Sugaring paste is a thick, sticky substance that can be used as an alternative to waxing for hair removal. As the paste can be made at home from common and inexpensive ingredients, sugaring can be a more affordable way to take away unwanted body hair. There are a variety of ways to prepare sugaring paste, but most formulations contain sugar, water, and lemon juice. The ingredients are heated on a stove top until they reach the desired consistency and then cooled to room temperature. The process may require some trial and error before the best results are achieved, and some people prefer this method of hair removal to waxing.
Most sugaring paste preparations begin with sugar and water, although other recipes may contain lemon juice, corn syrup, or honey. To make the paste, heat the ingredients slowly in a saucepan and simmer until they reach the desired consistency and color, which is usually a light amber. It may be difficult to achieve the correct consistency right away, but the goal is to create a paste that can be easily spread on the skin and will attach to the hair. A large batch of sugaring paste can be made and refrigerated for later use.
To use sugaring paste, a thin layer should be spread across the skin where hair is to be removed. The hair should be long enough to adhere to the paste; the method may not work well on very short hair. After applying the paste, a thin cotton strip is placed over it and then quickly pulled off, taking with it the paste and hair. The process may need to be repeated a few times to take away all the hair, and different methods may work best for certain people. Sometimes, the paste is applied in the direction of hair growth and sometimes in the opposite direction. The cotton strip may also be removed in either direction.
Although it may take several tries to correctly make a sugaring paste that works, many people prefer this method of hair removal to waxing. It is believed to be a safer, all-natural alternative to depilatory wax, which is usually petroleum-based and can contain other chemicals. Also, because sugaring paste does not need to be continually heated, there is less risk of burns than with waxing. Finally, as body sugaring can be done at home, it is often a less expensive alternative to salon procedures.