Teh One Who Knocks
02-01-2016, 12:48 PM
Francesca Kentish for Metro.co.uk
http://i.imgur.com/cnL6QiY.jpg
Back in November, I wrote about the history of why women began shaving their armpits.
The origins of women shaving in the western world are all a bit ludicrous, because it appears that the whole thing arose because of an advert in Harper’s Bazaar in 1915.
Basically, sleeveless dresses were in and some company thought: ‘Hey, why don’t we make women feel ashamed of their natural bodies and encourage them to buy a hair removal product they don’t actually need, all so we can make a load of money?’
http://i.imgur.com/xb6eSWA.jpg
Hair removal ad from the early 20th century. (Picture: YouTube/Timeline News)
And so armpit hair removal actually became a thing.
This got me thinking about why I shave my body, which is something I’ve been doing without much thought since around the age of 12.
I remember, when I first started shaving my legs, that I felt ashamed of my body hair which, upon starting my all-girls high school, I learned for the first time was ‘gross’.
MORE: New lingerie campaign proves every woman is beautiful, hairy armpits and all
But I also felt ashamed of the fact I was shaving; my Dad noticed through a rip in my tights that the hair on my knee was no longer a soft, blonde down, but rather a load of stubble and he asked me about it.
I pretended I’d grazed my knee and this was the hair growing back rather than admit to shaving, which was obviously ridiculous and my Dad wouldn’t give a crap either way.
But that’s the culture of shame and insecurity our society has fostered around women’s bodies. As a society, we are so disgusted by hair, that even adverts selling razors show women shaving already perfectly smooth legs.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="6" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAA pWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr +JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgM hCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YY XFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhL w7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zz gKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nY FnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/sAvnEjH3qa/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Jet-setting this weekend like @ThePennyCloset_? Don't forget to slip the perfect travel companion into your bag ;) #repost #summer #travel #inasnap #gillettevenus</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Gillette Venus (@gillettevenus) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2014-08-22T19:04:23+00:00">Aug 22, 2014 at 12:04pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
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We ask that they should be immaculate, hairless, flawless looking beings, but under no circumstances admit what it takes to look like that.
As admitting that we use makeup, have cosmetic procedures and remove our hair would tell the world that we are vain and fake.
Instead of embracing their bodies, young women pick up on the ridiculous expectation of them to look ‘naturally’ beautiful at all times, which is anything but natural, and are ashamed they don’t look like the all-pervasive airbrushed images they see.
But there’s a growing number of women changing the game and showing their beautiful selves just as they are without a jot of guilt.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="6" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAA pWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr +JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgM hCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YY XFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhL w7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zz gKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nY FnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/7ZtKoDnxzy/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A photo posted by Molly Soda (@bloatedandalone4evr1993)</a> on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2015-09-09T07:34:57+00:00">Sep 9, 2015 at 12:34am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
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Around the time of writing about the history of shaving, I wrote about Molly Soda, an artist who publicly posted photos of her hairy stomach online.
She told Dazed: ‘I have a lot of girls messaging me about how my stomach hair makes them feel better/less self-conscious about theirs**. That’s what I care about – not about whether or not men find it attractive.’
And I wrote about photographer Ashley Armitage, who takes photos of her friends coming of age, comfortable in their bodies – hairy bikini line and all.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="6" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAA pWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr +JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgM hCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YY XFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhL w7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zz gKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nY FnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/9jh2vOFv-K/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">This photo does not break the rules of Instagram. This does not show "sexual intercourse, genitals, or fully nude buttocks", as their rules say aren't allowed. There are millions of photos of girls in bikinis on instagram. The censorship of a photo that shows a natural bikini line is like saying a woman's natural body is obscene, abnormal, and unacceptable. It's like saying that in order to be decent and acceptable, we must shave to fit the beauty standard. If you think this photo is gross, please just unfollow me. I don't need that kind of negativity directed towards me and towards my friend's bodies.</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Ashley Armitage (@ladyist) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2015-11-01T20:11:19+00:00">Nov 1, 2015 at 12:11pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote>
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She wrote on an Instagram post: ‘I want all girls and women to feel comfortable in their bodies. No one needs that kind of hate.
‘Girls should be able to choose whether or not they shave. If we decide not [to] shave, we should not be shamed.’
The response to these women has been mixed to say the least. While many applaud them for embracing women for who they are and exploring that there is more than one version of ‘normal’, there have been just as many who are quick to show disgust.
Frequent comments were that these women were ‘unhygienic’ and ‘dirty’, as if women’s hair magically becomes a breeding ground for foul disease, whereas men’s armpit hair smells of fresh daisies and needn’t been removed.
http://i.imgur.com/QAFIufV.jpg
And this pissed me off.
