Homemade Wax: Does It Really Work?

Waxing is a quick and easy hair removal method, but it can get expensive depending on how often you visit a salon. Thankfully, homemade wax is an easy and affordable solution. And yes, it does really work.

But how do you make homemade hair removal wax? How do you use it? We'll tell you everything you need to know about homemade wax and give you a recipe to make it.

What Is Homemade Wax?

Making wax for hair removal may sound daunting, but it’s nearly foolproof to create. Homemade wax involves mixing simple ingredients from your kitchen, melting them to create a thick and sticky substance, then using it to wax unwanted hair.

Using common household kitchen items to create wax is considerably cheaper than a salon visit. It's also a good option for sensitive skin. 

How Does Homemade Wax Work?

One kind of homemade wax you can try is sugaring. This is a hair removal method using sugar-based wax to remove hair by the root. Many salons offer this method as an alternative to hard wax. 

Though similar to using hard wax, sugar waxing is different in technique. Here is a quick comparison between the two. 

Sugar Wax vs. Hard Wax: 

Similarities:

• Remove by root – Both remove several hairs at once by the root.
• Smooth skin – Unlike shaving, sugar and hard wax can keep your skin soft.
• Long-lasting – Both last longer than shaving.

Differences:

• Temperature – Sugar wax is used when cooled but hard wax needs to be warm.
• Technique – Unlike hard wax, sugar wax is applied against the direction of hair growth and pulled towards it. 
• Price – Homemade wax is typically cheaper than hard wax.
• Efficiency – Sugaring may require repeated waxing in the same area to get all the hair. Hard waxing removes all the hair in one pull.

Want to learn more about waxing vs. sugaring? Read our in-depth article about the difference between Waxing vs. Sugaring. 

How to Make a DIY Sugar Wax

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Sugar
• ¼ cup Lemon juice
• ¼ cup Water

Lemon juice is optional, but we recommend adding it for its anti-bacterial capabilities. Adding an acid to your wax also helps keep the sugar molecules from crystallizing. If you don’t have lemon juice you can substitute it with another citrus juice or vinegar.

Bonus: Homemade Wax With Honey

Honey is a great additional ingredient if you have sensitive skin because of its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can also help keep your skin softer after waxing. 

To add honey to your homemade wax, simply replace the water with ¼ cup of honey.

Directions:

(Takes 15-20 minutes to make)

1. Add all the ingredients to a small or medium pot and stir to combine.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil on high heat and continuously stir. It should create a layer of foam on top. 
3. Once it starts to boil, put it on medium heat and continue stirring.
4. When the wax turns into a golden brown, take it off the heat and allow it to cool completely (about 30 minutes).
5. Transfer the cooled wax into a bowl or glass container.

Steps to Apply Homemade Wax

Step One: Prep Your Skin

Prep your skin with a purifying lotion and nourishing oil. 

Optional: Once the area is dry after cleansing, lightly tap on some talc powder to help the wax stick to the hair and not the skin.

Step Two: Grab the Wax

Pull the homemade wax from its container and give it a few pulls until you have at least a walnut-size amount. Knead the sugar wax a few times so it’s easier to spread.

Step Three: Apply the Wax

Spread the wax against the direction of growth using your thumb, then pull it off towards the direction of growth. You can reuse the same wax ball over the same spot till all the hair is gone. If the sugar becomes too soft, it’s time to grab a new wax ball.

Step Four: Aftercare

Finish with our nourishing oil to keep your skin soft. 

Where Can I Apply Homemade Wax?

You can use homemade sugar wax on every part of your body. However, if you're a waxing beginner, we recommend starting with a non-sensitive part of your body before going for a DIY bikini wax. 

Coarse hair like pubic hair can be harder to wax with sugar if it’s not sticky enough. You’ll end up having to rewax several times to get all the hair. On the other hand, if the wax consistency is too thin, it can be messy and result in painful pulling to get the wax off. 

Make sure you are comfortable with your recipe and method before going for a sensitive area on your body.

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Making and applying homemade wax can be messy. If you want the smooth skin results from waxing without the mess, try our Happy Waxing Kit. It comes with everything you need for a mess-free wax.