Hair removal is a regular process in my beauty routine — but unlike moisturizing or giving myself an at-home manicure, it’s something that causes more dread than joy.
I started shaving in middle school and began waxing in recent years. While each method has worked fine in the past, they both have their pros and cons. Shaving is simple, but the results are short-lived. Waxing is a longer-lasting option, but tends to be painful, time-consuming and requires more preparation and tools.
When I discovered a gel cream that offered a painless and simple way to remove my hair, I wanted to see if it could earn a spot in my routine.
Veet Gel Cream Hair Remover
The Veet Gel Cream Hair Remover has an average a 4.2-star average rating on Amazon and more than 35,000 five-star ratings. It's a depilatory cream that's made to dissolve hair just below the surface of the skin. The formula is designed to reduce ingrown hairs and leave skin moisturized thanks to ingredients like aloe vera and vitamin E, which are also said to help make this a great option for those with sensitive skin.
While the concept behind a hair dissolving cream seemed daunting, I was pleased to see that there were only three simple steps in the process. I first tested the cream on a small area of my skin to make sure it didn't react poorly to the ingredients. When I confirmed there was no redness, bumps or irritation, I decided to try it on my legs.
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My first thought was that the formula looked a lot like my daily moisturizer. It was thick, smooth and dispensed from a pump. Unlike some depilatory creams, it smelled like vanilla instead of chemicals.
There's a spatula included with the bottle that can be used to apply the cream, however, I applied it with my hands knowing that I could wash them in a sink afterward.
I used two full pumps per leg, but you may need to apply more or less depending on the thickness of your hair. After application, the brand recommends leaving the cream on for five to 10 minutes. Since I had a good amount of hair to remove, I left it on for the full amount of time.
After 10 minutes, I scraped off the cream with the spatula in the opposite direction of my hair growth. Immediately, I noticed it dissolved all the hair on my legs and left them smooth. The removal process took a total of three minutes, and I finished by rinsing my legs in the bathtub.
From start to finish, I was extremely pleased with how simple it was to use the cream. Though it took a bit longer than shaving, I never had to worry about nicking myself with my razor or getting out of the shower with stubbly legs due to a dull blade.
Since the cream doesn’t remove the follicle, the results of the cream won't last quite as long as waxing. With that said, some shoppers on Amazon claim that they experience a longer period of time between hair growth compared to when using a razor.
"This lasts a little bit longer than shaving. I have to shave every two days, but I can use this once a week and be fine," said one verified buyer.
I'm on day two and my legs are still as smooth as they were right after completing the process. I can't say that the cream will completely take the place of shaving or waxing — but thanks to the budget-friendly price tag, it could become a staple in my routine.
For more stories like this, check out:
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