Help! I'm Afraid of my First Brazilian!

So, you’re thinking of venturing over to the dark side and trying out a brazilian? The way I see it, there are two types of people: those who get sugared and those who do not. It’s a lifestyle, It’s an addiction. So be careful, make sure you want this life because there will be no going back. You’re never going to look at your razors the same. You’re going to be so confident in a bathing suit. You’re going to run out of your shower naked with confidence screaming to the heavens and sending “thank you” texts to your esthetician…maybe that last one is just me…

Here’s the deal. People ask me about the pain all the time. And I am the type of person who would shove a needle in my eyeball if it was going to make me more beautiful. I’m just down with the whole principal of “beauty is pain.” But I can empathize with those who don’t feel that way. I’m not going to lie, it is spicy. But it’s bearable. And the technique we use is specifically designed to decrease the amount of pain that you feel. We are trained to make you as comfortable as possible. We also talk you through the whole thing so there are no sudden movements or surprises.

I also often hear that women are too self conscious to come in, and I get it. Listen, you are on a table spread eagle with a stranger. But we become fast friends. I see my clients more often than I get to see most of my family, and the bond becomes just like that - family. It’s a 30 minute session where we get to share our lives, which is my favorite part of my job. That’s what it’s all about in the end: connecting with other women. As far as looking at a vagina, it could be an elbow, it could be a toe. Once you have seen one, you have seen them all and trust me, your vagina is normal. I have never once had a judgemental thought while doing a brazilian wax service. The most common thoughts I have in the back of my mind are what I’m going to have for dinner later, or what work out I’m going to do at the gym.

The results of brazilian sugaring speak for themselves. Your hair will not grow back for many weeks and you’ll start to wonder where it went. When you shave, the hair grows back immediately and feels really sharp and pointy. When you sugar, it will grow back thinner and bushier and lighter and cuter. Plus I experience way less ingrown hairs. After 4 weeks, you will get to come back to visit your favorite esthetician to get it done again! Over time, it will become much less scary and might even turn into something you look forward to.

Us esthies are in the business of making girls look and feel more beautiful. Hair growth can be a source of shame and discomfort for so many of us based on societal pressures, hormone changes or imbalances, and expectations from our partners and from ourselves. What you will not experience is any judgment from us. I always say if I could afford just one beauty treatment, it would be this one. I still get mine done instead of doing it myself because I enjoy the process so much!

The Truth About Sunscreen and SPF

After being educated on sun safety, I simply cannot go back. And as someone who has studied skincare and anti-aging, I feel the need to come on here and clear some things up about sunscreen and SPF.

Why do we need sunscreen?

Obviously, there is a risk of skin cancer but for this article, we’re gonna focus purely on vanity. The truth is if you look in the mirror and you even remotely like what you see, you need to wear sunscreen. Wearing daily sunscreen is the most important thing you can do to protect and preserve your skin. Any kind of active ingredient in skincare like retinols, exfoliants, and benzoyl peroxide makes the skin more susceptible to sun damage and aging. Even blue light from our computers and fluorescent lighting can cause damage! We have to protect our skin.

Let’s talk about SPF

SPF, or sun protection factor, is probably the least understood concept on planet Earth. What happens is this: in labs, scientists will take a patch of skin that is untanned (usually on the person’s butt), and apply a liberal amount of sunscreen to it. Then they measure how long the area takes to redden when exposed to UV light. They will measure how long the unprotected skin takes to redden. The difference between these two is calculated in the SPF number. Stay with me here…

Basically, the SPF number is a measure of the amount of solar intensity required to produce a sunburn. However, this is tested in a lab under very specific conditions and doesn’t take into account being a human and living life exposed to elements like wind, sun, and sweat. So, these are the things to keep in mind: You only need an SPF of 30 to get full protection. SPF 30 blocks against 97% of rays while SPF 50 blocks 98% of rays. For a 1% difference, there is no need to pay extra for a higher number. You’re gonna want to look for “broad spectrum” because it will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Tinted sunscreens provide an additional physical filter.

