Gender-affirming grooming care is more than just a beauty service—it's a radical act of self-love and a means of embracing one's sexuality, identity, and authentic expression. When grooming is approached through a lens that prioritizes body autonomy and community-based care, it creates a space where everyone, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, can feel truly seen, valued, and celebrated. This shift away from a capitalist model toward a more inclusive, holistic approach allows us to explore our bodies and desires in a way that is liberating, empowering, and affirming.

Grooming choices—whether it's how we style our hair, shape our eyebrows, or care for our body hair—are deeply tied to how we present ourselves to the world and, more importantly, how we connect with our own sense of self and sexuality. These choices can be tools for self-expression, allowing us to reflect our gender identity, sexual orientation, and personal style in ways that feel authentic and empowering.

For many, the way we groom and adorn our bodies can be a direct extension of how we experience and express our sexuality and identity. For instance, someone might choose to groom or trim body hair in a way that enhances their feeling of sensuality or aligns with a certain aspect of their gender identity. Others may embrace their natural body hair as a celebration of their queer or non-binary identity, rejecting normative standards and instead finding pleasure and pride in their natural state.

Grooming in this context becomes an act of intimacy with oneself—an exploration of what feels good, what looks good, and what helps one feel most embodied in their skin. It is a process that invites us to reflect on how our grooming practices influence our self-image and how we experience ourselves as sexual beings.

My understanding of the power of grooming to affirm one’s identity and sexuality was profoundly shaped by my experience as a hairdresser and content producer for Michael Gordon’s brand, Hairstory Studio, from 2013 to 2016. One of my all-time favorite aspects of my role at Hairstory was being a part of the team that cast street models for our “Hair Stories” blog series. The greatest honor we had as a team was when the models we cast came in for what people would call “makeovers.” But it was more than that—these were life-changing transformations.

Many of the people we worked with requested help in aligning their appearance with their true selves.. This could range from bleaching, dyeing, shaving, cutting, or doing a very subtle and nuanced shift to bring out the most authentic version of themselves. Gender-affirming and identity care were integral to the work we did at Hairstory Studio. These experiences taught me that grooming can be a powerful way for people to embody their identity and express their sexuality in ways that feel genuine and liberating.

With Pleasure,
Cat Meyer 
Founder of Head South 

Additional Resources:

🎧 Listen:
Episode 53: Gender Affirming Grooming and Community Care with Uncle Nat

Spotify | Apple Podcast | YouTube 

🤓 Read: 
How to Create a Safe Space for Gender-Affirming Grooming Care
Things to consider as a Grooming Service Provider

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