The Sweet Science of Hair Removal

Sugaring. The newest trend in hair removal is one that is as effective (if not more so) as waxing, but better for your skin and significantly less painful. Sounds too good to be true, right?

I decided to give it a try for myself at Sugar Sugar, AZ’s only Sugaring Salon. After connecting with the business owners, Wil and Aimee, at Phoenix Fashion Week, I was invited to come in and have my brows sugared. You all know how much I love my brows (if you need a refresher, you must check out the ABC’s of Bold Beauty), so I thought to myself “Oh why not! I’m due for some upkeep anyways.”

Photos Courtesy of Sugar Sugar and NBMA Photography

Crystal, one of the Sugar Sugar’s aestheticians, made sure the whole experience was absolutely perfect. Not only did she explain what she was doing, and how the process was different from traditional waxing, but she made sure my brows turned out exactly the way I wanted. I experienced zero pain (although owner Aimee tells me it does vary from person to person), and left feeling happy and beyond satisfied with the outcome.

They say word of mouth is the best tool to advertise so, after recommending Sugar Sugar to one of my best girlfriends that same day, I felt a strong desire to share with you dear reader what makes sugaring so different from traditional hair removal procedures.

But I wanted to take it one step further and introduce you to the people who are bringing sugaring to Arizona. Check out our exclusive interview with the owners of Sugar Sugar to find out more about what it takes to start a movement in a new city.

Photos Courtesy of Sugar Sugar and NBMA Photography

CitS: Tell us a little bit about Sugar Sugar and where the inspiration for the business began.

SS: On a Scottsdale holiday a couple of years ago…I wanted to plan a Girl’s Day out with my mother-in-law and was hoping to introduce her to sugaring hair removal. After a very unsuccessful search, I knew the Valley was missing out on something amazing! As a devoted natural beauty advocate from the Northwest, sugaring changed my life! My wheels started turning…I did my research, we moved to The Valley and opened Sugar Sugar 9 months later.

CitS: Why did you feel that Scottsdale was the right place for Sugar Sugar to be?

SS: We love Scottsdale! Scottsdale is a city on the move…progressive and willing to challenge the status quo. We needed our first location to be in a city willing to embrace change..Scottsdale was a no-brainer!

Photos Courtesy of Sugar Sugar and NBMA Photography

CitS: What’s the biggest challenge you face as business owners?

SS: Introducing sugaring to people, educating them on the benefits and letting them know they have a choice when it comes to their hair removal needs. One of my favorite things as a new business owner is getting the sugar on someone for the first time and witnessing their priceless reaction. The expression translates to, “where have you been all my life!” Love it!

CitS: What’s been the best part of owning Sugar Sugar?

SS: Being a part of a movement. I love being able to share a positive solution to men and women’s hair removal needs. I have had a client well up with happy tears after her service…the sugar, because it’s such a wonderful natural exfoliant, was able to remove a sun spot on her cheek that she has had for years. She had tried laser and a chemical peel and nothing had helped. She gave me a big hug and told me she couldn’t wait to call her Mom!

Photos Courtesy of Sugar Sugar and NBMA Photography

CitS: You worked with the models for Phoenix Fashion Week to get them runway ready. Tell us a little bit about that and why sugaring is so great for models.

SS: Phoenix Fashion Week was incredible! Sugaring is perfect for models on the go because the sugar is so gentle we can actually sugar you in one room and tan you right after. Think of it as one stop shopping!

CitS: What’s one piece of advice would you give to someone looking to start their own business?

Your business must be an extension of you. A good question to ask yourself is, “Does it get me up in the morning?”. If the answer is, “yes”, then you are on the right path. Know your product better than anybody else. And then once you think you’ve learned all you can…learn some more.