Expanding a little on my "Color Block, Pop, Shock" post, and this idea of being more open-minded when it comes to my own physical appearance, I opted not to shave my armpits last week. I will be the first one to admit my prior, judgmental stance on women not shaving under their arms--- thinking it's not a very feminine, hygienic or attractive look. Mostly, I'll say I just didn't "get it." Not that there is anything to even really get. Some women wanna shave, some women don't. Boom, simple as that. Maybe...
Whenever I see a woman with hairy armpits, I stop and stare. I feel like the more I see it, the more I'm intrigued by it. Society's opinion and the masculine association with not shaving is dominant (at least 'round these parts). I've gradually come around to appreciating those who choose to ignore this gender expectation, and own the look. So last week I didn't shave because I wanted to see if it was a look I liked on myself. I kept it rolling a second week to spite Gerry, who most certainly does not "get it." I feel like these pictures don't quite capture how long my armpit hair is, but I just wanted to take some quick photo booth shots, so it'll do.
I realize to some people this whole topic is silly and just one big "so what, who cares, no big deal," but I think there are many variables to consider when embracing the natural. It's interesting how many times this week Ger and I talked about it. He's been quite vocal about disliking it. He's always going to encourage and support me to do whatever I want to do, but this has been something he has not shied away from dismissing. My reaction is two-fold of wanting to antagonize him to prove that I do what I want and he should embrace it (which he usually does), but also not wanting him to find me unattractive in a way I can easily prevent. In the end, I know that I liked the way it felt and looked after a week, but week two I've been ready to shave (I will tomorrow). I sweat way more when it's long, and I don't feel as fresh. I also have to admit, when I look under my arm, I don't feel like hairy armpit equals pretty. Just being honest. I did like the more rebellious nature of the look though, and I'm definitely going to grow it out for a week this summer, and wear it with my new sleeveless, floral mini-dress I ordered from Forever 21+ (no longer available to show you). I really appreciate the masculine/feminine contrast. For the most part though, this is a look I'll leave to others.
What do you think about shaving under your arms? No big deal? Act of rebellion? Sexy? Not attractive? Do you ever or regularly not shave? Is it a political or fashionable decision?
So many questions, but I really am curious what you think about the topic.
I've had some similar thoughts about shaving. Particularly when analyzing why I choose to do so. I think it is great how you've broken it down, examined your feelings and carried out an experiment.
ReplyDeleteThere have times when I've gone a few days but I've found that not shaving makes me itch, even when it comes to shaving my legs. I really find that I don't care about the aesthetics (body hair doesn't bother me) but I am ALL about comfort.
And being itchy isn't comfortable. But I do think it is fantastic to challenge these kind of ideas and expectations of women.
Good on you!
ReplyDeleteI almost never shave (both out of a distaste for "having to" and a disdain for spending money on razors), and I've almost always had partners/lovers that either didn't care, or really liked it.
But people control their bodies, so they get to make their own choices.
It takes all kinds of fruit to make fruit cup!
That's funny... I just shaved my pits, legs, and belly trail {yeah, I'm sort of a beast} today for the firt time in about a month... maybe longer. There was so much hair, the razor got "clogged" haha. I usually keep things hairless, but sometimes you just don't feel like it. It wasn't a big deal, though. As long as your pit hairs aren't housing deodorant balls, I don't have a problem!!
ReplyDeleteI like that you've done this post and given the whole hairy pits thing a go. I shave, but infrequently as mine grows out very slowly, so I usually only have to shave once every three weeks. For me shaving is a personal choice. I prefer the way hairless armpits feel. However, my husband has told me before that he doesn't care if I'm hairy or not, which is nice that he doesn't care either way. I once did a similar thing with choosing to not shave my legs for 2 months. I hated the way it looked for me, yet for others I am completely indifferent.
ReplyDeleteTo each is own. Great post!
Brooke
I agree with heavyaura. I also rarely shave! It is low priority for me and not part of my routine. It feels comfortable to me. I almost enjoy seeing my "progress" and then shaving and letting it grow again. Lol!
ReplyDeleteI rarely shave too, my arm pits and legs have been hairy since I last shaved in September or October, I think. I hate the inconvenience of shaving, as well as the expense, and I hate that there's an expectation for women to be hairless. However, I also think that people should make informed choices, so I like that you gave it a try - even if you didn't like it! My partner expressed distaste for my hairy pits (not my hairy legs though strangely) but I told him frankly to get over it - my body, my choice. After all, I have to look at his hairy pits too, haha.
ReplyDelete@Elizabeth, exactly!! As far as trying out shaving or the lack there of, its only hair!
ReplyDeleteMitten Paws: I have tagged you in my latest post, please check it out!!
Ja Ja Ja! I do the same all the time. Glad you posted this. not a lot of people have the cojones :)
ReplyDeleteI am quite fascinated by it. I have seen women who grew out of their sleeves! I mean if it doesn't smell or anything, I am not against it but in a hot and humid place like my country, it is almost impossible for it to go au naturel. They curl and are sticky and stink and you just want them out of your way!
