Grooming is a complex affair. When you might think that you look exquisite in your Armani suit, your unkempt beard spoils an otherwise stunning appearance.  Or picture the bride’s friends, looking great in their mishanana at the ‘Gusaba’.

Unfortunately, one of the beauties did not have the time (or the mind) to clear her under arms…and yet again what would have been a stunning appearance is spoilt.

Or picture this, a beautiful young lady passes by, and after her comes a whiff of the pungent smell of sweat. What a disappointment.

A chat with Beauty Therapist Judy Kabachi of Salon Essentials at MTN Centre advises that getting rid of body hair should be part of ones regular routine.

There are a number of ways that this can be undertaken.  The main aim being to rid the body of the hair either to enhance beauty, facilitate hygiene or both.

The hair remove process can be done at home or at beauty parlours, depending on the technique to be utilised. Waxing is one such technique that is usually done at the salons. 

It has been growing in popularity and more people are accepting it as an effective way of hair removal especially because it keeps re-growth at bay for a longer time than shaving.

Kabachi, who has been practising in Kigali for a just under a year, confirms that the number of clients seeking her services for waxing has been steadily increasing.

Her clients include both men and women ranging in age from between 25 to 45 years. For now, the clientele mostly comprise of middle upper class and usually, those who have lived out of the country and therefore exposed to the idea. 

However, even those who know of this technique do not always embrace it. Marketing executive, Teta Mbabazi is one such person. 

Being in the client service industry, she knows the importance of maintaining a well groomed look, and is able to achieve that. 

She knows that personal hygiene and appearance can make or break a deal, and to that end, tries her best to ensure she is ‘crisp and clean’ at all times. 

On the issue of whether to wax or not, she responds with a resounding. ‘NO.’ She would rather save herself the pain and shave instead.

Clarice Mbanda has been waxing for over five years and wonders how anyone can live without it.

"I visit the salon once a month. That way, I don’t have to bother doing it myself” she reveals. Lest one assumes waxing the preserve of women only, men too are catching up on it. 

Kabachi confirms that some of her clients are men who would rather wax their beards out than shave every morning. One such client is Agaba, who pays Kabachi a visit every two weeks.

‘I like the smooth feel waxing gives”, Agaba confirms, ‘it is much better for me as I don’t end up with razor bump,’ he concludes.

Kabachi advises that waxing is an effective way of hair removal especially because of its ability to remove hair even just below the skin. She uses herbal based wax which hardly has any side effects.

Other ways of hair removal include the use of shaving creams, tweezing, threading and of course the more conventional way – shaving.

Whatever the method, removing unwanted hair should be part of everyone’s grooming routine.

Ends