Glam – Page 4

When it comes to underarms, nothing shouts like smooth, hairless and evened out. You can either keep wishing for perfect ones or you can start acting.

We have compiled a list of tools and treatments that range from routines to those that depend on your tolerance and the depth of your pocket. How much are you willing to spend for the coveted silky smooth underarms?

Whitening Underarms at Home

Whitening Deodorant

How it works: It is both a deodorant and a whitening product. It contains ingredients that whiten and smoothen. According to dermatologists, the results are slower compared to derma products.

How much: $7 and above

How frequently you should use: Daily

Best for: Budget queens (and kings)

Try: Dove Advanced Care Ultimate White Roll On, $9.59 (40ml), Belo Essentials Whitening Anti-Perspirant Deodorant Roll On, $7.85 (25ml), NIVEA Anti-Perspirant Extra Whitening Roll On, $10.20 (50ml), Rexona Advanced Whitening Roll On, $14.89 (50ml).

Whitening Creams

How it works: This is different from the deodorant. It is a cream purposely applied for whitening the armpits after several weeks of use.

How much: $18 and above

How frequently should you use: Usually comes with instructions on the label or from the place of purchase. Most are used once or twice daily on cleansed skin.

Best for: Those who don’t mind spending a little more than the cost of a deodorant. Their effectiveness varies depending on different individuals and strength of the product.

Try: Belo Essentials Underarm Whitening Cream, $20.98 (40g), Zeta White, $ 118.47, comes with lightening face wash, (50ml) moisturizer (30ml) and night cream (30ml), Meladerm Skin Lightening Cream, $ 49.99 (50ml) and KB Underarm Whitening Spray, $18.86 (60ml).

Getting rid of the Fuzz

Basic Disposable razor

How it works: It offers a fast and hassle-free solution when used properly.

How much: $5 and above.

How often you should shave: Once a week. If you shave more regularly, you irritate your skin which leads to more darkening.

Best for: Those looking for a quick fix.

Try: Schick Exacta Sensitive, $7.95 (10 blades), Gillette Daisy Plus for Women Twin Blade, $12.94 (12+1 blades.), Bic Soleil Bella Sun-Twist Scented Women’s disposable razor, $5.20 (4 blades), Bic silky touch women’s twin blade, $13.67, (4pcs, 10 blades each).

Reusable Razor

How it works: It is made of a stronger and more resilient handle compared to disposable razors. The blade cartridge needs replacement once in a while.

How much: $6.99 and above

How frequently should you shave: Once in a week. Frequent shaving irritates skin, which can lead to darkening

Best for: Chicks who would rather not keep trashing the environment

Try: Gillette Venus Snap Cosmo Pink, $6.99 (with women on the go travel razor), Schick Quattro for women Razor value pack, $7.99 (4 blade refills), Women’s 5 Blade System Razor, $6.99, Venus Close & Clean, $9.99 (1 razor refill).

Keeping the Fuzz Away longer

Plucking

How it works: This involves plucking individual hair strands from the root using tweezers. It may result in irritation and ingrown hairs. Use of clean and sterile tweezers, taking a bath before plucking and not applying anything on your armpits after plucking can alleviate the situation.

How much: Different per brand

How frequently you should do it: Once every 2-3 weeks based on your hair regrowth

Best for: Physically flexible girls on a budget who have some tolerance for pain and plenty of time for DIY

Try: Tweezerman pointed Tweezers, $12, Majestic surgical Tweezers, $8, Revlon Expert Tweezers, $10.99, Eye of Horus Precision Tweezers, $15 and up, Rubis Slanted Tip Tweezers, $31.

Threading

How it works: This an art in which an expert uses twisted thread to pluck individual hair strands at the follicle level. It is an ancient Indian hair removal practice. It is accompanied by some pain and discomfort, especially for first-timers.

How much: $10 and above

How often you should do it: Once every 2-3 weeks based on your hair regrowth

Best for: Girls who would rather not deal with shaving and plucking

Try: Sarus Threading & Beauty, $10, Aayna threading Salon, $12, Shabby’s skin Kare $20.

Depilatory cream

How it works: The cream dissolves the hair above the skin surface where you can easily wipe it off.

How much: $5 and above

How frequently you should use: Need to basis. Be sure to do a patch test before use.

Best for: Those who don’t have the patience or tolerance for plucking, threading or waxing.

Try: Pilaten Painless Depilatory Cream, $5.99, Veet Gel hair remover cream $ 8.07, Sally Hansen Cream hair Remover, $5.98, Veet Fast Acting Gel Hair remover (sensitive), $23.99.

