When that man (yes, I am sure it was a man!) decided that women should be perfectly hair free of the leg, underarm and facial region, what right did he have?!
I know we all have choices and all that, but deep down, I still feel the need to not expose my winter/spring down, that covers my legs, or lift my arms up if I have managed to forget to remove all evidence that there are hair follicle in those regions!
On a year-round basis, I need the upkeep of eyebrows and upper lip hair to be kept going. I visit my beautician to get my bits threaded. I’m afraid I can’t hide my face, but at least the rest of the body I can let live in its natural state… until times like now.
The sun is out, the temperatures ave been really warm the last two days, and yesterday, playing with my class outside, I felt I could not take my jumper off… because, shock horror, I hadn’t done my underarms! So I boiled slowly!
Getting home, the first thing I did was get my epilator out!
Then this morning, deciding that cropped leggings were the way to go, I realised that there were some stray hairs peeking out on the leg area that was now exposed! Eeek! Cue emergency epilator frenzy!
But seriously, why are we so worried about a few hairs on show? Over the years I have shaved, epilated, waxed and even lasered! It’s not cheap… It can hurt… But I just feel the need to do it.
I don’t want to be a human gorilla walking around school! I wish I could say I don’t care and am proud, but I just can’t!
Thankfully I have got over the bikini line thing. That pain I leave unless absolutely necessary!
robbiesinspiration
May 31, 2017 @ 17:16:50
Ha ha, Ritu. This really amuses me. I am quite fortunate as I am very fair so my hair isn’t very noticeable when I forgot [read that as am to lazy] to shave. I live in a hot climate though so there are very few opportunities to hide away under clothing.
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Ritu
May 31, 2017 @ 17:18:12
I would be so stuck if I was you Lol!
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Tikeetha T
May 30, 2017 @ 14:34:05
LOL. Women problems. I tend to not shave as much in the winter. But, dang it every week in the summer. Beauty maintenance is expensive.
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Ritu
May 30, 2017 @ 14:43:56
Oh my goodness is it!!!
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Steve
May 27, 2017 @ 23:44:46
Men these days also do as much hair pruning as women you know. Women have it lucky in the heat though. You get to wear floaty dresses and at least get the air around your bits! If we have a hot summer this year I will defo be investing in a dress to wear to work – what do you think?
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Ritu
May 28, 2017 @ 08:29:12
Oh, definitely Steve! And if you can, get a Maxi, it hides the legs, and it’s just the underarms you need to worry about lol!
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Steve
May 28, 2017 @ 09:13:35
I’ll bear that in mind lol
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Ritu
May 28, 2017 @ 09:14:56
Lol!
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Shallow Reflections
May 27, 2017 @ 23:21:37
One of the advantages of growing older is less underarm hair (for me – none), eyebrows that thin, and much less leg hair. Having said that I still charge up the lady electric to shave my legs to the knee when I take my cropped pants out of mothballs. Unfortunately there are chin hairs that appear which is not a good look. As luck would have it, my cataracts prevent me from seeing the chin hairs, so win-win! LOL.
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Ritu
May 28, 2017 @ 08:26:36
Lol! I am currently in the process of also noticing white hairs appearing in places I never thought of too!
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seaangel4444
May 27, 2017 @ 20:35:05
Oh my dear Ritu! Yes, I swear all of those crazy hair removal contraptions were invented by men! LOL Cher xo
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 20:55:24
Totally!!!!
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seaangel4444
May 27, 2017 @ 20:57:42
😉 xo
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Trudy
May 27, 2017 @ 19:23:07
Last Summer it was a trend to color your armpit hair for women in all the unicorn colors. It was shocking to see because you are so used to bare armpits.
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 20:55:08
Lol!! I never heard that!!!
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Jennifer
May 27, 2017 @ 17:20:39
LOL. I’ve never cared what my eyebrows looked like, but I am so sick of taking care of my legs. Mostly, I never go past my knees unless I know I’m going to be wearing a bathing suit.
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 20:54:22
With dark bushy eyebrows I have to care lol!!!
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Lutheranliar
May 27, 2017 @ 16:34:16
I feel your depilatory pain! The good news is that as you get older, your hair gets harder to see. Bad news? You get some on your upper lip (!)