Application

Since the SPF ratings are based on a liberal amount applied, it’s key to apply quite a bit of sunscreen, probably more than you think…at least two full finger lengths.

Sunscreen tends to wear off every two hours so reapplication is also crucial for full sun protection.

Get to know the UV index

The UV index is a measure of the intensity of solar radiation at a given time in a certain area. You can easily google “UV rays in Vegas” and it will show you a time map of the sun’s rays during that day. Full sun exposure at 8 am is very different than full sun exposure at 2 pm. Generally, the worst part of the day to be outside is the mid-afternoon. By being aware of the UV index, you can plan out exactly how much sun protection you need throughout the day.

Sunscreen is not enough

Hats, sunglasses, scarves, driving gloves, and long-sleeve t-shirts are your first line of defense against the sun, with sunscreen being the second. Don’t forget about accessories!

Sunscreen and sugaring

Sugaring and other forms of waxing take off the top layer of dead skin, making it more susceptible to burning and sun damage. I always recommend people keep recently waxed body parts completely out of the sun for at least 24 hours. But if that is not possible, be sure to really protect the area with accessories and sunscreen.

Recommendations

Because sunscreen is something we use every day, I tend to favor more natural products and avoid brands and products that have been linked to cancer-causing ingredients. In my opinion, Korean sunscreens take the cake in every category. My favorite sunscreen ever is the beauty of Joseon relief sun. It’s super affordable, too.

Stay safe and beautiful out there!

Welcome to Aliante

As long as Humble Bee has been opening locations in Las Vegas, we have dreamt of expanding North and have been searching for the perfect location. Until now, our farthest location has been Centennial. But we are so proud to announce the newest member of our hive family, Aliante!

Located inside of Salon Boutique in the Walmart and Planet Fitness shopping center off of Decatur, you will find our newest baby in suite 134. We have poured so much love into this location and know that you will love it just the same.

Based off of feedback from our clients, Lauren and I decided to make the move down the street from Centennial to Aliante. I will be splitting my time between Centennial and Aliante and Lauren will be starting full-time. Although the location is new, we bring a combined total of more than 5 years of sugaring and esthetics experience, so you will be in great hands. We are so delighted to serve our community in this neighborhood!

As a special welcome, we are offering a deal for new clients for the month of April 2023. For any first time Humble Bee client, text 702-903-1938 to redeem a $33 Brazilian (regular price is $65). If you have been wanting to try it, now is the perfect time.

Have questions? Check out this this blog post about your first time!

Book with Lauren or Erika now. We can’t wait to see you soon!

Why you need to sugar your legs

There is nothing in the world more life-changing than getting your legs sugared. Let me explain.

For me, shaving my legs has never really been a priority. I’ve never been a shave-your-legs-everyday kind of gal. I’m lucky if I can remember to shave once a week. It just seems like a thankless, never ending, daunting task. Sometimes I’ll remember when I’m in the bath…but then I’ll get grossed out from the thought of soaking in a hair graveyard. It’s a whole thing.

But, let me tell you about the day that changed me. Since I have lighter body hair, I just assumed that it wasn’t really noticeable, so I just kind of ignored my upper thighs. By the way, it’s really difficult trying to shave the back of your upper thighs! Until one day, a few months ago, I was wearing shorts outside and I caught a glimpse of the back of my legs in a full body mirror… and I shuddered in horror. I saw a forest glistening in the sun. The longest, blackest hair was growing in all different directions and was peering back at me. I knew I needed to do something about it.

There is something about the wiry black hair on the back of the upper thighs that just gives me the heebie jeebies. I can promise you that no one is safe and I have observed this on all of my leg clients. For whatever reason, this hair, which is annoyingly difficult to shave off, is different. Not only that, but the hair on the lower part of the calf tends to be thick and black and less than 24 hours after shaving becomes a prickly mess!

