Residentgeek your avatar cracks me up! Every time I see it I just about laugh out loud! Thanks for making me smile!
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Residentgeek your avatar cracks me up! Every time I see it I just about laugh out loud! Thanks for making me smile!
[QUOTE=Steph_in_TX]I actually prefer softly fuzzy to prickly "5 o'clock shadow" on legs, chin, arms ... wherever. Think teddy bear. I mean, I ask you, how cuddly would that be without fuzz? Don't know if I'd even recognize my dh without the full beard.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nanci
My hubby is pretty furry - and I like it! Like Duck said - a teddy bear without hair - nah. To each his/her own, though. I shave - don't know why. I just do. Not everyday, but more often than not. I tried shaving elsewhere when I was younger - no go. That did not work for me.
And as far as makeup and getting ready in the AM goes, I haven't worn makeup for probably 15-20 years. I did wear some when I got married and for the Mardi Gras balls I've attended, but that's it. From alarm going off to walking out the door to work (if no ride or running), it takes me about 30 minutes in the AM. Short hair that barely needs a brush run through it and no makeup makes for a quick prep in the morning.
Wow!
I *never* shaved my legs (which were very hairy). Just thought "Oh.So that"s my body" and carried on regardless. Later I added a feminist ideological tirade to it but always felt superior to my ideological sisters who had up till recently been shavers.
Then in 2003 when Le Tour was riding into Paris I thought "I know how I can celebrate My Life and surviving to see another Tour (ride into Paris)...I'll shave my legs!"
Asked DD (then 14) how and she gave me some Blueberry flavoured foam (I had bought a nice coloured razor on the way home).
Then I watched Eurosport with tears streaming down my face as usual.
Elder DS (then 16) said " About time!", younger DS (then 11) said "What on earth happened to your legs?" and the DSO didn't notice till DD pointedly said "Didn't you notice Mummy's nice legs?"
Now I am hooked on it. Tho' I am not prepared to do it with anything other than a razor. Do it every other day (heard that on a Tour commentary in the same Tour - some viewer asked and David Duffield explained in his inimitable fashion that they "did it every other day")
Under arms I don't do either. Did as a teen then stopped as a Real Feminist . Re-started when I had breast cancer - Thought I was strange enough person and wanted the Dr's to feel more at ease with me. But got a lot of rashes (i guess micro abrasions on an immuno-supressed system) so stopped . Thinking about starting (trying) again this summer
Well, that's all folks
Great fun thread
Interesting topic, with so many different replies!
Personally, I don't really shave a lot. What I do shave is to avoid being stinky or feeling dirty. Leg hair doesn't bother me (I don't have a whole lot of it), but if I grow too much armpit hair or "down there" hair, I feel dirty (and I know I get sweaty stinky pits when I don't have hair, let alone when I do!).
As for the makeup, I don't really do that either... just not that into it, and haven't ever been. Honestly, the last time I wore makeup was on my wedding day, and that was 7 years ago. :p To put it in perspective, I think that was the last time I wore a dress, too. ;) I work in a casual environment (software company), and even when I go to trade shows and other events, makeup just doesn't occur to me (and thankfully khakis are acceptable!).
For me, I like to feel clean, that's what makes me feel good about me. I can really respect the comments from all of you makeup wearers and waxers and super shavers (and all of you who don't do those things), the consistent theme here is that we're doing it for us (and sometimes our significant others, because after all, they make us feel good about us, too).
It's too bad there's no "real" equivalent to this forum... it's nice to chat with such a diverse group of women who still find things in common.
DH shaves more often than I do (he's a cyclist also).
When he first shaved, about five years ago, it was a bit weird, like "Who's that woman in bed with us - oh wait - it's you." Now I am totally used to it. And it makes his legs look REALLY nice!! :D
Oh yeah, make up
Was just telling a young woman at work yesterday. Never touched the stuff but once.Aged 17 I got a "special present" from a holiday job - 6 lipsticks and nail polishes and G-d knows what the rest was. Waited till I was alone and put on some nail polish. First reaction -" Can't breathe! My nails are suffocating!" Second reaction - "How do you get it *off*!" (Later I heard about "acetone" and "remover". Same story with the lipstick - except it washed off easily.
Use moisturisers all over everywhere but that is it.
