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So, it's winter. If you live in the buttcrack of Minnesota like me, around this time of year you look at your legs and go, EW! I REALLY LOOK LIKE A YETI! This instructable is an easy way to wax your legs at home with stuff you have in the kitchen. after the first few comments I have recieved I feel compelled to expound upon this instructable with some history and reasons for waxing. Ok, waxing is an alternative to shaving and has pros and cons just like shaving. The pros are that waxed hair grows back slower,softer and lighter than shaved hair, especially if you have been waxing for a while. The major con is that it stings a bit. But come on, it's really not that bad. Also, this method of waxing with sugar has been popular since antiquity. My family is from Israel and sugarwaxing is called "Hawala" in the Middle East, where it originated. Some guys that have commented seem to think this is gross (or maybe it's just my hairy legs in the pic). Dudes- ask your girlfriend (or your mom) about waxing. It's very common and pretty spendy at your local salon.
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Signing UpStep 1Stir it up
you will need-
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 TBSP water
- 2 TBSP lemon juice
- small sauce pan
- butter knife or popsicle stick
- several cotton or linen fabric scraps cut into 3x5in. strips (old sheets and dishcloths work great)
- hairy legs ( at least 1/2 inch of growth)
Add the sugar, water and lemon juice to pan and bring to boil over medium heatand boil over medium-low heat for 5-8 minutes stirring CONSTANTLY(!) the mixture should be slightly frothy but not boiling up all over-adjust heat accordingly. The mixture is finished when you can look at a spoonful of it and see no granules of sugar.
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 TBSP water
- 2 TBSP lemon juice
- small sauce pan
- butter knife or popsicle stick
- several cotton or linen fabric scraps cut into 3x5in. strips (old sheets and dishcloths work great)
- hairy legs ( at least 1/2 inch of growth)
Add the sugar, water and lemon juice to pan and bring to boil over medium heatand boil over medium-low heat for 5-8 minutes stirring CONSTANTLY(!) the mixture should be slightly frothy but not boiling up all over-adjust heat accordingly. The mixture is finished when you can look at a spoonful of it and see no granules of sugar.
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I don't know what I did wrong
I put the stuff in a bowl,
boiled it
turned it down
and let it simmer for like 12 minutes
And I tried to cool it but it turned into this hard ball
so I added more water and heated it
and now it's just a mess
TT_TT
What did I do??? :[[
-like someone else said using baby powder (or any even make up powder) lightly dusted on the hair that you're about to sugar will make it easier for the sugar-wax to grip the hairs
-for a fool proof way for the sugar-wax not to be too hard when you're boiling it, use a food thermometer, and let the wax heat up until 250°F (you can get one at ikea for like $7)
-to make one batch last, divide enough of the sugar-wax in different containers for one use, and heat those up because the more often you heat up the sugar wax the harder it gets
-this sounds odd, but to avoid getting your hands sticky, dip your hands in water, the wax won't stick to wet hands
BUT it did make my skin feel silky smooth
you will need-
- hairy legs ''
LMAO! Wonderful!
♥
I just wanted to share a couple things after trying it myself:
After boiling the mixture and putting it into a bowl, I found it was easier to temperature control the concoction by: boiling it just until it bubbles to the top of the saucepan stirring with a wooden spoon, then pouring it into a microwave safe bowl. If it is still a cloudy mixture then microwave it for 30 seconds at a time (stirring) until it becomes more watery and clear.
I had to do this after over-boiling it the first time and under-boiling it the second time.
Another thing I found, after waxing half of my pubic hair (omg, ouch!) is that it is so much easier to have someone pull off the strip for you! I did about half of the job myself but just chickened out and could not for the life of me bring myself to pull the second strip off. I actually began to sweat and had to wash it off and re apply a couple times because my sweat was ruining the consistency of the sugar! I'm such a wimp.. but I did, in the end, succeed! When my room mate came home I had her do my armpits for me while I looked the other way and it was so much better!
For the dense, thick hair in the pubic regions I highly recommend warming the area first with a hot pack, electric blanket, or hot shower/bath because it opens up the pores and loosens the hair so it reduces the pain. If you try to numb the area with ice or cold it actually contracts the skin and pores, tightening it around the follicle making it harder to pull out and more painful! Pull and stretch the skin as much as possible because this also loosens the hair.
You can apply Orajel to clean, dry skin a few minutes prior to cut the pain. Also you can take 200-400mg of liquid pain reliever on an empty stomach (2 tsp childrens acetaminophen/tylenol usually adds up to about 320mg, perfect) to maximize the pain reduction about 30 minutes prior to ripping the first strip.
I did bleed a little bit so I washed the area with soap and water and applied a little bit of vitamin E oil. We'll see if I get little pimples or (hopefully) not!
Good luck people! happy waxing.
Also, if you are of age, and have a friend helping you out - you might try a glass of wine or a shot of whiskey before hand ^_^ That's what I did my first few waxes and felt very little pain.