How to Make Sugar Wax at Home: DIY Sugar Wax Recipe

By Aniela / April 24, 2017
Jump to Recipe

Why shave when you can make your own sugar wax right at home? Today we'll show you how to make sugar wax at home in just a few easy steps! Long gone are the days of shaving (or at least they should be)! Shaving causes ingrown hairs, razor bumps, and irritated skin. Not only that, but shaving only lasts a couple of days! By the end of the year, you'll have spent hundreds of dollars on razors and shaving cream. I think we can find much better ways to spend our money!

The great thing about sugar wax is that it's so much better for your skin than shaving or waxing. It's all natural, and doesn't rip the hairs or cause bumps or irritation. Sugar wax is also a much gentler way of removing hair, and doesn't hurt nearly as much as waxing.

Oh, and did we mention how cheap it is to make your own sugar wax? Because the only ingredients you need are sugar, water, and lemon juice – could I get an amen?! So let's check out how to make sugar wax at home with this DIY sugar wax recipe!

What is Sugar Waxing?

Sugar waxing is a type of hair removal that uses a sugar-based paste to remove unwanted hair from the roots. The paste is made by combining sugar, lemon juice, and water and heating it until it forms a sticky consistency. Once the paste has cooled, it can be applied to the skin in the same way as traditional wax. Sugar waxing can be used on any area of the body where unwanted hair grows, including the bikini area, legs, arms, and stomach.

DIY Sugar Wax Recipe Video Tutorial

How to Make Sugar Wax

You'll Need:

  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup water

As you can see, the ingredients are all 100% natural and you probably already have them in your kitchen. Plus, imagine the amount of money you'll be saving! This DIY sugar wax recipe is super easy to make. Just be careful not to burn yourself. If possible, have a friend or family member give you a hand!

For those with sensitive skin, be sure to test the homemade wax on a small patch of skin first. It's natural for a little redness to appear on the skin after waxing.

Directions:

sugar wax diy
  1. In a medium sized pot, add all of the ingredients and mix them with a wooden spoon.
  2. Place the pot over high heat. Wait until the mixture becomes bubbly and frothy.
  3. Turn the heat to medium, and stir constantly. It's extremely important that you stir, stir, stir. Otherwise, the mixture will harden and you'll have to start over again.
  4. Cook on medium heat while stirring constantly until mixture reaches a medium golden brown color. This should take about 5-10 minutes.
  5. Remove the pot from heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, take a spoonful of the sugar wax mixture and place it in the fridge. Allow it to cool, and if the consistency still isn't right, return the mixture to heat.
  6. The consistency should be a thick, manageable consistency. You should be able to pick it up just like wax
  7. Allow to cool at least 30 minutes.
  8. Once cooled, transfer to a bowl.

How to Use the DIY Sugar Wax:

sugaring
Source: Pinterest
  1. Using a wooden spoon, spatula, or even your hands, grab a small amount of the sugar wax from the bowl. Roll between your hands and form a ball.
  2. Apply the wax by pressing the ball down to flatten onto the area you want waxed. The sugar wax should be on your skin about 1/4″ thick.
  3. You can also use waxing strips, by pressing the wax onto the skin, and then placing the wax strips on top of the wax. You can also use a popsicle stick to apply the wax, while it is still warm. Then, rub the strips back and forth to create some friction.
  4. Take a deep breath, pick up the end of the wax, and pull fast in one motion AGAINST the direction which your hair grows. You can reuse the same wax piece 3-4 times until having to make a new ball.
  5. The wax can be used on any part of the body, including bikini, underarms, upper lip, and legs.
  6. Sugar waxing should last a few weeks, depending on how fast your hair grows.
  7. Store any leftover homemade sugar wax in a glass jar.
  8. If there is any leftover wax on your skin, use a soft cloth and warm water to remove the excess.

Pre-Waxing Prep:

It's important to do a little prepping BEFORE you wax to get the skin nice and ready! Use a homemade sugar scrub to exfoliate the skin, specifically on the areas you are planning on waxing. Do this in the shower and use a loofah or a washcloth. Massage the scrub onto wet skin in slow, circular motions. This will exfoliate the skin and soften it. Doing this will get rid of dead skin cells, dirt, and impurities, which will make waxing that much easier.

