Shireen's Recipe for Sugaring Legs

Shireen's Recipe for Sugaring Legs

Sugaring is a common hair removal practice in many parts of the world, including Malawi, where I was fortunate enough to attend prep school. The following is a recipe passed on by a good friend and schoolmate. You will need the following:
2 1/2 pounds of sugar
Quickly pour into storage container (I use recycled, disposable containers because this is definitely hard to clean up. The best are thick plastic containers that can be microwaved (thin plastic will melt!).
1. Let sugaring cool until it is warm and spreadable, but not too uncomfortable (hot) to handle. (In the meantime, it is a good idea to tackle cleaning the sauce pan before it sets!) If the sugaring is too cool, you can microwave it - but stir it completely, and check it often!
2. Test the warmth of the sugaring on a small part of your leg. If it is not too hot, it is ready to use. If it is unspreadable, heat it up a bit.
3. When sugaring is at the correct consistancy (the same as molasses), spread thin narrow strips of sugar on leg, spreading from knee to ankle. Immediately cover the sugaring with cotton strip. Repeat until the leg is covered with cotton strips. (I like to pull them all at one time, after covering my leg with strips. My friend does one or two at a time and then repeats until she has done her entire leg. It is your choice.)
4. When cool to the touch and set (after about 10 minutes depending on thickness) yank the strips beginning from ankle and pull towards knee. Do it quickly!
1. Test, test, test! Test the warmth of the sugaring on a sensitive part of your leg. It is easy to burn yourself! Also, test the strip (by pulling a small part) before yanking.