stop shaving my legs

I made this my new year’s resolution at the beginning of 08 and while I want it to be a permanent lifestyle change, I am going to say that I’ve completed it after a year. I hated shaving mostly because it stung whenever I went to the beach (and I love the beach so that really sucked) and I hated the fact that women are expected to do it (and lots of women and men find it digusting if you don’t) but people find it repulsive if men do it. Just like alot of other double standards that I get annoyed about but of which my friends think I’m extreme for bucking the trend.

So it started out just as waxing my legs (so I’d have to grow it out to wax anyway), but as I am lazy and not very good at waxing it’s kinda transformed into not waxing at all. I have very thin blonde hair on my legs anyway so noone notices. Shaving it for 7 years (I started when I was 13 when I moved in with my aunt and she thought it was disgusting that I didn’t shave my legs or pitts- even as a 13 year old with no hair) it became a lot thicker and darker than my natural hair so I think I will wax it for a bit longer just to get it back to what it was like when it was natural.

Noone has really noticed so far, some people do and are disgusted but most people don’t care. My boyfriend likes it better when its not a forest but once its back to its natural way it won’t be anyway. I am more comfortable with not have a forest on my legs either anyway, but again, it’ll just take some time.

I haven’t shaved my legs or pits since the ‘04 presidential election (I lost a bet). Before that, it was February ‘02. I love it – it’s great never ever feeling stubble or needing to pack a razor. No negatives, all positives. At least one boyfriend has complimented me on my lovely armpit hair.

It has almost been a year now since the last time I shaved my legs. I am quite pleased with this because the summer time is usually when I wimp out- but not this time! Also I have noticed that there are patches of places where I have not grown any hair let, what gives?

maybe it’s because it’s easier for me to have done this because of my extensive background in feminism. maybe it’s because i’m a big dyke and if the people i surround myself accept that, a little leg hair won’t bother them. mostly it’s because i have found no good reason to shave my legs. it’s an idea that society has made us believe that we need to embrace to attract a partner. my girlfriend doesn’t particularly like it but it’s not a big deal, she doesn’t dislike it either. i think that stupid rituals need to be challenged so that we as women can stop paying so much attention to them and focus on bigger issues. i havn’t shaved my legs for about half a year and i don’t intend on shaving them ever again.

ps. if you shave, let’s say, once a month, for a few months your hair grows back so slowly that that’s about all you have to shave anyway. for me, that is, that’s how i started. so, even if you don’t stop completely, at least reduce and save yourself money on razors.

Did you know that women shaving their legs was started by a marketing campaign for an American razor company in the early 1900s? It was completely commercially motivated. That’s also why many European women still don’t shave their legs.

It’s also very green not to shave. It takes less water in the shower, plus no production of the razor, shaving cream, etc.

I quit about 9 months ago, and I think it’s great. If you’re really concerned about having dark hair on your legs, buy a box of cheap blond hair dye and just dye your leg hair once it grows out.

Let’s all quit shaving our legs!

Woo hoo! I’m at least a good month into this again, and I love it! I got a bit tan at a track meet last weekend, so my legs are darker and my hair lighter, so you realllly can’t tell now. Only a few people have noticed- my closest friends who are around me a lot (especially at track where I always wear shorts).
I’m seeing this guy that I really like (and haven’t seen in 1.5 months!!) this sunday to go climbing, so I’m only a bittt nervous to see if he’ll notice/care. he’s really chill tho, environmentally friendly and way smart and just all around really down to earth, so I’m thinking it’ll be fine. maybe he’ll even like the whole idea of not shaving?? haha

I shaved mid-january. i felt like a barbie.. my legs were smooth and felt fake and unnatural. i was really disappointed with myself. i’ve been shaving once a week again. i want to stop completely again.. but idk. i’m definitely stopping this summer.

Over the summer I was on a backpacking trip and hadn’t shaved for a week by the time I got home. I realized…”wait, I had absolutely no need to shave in the wilderness. I was with 7 guys and not one cared or noticed,” so I only shaved once a week for the rest of the summer, not being able to break the habit completely. Once I got back to school, I really had no reason whatsoever to shave, so I stopped. It kept me chill and connected with my hippie summers. At first I was self conscious and worried that everyone would notice, but at the same time I was excited to show off my unconformity and practical side. It’s been about 2 months and not one person has said anything about it. I think only a few people have even noticed; my hair is blonde so it blends in nicely. After a while it gets much lighter and softer.
The one and only complaint I have is that it’s not as comfy when I wear my merino wool long underwear to bed (now that it’s cold out…and almost time for the ski season!:D )

So, after a while, I just thought to myself, why do it?

It’s so nice not having to worry about shaving anymore. My skin doesn’t break out and I don’t have to waste time and money on a practice that is ridiculous.

best decision ever!