We often see posts about sugaring vs. waxing, the pros and cons and how to choose the best option for you. For the most part, there is good information out there.
But now and again, we find things that well, we want to correct.
Here's one: your esthetician may decide to wax you if this is your first time. If your hair is longer, very thick or if you have course hair, the sugaring process can take longer and be more painful.
It hurt to even write that out, I'll be honest. Not that your Sugarist may choose to wax you, they may. Sugaring course, thick or long hair doesn't have to take longer or be more painful. Knowing how to sugar it is the key.
Here's another one: waxing is faster and more cost effective on larger surface areas like backs and legs. Sigh. It hurts to write that too. Because once again, if you know how...
Storytime! We're at a trade show. You know, the kind where we get to show other professionals what we do and how we do it? I'm right in the middle of a demonstration when someone loudly clears their throat behind me. Several times. Me, being the professional I am excuse myself to my model and turn. There stands a woman with sugar paste running down her arm...
Her words: "I watched you. It looked pretty easy. And here I am." We both laughed. She is a cosmetology instructor as well as a beauty professional and at that time had two decades of experience under her belt. She's still a client to this day. And one of my favorites at that.
My point is that sugaring absolutely does look incredibly easy. The truth though is that sugaring is technique based so it can be difficult to learn, hone and develop efficiency.
At Sugar Streak, our owners have been sugaring since 2003. We've taught professionals since 2003 and we launched our own company, Sugar Streak in 2010. In that time we've watched a lot of success and a lot of fails.
Here's what we want you, the client, to know.
Sugaring removes the hair with the natural direction of growth, is water-soluble, applied at room temperature, can extract short hairs and is generally the most skin-friendly hair removal method on the market today. It can also remove all types of hair, from brows to brazilians. You can also see why technique can play a huge role in the success of the service.
Which brings me to you in the room with your professional. Exactly how do you know that they know what they're doing? After all, there are a ton of videos that show a few quick flicks and bada-bing-bada-boom, you're smooth and silky. But controlling a ball of sugar is a little more like controlling a ball of honey. It's moveable all the time. Imagine taking a ball of honey and placing it on say, thick course hair that hasn't seen a trim in 6 weeks - or even 6 months and then having control of that ball, using it to remove the hair. Most of you are going to watch it fall into the density of the hair and pray like hell you can get it out.
When you're looking for a Sugarist, look for certification. This tells you that the Sugarist took a class. There's a bit more to it than that and the training behind the certification plays a key role.
Know that there are a lot of sugaring companies out there that they get to choose from. Not all of them require certification to purchase products. Some companies train via video, some train online, some teach a 1 day hands-on course and some teach a 2 day hands-on course. As a company who's been sugaring for almost two decades, the industry standard is really the 2 day hands-on course. We want to know that our Sugarists have had an opportunity to laser focus, practice and mess up plenty of times in those two days. We support that training after class in a multitude of ways to make sure our Sugarists know exactly where to go to get the answers they need to serve you, the client.
At Sugar Streak we believe an investment in knowledge earns the best interest. When you know how, thick course hair and large areas can be sugared quickly, efficiently and successfully. Your take away here: check out your Sugarist's social media. Peruse their website. Does their personality show up? Do they seem to know their stuff? Are they giving you more than just before and after's?
When it comes to sugaring, there are a lot of benefits. When it comes to your personal experience, the Sugarist's training and own experience is key.
And if you want to get the most out of your sugaring session, visit our post on Seven Tips for a Great Sugaring Session.