Wax Much????

So before everyone really starts bumping the summer ending classic Dear Summer, I think a thorough discussion on beach etiquette is in order. Who remembers the Wax Much scene from my super fave movie Sex and the City??? Well the honesty of it is Miranda is not the only woman who overlooks the much needed personal grooming, and while most may think that waxing is a personal grooming matter when walking around exposing your Hairy Scary you’ve just made your personal regime my personal insult. So in the spirit of keeping us all Radiantly beautiful, I have listed below a recipe that I personally use for waxing and hair removal. This recipe goes along with my long list of ancient techniques – Egyptian sugaring.

For those who have ever dared a Brazilian wax, this recipe can be used to **de-clutter** those bikini lines or for those who dare to completely bare, and don’t forget the legs, underarms or even the face. It’s an all-natural recipe, using items in your fridge/kitchen and is based off the sugaring technique. Additionally, this wax when made right is in the form of a gummy/rubbery texture that can be continuously applied to the area you are working on. What I have found is this type of wax and its specific texture is way less painless that commercial, unnatural shall we say, waxes. The sugar component allows for the substance to attach solely to the hair as opposed to the skin like regular wax. This technique is used with room temperature sugaring paste as opposed to scolding hot wax applied to some of our most intimate parts! The lemon provides citric acid, which as an astringent tightens skin making the hair removal process easier. Further, for all the home-based waxers this technique is much easier to clean than regular approaches. And the major bonus for all my Radiant and frugal is the natural recipe saves you big bucks, so we can all keep it carefree and hairless when the sun is shining and even when it is now!!!

RECIPE:
1. Two cups of water
2. Three cups of sugar or three cups of honey
3. Two teaspoons of lemon juice

PROCEDURE:
1. Place all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to boil.
2. When its color changes to golden brown, lower the heat and continue to simmer.
3. Keep a careful watch on the color. Once it starts to change to brown, turn off the heat.
4. Allow cooling a little, then pour small quantities onto heavy-duty plastic; the type that will not melt.
NOTE: It is not a good idea to use a plate, you will want a pliable source.
5. When it becomes cool enough to handle, pull a piece off the plastic and pull and stretch it. This will immediately cause it to change color, from a clear golden brown to an opaque gold. It should be easy to stretch and pull. If it is too hard, you have left it on the heat for too long and must make a new batch. If it is too liquid, it has not been heated enough and must be heated once more, or a new batch made.

If you use a candy thermometer 260 degree is the correct temperature.

UPDATE: An excellent question has come in regarding proper use of the wax. First things first, unless you have experience and/or feel strongly comfortable waxing yourself - please leave it to the professionals. That being said, when selecting a suitable waxing salon ask them if they offer sugar waxing. If you prefer self-waxing, with the recipe above, the wax will form into a putty like substance. Apply it to the are in a downward facing direction, and remove the wax in a direction going against the grain of the hair. You'll want to remove the hair quickly. Feel free to use aloe at the end of the process to reduce any temporary redness. Hope this helps, hit me up if you're interested in more detailed information.