Smooth skin shouldn't feel like a chore or a painful appointment. Sugar waxing has become a favourite for people who want a simple, gentle-feeling way to remove hair at home, and it's easy to see why. If you're curious but a little nervous, this beginner's guide covers what to know before your first session, how to do it and how to look after your skin afterwards.
What is sugar wax?
Sugar wax is a hair removal method that uses a sticky, sugar-based paste to lift hair away from the skin. Many people find it feels gentler than traditional waxes, and because the paste is water-soluble, it's easy to rinse off. Browse the full Sugar Wax collection to see what's available.
Sugar wax vs. Shaving
Shaving cuts hair at the surface, so regrowth appears quickly and can feel stubbly. Waxing removes hair from the root, so skin typically stays smooth for longer and regrowth often feels softer over time. The trade-off is that waxing takes a little more preparation, which is why the steps below are worth following.
Before you start
• Patch test first. Try a small amount on your inner arm and wait to check for irritation.
• Clean, dry skin. Wash the area and dry it completely. Moisture and oils can stop the wax from gripping properly.
• The right hair length. Hair usually needs to be about a quarter inch long to be removed effectively.
• Skip damaged skin. Don't wax over sunburn, cuts, rashes or irritated skin.
• Gently exfoliate the day before. This helps prevent ingrown hairs, but don't scrub right before waxing.
A beginner's step-by-step
1. Prepare. Wash and dry your skin, and tie back your hair or change into comfortable clothes.
2. Test the temperature. Follow the product instructions and make sure the wax is comfortably warm, never hot.
3. Apply in small sections. Working in small areas is easier and more controlled than trying to do a whole leg at once.
4. Pull quickly and close to the skin. Hold your skin taut and pull parallel to the skin rather than straight up. Hesitating makes it more uncomfortable.
5. Clean up. Rinse any leftover wax with lukewarm water, then pat dry gently.
Aftercare (the part everyone skips)
What you do in the 24 hours after waxing matters as much as the wax itself. Freshly waxed skin is more sensitive, so treat it gently.
• Avoid hot showers, saunas, heavy sweating and swimming pools for the first 24 hours.
• Skip scrubs and tight, rough clothing on the waxed area for a day.
• Keep the skin moisturised. The Winter Lotion collection is a good fit for freshly waxed skin, and the Pack of 3 Lotions makes a handy stash.
• Protect it from the sun. Waxed skin is more sensitive, so cover up or apply Sun Shield SPF 60+ on exposed areas.