DIY waxing

How it works: It is a semi-permanent hair removal technique. A thin layer of cold or hot wax is spread over the hairy skin and a strip of paper or cloth smoothed over it. Once it solidifies, it is peeled off swiftly against the direction of the hair growth to remove the hair from the core.

How much: Price depends on brand and number of strips

How frequently you should do it: 1-2 times a month based on your hair regrowth

Best for: Those who want to stay longer without regrowth and are willing to withstand waxing pain.

Try: Veet Wax Strips Sensitive Formula, $59.94 (pack of 6 x 20 strips), Beauty Formulas Hair Removal Wax Strips, $34.48(36 strips), Non-woven Hair Removal Waxing Strips, $8.54, (100 strips), Parissa Wax Strips Assorted Sizes, $11.14 (12 strips).

Professional Waxing

How it works: Waxing done is in a salon/spa by a professional

How much: $13 and above

How frequently you should do it: 1-2 times a month based on your hair regrowth

Best for: Those who do not want the hassle of DIY

Try: Vicky at West, $16, Inspire Permanent makeup, $13, Wave beauty Salon $41, Micro Current & Electrolysis services, $21, SBL Skin Boost Lab, $47.

IPL Hair Removal Treatment

How it works: IPL means intense pulsed light. This is a procedure that uses broad spectrum light targeted at the hair follicles. The pigment in the follicles absorbs the light energy, converts it into heat energy and destroys the follicles. While it causes significant hair reduction, it does not cause permanent hair removal. It may require up to 5 sessions to get the desired effects. Regrowth can also occur after several months which can be handled with touch-ups.

How much: Ranges between $75-$500 per session but you should inquire for more info since many providers give packages and promotion deals

How often you should do it: 5-10 sessions 4-6 weeks apart.

Best For: Those looking for lasting results

Try: Kalologie 360 Spa, $115, YouthFill MD, $76, Your Laser Skin Care $99, Adagio Aesthetic Medicine, $46.

To Smoothen Underarms at Home

DIY Peeling or Scrubbing

How it works: It helps in sloughing dead skin cells through exfoliation

How much: price differs depending on different brands and sizes

How frequent you should do it: It varies for different products. Check the label for instructions.

Best for: Babes on a budget and DIY pros

Try: KB Vitamin C Peeling Gel Skin Whitening For Face, Neck, and Underarm, ~$35 (100ml),Human Nature 100% Natural Vanilla Body Scrub, $10.96 (6.76oz), Oatmeal Soap bar, $8.54 (4.5oz), Majestic Pure Himalayan Salt Body Scrub, $12.40 (10 oz)

To Professionally Whiten Underarm Skin

Salon Scrubs

How it works: This is a scrub done by qualified personnel in a spa-like setting using products that you may not find locally.

How much: Various salons offer different rates; also dependent on areas covered

How often you should do it: Once a week with close attention to your skin’s sensitivity

Best for: Those who want to notch up their exfoliation

Try: Wi Spa, $25(full body scrub), Luxury Day Spa, $35, Burbank Haircuts, $20,

Underarm Lightening and Smoothening Treatment via Dermatologist

How it works: This is a procedure that incorporates dermatological equipment and skin care products to treat skin.

How much: Cost is dependent on intensity and type of treatment.

How frequently you should use: 1-2 times a month or as per the derma’s recommendation.

Best for: Those who have used over-the-counter creams and other treatments without success. The services of a qualified dermatologist come in handy.

Try: Elude Medical Skin and Spa Dermapen Micro-Needling, from $150, Cure Med Spa Laser, $600 (6 sessions + 2 touch ups) Tikkun Spa Vi Peel, from $250, Wi Spa Buff and Brown Sugar Polish, $120.

Advanced Derma Treatments

How it works: The procedure incorporates dermatological equipment and skin care products to treat skin.

How much: The cost varies according to the condition of the skin and the kind of treatment.

How frequently you should use: The derma recommends the treatment and frequency based on his/her assessment and consultation. You can choose among chemical peel, laser or LED treatments.

Best for: Those whose underarm skin issues are beyond the ability of over-the-counter creams. These could be scarring or hyperpigmentation. They work best in consultation with a licensed dermatology.

Try: LA Laser and Skin Center Fractional Laser Treatment, $800, Bel Air Aesthetics Laser Treatments, $200-$3000, Radiance Spa Medical Group PicoSure Treatment, from $300, Touch of Class MedSpa & Laser Center TCA Peels, from $400.

Conclusion

There you have it! Perfect armpits come with a price tag; you have to invest something in terms of time, money, and sometimes your comfort. If you have the time DIYs can help you get rid of the hair and lighten your armpits right at home. These come in handy when you are operating on a budget or are a DIY queen. Alternatively, you can pay more for a salon, derma or advanced treatments. Whichever works for you, the end justifies the means!

