Body hair gaining "acceptance"?

Apr 2, 2014

Ame S.

Hi all!

I just read this article on Beautylish Editorial thar more and more people are going out with unshaved body hair on their legs, pits, arms etc. Being born to a verrrrry conservative mum (body hair wise), I have been getting my body waxed since I was barely 13 and am 25 now, I was wondering, would you ladies really walk out with hairy underarms showing, or legs for that matter? I still wouldn't dream of it.

Apr 2, 2014

Ame S.

Yes but, I don't feel very clean when I see body hair on me, between waxing duration if it grows back and I have to go out, I wear covered clothing. Most my friends shave too, what I meant to ask was would you be comfortable being out with body hair showing?

Apr 2, 2014

Breanna C.

Even If I Knew Nobody Was Going To See My Body Hair I Would Still Shave! I HAVE To Shave I Am Completely OCD About It. Even If I Get Alittle Prickly I Have To Shave It All Off.

Apr 2, 2014

Aru T.

I am not very picky about my body hair! it may sound weird lol :) but I am not always clean shaved. of course, when am wearing short dresses etc, I do keep my legs clean but I am pretty comfy w my arm hair as long as I am clean :) oh yeah, but I can't stand underarm hair specially if I am wearing sleeveless...I am weird I know ;) :) :)

Apr 2, 2014

Kirin S.

I ALWAYS shave my legs, but I never shave my arms... My skin gets irritated.

Apr 2, 2014

Natalie T.

More power to ya, if you don't shave your body hair. It would not change my attitude towards a person if they shaved their body hair or not. I like shaving my body hair just as a personal preference. Nothing better than clean shaven legs and fresh sheets, feel sooooo nice and smooth! hahaha. My boyfriend thinks its cruel and unusual that women *think that they should have to* shave because of typical beauty standards, but that doesn't stop me from shaving!

Apr 2, 2014

Neslisah Y.

I would never go out of my house with hairy under arms showing, I would feel dirty because when its hairy you sweat fast and likely it will smell due to bacteria growth.

Apr 2, 2014

Yaya B.

Heck noo that's disgusting lol

Apr 2, 2014

Roz X.

I remembering being on the bus coming from work downtown one day and this woman had stockings on..and all of this long, thick leg hair pressed up against them. I respect her choice, but it was so odd looking to me. She owned it..crossed those funky monkeys in a short skirt..unapologetically.

Apr 2, 2014

Roz X.

*remember  grrr

Apr 2, 2014

Jennifer G.

I wouldn't lol. But that's just me. If I went out with hairy legs or underarms I would feel dirty. I feel so much cleaner shaven.

Apr 2, 2014

Ame S.

So it seems most ladies would shave/ wax/ epilate for personal reasons (psychology, hygiene or appearance), and not because of any associated stereotypes, thats a good sign. Thanks to all of you for your inputs, I truly appreciate it.  :)

Apr 2, 2014

Shelley W.

I could never judge someone elses choices. I can't remember the name of the religion but the men and women aren't allowed to remove any hair on their bodies. The women are the most confident beauties I've ever met and they could care less about what others think. I stopped removing the hair on my arms because I just grew tired of having to wax it all the time. If I ever get back into fitness competitions I will certainly remove but for the most part I've perfectly comfortable with it. Now underarm hair...if I see a short hair sprouting up I go bonkers...seek and destroy.lol

Apr 2, 2014

Ame S.

Thank you for your opinions Aleighna and Shelley, you ladies listed all possible reasons for hair removal, although a little part of me is thinking that not removing hair is actually gaining acceptance from all your incidents, if we were discussing the subject 50 years ago I don't think so many ladies would be okay watching body hair on others. I know my mum, her friends and my grandma wouldn't, they would do a cute frown lol.

Apr 2, 2014

Alyx T.

