Do you battle with PCOS?
Jasmine Nelson, the innovative founder of Umber By J.Lenay, has made a significant impact in the lives of thousands of women worldwide through her best-selling Hair Reducing Fade Oil. With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affecting her personally, Jasmine understands the challenges it brings, including excessive hair growth, weight gain, and irregular menstrual periods. In 2019, she launched her Hair Reducing Fade Oil, tailored to different skin types, providing much-needed relief and fostering a supportive community for women with PCOS. Jasmine has become a beacon of hope and a sought-after hair inhibitor expert through her dedication and engagement.
Jasmine’s mission has evolved from addressing her personal struggles to advocating for women’s health and self-esteem on a broader scale. Recognizing the community’s diverse needs, she has expanded Umber By J.Lenay to serve men and transitioning women, ensuring everyone can achieve the same transformative results. Her efforts have led to six-figure sales and raised awareness about PCOS and abnormal hair growth. Jasmine’s story is a testament to resilience and determination as she continues to educate and support individuals on their journey to self-acceptance and confidence. Learn more about Jasmine’s PCOS, entrepreneurial journay, and Hair Reducing Fade Oil below.
Fancy: What sparked the idea or made you think that your products would work for those who are transitioning?
Jasmine: I have been in business for a little over four years, and throughout those years, I always had questions coming from not only women but transitioning women and men, asking if they, too, could use my products. I have always said yes. Even though my core customers are women who struggle with excessive male facial and/or body hair patterns, my products do not discriminate. My Hair Reducing Fade Oil is a powerful hair inhibitor, and none of the ingredients I used to create it are specifically for the makeup of biological women. This is a 100% natural topical product. Skin is skin, and hair is hair.
Fancy: Was it your own battle with PCOS that inspired your Hair Reducing Fade Oil?
Jasmine: Yes! From the age of 15, all the way into my late 20’s I struggled with excessive facial hair. In just that amount of time, the hair went from just being on my chin, to being there and all through my neck and jawline. I didn’t confirm that I had PCOS until I had my first ultrasound, but that’s another story. I had tried everything within my budget to get rid of the hair. From temporary fixes like shaving and tweezing (that really messed up my skin), DIY solutions such as turmeric masks and fenugreek paste, and even changing my diet and working out. As a woman of color, there were no products for me. So, I looked into what they say is a more “permanent solution”: electrolysis. That was expensive and time-consuming and I ended up with more hair than I started with. Honestly, that broke the camel’s back. At that point, in my mid-20s, I decided to come up with my own solution. I started to have hope through studying, collecting ideas on what I wanted to do, and organizing my findings. That was around 2016-17. I didn’t have a physical product for myself until 2019. Having my second son really jump-started things. After giving birth, I had even more hair, so I put my new formula to the test. To my amazement, I found it was working out for me, so I had my family and friends use my product too. Once they saw the results, I put together a large group of women to use it for testing. Through trial and error, I grew a dream into reality. I don’t know how many variations I came up with to get the finished product.
Fancy: What was your life like before the oil?
Jasmine: Before the Hair Reducing Fade Oil I found myself becoming more and more insecure. I didn’t date, I didn’t walk with my head held high, and I always covered my flaws with makeup. This messed up a number of shirt collars. I had more of a problem with dark spots from ingrown hair than I did with the hair itself. When you are a young adult, basically everything you do relies on looks. You want to look attractive, you want to look welcoming, and you want to look happy. This was not what I was feeling, which created a wall in my life that caused me to be a bit of an introvert. I ended up staying home a lot, but while I was there, I was able to strengthen other skills. I did get pretty depressed in those times, and I don’t wish that on anyone else.
Fancy: Did you ever imagine you would be able to help as many people as you have with Umber By J.Lenay?
Jasmine: No, I would have never thought I would help as many women as I have, and I did not think that my own project would turn into the successful business it has become. I’m sure glad it did, though! Every time I receive a text, email, DM, or review from a customer saying that my product has been life-changing, I know that it was nothing but God who helped me create this! And with that said, I will continue to make products that help not only women, but everyone who feels that my products can change their life. That’s all I want. I want everyone to feel as good as I do now, able to walk out in public and not feel like I’m always getting stared at. That is such a crazy feeling. If I can get you out of a dark place, I feel my job has been justified.
Fancy: Where can readers connect with you online?
Jasmine: I mostly communicate through direct messaging on Instagram and Facebook. Customers know that they can reach out to me through email as well. Some even took the chance to call and were surprised I picked up the phone. I’m happy to speak with those who reach out. A lot of the time, we end up chatting more than they expected. I just want the readers to know that I can relate to them because, trust me – I have been through the struggle. You are not alone in this.