Luckily, I knew about sugaring and I started to do my legs. From the very first time, I was hooked. I left feeling smoother than I ever have in my whole life. I rubbed my legs together in bed and had peace of mind knowing I was not going to have to shave. And the smoothness lasted for weeks!

I have gotten so much time back into my life. There have been so many enhanced experiences, like when I went on a beach vacation and didn’t have to worry about shaving my legs at all. Not only that, but I even got compliments about how smooth and glowing my skin was... Additionally, I don’t have to plan for really long, drawn out showers anymore. And I am way more likely to take care of my skin and apply moisturizer every night.

I have heard and witnessed similar life-changing experiences from my clients. One woman came in wanting to give sugaring a go because she dealt with irritation and ingrown hairs from shaving. Some people are just more prone to a skin reaction from razors than others. She explained that she never wore shorts in the summer because she felt so self conscious. Once we started sugaring her legs, she said she was able to wear any type of clothes and now feels confident about it. Sugaring your legs can help reclaim confidence.

Just like any other part of the body, the sugar will begin to damage the follicle and cause the hair to grow back thinner and lighter overall. The regrowth is soft and does not cut you like the prickly legs from shaving. No more razors, or shaving cream…no more razor burn, no more cuts.

Happy sugaring!

Histamine Reaction to Sugar Wax

Sugar wax is a safer and more natural form of hair removal compared to regular wax. Containing only three ingredients which are all organic: sugar, lemon and water, sugar is an amazing solution for even extremely sensitive skin types. However, every procedure and form of hair removal carries with it the possibility of a negative reaction, one of them being a histamine reaction.

What is a histamine reaction?

A histamine reaction can occur on perfectly healthy skin and is the body’s natural response to superficial trauma caused by ripping the hair out from the root. The immune system is basically like WHAT THE HECK IS HAPPENING and sends bloods cells and histamines to the sight to fight as if it was an allergic reaction. The skin will start to feel itchy and hives and red bumps may appear. Although a histamine and an allergic reaction appear similar, the red itchy bumps do not necessarily mean that the client is actually allergic to the sugar wax.

The nerves in the face make it more prone to a histamine reaction. It is most common in clients who are just beginning sugaring. I have noticed that clients who have experienced a prior histamine reaction tend to react less and less the more that area is sugared. In other words, the skin and the body seem to “get used to” the process and acclimate to the mild trauma from sugaring.

How do you treat it?

A histamine reaction usually occurs right away and can last anywhere between a few hours and a few days. Applying a cold compress right away and taking some type of antihistamine (topical or oral like benadryl) will help to lessen the symptoms. Of course, always check with your doctor. It is important that above all, refrain from itching at the skin because that can lead to scabbing and scarring. Take a deep breath and have faith that the uncomfortable symptoms will subside on their own.

If the reaction lasts longer than 72 hours, then it’s time to see a doctor or dermatologist so that they may be able to prescribe a stronger medication to lessen symptoms. If it persists, it may be some other type of other negative reaction like an allergic or bacterial reaction.

Can you prevent a histamine reaction?

There is no real way to prevent a histamine reaction because it can occur in perfectly healthy skin. This is why we strongly recommend (especially if you are doing it for the first time), to not book any waxing or sugar waxing procedures right before a big event or important day…especially on the face. Give yourself at least a few days in between in case your skin has a negative reaction. You can also patch test the skin to see how it will react.

Inform your esthie about everyday products you are using on your skin before you begin the appointment. During your consultation, your esthetician is looking for things that contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, AHA and BHA’s, and various forms of acids including salicylic acid…anything that exfoliates the skin or makes it thinner. These are all contraindications for sugar wax and will increase the likelihood of a negative reaction.

How to: Pro tips for the perfect spray tan

Spray tanning is so fun and incredibly addictive, I mean there’s nothing quite like the instant transformation of feeling like you just lost a few pounds and went to Cabo. When I’m tan, I have a whole new personality.