I think it is. I shave my armpits and legs when I go out, but in the summer I'll still go out with stubbly legs because shaving everyday isn't real for me and my super sensitive skin. I still shave my armpit hair because It feels prickly on myself and I don't like it. But if I saw a girl with full grown arm hair, I wouldn't think anything different of her. I don't think anyone should remove hair just because the opposite gender "likes it that way". When I first grew body hair at like 11-12 I got teased about having a mustache and not shaving my legs, so I went home crying to mom and she took me to get my lip waxed and I shaved my legs. A bunch of girls in my class started doing it too. I've noticed now that kids don't get teased as much for it. I don't know if it's just the kids I know are extremely nice or if it's becoming a bit more acceptable, but I find that more young girls with thick body hair aren't doing anything about it, and 90% of the kids are perfectly fine with that.

I think it's your body, your choice. If you don't want to shave, wax or pluck then I'm sure you'd be just as happy, and richer than those who spend so much cash on waxing, razors, shaving cream etc.

Apr 2, 2014

Antonia S.

I remove all of my body hair. All of it. Legs, arms, underarms, bikini and that little bit of peach fuzz I get on my face/stomach and back. If I see hair anywhere other than my head and eyebrows, it's got to go.
I don't like the look of body hair on females, but that's just my personal opinion.

Apr 2, 2014

Taylor G.

I like to shave, but it doesn't bother me to go out a little prickly sometimes. I don't always have time for all that and as long as no one is all up in my grill they're not going to notice it lol

Apr 2, 2014

Brittany F.

Ah I read that article too, and I was a little weirded out at first because it wasn't the norm I was used to hearing. After thinking about it more, I personally think lots of body hair is dirty, so I guess as long as you kept it neat and trimmed, but I would never do it myself. I personally like having a fresh shaved/waved body

Apr 2, 2014

Maddison V.

I don't shave in the winter but as soon as it becomes summer I have soft shaved tan legs!!

Apr 2, 2014

Shauna S.

I have quite dark body hair which sucks lol. In the winter I don't shave much, I'll mainly do it so that my boyfriend doesn't have to have a hairy girlfriend xD I don't mind being a bit stubbly but I always shave my armpits and I shave my legs more in the summer, but I've never shaved my arms.

Apr 2, 2014

Mercedes B.

In middle school I was self conscious of my body hair but later on in high school I really didnt care anymore.. why should I have to shave my arm hair so I guy can think I'm attractive?? that's stupid lol I leave my arm hair...my side burns...my knuckles all that hairy stuff alone now lol I found a man without needing to shave that off and he loves me just fine, no I don't feel dirty because technically the hair isn't causing odor or anything... its just hair. I do on the other hand shave my legs because I feel it gets hotter if I don't in clothing.. its weird lol I do shave my privates and underarms because like I said that actually causes odor but other than that I'm a hairy little person and I'm pretty happy lol :)

Apr 2, 2014

Dezzi C.

Its just hair. I feel that shaving is a personal choice. Men don't shave their underarms, but I wouldn't say they smell more. Some smell amazing all the time!! Its more of personal hygiene, and hair doesn't determine whether someone is clean or dirty. Most people are shocked when they see hair on women, but how is that any different from making the choice to tan? Or fill in your eyebrows? Its all about how you feel in your own skin. Look at Mo'Nique Imes-Jackson. She doesn't shave her legs, and at first Hollywood and the media was shocked and after time they kind of let it be cause she rocked it with confidence. I make the choice to shave my legs and underarms, but I also don't panic if I forget to or I'm too rushed. I wouldn't be shocked or thrown off is I saw someone who chose not to. It's just a taboo we've created for ourselves.

Apr 2, 2014

Lorena S.

I only shave my legs when I need to. So when the weathers cold outside I never shave because no one else is going to see them except me!

Apr 2, 2014

Caitriona H.

My hair is blonde so nobody would notice, I'm rarely ever perfectly smooth tbh. My boyfriend doesn't care as long as I'm happy. If I had to wear a skirt exposing my legs (never happens) I'd shave, but if I missed a bit and my friends saw they'd probably just laugh at me and move on (most of my friends are boys). I think people are realistic about body hair and guys aren't dumb enough to think we don't have any, but maybe thats just the company I keep..

Apr 3, 2014

Kitty K.

Interesting opinions on this thread! I am loving how open everyone is to body hair ☺