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 20:51:49
I’m Indian … upper lip hair starts with puberty!!! It’s the chin hairs now lol!!!
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Lutheranliar
May 27, 2017 @ 23:58:43
You are hilarious!!!
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Ritu
May 28, 2017 @ 08:30:07
Only speaking the truth lol! I fear I will have to start educating my 9-year-old daughter on epilation sooner rather than later too!
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Gabe Burkhardt
May 27, 2017 @ 16:27:32
hehehe I read this post though my wife’s eyes. She is so meticulous about waxing and plucking and… my vocabulary doesn’t include many of the other words that I’m sure are part of the “perfection” routine. However, I know it happens, that it’s a hassle, and while I’ve assured her it’s not necessary for my benefit, I suspect it’s such an ingrained behavior now it would be a more difficult habit to break than coffee.
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 20:50:37
Exactly that Gabe! It’s a habit hard to break even though we complain!!!
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Gary
May 27, 2017 @ 16:09:57
Hair today, gone tomorrow, or something like that. Funny how what’s right or wrong gets fixed in social conscious and has the power to make people feel uncomfortable. Natures, nature so it should be personal choice rather than an imposed one surely? Mind you, I could say that about a lot of things these days lol
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 20:47:51
That’s just it… we all agree but we still can’t stop ourselves lol!!!
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Gary
May 28, 2017 @ 17:07:25
Social conditioning is a curse lol; Be mindful and ask yourself is this what I really want; I’m “told” that’s part of the making a choice thing rather than just blundering on because its what I always do lol
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Ritu
May 28, 2017 @ 17:14:44
Lol!!! True dat!
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thoughtsfromjasmine
May 27, 2017 @ 15:52:03
I’ve slowly started to get over the leg hair thing, and nowadays if my legs aren’t hairless (but not overly visibly hairy) I’ll go out regardless. However I agree! What right did that man have?!
Jas xx
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 16:10:08
True dat!!! I used to do my arms too.. . Got over that thank God!!!
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hotmessmemoir
May 27, 2017 @ 15:33:04
I feel your pain. I can no longer go 2 weeks without shaving, hiding under my jeans. It sucks. I thought about laser hair removal but I know it’s expensive.
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 16:08:27
I got a small laser machine as my Christmas present a few years ago. It is worth it but time consuming lol!
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Melissa
May 27, 2017 @ 13:59:35
Living in the Caribbean, we gals don’t get a day off. Shorts, vests, bikinis…we are almost always chasing the hairless ideal. Hair doesn’t grow on my skin (praises be!!) but the underarm and bikini line are a CONSTANT upkeep. I’m thinking of electrolysis because the waxing is becoming a pain.
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 14:05:06
Aw man I’m feeling your pain!!! I invested in a little laser machine which is great. Reduces hair growth a lot! But it can feel uncomfortable!
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Melissa
May 27, 2017 @ 14:45:39
Almost all hair removal is painful…it’s just the degrees of pain we have to negotiate.
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 14:49:36
True dat!!!
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Jo (Fallen Angel)
May 27, 2017 @ 13:50:42
I get this! I quite happily leave my legs to fur over during winter when I only wear trousers. Only when it’s summer and the shorts come out do I realise that I need to sort my legs out. But why do I ‘need’ to? I just don’t think I could bear the looks of people if I showed my legs off in all their hairy glory!
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 14:03:32
That’s just it… We are so conditioned to feel bad that we go and remove all the hair again!!!
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angelanoelauthor
May 27, 2017 @ 13:46:19
OMG! You read my mind. I just packed a swimsuit for our Memorial Day weekend trip and thought–dang it, bikini line. But then I thought, who cares! If anyone is looking that closely they better be married to me or saving my life!
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 14:02:42
Lol!!! 🤣 I have a tankini with the skirt attached to the bottoms! Much easier lol!!!
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wedincentralpark
May 27, 2017 @ 13:37:43
so true. I really can’t find it in me to care about hairy bits anymore (I’m 39 with a baby and a toddler)
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 14:02:02
I know… 41 with two tweens… and s nursery teacher… It’s not the first priority on my list but man does it prey on my mind!!!