Btw work's very smart,very sexy, x-th dan black belt consultant Food Tehnologist (yes, *him* again) says you should never put oils on your skin but chew lecithin. I do both now as I like the girly smells of body moisurisers and the shine you get
From way too much camping experience I discovered the emmense benefits of shaving the armpits. The hair holds sweat smells, and hides those pesky ticks. Plus I *personally* dislike the look of armpit hair. Legs, if it starts to feel weird I shave it, which oddly also feels weird b/c its too smooth. Rarely above the knees. Bikini line yes b/c of being in the pool so often. Sometimes more down there b/c I know my man prefers it that way... ;) But all around its less than weekly... in the winter pushing three week intervals.
Guys with shaved legs do look good. I say cyclists, both men and women, work hard for their muscles, show them off! Hair covers up all that definition.
I suggest that we open the discussion to
blades vs. electric.
I'm happy to report that after reading this thread, after feminism and everything else, that now we can do exactly what we want with all this hair.
Regarding makeup, I don't do it personally. But you really haven't lived until you've watched a bunch of women apply their makeup on the train in the morning. Those who take a train in to work every day know what I'm talkin' about. :) How on earth do people think this is an appropriate thing to do in front of 50-100 people... I've never understood this. Present company excused, of course.
And, hairy legs? Not since the college days. I have light enough skin to blind people. Add to that, thick, dark hair... nuh-uh, not goin' out of the house like that!
[QUOTE=dachshund]I suggest that we open the discussion to
blades vs. electric.
QUOTE]
What?! We're discussing shearing ?!
(One for the kiwi's and aussies at last?!?)
I'm sorry to be such a sociologist, but I don't think we can say that we are doing "exactly what we want". When there will be women with hairy legs and armpits featured in magazines and television on a regular basis (not just a one-time thing like when Julia Roberts flashed a hairy armpit at an Oscar ceremony or something like that), I'll tend to think that there is really a choice. At the moment, there is still pretty strong social opposition to hairy legs for women (and elite men cyclist), coming much more from other women (or other elite men cyclists), by the way...Quote:
Originally Posted by dachshund
Well, I never thought of armpit hair as a hiding place for ticks, but I'm for sure not growing it out now!!!
I always wondered if electric razors for women worked, but I like the Venus razor so much, it's hard to imagine anything improving on that. And I love my Citrus Sun Tea flavor shaving gel, too.
Nanci
Hmmm... Good point!Quote:
Originally Posted by Grog
I am not one for makeup! I have tried it, but was too lazy too take it off at night and woke up with racoon eyes! :eek: 'nuff for me. Now it is just moisturizer w/ sunblock and chapstick.
As for shaving, I like smooth, bare legs in the summer, so I shave pretty regularly. I will let it go in the winter until it starts to bug me when I wear tights.
Venus is tops in my book, too. Never found anything better.
I love these types of discussions. :)
Personally, I shave because my leg hair is really coarse and frankly it can be painful on my skin when it rubs against clothing. I had my pits & brazilian lasered a few years ago and I am so happy. I used to get horrible ingrowns and irritation. All that's left on my pits are some light downy hairs that I'll occasionally trim. For down there, I chose to leave a little "landing strip" when I had the lasering done. Occasionally I'll trim/shave all of it off, but I'm pretty lax about it now. I'm just glad that the underwear-escaping thicket in the front and the buttcrack hairs are gone for good. :eek:
Here's a highly entertaining article about hair removal that may interest readers of this thread:
http://www.portlandmercury.com/portl...category=34029
How much would lasering cost, if you don't mind my asking?
It really depends where you get it done, and what specials, etc. It's all very negotiable. That being said, you need at least 4-5 treatments (spaced a few months apart depending on body area) and each treatment is going to run anywhere from $100-300 depending on the body parts involved. Some shops insist on full payment upfront, others let you pay as you go. I was able to get a twofer pits+pubes deal and had each session for $200, paying as I went.Quote:
Originally Posted by fishdr
I do recommend that you stick to the lasering centers that are either exclusively laser services, or laser mixed with dermatology/spa services rather than the local tanning joint/salon that happens to have a laser.
I bought a Panasonic shaver, which was "highly recommended." I think it's a boy's shaver, or "unisex." If I go really slow, it gets almost everything. If I get impatient, I have to do multiple passes. Is the Venus like this?
I use a Schick Quattro, and almost never nick myself. The only time I used an electric razor is when my mom gave me one for my 14th birthday (let the sociologists go to town with that one). I think it worked by YANKING THE HAIR OUT! Seriously. It hurt. I also tried "epilady", which absolutely works by yanking the hair out.
