As women, we have a complicated relationship with body hair.
Since our early teens, a barrage of venus razor ads and Cosmo mags have been telling us the only way to be desirable is to be a completely hairless smooth baby.
We carry this with us into adulthood, dedicating endless hours to shaving, waxing and laser removal.
This costs us some serious dollars and also f*#%ing hurts.
Ideally, I'd chose not to partake in any barbaric rituals where a lady that I just met uses hot wax to pull hair out of my hoo-ha.
And, as a feminist, I feel strongly that there is nothing wrong with body hair.
@annahstasia for @nikewomen
But, I have to admit smooth, freshly shaved or waxed skin does feel AH-MAZ-ING.
I like to be smooth and slick like a dolphin, but I'm not a huge fan of chemicals or spending money on painful procedures.
I am also just super lazy, and often cbf'd to put pants on to go to the salon or even shave my legs at home.
So where does this leave me when it comes to hair removal?
The answer lies in natural hair removal methods!
Here are 10 of my favourite natural hair removal methods that actually work.
Turmeric hair removal
Turmeric, like Taylor Swift, has a big reputation.
And although both the singer and the kitchen staple's emergence are well, spicy, turmeric's claim to fame does not involve Kanye West.
Turmeric has been climbing the ranks of natural beauty for years.
This yellow spice is full of benefits for your skin, hair and insides.
But did you know it can even be used as a natural hair removal method?
Turmeric for hair removal is extremely popular among Indian women and has been used for centuries.
When you apply turmeric to your skin, it acts as a mild glue causing the hair to stick to it.
When you scrub the spice away, it takes the hair with it, usually pulling it out from the roots.
If you repeat this exercise once a week, the process eventually lessens hair growth, causing the hair to grow back finer over time.
While there are a plethora of turmeric recipes for hair removal out there, one of the easiest is a simple turmeric paste.
Combine one teaspoon of milk with three teaspoons of turmeric, mixing until you create a thick paste.
Spread the paste evenly over the desired area and leave for 20 minutes or until dry.
Using a clean washcloth, remove the paste using gentle circular movements.
Sugar wax
Since the early 2000's Baby Bash has had us asking how you get so fly?
It turns out he has been singing the answer all along!
Suga, suga.
Sugar wax that is.
Populated in Northern Africa, The Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Countries, sugaring is a super sweet natural hair removal method.
How is sugar waxing better than traditional waxing you ask?
Well, I subscribe to the theory that natural is always best, plus sugar cost FA when compared to salon waxing.
However, the main reason sugaring reigns supreme is that instead of adhering to your skin, like traditional wax, sugar binds directly to the hair and pulls it out from the root.
This means less pain, less skin irritation and less waxing need.
Before you go slathering yourself in sugary goodness, you need to grow your hair to about 1/4, so the wax has something to cling to.
Mix one cup of granulated sugar with one and 1/2 Tbsp of lemon and two Tbsp of water in a small saucepan.
Heat on low until the mixture creates a firm ball.
Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature, or until you can handle it safely.
Spread the wax in the same direction of hair growth and cover with a piece of material.
Let it sit for a few seconds before pulling the fabric upwards while holding your skin taut.
Clean any residual wax from your skin using warm water.
Pumice stone
This is an excellent natural hair removal method, I pumice.
Thanks to their rough texture, pumice stones are perfect for removing unwanted hair.
Plus, you don't even need to DIY some kind of Pinterest worthy mixture!
Just gently rub a dry pumice stone on clean, dry skin in a circular motion.
The pores in the stone will cling to the hairs, removing them as you go.
Be sure to moisturise once you have finished, the stone has an exfoliating effect and may leave your skin a little dry.
Papaya paste
If you're on the hunt for a RN natural hair removal remedy, papaya might not be for you.
Unlike some of the methods above, papaya paste won't leave your legs instantly ready for date night.
However, it is a great long term solution.
The fruit contains an enzyme called papain which weakens hair follicles, preventing them from growing back over time.
So say goodbye to hair for good.
Combine one-two tbsp of mashed papaya flesh with 1/2 a tsp of turmeric powder.
Leave for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
Repeat 1-2 times per week to see results.
Lemon and honey
So, here's the tea.
Lemon and honey, NOT JUST FOR TEA.
This zesty, soothing combo makes a killer home hair removal method.
Rivalling even the priciest of beauty brands, this gentle mask is best for removing facial hair.
Blend four tablespoons of honey with two tablespoons of lemon and dab it into the desired areas using a cotton ball.
Let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
For best results, use this twice a week.
Cornflour and egg
This is a cracking good natural hair removal remedy.
Sorry, that was corny.
(ahh...I crack myself up)
But for real, cornflour and egg is another great way to remove unwanted facial hair.
Which, excluding brows and lashes, is all facial hair.
Add one egg to 1/2 a tablespoon of cornflour and one tablespoon of lemon.
Stir the ingredients until a thick paste forms and apply to your face where needed.
Leave it to set for 15 minutes before peeling the paste off.
Use two or three times per week.
Baking soda
@thebeautychef
Baking soda is drastically under-appreciated.
I mean, it gives us cookies dammit!
While I'd settled for just the desserts, this pantry staple is also a handy natural hair remover.
The easiest way to use baking soda to remove unwanted hair is to mix it with plain old H20.
Yep, just add water.
Just combine the two and apply to your face, arms, legs, anywhere.
Rub the mixture in as you shower and wash the remainder off when you're done.
Potato and lentil
For real, from hot chips to gnocchi and now hair removal, potatoes are the backbone of society.
So, how does this method work?
First, soak yellow lentils in a bowl of water overnight.
Then, place them in a food processor, grinding them until they reach a thick, paste-like consistency.
Add one whole potato (chopped) to the mixture followed by four tablespoons of lemon juice and one tablespoon of honey and combine.
Apply the mix to your desired areas and leave for 30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
Onion and basil
Now, slathering yourself in onion might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think #selfcare.
But this natural hair removal method is nothing to cry about!
For this recipe, you will need two onions and 15 - 20 basil leaves.
Begin by peeling the thin, transparent layer from the onions and place them in a bowl.
Add the basil leaves to the bowl and crush them together to create a paste.
Apply the paste to unwanted hair, leaving for 15 minutes.
To remove the hair from root to tip, repeat this 3 - 4 times a week for a month.
Oats
No longer just for breakfast, I am oat-ally crazy for this natural hair removal method.
Oats are rough enough to exfoliate dead skin as well as remove unwanted facial hair.
To create this delicious concoction mix 1/2 teaspoon of coarsely ground oats with one tablespoon of honey and 6 -8 drops of lemon juice.
Leave the mixture on areas of hair growth for 15 - 20 minutes.
To remove, scrub the mixture a few times in a circular motion before rinsing with a warm washcloth.
Be sure to apply moisturiser after use as the exfoliant can dry your skin.