After exfoliating, dry the skin really well and do not start waxing until your skin is 100% dry. Liberally sprinkle a small amount of baby powder onto skin before waxing. This will absorb any excess moisture and make the process easier as the wax will be able to pick up hair much more easily.

NOTES:

  • Make sure you test a small area on your arm before beginning to ensure you don't have any adverse reactions to any of the ingredients.
  • If you're not confident in doing this alone, have a friend give you a hand!
  • Remember to let the sugar wax cool before applying it to skin. This is not like hot wax, and therefore needs be to cooled completely before using.
  • Sugaring hair removal works for all body parts, including facial hair.

The Benefits of Using Sugar Wax vs Other Hair Removal Methods

There are many benefits of sugar waxing that make it a superior choice to traditional waxing, shaving, and depilatory creams. For starters, sugar waxing is less painful than traditional waxing because the sugar paste sticks only to the hairā€”not the skin. This means that there's no risk of ripping off delicate skin when the hair is removed. Sugar waxing is also more precise than shaving because you can see exactly where you're applying the paste and remove only the hair you want gone. And since sugar waxing removes hair from the root, it lasts much longer than shavingā€”up to six weeks! Plus, your skin will be left feeling soft and smooth thanks to the exfoliating properties of sugar.

The History of Sugaring

Sugar waxing is a type of hair removal that has been around for centuries. In fact, it is thought to be one of the oldest methods of hair removal in the world. While the exact origins of sugar waxing are unknown, we do know that it was commonly used in ancient Egypt and Rome. Sugar waxing fell out of popularity for many years but has recently made a comeback as a popular method of hair removal, particularly for women.

The first recorded use of sugar waxing dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was used to remove hair from the body before mummification. Sugar waxing continued to be used throughout the millennia as a way to remove unwanted hair, and it eventually became a popular beauty treatment in Europe and America in the 19th century. Since then, sugar waxing has undergone a number of changes, but the basic principle remains the same: sugar is used to remove hair from the root, leaving the skin smooth and soft. Today, sugar waxing is one of the most popular hair removal methods available, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

sugar wax ball
Print Recipe
4.75 from 24 votes

Sugar Wax Recipe

A 3-ingredient sugar wax recipe that's quick, easy, and super effective!
Prep Time15 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Skin Care
Cuisine: Sugar Wax
Keyword: skin care, sugar wax
Servings: 1
Calories: 1kcal
Cost: $2

Ingredients

  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions

  • In a medium sized pot, add all of the ingredients and mix them with a wooden spoon.
  • Place the pot over high heat, and wait until the mixture becomes bubbly/frothy.
  • Reduce to medium heat, and stir constantly. It's extremely important that you stir, stir, stir, otherwise the mixture will harden and you'll have to start over again.
  • Cook on medium heat while stirring constantly until mixture reaches a medium golden brown color. This should take about 5-10 minutes.
  • Remove the pot from heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, take a spoonful of the sugar wax mixture and place it in the fridge. Allow it to cool, and if the consistency still isn't right, return the mixture to heat.
  • The consistency should be a thick, manageable consistency (you should be able to pick it up….just like wax).
  • Allow to cool at least 30 minutes. Once cooled, transfer to a bowl.

Video

If you like this post, don't forget to share šŸ™‚

3.9 87 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of

129 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Iyayi
5 years ago

Cool

Anonymous
5 years ago

You said to let wax cool so it doesn’t need to be hot or warm for the actual act of waxing?

Dessirie Kirkland
5 years ago
Reply to  Aniela

this comment kind of confused me.

“Unlike regular wax, sugar wax does not need to be warm or hot at all, so be sure to let cool before using.”

If it doesn’t need to be heated then why does it need to be cooled at all, since it’s not hot or even warm?

