Never Been Waxed? Here Are Five Things To Know When Transitioning From Shaving
This post is in partnership with European Wax Center®
If shaving has been your go-to method of hair removal up until now, and you're thinking about making the switch to waxing, you might have a few questions. "It is going to be painful?" and "how often will I need to wax?" are common among them. For those who have never been blessed by the hands of a professional waxer before, it's completely normal to be equal parts curious and nervous (been there!) about how your first session will go. But know that it's oh so worth it! Before you break up with your razor and move over to smoother pastures, here are five things to know before you switch from shaving to waxing.1) Stop Shaving Two Weeks Before Your First Wax
The most essential part of beginning your waxing journey is to let your hair grow out long enough to ensure you're getting the best result from your waxing service. Wax experts at European Wax Center recommend that you stop shaving at least two weeks before your very first wax. The reason? You want the hair to be the length of a grain of rice (especially when it comes to the bikini area.) This allows the wax to properly grip the hair. If it's not there yet, wait a little while and schedule your wax appointment for a future date.
2) Be Great and Exfoliate!
No seriously, we can't stress this enough. Exfoliation is the key to a successful wax. Not only does it remove dead skin cells pre-wax, but it's also a great method for preventing ingrown hairs (more on that soon!) If you're in the market for something to kick your exfoliation game up a notch, or you just don't know where to start, add some new products into your shower routine. This gentle exfoliating gel with calming ingredients like aloe and vitamin E will soothe your skin while fruit enzymes eat away at dead skin cells effectively prepping the area you plan to wax. You can also grab a pair of exfoliating mitts for a more targeted approach. These are great, because you can throw them in the washing machine every 3-4 uses3) Make Water Your Best Friend
Staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do for your body. Not only does it help carry nutrients to your cells and aid in digestion, but it keeps the skin (your biggest organ) supple and healthy. Drinking plenty of water pre-and post-wax will help guarantee a more comfortable wax and smoother-feeling skin in the area you choose to wax. To ensure your skin stays hydrated, look for moisturizers that will not clog pores like this shea body butter.
4) Stop and Put Down The Razor!
We get it. Shaving as a hair removal method can be convenient and quick, especially if you've got somewhere important to be. However, before you pick up that razor, take a second to reconsider! Shaving in between waxes is not recommended, and for several reasons. Unlike shaving which cuts the hair right at the surface of your skin, waxing pulls the hair out from the root. Because of this, waxing causes the hair to grow back slower and the texture of the hair in that area usually becomes softer over time. When you shave in between waxes, you are pretty much reversing all of the benefits of waxing plus causing further irritation to the area. And believe me, waxing the stubble left over from the razor will be more painful than if you were to leave it alone. So after your first wax, it's important to stay the course and remain razor free until your next appointment.
5) Patience, Grasshopper
Waxing is best thought of as a journey, not a one-off experience. The more you wax, the more changes you will see in the texture and growth pattern of your hair. Keep in mind that you may not get a totally smooth underarm, leg, or bikini area on your very first wax. That's because starting out, your hair will be in different phases of growth. European Wax Center's experts advise their clients that the third wax will usually be your best wax. With consistency and proper home care, your wax appointments will become more comfortable and will reveal nothing but radiant skin. Stick with it, sis!
Thinking about taking the plunge and booking your first wax? Visit waxcenter.com to book a reservation with a wax specialist near you. Your first wax is on the house!
Exclusive: Melanie Fiona On Making High-Vibrational Music & Saying Yes To Partnership
Melanie Fiona is back! After taking a little more than a decade-long hiatus, she has officially made her return to music and blessed us with two singles, “Say Yes” and “I Choose You.” While both singles are very different from each other, they both reflect who she is today and the type of music she wants to make. In our conversation, the mom of two expressed what she learned during her time away.
“It's interesting, even when I said it is like coming back, I don't ever feel like I really left because I was always still performing. I've still been public. It's not like I went into being this recluse person or version of myself, but the thing that I really learned in this process is that I think things take time,” Melanie says in a xoNecole exclusive.
“I think often we're so caught up in it, being on the timing of demand or popularity, or, like, striking while the iron is hot and the thing that I've learned is that everything is on God's time. That's it. Every time I thought I would have been ready, or, like, things were taking too long, I had to reship some things, personally, professionally, in my life. I also gave myself permission to make a living, not just make a living, but make a life for myself.”
Making a life for herself included getting married to Grammy-nominated songwriter Jared Cotter, starting a family, and embracing new landscapes, such as podcasting as a co-host of The Mama’s Den podcast. She also began doing more spiritual work and self-care practices like meditation, sound healing, Reiki, acupuncture, and boundary setting, which allowed her to get in touch with her inner voice.
“I wasn't putting out music, and I wasn't experiencing a number one record, but I was being a number one mom,” she says.
“I was experiencing things that were allowing me to heal and get in touch with myself so that I could make new music from a space of joy and freedom, and excitement again because I definitely feel like I did lose some excitement because of just politics and industry and what it can do to your mental health and even your physical health. So giving myself the space to really just say, ‘Hey, it's okay. Everything's right on time.’”
