The Hunt: Sugar Wax VS Hard Wax

To wax or not to wax ….I don’t think you could even argue that waxing or taking a razor to your legs is not the best way. Let’s be real for a minute. 

We’ve all had the embarrassing experience of changing into a bathing suit only to realize that you’ve missed an unseemly spot in your body hair removal. Or that you just haven’t done it in long enough to have your hair growth seen from across the shore.

So the question is, when you are ready to wax, which is best? There are many factors in waxing and new trends abound. One of the more popular skin care trends these days seems to be the sugar wax. 

Why wax?

Waxing is a great solution for those of us who do not wish to shave daily. Waxing lasts 4-6 weeks. For me, I’ve been waxing for so long that I can go 8 weeks since it now takes longer to grow back.

Waxing makes your hair grow back more fine and thinner because you are pulling the hair out at the root instead of giving it a haircut with a razer.

Although I’m usually game to try the latest and greatest. There are still some tried and true methods of hair removal that I tend to prefer given my sensitive skin. However, I’ve ventured to try a few sugar wax at home recipes.

My curiosity is peaked by the idea of leaving behind traditional ways of painful wax strips and hot wax mess. As an alternative to regular hard wax treatments, I love the idea of using natural ingredients.  A good note to using sugar wax is that you can customize your ingredients at home with various essential oils to remove hair.

Is sugaring better than hard wax? 

The general consensus in favor of the sugar wax is that it is a better experience for the following reasons. 

• The most obvious reason is that it’s all natural. With only three main ingredients, you can’t get much more simple. Sugar wax is made with sugar, lemon juice (or lime juice), and warm water (not hot water). 
• Warm sugar wax instead of hot hard wax is the reason that most say they prefer sugaring.
• Sugar wax is known to be better for sensitive skin. For my skin type there was a stronger reaction to the essential oils in top quality hard waxes.
• Many have said that sugar wax seems to prevent or at least help avoid ingrown hairs over hard wax treatments because the sugar wax removes even the tiny baby hairs from the skin–lending for the perfect bikini area.
• Your hair doesn’t have to be as long as regular wax. Regular wax requires about a 1/4 inch (grain of rice) for proper lift, whereas sugar wax is half that.

The number one reason that I can wholeheartedly agree, is that having the convenience of these three ingredients are easily attainable at home. These days with stay-at-home orders worldwide, it’s essential to have a DIY option, but it’s also a great time to practice sugaring for those little notice beach outings. 

How to make sugar wax

Here is a very helpful step by step tutorial by wikihow.com on making and applying the sugar wax at home. This is definitely worth a try for those of you who are inclined to DIY treatments. Basically, you’re making candy! Here’s also a guide and medical advice for how to prepare for a waxing treatment.

This is a well made youtube video version of a simple recipe and instructions that makes it look easy and not nearly as painful as we all know it is. Any way you do it, ripping little hairs out of your skin is not pleasant.

With that said, I do have to point out that I am not one who will give up my hard waxing ways entirely. After all, gone are the days of soft waxing and ripping hair follicles with nasty and toxic chemical formulas on cotton strips. We now have much more natural hair removal options with lower pain levels.

I’ve looked up a couple versions of how to make sugar wax. t’s basically the same thing proportionally every time, however, I did put the sugar wax recipe in this article.

Is Hard Wax better than sugaring?

I’ve searched for the best natural hard wax and when I discovered the European Wax Center’s wax I was happily surprised at how my skin did not become as irritated as with any other hardwax or for me, even the sugar wax. They use beeswax in their product which so far has been my favorite–even with a brazilian wax.

I’ve asked multiple times for their wax ingredients list, but I’ve been told it’s a confidential formula. It’s no wonder, because if I knew the formula, I might be tempted to do it at home. But probably not too much because the luxury of not having to do it myself is unparalleled. My waxers are always so sweet and they know so many tricks to help keep the pain away.

Some of the pain dulling tricks I’ve learned over the years

1. Take an aspirin a half hour before the appointment
2. Use numbing spray 10 minutes before the appointment
3. Breathe deeply while they count to 3, then breathe out when the wax is pulled off
4. Tell your waxer that you’re okay being touched! Putting pressure on the skin after the wax is pulled off dulls the pain so much.

Hard Wax works by warming the wax and applying (skin taut) with popsicle sticks, letting the wax cool down, then removing the wax quickly.

I’ve read many testimonials that they’ll never go back to traditional waxing. I’m on the fence but am happy that there are good new choices with non toxic and natural elements.

In the end, it really comes down to preference. I’ll always like the idea of waxing in the privacy of my own home using ingredients that are already in my cupboard. BUT–I like the expertise and the ability to zone out and get it over with that I get when I go to a waxing salon. 

One thing for sure, the benefits of waxing far outweigh shaving in general. Waxing is more efficient, effective and if we’re going to go through the trouble, we may as well have results we can feel confident about. When the small amount of pain is gone, the feel and look of freshly waxed, soft, smooth skin is actually worth it. I don’t think we’d all do it if that was not the case.