Baring It All with Parissa – My Hair Removal Routine

Disclaimer: This post is a sponsored collaboration with Parissa Laboratories Inc. Products featured were gifted in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

All hairstyles are beautiful: curly, short, long, coarse, thin, dark, light…or none at all!
Let me be clear - I’m not talking about the hair atop your head. That’s right, it’s time to talk pubes, y’all!
Everyone has pubic hair; It’s completely normal, and nothing to be ashamed of. So why is there still such a stigma surrounding what we may (or may not have) below the belt?

I’ve teamed up with Parissa to talk body acceptance and empower you to style your pubes however you please! My journey to find self-love has been a rocky one and learning to accept my own body hair was a big hurdle. While I’m no longer ashamed to say I often sport a ‘bush’, it certainly was not easy to get to this place.

A little stubble hasn’t stopped me from enjoying my summer! All bodies have hair, it’s about time we normalize it!

The idea that my body had to be smooth, hairless, and thin to be seen as acceptable, was something that robbed me of joy for many years. From the second those coarse, dark hairs sprouted onto my body; my insecurities began. Call it societal pressure, or Western beauty standards, I believed my pubes were dirty, unsightly, and gross. It affected my self-worth, and only added to the deep discomfort I felt in my skin. It breaks my heart to say these negative thoughts lingered in my mind throughout most of my teen years and early adulthood.

The mere thought of someone seeing a stray hair on my bikini line was utterly mortifying. I distinctly remember one summer I sat stoically by the poolside, clenching my legs to hide the fact that I hadn’t shaved, as I feared someone might see my shame. While everyone else splashed around and enjoyed themselves, I drowned in my insecurities.
What I failed to realize all those years ago, was that no one truly cared. Everyone else was too busy to worry about someone else’s body. Why did I care so much about their perceptions of me?

It wasn’t until my late twenties I realized none of these beauty ideals truly mattered - All that matters is my own comfort. The world will keep turning whether I have pubic hair or not. The minute I freed myself from this shame was the ultimate liberation. Now I feel empowered no matter what hairstyle I’m rockin’ below the belt. I also feel completely comfortable having hairy pits and legs, too. With comfort comes confidence, and let me tell you - I feel damn good in this body of mine!

I’m always beach day ready, regardless of when my last wax was.
Should my mood call for a smooth bikini line, I always have some Parissa products on hand!

Matching your sandals to your leg hair? It’s a vibe.

If it wasn’t already clear, I’m very laissez faire about grooming my pubes. Sometimes I trim, other days I’ll wax – though on many occasions, I simply leave things be. I need no further explanation as to why, other than “Because I felt like it.” Given I’m such an infrequent waxer, I often reach for Parissa products when the mood strikes (I’m a busy working mama, scheduling a spa visit is not high on my list of priorities). The convenience of an at-home wax is far more appealing and gives me more control of how I want my hair to be styled. Plus Parissa happens to be a woman-founded, Canadian company, which I’m thrilled to support!

I personally love the Brazillian Hot Wax. The professional quality makes it very user friendly, no matter your experience level. Just let the wax cool to the point where it becomes pliable, and it zips off easily!

If you’ve never handled hot wax on your own, here are some quick tips:

- Look for a honey consistency when melting the wax. Too runny often means too hot!
- Work in small sections, and apply thick layers in the direction of your hair growth.
- Always keep skin taut before removing. Pull in the opposite direction of hair growth.

Parissa knows all bodies are different, which is why they have a wide range of products to suit your individual needs!

Left: Parissa Brazillian Hot Wax is made with a professional-style beeswax formula that is gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Right: Parissa Bikini and Underarm Wax Strips is a cream-based wax that’s ready to use; with 3 convenient sizes!

Beginners may prefer the Bikini and Underarm Wax Strips. These strips are incredibly easy to use, and conveniently come in 3 ready-to-use sizes to suit all bodies. They’re also great for those who just need a quick touch-up, or don’t want to commit to a full pot of wax.

Both products also come with a 5mL vial of their Ultra Soothe Oil. Using this oil is easily my favourite part of the whole experience because it effectively removes any leftover wax, and helps to calm and soothe your skin. I even like to use it post-shower in the days after to prevent irritation and moisturize the area.  

At the end of the day, however you choose to style your pubes is YOUR choice. I hope you always feel empowered in your body, and comfortable in your skin.
Thank you to Parissa for supporting all bodies, hairstyles, and choices!