You’re probably familiar with the Brazilian wax, maybe even gotten the full Monty once or more. But do you know about Middle Eastern waxing?
Middle Eastern waxing, also known as sugaring, is just now gaining popularity in the States, but has been around in other cultures since the days of Cleopatra as a sort of best-kept beauty secret – it’s said that the recipe for the sugar is handed down from women who perform sugaring, to only one daughter, protecting it like a royal jewel.
My First Middle Eastern Wax…
I experienced my first Middle Eastern wax by Laure at the distinguished Provence Wellness Center in NYC (best known for this and natural detoxification…ahem, colonics). She was the perfect source for uncovering this treatment because she lived in Paris and has performed Middle Eastern hair removal for decades.
What’s the difference?
Laure gave me a touch-up bikini wax and an underarm wax. While the Middle Eastern waxing process takes longer and is just slightly more painful than traditional wax, the benefits of using natural ingredients are endless. You are left with softer skin, and it is therapeutic because after time you produce weaker and less hair. The wax had the look and consistency of chewing gum but is famously organic in nature. The ingredients are lemon juice, honey, sugar, and rose water. You literally can eat it. How’s that for natural?
Another unique aspect is that it is done by hand, ensuring you’ll never get burned because the first person to touch the wax is your technician. Because there are no chemical additives, the risk for any allergic reaction is reduced. The technique, where she moves the wad of wax back and forth several times, serves to remove the hair at the root.
Thanks, honey
Honey has incredible health benefits and has been dubbed “The Golden Elixir of Life” because of its healing properties ability to be an antiseptic, antioxidant…as well as being a moisturizer and wrinkle-fighter!
Beauty secret of the ages
Sugaring was traditionally done in the hammam and one big batch would be created. The secret lies in the preparation and again, was protected by individual families. This is probably why it has remained such a big secret for so long, but is just starting to gain popularity.
For fans of organic
Laure said the most clients who visit Beljanski for the Middle Eastern waxing are fans of organic lifestyles. When a product is put on the skin, whatever it is, it penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin and capillaries, making it even wiser for us all to use chemical-free products.
Everything old is new again
At the end of my waxing, I find myself hairless in all the right places and my skin super soft. I’m amused and amazed that in my modern life of cell phones, social media, blogging, and such, I am using the same hair removal beauty secret as Cleopatra!
Provence Wellness Center
150 East 55th Street, New York
212-832-6800
Prices for Middle Eastern hair removal range from $15 (lip) to $130 (full leg and Brazilian)