I like the Venus; I'd say it's a toss up between that and the Quattro for not cutting myself, which is my top priority. Has anyone tried the vibrating razor, I think it's a Venus...that sounds suggestive, but really, the thing has a battery and it vibrates. Seems pointless to me, but if it bought me one extra day without stubble and kept me from cutting myself, I'd buy it!
PS, when I was sleeping with women, they were never the kind who shaved their legs--I wonder how wierd that would feel, especially if it were a guy? Isn't life funny?!
Funny. I've only ever got ticks on my head, but I never thought of shaving my hair off to discourage them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nanci
The only ticks I have had encounters with are ones on cattle and on dogs. In my experience, it isn't hair they go for... I have found them in short and long hair on animals, as well as relatively bald patches (like tummies.
The places the ticks I have found seem to have most success in are in places that it is difficult for the animals to reach... briskets, bellies, front and back leg "pits"...
I don't tend to get my armpits near ticks in this country... so no biggie for me. Move down under... no snakes, no scorpians, no stone fish, only three poisonous spiders..... and no armpit-lustful ticks!!!
;)
My SO and I camp, so ticks abound... those teeny tiny seed ticks are the worst... they could *live* on you for days and not be seen! :eek: We are very careful to check every little place they could hide!
As for shaving, he shaved his legs a couple of times, but I think generally thinks it's a lot of trouble... I shave my legs/armpits and trim around the girly bits (mainly because it feels nice to be smooth), but I have to be careful, because stubble can feel like you're sitting on a pin cushion, and make for a very uncomfortable ride...
I always wore makeup - as soon as my parents would let me, I was spending my money on all kinds of *stuff*! It was not unusual for me to spend a couple of hours *getting ready* (for what, I'm not sure!):rolleyes: ! I was even pretty high in one of the multi-level beauty companies - driving a free car & all of it! In the last 5 years or so, I've been doing less and less. It seems the more fit I become - and comfortable with myself - the less I want to cover up! :p
Quote:
Originally Posted by RoadRaven
i have been told repeatedly that ticks like warm and dark places on the body, thus armpits. but unless you're doing some serious camp time its not too likely
All I want to know is this: how is it that after thirteen years of trying I still manage to miss more knee hairs than I manage to shave off? :p
LOL Kiwi... as always... you cut to the most important, philosophical question
Damn good question and it happens to me (after 27 years of shaving my legs too!!!!) and I don't have the answer...
Luuuurve the avatar, btw... most excellent!
I know this may sound a bit odd..but do you shave your legs in the winter??
What's the point???
I need to get another razor...
c
EWWWWWW! TICKS!:eek: I pull a few off of me almost once a week in high tick season. Considering I see them all the time due to work (I fdo alot of bushwhacking), doesn't mean I get used to them. I've only had one actually dig in.
One year, my coworkers and I had a competition to see who could accumulate the most ticks. If we found a tick crawling on our body we could collect it and pin it to our cubicle walls in clear tape. Whoever collected the most ticks won a Sibley birding guide. It wasn't a contest I wanted to win. Kinda morbid huh? Biologists are just weird that way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by crazycanuck
Not me, well maybe at Christmas.
I have to shave my legs in the winter- I kept my tan all year last year! Ah, Florida...But, I only manage once or twice a week- usually Friday night, so I have hairless legs for the weekend rides.
So there's no hope for my hairy knees then? :rolleyes: :p The avatar photo was taken at the start of last week's Beastway race. I'm the blurry one in the foreground. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by RoadRaven
There will always be a "social opposition" factor - most people are looking for rules to follow. However, we do have a fair amount of choice as to which folks we follow. I work at a school and so I have to figure on the social reality that people make judgements based on appearances, period. If I were to dress in Mennonite garb they would make certain assumptions; there are lots of other subtle assumptions people make, sometimes conscious and sometimes not. One of the agendas of many of the instructors is to get students to examine the assumptions they make and the forces that steer them towards how they prepare their appearance.Quote:
Originally Posted by Grog
I don't wear makeup because I don't want to (I have to spend that time loooking for my keys, and I figure I've saved MESSES of dollars, I figure it *can't* be good for the body, not to mention animal cruelty issues) - but I did wear some when I taught in a school ssytem where it would have been, simply, confusing - teachers just dressed more like church than school there and it would have sent the message that I didn't care for myself at several levels.