GlamSavvy Life: Hey Zoe! What’s the relationship with your hair like?

Zoe Zeigler: I’ve always taken a great deal of pride in my hair. Whether it was straight, curly, weaved or braided – my hair has always been my crowning glory. It’s my most important outlet for self-expression.

GSL: We all have a hair journey. Could you tell us a little about your own?

ZZ: As a young girl, I was always natural. My mother never put any chemicals in my hair, but she would press it occasionally. During my middle school years, I wanted nothing more than to have big, full curls like MelB from Spice Girls. I had no idea what a twist-out was at that point, so I talked my parents into letting me get a Wave Nouveau curly perm – but let’s call it what it really was: a jerry curl! Within a few months, it made all of my hair fall out. Epic fail! In high school, I mostly wore my hair in braids while it grew back. Then, in college, I discovered the weave and quickly became addicted. For about eight years, there was rarely a time you would catch me without my tracks laid. I didn’t feel comfortable without a weave.

GSL: When did that discomfort change for you?

ZZ: At some point, I got fed-up with allowing myself to feel less-than-beautiful without added hair pieces. Plus, I realized how much money I was spending on my weave addiction and decided it just had to stop. At the time, the natural hair community on YOUTUBE was just beginning to emerge and seeing women chronicle their hair journeys and take such pride in their curly crops really inspired me to embrace my natural curls. I wore twist out styles for about three years, then, last year, I decided to cut it into the short style I have now.

GSL: That’s such a great story! What is it that you most about your hair now?

ZZ: With my current short cut, I just love the way the shape brings out and accentuates my best facial features. I also adore the texture. I can’t imagine not having curly/kinky hair. It gives me life!

GSL: Who inspired this short style you so much?

ZZ: I was originally inspired by blogger Ariel Sansaricq aka Faintly Masculine’s tapered curly cut. I had never had short hair before though, and I was unsure about whether I could pull off something similar. Then in January of last year, I went on vacation to South Africa and I saw so many beautiful, confident, feminine women that were bald or had really, really short hair. I was so inspired – to me it was in its purest form. I arrived back stateside and the next day, I cut my hair off.

GSL: Oh wow! We bet your regimen with this style is fun for you. What are some of the products you use and can’t live without?

ZZ: Cutting my hair truly simplified my life. It’s so easy. About every 5 days, I co-wash my hair in the shower with a color-protecting conditioner. When I get out, with my hair dripping wet, I put a couple of pumps of DevaCurl B’Leave In all over my hair, making sure not to disrupt my curl pattern in the process. Then on the crown of my head, where my hair is longest, I put in Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and a tiny bit of Eco Styler Gel mixed with water to help my curls keep shape. I do a good head shaking to allow my curls clump and then I dry my hair for about 20 minutes with a diffuser attachment on my blow dryer. I sleep on a satin pillow case at night. I don’t wear a bonnet, though. It smooshes my hair too much. In the morning, I do a little fluffing with my hands and a light oil.

GSL: Short styles are so much fun, but what is a good tip for maintaining them?

ZZ: I’ve noticed the key to maintaining my style is to invest in a good cut, so about every three months I get my hair shaped up at DevaChan salon in SoHo. They cut hair dry in its naturally curly state, which I love.

GSL: How do you feel about touching your hair?

I’m not a fan. To me, there’s something very intimate and personal about touching a person’s head/hair. It just seems rude to reach out and stick your hands in a person’s hair, especially without permission.

GSL: Do you have any hair envy?

ZZ: Living in New York City, I feel like I’m stepping onto a hair catwalk every time I leave the house. There’s so much versatility. So many women owning their looks—be it short, long, curly, wavy or straight. I wouldn’t call it hair envy, but I randomly spot a new hair crush on the street on a weekly basis.

GSL: Who would you consider to be your favorite blogger?

ZZ: How can I pick just one? There are so many great ones! The Monroe Sisters, Ms. Vaughn & Meechy Monroe, have always been favorites of mine throughout my natural hair journey. I love McKenzie Renae’s overall style. And the three ladies that make up My Natural Sistas always keep me inspired and have great tutorials.

GSL: That’s a great list! The natural hair community is full of so many personalities and fresh faces that are ready and willing to help all of us with our many different hair issues. What hair advice do you have for GSL readers?

ZZ: Not to let people, society or trends dictate how you rock your crown. I think it’s so important to be our authentic selves in every way, and not let anyone or anything make us feel like we need to change who we are. My curly hair is part of my identity and if I ever feel like it’s not embraced – be it by a job, a man, or anything else – it’s just a sign that whatever it was wasn’t truly meant for me.

XOXO,

The GlamSavvy Life

How much do Perfect Armpits Cost?