Meet Salome Sallehy | Founder & CEO, Sugar Sugar Wax – AKA The Fairy Fuzz Mother

We had the good fortune of connecting with Salome Sallehy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Salome, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
How dirty and unhealthy it is. When I first got into the beauty industry I had no idea what I was getting into, and no prior experience. I was just really frustrated by the shortcomings of all of the conventional methods of hair removal and I knew I wasn’t alone.
I’d spent almost a year perfecting our Glow Goop Sugar Wax formula and I knew it would change the world of hair removal for people all over the US. What I didn’t know, until I started working with manufacturers and suppliers on the other products in the line – like the cleanser and serum – was how little regard the industry has for human health and the environment.
Every proposal I got had ingredients that I wouldn’t put on my lawn, much less my skin.
And my sample was large and wide. I vetted suppliers from Europe to Asia and every continent and several islands in between. I quickly learned that nearly all of the factories that produce beauty and skincare products aren’t doing it to make your skin better, they’re doing it to get something out of the door as quickly and cheaply as possible, that won’t deteriorate on the shelf, EVER. I’m talking about some very toxic ingredients and materials that have clearly been linked to several types of cancer. That was disturbing.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, there was no regard of environmental impact either. What most people don’t know is that most of the plastic packaging in the beauty industry is actually not recyclable because of the type of plastic that’s used. And the ones that are actually recyclable in most states have to be disassembled. From the beginning I’d intended to use plastic as much as possible. Our packaging is mostly glass, which is infinitely recyclable, and post-consumer paper wherever possible.
Not only was it near impossible to find a glass manufacturer that met our needs but even those suppliers tried to talk me out of using glass to save on shipping costs down the line.
I quickly realized that my role in the industry was much more than disrupting the hair removal space. I had a responsibility to share what I’d learned and also help the industry set better standards in the US.
That’s why I founded Natural Beauty Summit shortly after launching SugarSugarWax.com

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As someone with sensitive skin and Middle Eastern roots (ie with loads of body hair) I’d tried every method of hair removal and was always so dissatisfied. Ingrown hairs, razor cuts, bumps and wax burns made the whole smoothing endeavor almost not worth it. I think most people would agree that whatever your method of hair removal, it’s always a pain. Until I was in Australia and discovered sugaring.
I couldn’t believe it. It was virtually painless, didn’t rip off my skin, and left me with an unbelievable glow, which I later learned is the exfoliation which is the bonus benefit of sugaring. And my skin was smooth for weeks longer than waxing.
My sensitive skin didn’t react to it and that was a first.
After that I had to learn everything I could about this sugaring thing and I found that there was very little on the subject and there wasn’t a product that was available for at-home use.
That’s when I realized that this is what I have to do.
After months of testing the formula in a lab in California working with a chemical engineer we struck gold and produced a sugar wax that’s so easy to use a 10 year old can use it.
The production process was so different than anything done in the waxing world before that the only way produce it, we had to build our own manufacturing facility.
In 2020 we announced the launch of Sugar Sugar Wax and 4 days later we had to close our facility due to the shelter-in-place order.
To say that Covid-19 threw a monkey wrench in our launch plans would be the understatement of the century.
It was a hard start, and I have to say that I really tried everything I could to stay afloat. I mean everything; the good ideas and the bad ideas too.
What has surprised me along the way is how I could be. We had some wins and losses and most of the wins were from the most unexpected and even bad ideas.
We’ve come a long way! Our formula has won awards and accolades. We’ve launched our own Amazon store. We’ve partnered with retailers Urban Outfitters and several others. We’ve launched a certification program for beauty professionals have become an international brand. In 2023 we’re expanding our line to include clean and consciously formulated skincare, and it still feels like we just got started.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Whenever I visit a new place I like to get a sense of local culture and the grocery store is a great place to start. Phoenicia Specialty Foods will give you a unique glimpse into Houston food culture. One of the best things in Houston is how diverse the cuisine is and there’s something for every taste.
Whether you’re in the mood for a real Texan meal at Killen’s Barbecue or you’re feelin’ fancy at Kata Robata there’s no end in options. You definitely want to grab a Pollo Guisado at Tacos A Go Go.
I also love a good craft brewery and Buffalo Bayou Brewing leaves no thirst unquenched. I also love their commitment to natural ingredients and artisanal brewing practices.
Although I’m ditching caffeine in 2023 I find Wild Cafe’s tonics and infusions fascinating and completely unique. The Butterfly Kiss Tea is magical.
Aside from eating and drinking, the must-go place for anyone with kids is the Nasa Space Center.
I’m a big museum explorer and the Museum District in Houston can keep you entertained and enthralled for days. The Museum of Natural Science is my favorite and definitely requires a whole day.
For a nice stroll and maybe visit the local bat colony Buffalo Bayou Park is a must.
There’s no shortage of Instagram moments around town and a few favorites are Umbrella Alley, Gerald Hines Waterfall, and Eleanor Tinsley Park for a sweet sunset pic.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The concept of mentorship is an interesting one. I think most of mine are either dead or have no idea I exist. But that’s the magic of mentors. You get to choose them and by having done what they’ve done they have the power to inspire you irrespective of time and space. I have an eclectic list but I’ll only mention the ones relevant to my entrepreneurship journey:

Mahatma Gandhi for his courage and the quote to ‘be the change you want to see in the world’. If I see a problem in the world, it’s my responsibility to at least try to make it better. Hair removal was such a pain growing up and I needed a solution that was good for my skin and the planet.

Tim Ferris for his books and podcast. I don’t know if I could have done what I did without reading the 4-Hour Work Week and listening to his podcast and mustering the courage to get back up every time I was kicked down. I think he’s my twin brother from another dimension.

Gary Vaynerchuk for his unique belief about the role of kindness in business. It’s not a common attitude and I’ve been told that I’m ‘too nice’ too many times. Until I came across Gary V I didn’t believe that nice people can be successful or that success has space for kindness. With his encouragement I’ve been able to find ease in being myself and not worrying that kindness will hinder me.

Shortly after the launch of my business I met my Fairy God Mother, Clarissa. I don’t have permission to share her full name here so we’ll just stay on a first name basis. In my most desperate moments she saved me, probably without even realizing the impact she had. I mention this because as a female entrepreneur I’ve been so blessed with meeting some incredible female leaders that have been so gracious and supportive. I really believe that it’s the necessary key to success. I want other entrepreneurs to know that even if your list of allies and supporters is short, keep making connections because you’ll find your tribe.

Website: https://www.sugarsugarwax.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugarsugar_wax

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salome-sallehy-85479712/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sugarsugarwaxus

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sugarsugarwaxUS    

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCERMuE5fAKeBFuZuHhfkGcQ

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sugarsugarwax