At the college level (where I am now), individuality is more expected, though I still confuse people because they can't categorize me. I like that :-)
Shaving? Same issues. I like smoothness and it communicates "mainstream" ... but I'm lazy. Eventually people figure out I'm the "absent-minded professor" type in female manifestation and help me when something's hanging out that shouldn't be, and to put on the right appearance for conferences and what have you. I figure that's like dressing for any other cultural ceremony, even if it's not religious.
I am a leg shaver, I admit I like my legs to be smooth, but occasionaly I get lazy, esp. in the winter, I shave maybe once every two weeks. This used to bug my ex-bf. But whenever he would make a comment about it I would just point out his long nose hair that had always grossed me out but I chose not to say anything about...
I mean, for every hair the guy lost on his head, he got another growing out his nose...at least we as women don't have to worry about that.
Hello, my name is Beth-ro, and I am a shaver.
I shave my legs from the hair on my little piggies all the way up to my bikini line each and every day of my life. I have done so since the age of 14. Ditto the under arm area. I have my eyebrows waxed every 5 weeks when I get my hair cut. And now that I am over 40, I also have my upper lip waxed.
By the way, what is up with the fine hair on my face suddenly becoming dark, hard, and weird? Hormones can bite me. :rolleyes:
As for the shaving, it takes less time in the shower each morning for me to shave then it would for me to figure out why I do it. I spend about 5 minutes in the shower and get all that leg acreage plus pits groomed while my hair conditioner does its magic. Then I rinse and ta-da...smooth for another day.
So, yes, I am an unashamed shaver. The bonus is that my smooth legs are often the only thing I have in common with the peleton. :D
Yeah, why is it I can have facial hair, wrinkles, gray head hair, AND still get zits? Hormones DO bite.
I shave as needed. Including (these days) parts of my poor beleagured face.
El Cheapo Bic razors, 12 for $1.39 at Bartell's.
Gotta keep some things trimmed, as noted earlier in the thread, both for riding and for... other activities. Plain ol' little scissors work fine.
I stopped shaving when I came out in the early 80's (although I never wore rainbow suspenders - they always hit my breasts wrong)- I started shaving my legs again every few weeks after a rollerblading incident which took the skin off a large portion of my leg - the hair made the wound itchy and painful to clean - it would get stuck. I actually thought that was why men shaved.
hahaha... I just remembered something... my brother is a cyclist, and the first time he shaved his legs he got more cuts then I've probably ever managed.
Question: regarding the elastics on bike shorts, with unshaven legs don't the elastics rip the hair a bit? obviously depends on type of elastic, but just a thought
I like the feeling of smooth skin, but I'm also lazy, so I compromised and shave once a week on Fridays. I go out clubbing every Friday night so I like feeling clean and close-shaven. I also wear makeup on Friday nights, and not any other time.
If money wasn't an issue I'd go the laser route on my legs, bikini and underarms. I like the result of brazilian waxes but the pain really is horrible (the numbing creams never worked for me), and for someone trying to watch budget it's just another $50 a month to spend. My SO doesn't care either way so it's all up to me, but I like not feeling any pressure from him.
I dated a cyclist once who shaved his legs and I thought it was odd!! Personally, I like a clean shaven face on my man.
Nicola
I can take or leave shaving...
I usually end up doing it when I have significantly noticeable stubble (oh, once every two or so weeks?) or when I think it might be noticed...
My armpits get it almost every day, though, because pits 'n pubes get relatively dark hair... though I leave my outer labia (for biking comfort) and a stripe down the center (the pubescent look doesn't thrill me)
My s/o waxes (everything! gone!) and shaves pits 'n legs whenever she thinks they'll be noticed or when she has time. I beg for that stripe, but... eh, it's her fur.
Makeup... ugh. I only use it when zits strike in a visible way... and only a little dab of coverup. after that, just chapstick for me, thanks. =):cool:
Hah ha! I was just (like 30 minutes ago) in a conversation with my dear straight friend who has known me for 20 years, through thick and thin, about lipstick lesbi@ns vs. chapstick lesbi@ns. Now me, I don't fit either category. Like most categories, they are too limiting. But we had a great time and got a bit hysterical trying to categorize EVERYONE we knew and creating new categories out of thin air.
Not that we haven't all done that... but it was fun!
(it all started because I was looking my-tee-fine for an old lady and had a jolly flirt with a chickie at REI, where we bought waaaaay too much gu and Clif and Honey stingers for the tri we're doing)
Edit: BTW, happy Pride everyone!