2 years ago
Reply to  Aniela

You need to let it cool down so you donā€™t burn yourselfā€¦

Person
3 years ago

If you are making the sugar wax, you have to melt the sugar to take away the granularity. Once you finish making the sugar wax it will be hot so you have to let it cool down, hope this helps ?

Carlos
2 years ago

It needs to be cooled because you cook the ingredients? How did you not understand that??

Stephanie Bell
2 years ago

Thatā€™s so stupid sugar melts at someoneā€™s like 100 degrees celcius so clearly u need to cool it unless u want 3rd degree burns

Tori B
2 years ago

Dude you have to boil it for it to become a wax you canā€™t just with water sugar and lemon juice and make wax?? they mean after cooking, dont put burning hot sugar on your skin..

Kayla
2 years ago

Because right after you boil the ingredients, it’s going to be hot…

Suraya Chowdhury
2 years ago
Reply to  Aniela

Thanks for the perfect using of sugar wax recipe concerns.
Skchy?

Brock Owings
2 years ago
Reply to  Anonymous

That was my exact first question. Lol

Anonymous
5 years ago

Do u have to put lemon juice in it

ozom
1 year ago
Reply to  Aniela

Hi.
why do you need it ? Is it something to do with acid reacts sugar or something? can I use other acid as an alternative? what happens if you put lemon juice too much?

I made this sugar wax yesterday, and itā€™s too sticky to handle, I had to wash it all. could you give me any tips for that?

Ollei
5 years ago

Does it have to be white sugar,or can it be brown?

Charlette N Paxson
2 years ago
Reply to  Aniela

Actually cooked brown sugar cools rapidly and can crystallize again. White sugar is best.

Anonymous
5 years ago

Dose it need to be fresh lemon juice, and can you save the mixture to use at a later time?

Norh
2 years ago
Reply to  Aniela

Should you keep it refrigerated?

Sacha Muscat
2 years ago
Reply to  Anonymous

You can use the bottled lemon juice, doesnt affect the mixture. Does the same thing

Anonymous
4 years ago

How long do you leave it on your skin? Before peeling it off?

Manali
4 years ago

In which type of container can we store this in like do we have to store it in a plastic container or a steel container…..???? Also, I wanted to ask how do we dispose of it???????

Gihane Kaddoum
4 years ago
Reply to  Aniela

Hello, I have been reading the Q&A and wanted to say that in the Middle eastern countries this practice has been going for centuries and still, it is really effective using natural ingredients. And as of experience if you may allow, the best way to store this paste is in small nylon bags (supermarket) and put them in the fridge. When you want to use again, it will be easier to remove the bag take the amount desired and with just drops of water on ur fingers the paste will be good to work on again. Another thing, you need… Read more »

Brock Owings
2 years ago
Reply to  Gihane Kaddoum

That makes sense. So just to clarify that itā€™s being applied correctly and removed correctly, you apply the wax against the grain of hair, then remove it by pulling it against the grain also, (the end that you initially started applying it? Thanks in advance.

Jes C
2 years ago
Reply to  Brock Owings

You apply with the direction of hair growth (ie on legs start towards the knees then smooth down towards ankles) then remove in the opposite direction. Also when you rip (sorta the best way to describe it) you want to pull it off close to the skin, so parallel to the skin, not straight out at like a 90 degree angle. Also if you feel your fingers getting sticky, dip your finger tips in water to prevent that.

Tobey Stacy
1 year ago
Reply to  Jes C

Actually this is incorrect. Application is opposite of normal waxing. This is how itā€™s less painful and less ingrowns. You apply opposite of growth so say start at ankle and apply towards knee. Then you remove with growth so from knee to ankle.

Rosalyn
1 year ago
Reply to  Tobey Stacy

Right? That’s what all my “sugarists” do, and explained the process the total opposite of what everyone on here is saying.

aurora
4 years ago

can it be lemon juice from the little bottle or does it have to be a fresh lemon

Anonymous
4 years ago

Why do we need the lemon juice

Anonymous
2 years ago
Reply to  Anonymous

It reacts with the sugar to form a wax-like consistency after being heated

Sara
4 years ago

Hi, your instructions say to pull off the sugar against the hair growth but the picture shows it being pulled with the hair growth. Which is right? Or am I confusing which direction is which? I would say with the grain would be starting at the knee and pulling towards the ankle and against the grain would be pulling up towards the knee right?

