Sugaring is the all natural, low waste alternative to waxing

Hair removal is a hassle at the best of times and that's one of the reasons why many have ditched it altogether for a more au natural look.

Though if you have been reluctantly relying on blunt razors in lockdown, the wait is finally over, de-fuzzing is officially back on the treatment menu at beauty salons.

But before you rush to book your next wax appointment, you may want to consider an ancient alternative method which is having somewhat of a resurgence.

Enter Sugaring, which, although not entirely pain-free, is easier on the environment.

Sugaring is natural

Having originated in Egyptian times, sugaring has been around for a while, but its comeback is down in part to the rise of the clean beauty movement, says Ejiro Owusu, who opened her own dedicated sugaring and brows studio, Ejiro, in East London in January 2019.

"We're all searching for that next hidden natural alternative. Right now the conversations I have with my friends, both male and female, are all around natural beauty treatments, eco-friendly products and healthy eating."

Owusu uses Tamara's certified organic paste, a natural organic sugar paste which is free-from plastic and synthetics, and is made of three ingredients only: sugar, water and lemon.

Some claim sugaring is a less painful (and quicker) way of removing hair over waxing - and after visiting Owusu's salon last summer, I have to agree.

"Sugar paste is only heated to body temperature therefore there's no risk of burning," she explains, adding that this is why it's a particularly good hair removal method for sensitive areas like the upper lip, eyebrows and intimate area, "it's really gentle on the face, I love it and always recommend it to people."

Another benefit, she adds, is that the hair is extracted in the natural direction of growth "so the discomfort level is lower and the method also reduces ingrown hairs as you get less snapping. It's great for everyone, whether you have sensitive skin, are looking for vegan-friendly treatments or are new to hair removal."

A move towards less waste

Owusu decided to specialise in sugaring with the environment in mind, too.

"My goal to reduce waste in the studio is really important to me. Sugaring produces considerably less waste than other hair removal methods," she says.

"We don’t use strips, we rarely use wooden sticks and use metal sticks instead. We use towels which are 100 per cent natural as they are made of sustainable fibres and are fully biodegradable in approximately eight weeks. The same goes for our gloves which are biodegrade between 1-5 years compared to 100 years for standard gloves. These might seem like a small thing to others but not to us."

Looks like we've just found our new favourite way to de-fuzz.