Coffee or tea? Pancakes or waffles? Waxing or shaving ? It’s one of those endlessly debatable topics with no unifying answer. But, for those who partake in hair removal, may we present you with a third option: sugaring. Unlike waxing and shaving, sugaring is less painful, has lasting results and can curb the skin from developing ingrown hairs , according to board-certified dermatologist Dr.
Erum Ilyas. I spoke with two board-certified dermatologists and an aesthetician to find the best at-home sugaring kits on the market and learn more about how the practice affects body hair over time. SKIP AHEAD What is sugaring? | How I picked the best at-home sugaring kits | The best at-home sugar kits of 2024 According to Ilyas, there are two categories of hair removal: epilation, which removes hair from the root rather than the surface of the skin, and depilation, which removes hair only above the skin, leaving behind the root and follicle.
Sugaring is considered the former. Epilation is an especially great option for many people since it can lead to longer-lasting effects than shaving, according to Lindsay Holdor, Dermstore’s in-house esthetician. Sugaring is the process of applying a paste, typically made of sugar, water and lemon, to any part of the body in the same direction as its hair growth that you or an aesthetician subsequently rips off with a flicking motion.
Sugaring paste sticks to your dead skin and hair at the follicle. When you rip the paste from your skin, it removes the entire hair — follicle and all. The paste becomes malleable — and therefore rippable — through body heat.
Some paste requires you to heat it to a warm temperature in a microwave, but typically it can also be just slightly warmer than room temperature. Once you’ve ripped off your sugar concoction, you can wash off any remnants of the paste with warm water and a washcloth. Since this paste is made with only three ingredients, it also tends to be better for sensitive skin, according to Holdor.
Interested in sugaring? Several salons offer sugaring — many of our editors love Sugared and Bronzed . You can also try at-home sugaring products, but we recommend that you proceed carefully and cautiously. The last thing you want to do is inadvertently hurt yourself.
When making this list, experts recommended I look at three key factors: The below products all have 3.8-star average rating and above on Amazon or Ulta. Before using one, each set should be patch-tested and applied in accordance with its directions.
Best overall: Sugardoh Mini Doh 4.1 stars on Ulta from 207 reviews When learning sugaring techniques, you want to practice getting the paste in an isolated area. Otherwise, you’ll be ripping off too much hair at once.
Sugardoh Mini Doh is a great choice for sugaring beginners — the consistency is firm, making skin application smooth and precise, according to the brand. Like all sugaring paste, the mixture also comes off your skin with warm water so you don’t need to worry if you make a mistake while using it. It’s made from natural sugar, purified water and organic citric acid and you can use it for about three leg sugaring sessions.
Best budget: Sugaring NYC Hair Removal Kit 3.8 stars on Amazon from 962 reviews According to the brand, the paste in this kit is made from sucrose, water and citric acid. The kit includes the paste (which you can wash off), gloves, and a spatula to help you spread the sugar — everything you need except the hair.
If you need extra guidance, the brand has online tutorials to walk you through the removal process. Best bulk purchase: Luxury Pro Sugaring Paste 3.9 stars on Amazon from 2,278 reviews The Luxury Pro sugaring paste has four consistencies: super soft, soft, medium, and hard.
The consistencies determine how malleable the paste is (i.e., how precise the application will be).
A super soft paste is extremely malleable and thus might be harder for a beginner to control. According to Luxury Pro, the 43-ounce jar of sugaring paste should last several hair removal sessions, depending on where you apply it. It has a 3.
9-star average from 2,278 reviews on Amazon. At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Alexa Casanueva is an NBC Page with an interest in skincare and wellness. For this piece, she interviewed three skin care experts to discuss the safety and benefits of at-home sugaring. Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance , tech and tools , wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
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