ReplyDeleteAs a guy, my take is that I prefer it when girls shave, but I also don't think girls should operate to please me. And really, that bit of hair you show in the pictures is hardly anything.
ReplyDeleteAs a guy, my take is that I prefer it when girls shave, but I also don't think girls should operate to please me. And really, that bit of hair you show in the pictures is hardly anything.
ReplyDeleteI've had some similar thoughts about shaving. Particularly when analyzing why I choose to do so. I think it is great how you've broken it down, examined your feelings and carried out an experiment.
ReplyDeleteThere have times when I've gone a few days but I've found that not shaving makes me itch, even when it comes to shaving my legs. I really find that I don't care about the aesthetics (body hair doesn't bother me) but I am ALL about comfort.
And being itchy isn't comfortable. But I do think it is fantastic to challenge these kind of ideas and expectations of women.
There's nothing more sexy than the European underarm look.... a cute girl skipping several days (or a few weeks) of shaving (holding their natural female scent). Im so bored of seeing nothing but bare skin were there should be hair. I wish more women would feel more comfortable flaunting their underarm stubble/short hairs in public. I consider the people here trend setters.
ReplyDeleteI think it is incredibly sexy and liberating. I encourage you to keep up with not shaving for as long as it brings you happiness.
ReplyDeleteI developed my appreciation of hairy pits on women and men in my 30s, but I don't know how I would have responded when I was younger. For now I can tell you that if you showed me two women or men for that matter that were equally attractive and one was shaved and the other was not I would pick the unshaven woman or man every time!
I was expecting someone to make a comment about my use of masculine v. feminine, as I do understand the harm in perpetrating narrow social views, especially when it comes to gender identity. As a member of a marginalized community, I get where you're coming from, and i respect your offense to the language I chose.
ReplyDeleteHowever just as a I personify a pair of pink high heels as looking feminine and a pair of brown brogues as looking masculine (and you address wearing a dress as looking femme), I cannot help the way I perceive the LOOK of under arm hair. I do think that armpit hair LOOKS masculine. The actual ACT of shaving, I never labeled as gendered. Also, I by no means was trying to dismiss a woman's femininity if she chooses not to shave, as there are a multitude of variables that make up woman's femininity (or masculinity, for that matter). If i failed to communicate that either way i think a woman can be beautiful, then I apologize. (I'd also just like to state that I'm not equating femininity with beauty.) I just didn't love the look on myself, which I shaved when I did. How would I know unless I experimented?
Every day we make decisions about the way we want to look. My opinion of my own appearance and what I want to convey changes on a daily basis. I view not shaving as an act of rebellion against the commonly accepted standards of beauty. On some days participating and flaunting this act of rebellion might be exactly what I need to feel good. Although I was NOT proposing women go natural as a way to look edgy, I fail to understand why that would frustrate you. If a woman chooses not to shave because she likes the way it looks, or for ANY reason, what concern is it of yours?
I hope I don't sound overly defensive, I just think you may have misinterpreted some of what I was saying, particularly in separating the way I feel about my own armpits vs. the way I feel about everyone else's.
PS: I have always asked my ex-girlfriends if they could at least shave less frequently (once a month or as long as they can handle without shaving). Pretty much all obliged; although, almost all of them felt self-conscious about wearing tanktops in public. This may sound gross to some people, but there is nothing more sexier to me than a super-cute feminine girl with dense, dark underarm stubble and the natural female scent collected from the underarm hair after a long hard day at work. I prefer that a girl doesn't wear deodorant/antiperspirant in general; but definitely can understand why its necessary for certain environments/situations.
ReplyDeleteLet me address your questions at the end first: 1) No, the decision to shave or not to shave your armpits shouldn't be a big deal. 2) Yes, I happen to find it very sexy. I find hairless women a bit... barbie-lookalike. 3) I'm a guy, but I can answer this for my girlfriend. When I first saw her without a top on she had hairy armpits, which both surprised me and turned me on. She goes hairy during the cold months but shaves when they're on public display in the summer. I wish she didn't, but hey, it's not my decision. 4) In today's world, unfortunately it is a political and/or fashion decision, though it shouldn't be. After all, all women grow body hair, it's a bit hypocritical of people to pretend they don't or shouldn't.
ReplyDeleteI've got lots more thoughts about this issue, which you can find summarised in this article: http://dollmag.ca/test-4/
Hope you enjoy reading!
Are men in your country also so stinky you can't bear to be near them?
ReplyDeleteI had a dream last night that I was apparently that stinky. And also back in elementary school. Damn you, subconscious mind!
ReplyDeleteAs a woman who has not shaved (armpits or legs) for about 10 years... I'll share that like you said, at first it's sweatier and stinkier... but that went away pretty quickly. Some people are weirded out by it... my future husband is cool with it... and I love it! Mostly because I hate shaving and I REALLY hate the feeling of stubble. I use a beard trimmer once a year on them to shortem them up. I just wanted to encourage you... if you DO like it, hang in there a month or two and see if you stabilize! ♥
ReplyDelete