I decided to put my money where my mouth was, and instead of just writing about these badass ladies, I decided stop shaving myself.
It’s not that I hate shaving, in fact I actually find lying in a hot bath and taking time to shave my legs quite therapeutic. I love the feel of fresh pajamas on silky smooth legs.
But I wanted to make sure I was doing this for myself and not because I felt I had to.
For two months now I haven’t picked up a razor and it’s been refreshing.
At first I felt a little awkward, in the first two weeks I went on a trip to America with people I didn’t know that well. When we went in a hot tub I got quite embarrassed about the state of my legs and pretended I didn’t bring a razor with me.
Which was dumb, because why should I feel embarrassed about what naturally grows on my body? No guy would be apologising for his hairy legs, so I decided never to lie about it again.
http://i.imgur.com/vgnDaJt.jpg
After a month I became strangely proud of my armpit hair. It was the first time it had been longer than a half a centimeter in 10 years.
It was a visible sign that I wasn’t putting up with bullsh*t conventions any longer.
I’ve enjoyed not freaking out about getting ingrown hairs on my bikini line anymore and no more itchy grow back, with the accompanying red pimples.
And FYI my armpits haven’t smelled any more because of hair growing there.
So will I stop shaving forever? Probably not.
I have no plans to pick up a razor on my armpits or bikini line anytime soon and I don’t think that will change in the summer.
http://i.imgur.com/JfDcUbp.jpg
But I miss the feel of my smooth legs and, more importantly, hairy legs and tights is an incredibly itchy combination.
There’s something about protruding hairs rubbing against nylon that is just not okay with me.
I really like wearing tights and dresses, so this is an issue, but at least now I know I genuinely am shaving my legs for me and no one else.
And everyone else can just deal with my pits.
Now, I know there will inevitably be haters and people who are will say ‘she’s dirty and gross’.
And everyone’s entitled to their opinion.
But I would like people to question why they think that.
I haven’t stopped showering, I haven’t stopped looking after myself.
I just stopped removing a piece of hair that used to grow there and that shouldn’t be a big deal.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="6" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:55.7009345794% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAA pWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr +JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgM hCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YY XFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhL w7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zz gKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nY FnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/-bbo_OHx-E/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">🌟</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Molly Soda (@bloatedandalone4evr1993) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2015-11-23T13:14:29+00:00">Nov 23, 2015 at 5:14am PST</time></p></div></blockquote>
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http://i.imgur.com/cnL6QiY.jpg
Back in November, I wrote about the history of why women began shaving their armpits.
The origins of women shaving in the western world are all a bit ludicrous, because it appears that the whole thing arose because of an advert in Harper’s Bazaar in 1915.
Basically, sleeveless dresses were in and some company thought: ‘Hey, why don’t we make women feel ashamed of their natural bodies and encourage them to buy a hair removal product they don’t actually need, all so we can make a load of money?’
http://i.imgur.com/xb6eSWA.jpg
Hair removal ad from the early 20th century. (Picture: YouTube/Timeline News)
And so armpit hair removal actually became a thing.
This got me thinking about why I shave my body, which is something I’ve been doing without much thought since around the age of 12.
I remember, when I first started shaving my legs, that I felt ashamed of my body hair which, upon starting my all-girls high school, I learned for the first time was ‘gross’.
MORE: New lingerie campaign proves every woman is beautiful, hairy armpits and all
But I also felt ashamed of the fact I was shaving; my Dad noticed through a rip in my tights that the hair on my knee was no longer a soft, blonde down, but rather a load of stubble and he asked me about it.
I pretended I’d grazed my knee and this was the hair growing back rather than admit to shaving, which was obviously ridiculous and my Dad wouldn’t give a crap either way.
But that’s the culture of shame and insecurity our society has fostered around women’s bodies. As a society, we are so disgusted by hair, that even adverts selling razors show women shaving already perfectly smooth legs.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="6" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAA pWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr +JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgM hCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YY XFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhL w7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zz gKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nY FnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/sAvnEjH3qa/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Jet-setting this weekend like @ThePennyCloset_? Don't forget to slip the perfect travel companion into your bag ;) #repost #summer #travel #inasnap #gillettevenus</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Gillette Venus (@gillettevenus) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2014-08-22T19:04:23+00:00">Aug 22, 2014 at 12:04pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
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We ask that they should be immaculate, hairless, flawless looking beings, but under no circumstances admit what it takes to look like that.
As admitting that we use makeup, have cosmetic procedures and remove our hair would tell the world that we are vain and fake.
Instead of embracing their bodies, young women pick up on the ridiculous expectation of them to look ‘naturally’ beautiful at all times, which is anything but natural, and are ashamed they don’t look like the all-pervasive airbrushed images they see.
