Let’s Talk About Women And Their Love-Hate Relationship With Body Hair
I strongly believe that as women we’re all institutionalised into believing that our femininity has a lot to do with our looks, body hair and living up to society’s beauty standards. We’ve always been told that body hair is ugly and not feminine and that it’s unhygienic but it’s okay for men to have body hair. Over the years, not only have we broken the beauty standards and normalised body hair but our relationship with body hair has changed. We, women, have managed to unlearn a lot of lessons and learnt to love ourselves. And surprisingly our relationship with body hair (our own and men’s body hair too) has grown and changed with time and here’s how.
1. Self-Care Bhi Hai Zaroori
Instead of thinking of body hair removal as something that we need to do to look perfect and feminine, it has slowly become something that we do as a part of our self-care routine. We’re not waxing to look pretty but because we like the smooth arms. It’s much like having a spa day!
2. Beauty Shouldn’t Be Pain
TBH, I have waxed a total of twice in my 25 years of life. Yepp, I despise waxing. We women believe that beauty is pain but it shouldn’t be. More so because body hair removal is not beautiful, it’s just plain painful. I’d rather pick shaving over waxing any day. It’s quick, hassle-free and cheap. Plus we know the pandemic has helped us love shaving a tad bit more.
3. Men Need More Grooming
Let’s face it, we all have a relationship with men. Be it our fathers, brothers, friends or lovers. Men and their relationship with body hair is much more complicated than our. I’m not going to shame men for their body hair but they seriously need to groom themselves a little for the sake of hygiene. Trust me, it’s not fun to see men with hair popping out of their shirts, nose and ears. Like just trim them a little. We like men who put effort so, for all those who get waxed or shave it all off – we appreciate the effort.
4. Hygiene Pe Focus Karo
For us women, body hair removal is more about keeping it clean and hygiene than about femininity. We don’t get waxed or shaved to look beautiful instead we prefer trimming sometimes just to keep it hygienic.
5. Body Hair Is Normal
Speaking to all the women of Team Hauterrfly and beyond, I’ve realised that women don’t mind body hair. We’ve learnt to love it and be more accepting of body hair. TBH, I just went from shaving my legs every time I want to wear a dress to not caring about hairy legs because it is normal. Women don’t necessarily have to feel something about body hair and its removal.
Also Read: Tillotama Shome Openly Talks About Not Following Beauty Standards And We Heart It!
So, three cheers for all of us. Happy Women’s Day, ladies!