Trudes
2 years ago
Reply to  Sara

Actually sugar wax is to be APPLIED AGAINST the grain to help grab the hairs but PULLED ALONG the grain. The exact opposite is true for regular conventional waxes. But this detail is what helps it to be less painful than reglr wax. As well as the fact that sugar wax grabs and removes ONLY the hair instead of hair & ur skin cells (like reglr wax). & Sugar wax is naturally exfoliating & the lemon juice ( thanks to the citric acid) helps to minimize ingrown hairs.

Jannney
4 years ago

Such a simple recipe! It worked for me perfectly right off the bat, although I know a lot could have gone wrong haha

denisaT
4 years ago

is sugaring better than waxing?

Stephanie Bell
2 years ago
Reply to  denisaT

Iā€™ve seen dermatologists saying this xx

sarah
4 years ago

is sugar wax painful?

silvia
4 years ago

my sugar wax got really hard and I couldn’t spread it like it shows in the pic. can you tell me what happened pls?

Lydia_Luv
4 years ago

great recipe, thanks for sharing! can you make sugar wax in the microwave though?

sandymandy
4 years ago

sugar wax recipe worked for meee! Took off all the hair and didn’t hurt at all!

DesireeForU
4 years ago

Does sugar wax work on pubic hair?

IdinaMinnie
4 years ago

Can you shower after sugaring?

deeannanana
4 years ago

great recipe, thank u for sharing! Does sugaring cause ingrown hairs? I’ve heard that somewhere and hoping it’s not true haha

Anonymous
2 years ago
Reply to  deeannanana

All methods of hair removal have the potential to cause ingrown hairs.

Patty
4 years ago

Wonderful recipe and it works so much better than waxing, not to mention been saving lots of money not having to buy wax strips and such.

Belynda
4 years ago

awesome recipe! If you guys follow the instructions, it’ll work! If anything, you can use a candy thermometer to help you. If it’s too hard, add more lemon juice. If it’s too soft, that means you haven’t cooked it enougH!

Vanessa
4 years ago

Tried it a couple of times and it worked for me perfectly, but when my friend tried it, it did not work for her! When using a candy thermometer for sugar wax, what temperature should it be at?

TeeAnna9
4 years ago

works!! thank you šŸ™‚

Kate
4 years ago

Hi, I just wanted to say thank you for the amazing recipe, it worked for me and I’ve noticed all your comments have such kind words in them. Keep being such a great person!!

Samira P.
4 years ago

I may never have to pay for a wax again – brilliant šŸ˜€ I microwaved mine though, and still came out perfect!

Alexa
1 year ago
Reply to  Samira P.

how long did you microwave it for?

JJ77
3 years ago

This is a great recipe, so long as you follow all the instructions! If you do not, it won’t work out for you, it’ll either turn out too liquidy or too hard. If either of those occurs, just start over again – the ingredient are cheap and easy to find so there’s no excuse!

adina anna eden
3 years ago

Can I use this sugar wax on my bikini area and legs?

Stefany
3 years ago

So easy to follow, it worked peeerfectly for me, but my sister did it too and for hers it did not work. I suspect she boiled it waaaay too much because she said it was too hard. Please follow the directions accordingly!

Oneisha Ledoux
3 years ago

Can the wax be reused? Or is it a one time use?

sabrina89
3 years ago
Reply to  Oneisha Ledoux

I’ve actually used mine 2-3 times, but just be sure to store in a place where it won’t harden too much. Also, you may have to melt it again, just be very careful. Overall though, just make a new batch. The more you make it, the easier it’ll get and the ingredients are cheap as well!

Cher
3 years ago

Hi,
How much Of the body will This wax do?