But whether you have a special event coming up, looking to fight winter depression, or are just looking for some tips on how to achieve the perfect complexion, you have come to the right place. Spray tanning is an art, and so is the art of GETTING one. Just like your spray tan artist has put in hours and hours of training, it is important for you to prep your body and take special care pre- and post-appointment to avoid any of the common mistakes. Here are some pro tips, some painfully learned, to help you become that beautiful, bronzed goddess.

Scheduling your tan:

The tan is usually best on the second day, so plan for your event to be two days after your spray tan. Find an artist with great reviews, and specifically try to see their work on someone with a similar skin tone as you. With the current advanced technology in tanning solutions and application processes, the risk of turning orange is low. Just do your research and make sure that your skin is free from any old fake tan that could be lingering on your skin.

Perhaps the most important tip I can give as a messy gal: schedule your tan as close to bedtime as possible. I like to go at the very last appointment time so I can go home and sleep in it to avoid mistakes and ruining it myself.

3 days before…

A few days prior to your appointment, begin to take great care of your skin. Full body lotions and creams, whatever works best for your body. You can apply an emollient like Vaseline or Aquaphor over any dry patches to help them heal faster. Any dry spot will come out looking darker than the surrounding skin, so pay special attention to areas like your elbows, knees, and ankles. This goes for your face skin care as well. If you are using skincare actives that make your skin flakey or dry like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, I would stop using them a few days before the appointment.

The day before…

Time for full body hair removal and exfoliating! This is when you’re going to want to book your sugaring appointment. If you are getting sugared, there is no need for additional exfoliation because the sugar removes the top layer of dead skin. If you are shaving, you are gonna want to grab a sugar scrub or a washcloth and really get the dead skin off before shaving. The smoother your skin, the smoother the result will be. You can apply a moisturizer after that as long as you are planning to wash it off before your appointment.

The day of (pre- appointment) …

You want your pores to be nice and closed and happy when you go in for your tan, so avoid things that aggravate the skin and open your pores. You’re going to want to avoid:

• Showering 4 hours prior (I always just avoid it the whole day).

• Hot tubs and bathtubs,

• Products that leave a white cast on the skin like dove soap and deodorant

• Saunas, hot yoga classes, steam rooms, anything like that… you get the picture.

I like to take a quick cold shower in the morning just so that my skin is clean and then I will go to my appointment later in the day. Do not apply moisturizer or anything to your skin before your appointment. Your skin should be smooth and clean.

Some other quick tips:

• Wear loose-fitting black clothing that covers your entire body (long sleeve black shirt with sweatpants) and flip flops that you don’t mind getting dirty.

• I always take all my makeup off and apply a light moisturizer to the face. You really don’t want the tan on the face to get streaky or messed up.

• Prepare your bed… I like to just put down my designated “tanning” sheets that I don’t mind turning orange.

After your spray tan…

Tans have various amounts of time that they take to develop. Some take a few hours, and some take up to 10 or 12 hours in order to see the full color, so just check with your artist beforehand. The most important thing afterward is that you don’t do anything. I’m serious.

Some things that can mess up the tan: drinking water and having it drip down around your mouth, washing your face or hands (the water will run and cause streaks down your arms), doing anything that involves a lot of use of your hands like laundry or dishes. If you have to pee, just be very careful that it doesn’t drip down your leg because it will cause streaks. If you have an itch, be very careful scratching it. Basically, you just want to treat yourself like a wet canvas. No walking around excessively. Find a peaceful place to park yourself for the duration that your artist recommends.

The tan will dry down and your artist will most likely powder and set the areas that are wet before you leave but, in my experience, the tan always needs a little bit longer to set in than your appointment time. The dead giveaway for a tan is always on the hands and palms, which is why it’s crucial to not touch anything if you can. The perfect excuse to have someone wait on your every need.

After the developing time has passed, hop in the shower and let lukewarm water rinse off the top layer of the bronzer, revealing your perfect glowing goddess body. Do not pee in the shower because it can cause streaks down your leg! Oh, and pat your skin dry with a fluffy towel. I don’t usually apply moisturizer right away. I will wait until the second day to take a shower and then I will apply moisturizer all over, which will leave my skin perfect for the event or occasion on the second day.