But there’s a growing number of women changing the game and showing their beautiful selves just as they are without a jot of guilt.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="6" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAA pWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr +JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgM hCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YY XFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhL w7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zz gKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nY FnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/7ZtKoDnxzy/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A photo posted by Molly Soda (@bloatedandalone4evr1993)</a> on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2015-09-09T07:34:57+00:00">Sep 9, 2015 at 12:34am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
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Around the time of writing about the history of shaving, I wrote about Molly Soda, an artist who publicly posted photos of her hairy stomach online.
She told Dazed: ‘I have a lot of girls messaging me about how my stomach hair makes them feel better/less self-conscious about theirs**. That’s what I care about – not about whether or not men find it attractive.’
And I wrote about photographer Ashley Armitage, who takes photos of her friends coming of age, comfortable in their bodies – hairy bikini line and all.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="6" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAA pWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr +JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgM hCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YY XFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhL w7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zz gKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nY FnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/9jh2vOFv-K/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">This photo does not break the rules of Instagram. This does not show "sexual intercourse, genitals, or fully nude buttocks", as their rules say aren't allowed. There are millions of photos of girls in bikinis on instagram. The censorship of a photo that shows a natural bikini line is like saying a woman's natural body is obscene, abnormal, and unacceptable. It's like saying that in order to be decent and acceptable, we must shave to fit the beauty standard. If you think this photo is gross, please just unfollow me. I don't need that kind of negativity directed towards me and towards my friend's bodies.</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Ashley Armitage (@ladyist) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2015-11-01T20:11:19+00:00">Nov 1, 2015 at 12:11pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote>
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She wrote on an Instagram post: ‘I want all girls and women to feel comfortable in their bodies. No one needs that kind of hate.
‘Girls should be able to choose whether or not they shave. If we decide not [to] shave, we should not be shamed.’
The response to these women has been mixed to say the least. While many applaud them for embracing women for who they are and exploring that there is more than one version of ‘normal’, there have been just as many who are quick to show disgust.
Frequent comments were that these women were ‘unhygienic’ and ‘dirty’, as if women’s hair magically becomes a breeding ground for foul disease, whereas men’s armpit hair smells of fresh daisies and needn’t been removed.
http://i.imgur.com/QAFIufV.jpg
And this pissed me off.
I decided to put my money where my mouth was, and instead of just writing about these badass ladies, I decided stop shaving myself.
It’s not that I hate shaving, in fact I actually find lying in a hot bath and taking time to shave my legs quite therapeutic. I love the feel of fresh pajamas on silky smooth legs.
But I wanted to make sure I was doing this for myself and not because I felt I had to.
For two months now I haven’t picked up a razor and it’s been refreshing.
At first I felt a little awkward, in the first two weeks I went on a trip to America with people I didn’t know that well. When we went in a hot tub I got quite embarrassed about the state of my legs and pretended I didn’t bring a razor with me.
Which was dumb, because why should I feel embarrassed about what naturally grows on my body? No guy would be apologising for his hairy legs, so I decided never to lie about it again.
http://i.imgur.com/vgnDaJt.jpg
After a month I became strangely proud of my armpit hair. It was the first time it had been longer than a half a centimeter in 10 years.
It was a visible sign that I wasn’t putting up with bullsh*t conventions any longer.
I’ve enjoyed not freaking out about getting ingrown hairs on my bikini line anymore and no more itchy grow back, with the accompanying red pimples.
And FYI my armpits haven’t smelled any more because of hair growing there.
So will I stop shaving forever? Probably not.
I have no plans to pick up a razor on my armpits or bikini line anytime soon and I don’t think that will change in the summer.
http://i.imgur.com/JfDcUbp.jpg
But I miss the feel of my smooth legs and, more importantly, hairy legs and tights is an incredibly itchy combination.
There’s something about protruding hairs rubbing against nylon that is just not okay with me.
I really like wearing tights and dresses, so this is an issue, but at least now I know I genuinely am shaving my legs for me and no one else.
And everyone else can just deal with my pits.
Now, I know there will inevitably be haters and people who are will say ‘she’s dirty and gross’.
And everyone’s entitled to their opinion.
But I would like people to question why they think that.
I haven’t stopped showering, I haven’t stopped looking after myself.
I just stopped removing a piece of hair that used to grow there and that shouldn’t be a big deal.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="6" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:55.7009345794% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAA pWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr +JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgM hCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YY XFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhL w7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zz gKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nY FnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/-bbo_OHx-E/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">🌟</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Molly Soda (@bloatedandalone4evr1993) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2015-11-23T13:14:29+00:00">Nov 23, 2015 at 5:14am PST</time></p></div></blockquote>
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