Aging Gracefully | Smooth Transitions

Hello, Everyone!

I hope all is well!

In today’s episode we will discuss hair removal! Taking a deep dive into the hair removal rituals that have shaped my relationship with beauty, self-care, and even generational bonding.

Genesis

Hair removal for me began where it does for many: in the bathroom mirror with a cheap razor—and, thanks to my mom, a bottle of Nair handed to me like a rite of passage. Back then, the goal was simple: smooth legs and underarms for picture day or whatever middle school moment felt major. My pre-teen self thought smooth skin meant adulthood and sexiness. I didn’t know much about technique or skin health—I just wanted to fit the image of "clean."

But as I got older—and more aware—I stopped using Nair altogether. The smell was intense, yes, but what really pushed me to let it go were the concerns around its toxic ingredients and potential cancer links. It didn’t sit right with my evolving views on wellness and non-toxic living.

At 16, everything changed. Watching Olympic champion Tara Davis-Woodhall absolutely serve with her even-toned underarms and glowing legs in one of their YouTube Videos had me in awe. That’s when the idea of waxing was planted but it wasn’t until I was 18 my eyebrow threader would induct me into the follicle-ripping lifestyle. Thus, the lifestyle of religiously booking Brazilians, underarms, and lower leg appointments first at European Wax Center—and later gaining an S-Pass membership at Sugaring NYC after transitioning to a vegan lifestyle—would take root.

Sugaring vs. Waxing

Hard waxing is a method of hair removal where a thick layer of wax is applied directly to the skin without the use of cloth or paper strips. Once it cools and hardens, the wax is pulled off by hand, removing the hair from the root. Unlike soft wax, hard wax adheres only to the hair and not the skin, making it a gentler option for sensitive areas like the face, underarms, and bikini line. This method is often considered less painful, especially for coarse hair, and is known for its precision and effectiveness. The process involves heating the wax to a honey-like consistency, applying it in the direction of hair growth, allowing it to harden as it encapsulates the hair, and then swiftly pulling it off.

Sugaring is a natural, ancient, and most importantly vegan method of hair removal that has been practiced for thousands of years. The process involves using a sugar paste made from natural ingredients such as sugar, water, and lemon juice to remove hair from the root. Sugaring hair removal involves applying the sugar paste against the direction of hair growth and removing it in the direction of hair growth. Sugaring paste is made by gently heating a simple blend of sugar, lemon juice, and water until it forms a thick, pliable consistency that’s safe and soothing for the skin.

I’ll break down the differences between soft, medium, and hard sugaring wax—and how to pick the right one for each area of your body—in a future 'Waxing at Home' blog.

Both claim to be gentler on the skin but to be frank the pain only becomes more tolerable due to consistency because: a) the hair grows back thinner b) the hair grows back in smaller amounts and c) due to the hair growing back thinner and smaller the time spent in the room is shorter. Tberefore, the key is consistency not method (unless you’re vegan like myself).

What Were the Supposed Benefits?

With regular maintenance (typically every 4 - 6 weeks), both methods can lead to permanent hair reduction, which means you won't have to worry about hair removal as often. This is a great time-saver for busy university students, or anyone who doesn’t have a lot of time to spare.

The Drawbacks That Made Me Rethink the Wax Life

While waxing definitely had its moment in my life, it hasn’t come without its flaws. For one, with larger chains like European Wax Center or even some sugaring studios, the experience can sometimes feel impersonal—like you're just another slot on the schedule. And once, I left with the fattest bruise on my arms that took days to heal. The cost adds up quickly too, especially when you’re doing regular Brazilians, underarms, and legs. That’s a major reason I started waxing at home with my mom—it’s more affordable and surprisingly therapeutic when we do it together. But even with consistency and all the coins I dropped, waxing never gave me permanent hair reduction. It delayed growth, sure—but nothing compares to the long-term results laser promises.

Laser Era Loading

After years of scraping, ripping, and sugaring, my mom and I finally decided it was time to level up—enter: laser. Influencer Clarke Peoples (yes, I was influenced again) posted her laser journey, and it lit the final spark. Laser hair removal had always seemed like the bougie final boss of hair removal—expensive, a little intimidating, but promising freedom.

What drew me in? The permanence. After spending hundreds of dollars and hours on waxing, only to be back on the table four weeks later, I realized I was playing myself. Laser offers a shot at permanent reduction—less regrowth, finer hair, and eventually, nothing at all.

The process isn’t instant, and it’s still an investment—but if you add up the years of waxing or sugaring appointments, it makes cents. My mom and I plan to start treatments at the start of next year, making this our next mother-daughter ritual (and lowkey a shared investment in self-care and sanity).

Laser isn’t for everyone, and it’s not for every skin tone or hair color—so doing your research and finding a provider that knows how to work with your skin is key. Clarke Peoples has been using Laser Away and from one melanated queen to another that was all I needed to see and hear. But if you’ve ever dreamed of tossing the razors, skipping the appointments, and being hair-free on your terms, laser might just be the glow-up worth saving for.

🌸 Final Thoughts: Reclaiming My Beauty Routine

Whether you're shaving, waxing, sugaring, or lasering—your hair removal routine should serve you. I'm still evolving mine, but every step forward feels like a reclamation of both health and beauty.

Have you tried sugaring? Or are you team razor, wax, or laser? Let’s talk about it in the comments.