically, and while the stovetop method may take more effort in constant stirring, you are more likely to have a usable batch the first time. This is also the method that I used, with great results. Different methods entail adding the honey before cooking, I prefer to do it after.
Ingredients:
1 cup white sugar
1/3 cup honey
juice from 1/2 a lemon
Combine the sugar and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Over medium heat, stir constantly. The sugar will melt and liquify. Watch the colour closely. If you cans still see grains, or it sounds course when you are stirring, it is not ready. As it carmelizes and becomes the colour of cola, remove from heat and stir in the honey. Allow to cool before applying (at least 1/2 hour or until stiffened). Because of the residual heat in the saucepan, it is best to remove it from the burner as it starts to darken. The mixture will remain hot enough to carmelize it fully. As well, because of the heat of a saucepan, it is advisable to add your honey, stir, and immediately poor it into another container. (something that won't melt!)
Be careful when using plastic bowls, I once poured it into one and watched as the plastic melted in the bottom!. There were chunks of plastic floating in my mixture! Use a hard plastic or microwave safe measuring cup/storage container. I reuse the jar from a product I purchased called Touch Me!. One recipe of mine fills the container (which cost $12.99 Canadian at the drug store) to the brim.
Watch the sugar closely. If it becomes too dark, it is burning, and the mixture will harden too quickly. I also add a tablespoon of glycerin to prevent it from stiffening while using it. This seems to work.
When the consistency is right, and you can comfortably apply the mixture to your skin, you can begin sugaring. Your fabric strips to pull the sugar off can be found anywhere. I have used pastry cloth, old t-shirts, and fabric from a craft store. I found my latest try worked best. I purchased 1/4 yard of fabric, very densely woven cotton broadcloth, and cut it into 4 inch by 8 inch strips.
Using a tongue depressor, or hard plastic spatula, apply the mixture in a thin layer over the area to be sugared. Most recommend applying in the direction of the hair growth, though I see no difference either way. Apply your strip and rub with firm strokes 3 or 4 times. HOLD THE SKIN TAUGHT and pull the strip off quickly. This is important. Also, when you remove the strip, pull it off parallel to the skin, do not pull away from the skin. Some people have recommended refilling the roll on applicators from their previous purchases to apply the sugar, though I have not yet tried this.
Another tip is to dust with powder, or flour if you dislike the perfumes in powder, prior to sugaring, and to make sure you do not apply any lotions or oils beforehand. The sugaring method works best on clean, dry, powdered skin.
Upon completion, bathe and use a coarse sponge to cleanse your follicles. This is important to do during every bath or shower to avoid ingrown hairs. Your strips can be washed in warm water and reused.
Important Reminders:
Do not expect miracles. Sugaring will not remove every single hair every time. Also, the hair needs to be at least 1/8 inch to work. Since not all hair grows at the same rate, sugar when most of it is ready. You can always touch up next week. Over a couple of treatments, you will definately notice a difference in the amount. The hair that remains, or that re-grows, is thinner, softer and more sparse. Expect to do one marathon of sugaring to get as much as possible. Some hairs simply break off, and the stubble grows back quickly. Others don't seem to be growing back at all. It is a time investment to do this, but after the initial treatment, you will be counting all the money spent previously on shaving, waxing, etc. and the accumulative time spent doing it!
Practice Practice Practice. Your first time will be messy and frustrating (most likely) but it gets a lot easier.
There is pain. When you pluck hair out by the roots in large quantities, it hurts. After your first couple of strips, it hurts a lot less (since you are releasing endorphins in to your system!) and by the second or third time, you hardly notice the pain. I usually relax myself with alcohol first... takes away the sting. Also, do not sugar immediately before or during your menstrual cycle. You are much more sensitive at the time.
Be sure to pull the skin taught before pulling off the strips. This helps get rid of more hair, and reduces the likelihood of bruising/bleeding. These occur rarely, but can happen in highly sensitive areas.
You may notice some red, raised bumps immediately after Sugaring an area. These decrease after a few minutes and are nothing to worry about. It is irritation caused by turning your follicles inside out. In time, you should see a decrease in the amount of hair you grow back as some follicles simple cease to produce hairs.
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