OT (sorta): The Leg Shaving Thread

[colby]

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. 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.

[maillotpois]

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!!

[margo49]

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

[triflor]

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.

[dachshund]

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!

[margo49]

[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?!?)

[Grog]

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.

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...

[Nanci]

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

[Duck on Wheels]

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

Funny. I've only ever got ticks on my head, but I never thought of shaving my hair off to discourage them.

[RoadRaven]

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!!!

[dachshund]

At the moment, there is still pretty strong social opposition to hairy legs for women.

Hmmm... Good point!

[Tater]

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! '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.

[DrBee]

Venus is tops in my book, too. Never found anything better.

[Geonz]

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...

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.

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.

[CycleChic06]

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.