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Traci York
May 27, 2017 @ 13:32:03
Ugh – I have the same issue! I have friends who proudly leave their hair growing wild and free, where ever it may be, but I just can’t do it (unless it’s winter – LOL!). And I’m beginning to see the beauty in bathing suits with cute skirts/shorts that eliminate the need for introducing a sharp blade to such a delicate area! 😛
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 14:00:43
Lol Traci I have one of those tankinis with a skirt attached lol!!!
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Gloria
May 27, 2017 @ 13:02:49
Mmm…..it’s a pain yes. But we all still do it (well most of us). I have to admit though that I’m not all that hairy. Never had a bikini wax. A quick whizz from knee to ankle with a razor is enough for my legs. I only bother with my armpits if I’m wearing very short sleeves. The thoughts of threading my eyebrows makes me wince. Plucking is hard enough. 😣😣😣
I agree with Modern Gypsy in the comments below……find ‘that man’ and wax him from head to toe. 😂😂
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 13:10:15
We should start up a lunch mob lol!!!
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Everything EmmZeeBee
May 27, 2017 @ 12:32:24
Some very good points aha! Once you start shaving/waxing it feels like you can’t turn back!
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 12:38:36
It’s true! One hair removal starts you feel duty bound to continue!!!
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Phil Taylor
May 27, 2017 @ 11:55:34
Women do have far more unfair expectations in the area of grooming than do men. And for that I feel grateful and lucky!
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 11:59:39
Thanks to a man who can appreciate that!!!
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Lucy Mitchell
May 27, 2017 @ 11:22:36
Lol! The more I write the hairier I become!
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 11:31:36
Lol!!!!!!
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Modern Gypsy
May 27, 2017 @ 11:08:09
Ugh! I think one reason why I love winters so much is because I can roam around like a gorilla! Come summer, and there’s this instinctive need to be waxed and hair free! I wish we could find the man who invented the concept and hold him down as we wax the hair off his hairy legs!
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Em Linthorpe
May 27, 2017 @ 11:09:02
Hahaha!
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 11:09:58
Wax… thread… electrolysis… laser … let’s do it all to him🤣!!
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Niki Meadows
May 27, 2017 @ 11:03:00
I was just thinking that yesterday morning!!! I hate that society’s beauty standards dictate that women be hairless, especially with the beard craze going on… must be nice for hair to be a trend hahahaha Whenever I see a woman who is shamelessly hairy, I salute her in my heart! ❤
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 11:07:08
If only I had the guts to rebel and go hairy lol!!!
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Niki Meadows
May 27, 2017 @ 11:21:08
You and me both!
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Em Linthorpe
May 27, 2017 @ 10:50:36
Meh…I shave about once a month! I never have my legs exposed, even if it’s hot. I’m blaming my Raynauds for that one! It’s true though, society judges strongly for what is perfectly natural, and it’s once again women who are at the receiving end of the inequality holds back feminist rant 😂
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 11:06:34
Exactly Em!!! I could plead religion and not expose.. . But I get too hot lol!!!
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masgautsen
May 27, 2017 @ 10:47:10
It’s a hassle too keep up with it, so I must admit to not being the best at keeping up with my grooming at all times
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 11:05:31
In the winter I’m terrible!!! But come summer I feel the need!!
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masgautsen
May 27, 2017 @ 11:06:54
Hehehe. I know what you mean, but I’m not always good
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 11:07:45
If I’m going somewhere then I feel I have to do it!!!
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thebeasley
May 27, 2017 @ 10:46:06
Eurgh. I hate this too. I’m quite hairy, so I regularly go through the pain of electrolysis on my chin & lip. I love to just think “fuck it” though. Bloody social norms. I am caring a lot less about having slightly hairy armpits on display though.
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 11:04:55
I get to summer then think… no… It’s gotta be done!!
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photographybyjem
May 27, 2017 @ 10:39:34
Very true! When the sun came out a couple of days ago, I had the realisation that my usual 5 minute shower was going to be close to an hour after all the preening and pruning and for what, a t-shirt and shorts. It would be good to live in a society where you aren’t judged for not being socially acceptable according to their opinion.
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 11:04:10
If only eh Jem! Until then we will continue to suffer lol!!
