by POPSUGAR Beauty 21

With bikini season just around the corner, I've been getting a lot of questions about hair removal. I recently had a reader ask me what the deal was with sugaring, so read on to decide if this is something you should try.

Sugaring is an all-natural alternative to waxing. So if you're squeamish about the chemicals and additives in traditional waxing, sugaring could be just the ticket. It is also a lot less expensive than getting the job done at a salon or purchasing an at-home kit, especially if you concoct the sugaring solution yourself.

To see what this process actually entails, as well as the potential ouch-factor, read more.

The process of sugaring itself is relatively simple. You can either purchase an at-home kit, like this MOOM Organic Hair Removal Kit ($17), or you can whip up the solution yourself at home. The technique is identical to that of traditional at-home waxing. So what's the difference? Here are some pros and cons.

Pros:
• The solution contains no artificial chemicals or preservatives, which could be beneficial if you have sensitive skin.
• If you wax regularly, at-home sugaring could end up saving you a lot of money.
• When done correctly, sugaring should be less painful than waxing, since it sticks just to your hair, while waxing sticks to your hair and skin.
• Sugaring is easy to clean up since it is water based, whereas waxing is difficult to get off of skin, clothes, and carpets.

Cons:
• It can be difficult to get the temperature just right, since your at-home solution will heat differently than traditional waxing kits.
• You might have more stray hairs left over than with waxing, since it doesn't always "grab" the hair the way waxing does.
• You need patience! Preparing the solution, heating it to the right temperature, shredding your old tees, and getting the technique right is a lot more time consuming than grabbing a box of wax from your local drugstore.
• It's not totally painless. You might have to withstand a some extra pain while practicing to get the technique and temperature right.

If you have the time and patience, sugaring can be an effective and economical hair-removal option. I would love to hear if anyone has tried this and what their experience was like. Also let me know if you have any tips or at-home recipes!