How to Make a Sugar Solution to Remove Unwanted Body Hair

Ancient historical records confirm that Cleopatra and her handmaidens met once a month for a body hair-removal session. This formerly secret formula consisted of olive oil, honey, sugar, lime juice and fragrant essential oils. Like the legendary Queen of the Nile, you, too, can create your own hair-removing blend. Fortunately, the active ingredients needed are relatively inexpensive and widely available today. Sugaring can remove hair anywhere on the body, and need only be done every 28 to 45 days, depending on your individual needs. In many countries this method of hair removal is still preferred over any other. It is equally effective for both women and men. You will want to make sure that your skin is both clean and dry before you begin. This sugar solution will never require refrigeration, and will last for a surprisingly long time. You will probably use it up long before it could ever spoil.

Things You'll Need

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 oz. lemon juice
• Microwave-safe bowl with a lid
• Wooden spoon
• Oven mitts
• Popsicle sticks or small plastic spatulas
• Cotton, linen, or muslin cloth strips (3 inches x 12 inches—Hint: Old bed sheets or T- shirts work well)
• Mild moisturizer for sensitive skin

Instructions

1. Place the first four ingredients into your microwave-safe bowl. Set aside the lid. Microwave the mixture on high for three minutes.

2. Use your oven mitts to remove the bowl from the microwave (the bowl will be very hot). Stir the mixture well with the wooden spoon. If it is completely smooth, it’s ready, if not, continue to microwave it for intervals of 30 to 60 seconds.

3. Allow the prepared mixture to cool slightly until very warm, but not too hot. Use a popsicle stick or a plastic spatula to spread a thin layer of the mixture onto your skin.

4. Press a strip of the cloth firmly against the area and rub upward to adhere the sugar mixture to the material. Grasp one end of the cloth strip tightly, and quickly pull the strip up and off of your skin in one motion.

5. Repeat this process until all the hair you wish to remove is gone. Wash off any remaining residue with warm soapy water. Dry your skin and apply a mild moisturizer formulated for sensitive skin to soothe any temporary irritation.

Tips & Warnings

• If the mixture cools off too much while you are using it, making it too thick to work with, put it in the microwave again for 30 seconds.

• Cloth strips can be re-used as you move from one area to the next until they no longer work well. When this happens, use a fresh strip of cloth.

• Although sugaring is a time-tested method of safe hair removal with results lasting longer than shaving, it will sting much like a waxing treatment. If you have a low threshold for pain and discomfort (however brief), you may want to try cream depilatories that can be left on, then washed off in the shower.

Resources

• Body sugar recipe