festival season hair removal guide: why sugaring lasts longer than waxing for coachella & beyond
festival season is upon us. yay!
let's have a real talk about something we all think about but don't always discuss openly – hair removal before music festivals! as your sugaring specialist (who's seen it all in the studio), I want to make sure you're prepped & confident for all those desert adventures, pool parties, & non-stop dancing nights ahead.
the music festival hair removal dilemma
picture this: you've got your perfect festival outfits planned, your accommodations booked, & your friends hyped. the last thing you want is to be dealing with stubble, irritation, or (heaven forbid) ingrown hairs while you're trying to live your best life at coachella, stagecoach, or wherever else you’re dancing this summer.
i've had so many clients rush in last-minute before their festival weekends, stressed about their hair removal options. trust me when I say that a little planning goes a long way here!
why sugaring outshines waxing for festival season
let me break down why so many festival-goers are switching from waxing to sugaring (& never looking back):
1. longer-lasting results when you need them most
the science: sugaring removes hair from the root & can capture hairs as short as 1/16 inch (way shorter than wax needs). what this means for you: smoother skin for longer during your entire festival experience!
while waxing typically starts showing regrowth around day 5-7, sugaring hair removal can keep you completely smooth for 10-14 days. that's the difference between touching up during your festival weekend & staying smooth throughout the entire experience.
real talk from our clients: "I did sugaring 3 days before coachella last year & was still smooth for weekend two. game changer!"
2. desert-friendly aftercare
let's be honest – festival conditions can be intense: the heat, the dust, the sunscreen reapplication... your skin goes through it all!
sugaring hair removal has a major advantage here because:
it's all-natural (just sugar, lemon, & water) so there's no chemical residue sitting on your skin in the heat
it causes significantly less irritation than waxing, meaning your skin recovers faster
the natural exfoliation from sugaring helps prevent the dreaded ingrown hairs that can pop up with all that sweat & sunscreen
studio observation: i've noticed clients who sugar before festivals have way fewer post-event skin issues compared to those who wax or shave. your skin will thank you!
3. the comfort factor
festival days are long, & the last thing you need is irritation in sensitive areas. since sugaring only adheres to dead skin cells & hair (not live skin cells like wax does), you'll experience:
less redness & irritation
minimal discomfort during the actual removal process
quicker recovery time
gentle reminder: many first-timers tell me they waited so long to try sugaring because they were nervous, only to say "that was WAY less painful than I expected!" afterward.
your ultimate festival sugaring timeline
don't leave this to the last minute! here's your ideal schedule for festival ready skin:
3-4 weeks before:
ideal time for new clients to book their first sugaring session
this allows time for your skin to adjust & recover
gives you time to schedule a follow-up session before your trip
perfect opportunity to address any existing ingrowns or skin concerns you may have
2 weeks before:
start upping your water intake (hydrated skin = better results!)
maintain consistent exfoliation & moisturizing routine (exfoliate 2 or 3 times a week; moisturize daily)
no sugaring appointments needed during this period
5-7 days before:
ideal timing for regular clients who are on a consistent sugaring schedule
perfect for all sugaring services including brazilian/bikini, legs, & underarms
continue gentle exfoliation routine (but plan to stop 24 hours before departure)
keep up increased water intake for optimal skin health
2-3 days before:
most recommended timeframe for majority of clients
ideal for all body areas including brazilian/bikini, legs, underarms, & facial sugaring
focus on keeping skin hydrated & moisturizing
no harsh exfoliation or new skin products
pro tip: if you're camping at your festival, pack biodegradable wipes for cleanliness (we love goodwipes) between showers. keep the area clean but don't over-exfoliate while you're there!
post-festival skin recovery
after all that sun, sweat, & probably not-enough-sleep, your skin will need some tlc. schedule a post-festival sugaring appointment 2-3 weeks after to:
remove any new growth
address any potential ingrowns that developed
get your skin back on a regular maintenance schedule
festival-specific areas to consider
different festivals call for different outfits, which means different sugaring needs!
universal sugaring recommendations for any festivals:
face/brow sugaring: stay photo-ready & fresh-faced throughout any event
underarm sugaring: essential for summer events to stay stress free in sleeveless tops
brazilian/bikini sugaring: maximum comfort & confidence regardless of festival type
for desert festivals (coachella, stagecoach):
full leg sugaring: must-have for those desert shorts, skirts & rompers
back/chest sugaring: for backless tops & low-cut festival looks
lip sugaring: heat can stimulate hair growth, stay smooth under the desert sun
for city festivals:
half leg sugaring: perfect for midi skirts & cropped pants in city settings
stomach sugaring: for midriff-baring tops & crop tops between venues
arm sugaring: ensure smooth skin in short sleeves while navigating crowded city events
for camping festivals:
full body sugaring: your best friend when shower access is limited
modified bikini sugaring: extra comfort for long days without proper facilities
feet & toes sugaring: often overlooked but crucial for open sandals in dusty or muddy conditions
what our festival-going clients say about sugaring
"I used to break out terribly after festival weekends until I switched to sugaring. the difference is night & day!" – sara, 25
"getting sugared before edc meant I could focus on having fun instead of feeling self-conscious about razor burn in all my outfits." – jasmine, 29
"as someone with sensitive skin, festival conditions used to wreck my skin after waxing. sugaring changed everything for me." – taylor, 33
book your festival prep sugaring now!
our pre-festival appointment slots fill up fast! we recommend booking your sugaring appointments as soon as you lock in your festival schedule.
for first-timers: let us know it's your first sugaring when booking so we can allow extra time to answer all your questions.
for festival prep specifically: mention you're preparing for a festival so we can provide tailored advice for your specific event.
what's your festival lineup looking like this year? drop a comment on our instagram post & let us know which events you're getting to – i'd love to help you prepare for each one specifically!
stay sweet!
xoxo, courtney
