Monique Vassell-Small is the Wax Fairy

The old adage that with beauty comes pain may not hold true for aesthetician Monique Vassell-Small. In fact, her aim as the whimsical 'wax fairy' is to provide a comforting experience when she conducts the most intimate services of waxing.

But prior to her entering the world of beauty, Vassell-Small admits that she considered waxing to be the perfect pastime, as she wanted to become either a forensic detective or paediatrician.

However, after completing sixth form at Manchester High School, she pursued a diploma in primary literacy education at Bethlehem Moravian College. But she saw herself craving a more challenging task and was introduced to waxing by a friend.

"I chose to take waxing seriously when I realised how therapeutic the sessions can be, not just for me but for the clients I come in contact with. We build such great rapport and sometimes the women come in and just want someone to talk to. I love listening to their unique stories and giving them encouragement and reminding them of how beautiful they are. I guess it's just the social worker in me. I feel it's my purpose to serve others and make them feel better about themselves," Vassell-Small told THE STAR.

AT AN ADVANTAGE

A trained social worker, Vassell-Small believes her skill set gives her an advantage over others in the waxing field. Her tools of trade include a wax pot [to melt the wax], waxing sticks, a trusted tweezer and a comedone extractor. For procedures such as vagacials, the 31-year-old incorporates a steamer, an ultrasonic skin scrubber and a high-frequency machine into the routine.

To ensure that her customers are not caught by surprise by the thought of hair being pulled from the skin with one quick snap, she contends that there is a technique to the beauty treatment. The first step, she explained, is to make sure you apply the wax in the direction of the hair growth and remove it in the opposite direction. Furthermore, she states that the choice of wax, whether hard or soft, varies on the body part that is being waxed.

Interestingly enough, the wax fairy also brings the magical touch to men, who schedule regular facials, armpit, chest or back waxing treatments. Vassell-Small maintains that waxing stands superior to other hair-removal methods such as shaving and laser treatment.

The benefits of waxing, Vassell-Small stressed, includes being a gentle exfoliant for getting rid of dead skin as well as it reduces pesty ingrown hairs.

Currently completing her master's in social work at the University of the West Indies, the Wax Fairy has intentions to spread her wings to expand her business outside her St Catherine home.

"My passion is service and I am a social worker before anything else. I believe my purpose is to serve. I have a story to tell and people to reach and so after I finish my master's, my plan is to open my private practice where I will offer therapy and other services for women pre and postpartum. The aim is to train someone to take over the part of the business while I focus on the therapy and maternity services as I believe it is an untapped area. As a mother of two, who has faced postpartum depression, I understand the value of having support and I want to be a leader in that arena. I want to be a safe haven for moms. That's what I am currently working on," Vassell-Small told THE STAR.