Jabes Santana
3 years ago

when we let it sit , do we let it sit IN the pot ?

loralea
3 years ago

how long do you generally let it boil for?

loralea
3 years ago
Reply to  loralea

I did it for 7mins and it wasnt thick enough when it cooled down – it run through my fingers when i tried to apply it.

Rehana mallick
3 years ago

Thank you to give a solution the most relevant problem.I want to know can it would be used on 9to10Yes old girl at her first growing hair on underarm or bikini area ?

Pau
3 years ago

Hi. can I use vinegar instead of lemon juice? if I can, how much should I add?

Sam
3 years ago

Anyone else just got a bowl lollipop

Permafrost
3 years ago

Can you use vinegar instead of lemon juice?

Kate
3 years ago

How many times do you need to do this so the hair doesn’t come back?

Kate
3 years ago
Reply to  Kate

Does this cause redness or irritation when used on your face?

Donna
2 years ago

This literally sucks I tried so hard to make this wax and the first time it didnā€™t work but the second time we heated it back up on the stove and it still didnā€™t work we heated up a third time and this time we got darker and it got crunchier!!!

Erica Alvey
2 years ago

Does this ruin your pot? Like how do u clean it

Ash
2 years ago

Well i let it cool and it hardened all the way its now a solidified rock

mint t
2 years ago

the pictures and the video show different things. the pictures show a light brown whereas the video shows a dark brown to black coloured wax. my wax is getting hard and i dont know what to do. its more like caramel then wax

Last edited 2 years ago by mint t
Skye Eakin
2 years ago

Mine doesn’t harden, and it’s just sticky like I made honey

Tess
2 years ago

How long can it be stored for?

Jet
2 years ago

I made the mixture but it came out super super hard what might I have done wrong?

Rachael
2 years ago

My recipe didnā€™t turn brown or even yellow, itā€™s clear. Followed the recipe to a T, is this still usable?

Kate
2 years ago

Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of lemon juice?

Chai
2 years ago

Hi, my wax seemed perfect when it cooled and I put it in the bowl. But this morning it’s gone hard. Can I warm it up to make it workable again?

Amanda
2 years ago

I left it cool and tried to use it, powdering it before applying but it got stuck snd sticky. Does that mean i didnā€™t let it boil long enough and could i microwave it or put it on the stove longer? Or have to make another batch?

Cat
2 years ago

The application/removal instructions are a bit misinformed.
You want to APPLY the sugar in the OPPOSITE direction of the hair. It doesnā€™t hurt to do a couple passes before you flick the sugar off quickly WITH the direction of the hair growth. This prevents breakage of the follicle.

Charli Brown
2 years ago

This recipe worked well for me. At 10 minutes in I temped it and it was 270 degrees F. It was pretty light it color and not very thick, so I cooked it about 3 minutes longer and up to 285 degrees.

I tried out the sugar on my underarms and it works well! I think cooking it a bit less, maybe 280 or 275, would be perfect, and itā€™s pretty stiff.

Willow
2 years ago

It didnt work at all and just left my skin sticky and a big Care el mess to clean. It does taste good but idk what to do with it

Lilja
2 years ago

hi I was just wondering if it has to be lemon juice or if it can be some other type of fresh citrus juice?

donna
2 years ago

What if you dont have lemon and you have lime would lime work?

Niko
2 years ago

Hello! I’ve tried making this twice now. The first time I over cooked it and it was too hard to use. This time it’s too soft… Is there any saving it if it’s too soft? I followed everything exactly and cooked it for 10 mins. When it was too hard I had cooked it 13.

Lively
1 year ago

Mine just turned to rock candy. Did I cook too long or not long enough?

Ariel
1 year ago

Would a heat-safe plastic container also work for the wax? I don’t have any glass jars at home.

Eddy
1 year ago

Hello. I know this is an old article. Just came across it recently. Iā€™m really confused about the measurements. I see some places say 1 cup of sugar with 1/4 cup of lemon juice and 1/4 cup of water and some say 2 cups with the same measurements of water and lemon juice. Which is the right measurements please

Jane
1 year ago

Can a 13 year old do this? Would it hurt?


189K Shares
Pin188K
Share761
Tweet
Email