The joy and excitement are felt in one of two new singles, “I Choose You,” which is more of a lovers rock vibe, a tribute to Melanie’s Caribbean roots. While the Grammy award-winner is known for ballads like “It Kills Me” and “Fool For You,” she is becoming more intentional about the music she makes, calling it high-vibrational music. She says her music is a “reflection of my life,” as it captures every facet, from hanging out with friends to riding around in her car.
“Say Yes” has the classic R&B vibe Melanie is known for. However, both songs are inspired by her relationship. Melanie and Jared got married in December 2020, and the Toronto-bred artist dished on their relationship. Fun fact: he is featured in the “Say Yes” music video.
“When we first started dating, I had come into that relationship post a lot of self-work. I had gotten out of a long-term relationship, I had a year and a half to date and be by myself and do a lot of work on myself alone. And when we met, I remember feeling like this has to be my person because I feel it,” she says.
“And so when we went into that relationship, and we started dating, I was very clear. I was like, I know what I want. I'm very clear on what I need, and I'm not going to withhold my truth about myself in this process because of pride or fear of rejection. I know you love me, but I'm coming with my heart in my hand to let you know that if we're gonna get there, we have to put fear aside and say yes. So that was kind of like my open letter to him, which is why the video is us having a conversation.”
Melanie also shares that saying yes to her partner has empowered her in many ways, including motherhood and showing up for herself. Her new EP, also titled Say Yes, will be available at the top of 2025.
Check out the full interview below.
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Feature image by Franco Zulueta
From $80K To $174K: The 10 Moves I Made To Double My Income & Transform My Career
Climbing the corporate ladder may not be for everyone. For me, it presents an opportunity to enhance my visibility as an experienced communicator, foster professional development, network, explore diverse job opportunities, and, most importantly, financial rewards.
In the last two years, I have focused on increasing my salary and positioning myself to get into the C-suite. Over the course of my 12-year professional career, mentors and job opportunities have bolstered my advancement from a media relations specialist to a senior manager. I started in a junior position at $80,000 annually; now, I make $174,000 ($150,000 + $24,000 bonus and stock options). After years of being unemployed and underemployed, I was finally reaping the benefits of my hard work.
Here are the 10 ways I increased my salary.
1.Know Your Worth
Understanding your market value is the first step. I regularly researched industry salary trends and adjusted my expectations accordingly. Websites like Glassdoor and LinkedIn Salary Insights were invaluable. Once you know the average salary, add tax. After accepting a salary, it is less likely you’ll see a substantial increase outside of your annual raise unless you take another role within the company.
2.Leverage Negotiations
I accepted the $80K specialist role because I knew it was a good starting salary that would increase over time. Each subsequent job offer was an opportunity to negotiate. I emphasized my growing skill set, achievements, and the unique value I could bring to the company. You can do this by providing clear examples of problem-solving and cost-saving methods you led.
3.Continuous Learning
I never stopped learning. I took courses, attended workshops, and earned certifications relevant to communications. This not only broadened my expertise but also made a compelling case during salary reviews. Your company may offer some of these options for free through LinkedIn Learning or internal professional development platforms. Other companies may have discretionary funds to use for external conferences and other tools to increase your skills.
4.Advocate Internally
While I've never experienced an internal promotion, I do know they can play a significant role in increasing your salary. Whether it’s an open position or you have reached a peak in your current role and are ready for more responsibility, make your case by highlighting your contributions, leadership qualities, and readiness for more opportunities.
5.Seek New Opportunities
Sometimes, moving up means moving out. I applied for external roles that aligned with my career goals, which ultimately led me to my current position.
In two years, I changed jobs twice, increasing my salary and benefits, like a sign-on bonus, each time. Changing jobs can often result in a significant salary bump.
6.Build a Strong Network
Networking is crucial. Mentors and professional connections provided guidance, support, and sometimes job leads. They helped me understand the industry landscape and how to position myself. In the words of Issa Rae, network across with your peers, because there are so many gems to learn from everyone.
7.Be Assertive
In my 30s, I have gained the confidence I lacked as a new graduate entering the professional field in my 20s. Now, I not only know what I want, but I ask for it too. I am a firm believer in the power of the tongue. I inform the recruiter and hiring manager of my compensation and career expectations at the onset to avoid wasting time. It’s essential to communicate your worth confidently.
8.Demonstrate Impact
Quantify your achievements. I kept a record of my successes—campaign results, project completions, and any metrics that demonstrated my impact. This data was crucial during salary negotiations and performance reviews.
9.Stay Resilient
Rejections and setbacks are part of the journey. I faced my share of both, but each experience was a learning opportunity. Staying resilient and focused on my goals kept me moving forward. Most importantly, remember you are not alone.
10.Embrace Your Journey
Every step of my journey was a testament to perseverance, continuous growth, and strategic self-advocacy. Your career path might be different, but the principles of knowing your worth, continuous learning, and assertive negotiation remain the same.
In this journey, I’ve learned that advocating for yourself is not just about negotiating a salary—it’s about recognizing your value, continuously improving, and being unafraid to chase your goals. You deserve to thrive in your career, and with these strategies, you can achieve the salary and role you aspire to.
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