24-48 hours after your tan, it’s important that you don’t work out or sweat excessively or do anything that would erode the tan. You don’t have to sit around and do nothing, but just take extra care while the tan is setting in.

The better you take care of your skin, the longer the tan will last so just be conscious of hot showers and anything that scrubs at the skin. Moisturize once a day and enjoy your new personality!

Embracing the new Year with Beauty Resolutions for 2023

The blog is back, baby…and ready for a New Year. The year of the Taurus is upon us and, personally, I have been taking time off to reflect…uncovering, discovering and discarding exactly what I want to come along with me into 2023 and what I want to throw in the trash. I’ve been embracing all that fun energy of the new year whilst carefully tiptoeing around mercury retrograde… am I right?

Now if you have been reading for a while, you will already know the importance of exercise, and drinking water and taking care of your body and blah blah blah… so many different aspects of healthy lifestyle and skincare that synchronize to create a routine you can thrive off of. If you are a new reader, WELCOME. We are a community that focuses on glowing from the inside - out. Today I am here to give some tips on how to uplevel your beauty routine as well as some resolutions that will help you harness the wave of change and embrace beauty in 2023.

Now, we have to begin from a place of feeling good. Although I have tried to will it to happen, I’ve learned that we can’t hate our bodies into health. And we can’t obsess and worry our skin into being clear and dewy. The thing is that when we feel good, we attract what we want. Period. Call it manifesting, call it the law of attraction - doesn’t matter. It’s the same idea. So let’s begin there. Let’s start by cutting the negative energy and throwing out what doesn’t serve us. I like to take this time to replace things like my toothbrush, my socks, any underwear or clothes that may be ripped or stained or torn, jewelry you may have gotten from an ex (you know who you are)- really start to clear the space for new energy.

Next, I recommend focusing on one thing at a time. There’s a reason resolutions don’t work. We are creatures of habit. We have to train our brains just like we train our dogs…with repetition and patience and love.

With that being said, here are some beauty resolutions that will make you feel like a million bucks in 2023.

1. Start a new sugaring routine or expand your current one - Things like eyebrows, your mustache, chin, even your legs…These areas are all much better off when they are sugared. Believe me, it will change your life. Take yourself to the groomer. The winter weather is the perfect time to begin a new routine because it will allow all your hairs to get on the same growth cycle so that you will have the maximum benefit and smoothness by summer time.

2. 2023 is the year of the pimple patch. Stop picking your face. Or touching your face. Or letting other people touch your face…lol. Just stop. Extractions are fun but they need to be left to your facialist. All this does is spread bacteria and increases scarring…even though it can be satisfying (I’m not even gonna lie). Instead, try a pimple patch. I mean Justin Bieber rocked one in a sweatsuit to a 5 star dinner so it’s trendy. It’s also much gentler on your skin and will give you clearer skin faster.

3. Create a self love ritual. Whether it’s 5 minutes of meditation and affirmations in the morning, or carving out time to take a walk, pouring energy into yourself is the real shift that will give you that glow that we want. And as a zen proverb once said “if you don’t have time to meditate for an hour a day, meditate for two.” I personally have to brainwash myself into being in a good mood, so I love affirmations in the morning.

4. Stop peeling off your manicure. I don’t know who needs to hear this, but we are bringing beautiful hands and nails into 2023. Cuticle oil and the safe removal of gel and acrylic nails are paramount for beautiful hands. And our hands are a direct reflection of our emotional state. I don’t know if that’s a real thing or if I just made it up but I feel like it’s true. We’re gonna roll with it.

5. Daily sunscreen. I can’t hammer this one home enough. If you aren’t doing this already, start TODAY.

   In Vegas, we are only three months away from hot girl summer 2023. There's no better time to start gaining momentum than now!