Sarah Button, a 27-year-old white woman, recently became the target of an online mob. It all began when she got a surprise message just after her last Brazilian waxing appointment. The recent incident on TikTok has sparked a conversation and debate surrounding issues of equity and professionalism in the beauty industry.
After Button’s first-ever Brazilian wax, she said she was shocked. What the waxer didn’t mention was that due to her body type, future appointments would be more expensive, due to her fatty upper pubic area, or FUPA. Button’s waxer even nicknamed her “Babe.” Then, she dropped her jaw-dropper: Button would have to pay an additional $5 or $10 premium on future services.
The surprise note received by Button put her in a daze. Yes, she admitted she was embarrassed and puzzled very briefly before that embarrassment turned into rage. Button expressed her frustration, stating, “It made me feel initially a bit sad and confused and ashamed but that quickly turned to anger and I was just pissed off about the whole thing.”
Button went to social media to tell her story, and posted the entire text conversation on Twitter that enraged thousands of users. Many were shocked that this is something a professional service provider would do — charge the client more for their larger body size. One social media user criticized the practice, saying, “Babe, as a professional in this industry, that is BS.” As one of these other Twitter users responded, not even flying is free from fatphobia. As they said, “It’s outrageous to make Sarah Button pay more money just because she has a body.” They aren’t charging smaller people less.
Button later added her disappointment regarding the lack of disclosure about potential extra charges during the consultation or the appointment itself: “Mostly pissed that there wasn’t any mention of it during the consultation or the actual appointment or anything.”
The incident has sparked a larger discussion about the body positivity movement and professionalism in the personal care industry. Thousands of people have already expressed their support for Button, demanding more transparency and equality in the beauty business.
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