How to: Sugaring/Halawa!

Salam 3alaikum sisters,

Sorry this was a long time coming. I wanted to post photos of myself sugaring a hand or something, but then figured that there were men reading this blog... (SHAME ON YOU GUYS, THIS IS A LADY'S ONLY SPACE!!!)

I didn't want to leave you all hanging so I found a youtube video that does it similar to the way I do it, plus shows how to sugar with cloths (kind of like regular waxing).




I didn't actually listen to the sound on this one yet since I picked it while my husband was sleeping lol.

But some tips from me:

• this wax looks much more soft/liquid/sticky than what I usually use. That's ok though as long as it still pulls off your skin.
• if the sugar is too hard to easily pull out of the container you put it in, let it sit in a sink of hot water until it is pliable and easy to remove from the container
• if your hair is a little long, trim it down to about 1/4 of an inch, which will help the halawa hold stronger
• if you are afraid the sugar is too sticky and will pull your skin (which seriously, it almost never does) you can put a light dusting of baby powder or talcum before you apply
• this lady picks up her hand as she smooths on the sugar, but I never do that. I slowly press up against the hair grow in one long sweep, making sure it is a pretty thin and even application, then pull down with the hair growth, the sugar never leaves my hand the entire time
• keep the skin pulled tight, it reduces the pain and seems to help the hair adhere to the sugar better
• if it becomes difficult to control, stop and make a ball with your hands then start again. 
• unlike wax, you can go over a place you have already waxed more than once if some hairs are missed. I probably wouldn't do it more than 3 or 4 times though, just to avoid stressing your skin out
• if you miss a few stray hairs, don't worry you can just pull them with tweezers later
• I usually use the same blob of sugar for an entire leg
• if you are going to sugar sensitive areas (face or bikini area) I suggest using a small amount of sugar and working in small sections.

Using Cloth Strips:

• heat the sugar the way you would wax, make sure it isn't too hot!!!
• you can use cut up denim for this, i heard it works really well, just wash it really good in very hot water before you use it for this
• you can use the same cloth strip more than one time, and use it to pick up missed hairs
• I think this is probably a good method to use the sugar that cooked a little bit too long, but I never tried this before so don't hold my word to it

After: 

• wash off any sticky stuff left with water (cool or lukewarm water is better)
• if you are prone to ingrown hairs, it is a good idea to put an antiseptic after you sugar like witch hazel or something made for waxing
• moisturize moisturize moisturize. I usually apply a thick layer of extra virgin olive oil. I would suggest using an unscented moisturizer for the first 24 hours to avoid irritation
• many sites i read said to avoid hot water on the skin for the first 24 hours as well. 

Question:

Do any of you ladies wax or sugar under your arms? I am terrified to try it lol, but I get tired of shaving. Also if I recall correctly it is sunnah to pluck those hairs out.