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suzie81speaks
May 27, 2017 @ 10:30:04
I’m totally with you. It’s a pain – my brain wants to say ‘no! I’m not bowing down to social pressure to shave!’ and yet out came the razor as soon as the hot weather appeared
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 10:45:48
I know!! We are totally conditioned lol!!!
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A Girl and Her Passport
May 27, 2017 @ 10:21:53
Definitely a man! I rarely shave my legs above my knee. I am lucky though that most of my hair is blonde.
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Ritu
May 27, 2017 @ 10:45:21
That’s the problem with Indian hair. . It shows up! And as I’m quite fair skinned it shows up lots! But I’m all about the up to your knee too!! Long gone are the days of showing legs lol!
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Tessa
May 26, 2017 @ 00:47:10
Not all countries share that tradition. 🙂
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Ritu
May 26, 2017 @ 06:56:48
Shame all the ones I am associated to have it as a strong belief lol!!
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noellekelly
May 25, 2017 @ 19:49:53
I’m exactly the same… The shame if you lift up your arms somewhere and realise after that you forgot to shave your pits.. But I wish I wasn’t ashamed!
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Ritu
May 25, 2017 @ 19:52:38
I know!!! Conditioning!!!!
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Judy E Martin
May 25, 2017 @ 19:29:34
I don’t mind doing all the de-fuzzing for legs and underarms etc, but I get wild that I have to KEEP doing my chin or I would have a full on beard!
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Ritu
May 25, 2017 @ 19:51:12
Lol!!! I totally get you sis!!!
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Fourth Generation Farmgirl
May 25, 2017 @ 19:16:34
You’re right, Ritu! Hair removal can be such a pain–literally. 🙂
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Ritu
May 25, 2017 @ 19:23:40
Literally Lol!
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Jennie
May 25, 2017 @ 16:16:28
Ha! He should have first tried it out on himself.
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Ritu
May 25, 2017 @ 16:23:12
Totally should have Jennie!
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Jennie
May 25, 2017 @ 17:36:27
😀
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Sarah Brentyn
May 25, 2017 @ 15:23:44
😂 You just sweat because, oh, the horror if you showed some hair! I can relate. Ridiculous. (I say that yet I’ll do it again, I’m sure. Suffering through the heat so I don’t show a bit of unshaven leg.)
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Ritu
May 25, 2017 @ 16:21:41
I know.. we are conditioned lol!!!
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New Journey
May 25, 2017 @ 15:14:48
pretty sure it was a man who invented the bra, nylons and high heels too!!!!
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Ritu
May 25, 2017 @ 16:21:17
Yes!!!
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Shivangi
May 25, 2017 @ 15:11:16
Hahaha… such a relevant post for us women! Since eyebrows are generally waxed here in the US and finding a threading service is difficult. I leave my crooked eyebrows as it is most of the time😀
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Ritu
May 25, 2017 @ 16:21:10
We’re lucky. Therr are threafing salons all over around here!!
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Shivangi
May 25, 2017 @ 17:11:21
That’s great😀👏
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Lisa A.
May 25, 2017 @ 13:35:23
Lol. Which reminds me…I need to get my eyebrows done.
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Ritu
May 25, 2017 @ 16:20:36
Me too lol!!!
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Lisa A.
May 26, 2017 @ 11:35:11
I won’t wax anything else though. 😂
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Ritu
May 26, 2017 @ 12:33:38
Lol!!!!
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Lisa A.
May 26, 2017 @ 13:28:50
Lol. I just use a razor.
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Ritu
May 26, 2017 @ 17:10:40
Oh noooo!!! No razors here@!! Lol!
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Lisa A.
May 26, 2017 @ 17:16:17
Lol 😂
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SickChristine
May 25, 2017 @ 13:01:04
The one good thing about oral chemo, other than it killing my tumor, was that I didn’t have to shave as often. I miss that. I really, really miss that. And, yes, it was definitely a man that came up with these hairless standards.
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Ritu
May 25, 2017 @ 16:20:16
100%male thinking lol!
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Jim
May 25, 2017 @ 12:07:32
rebel! start a “No Shave – No Wax” movement!
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Ritu
May 25, 2017 @ 16:19:56
If only it were that easy in the summer Lol!
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You Can Always Start Now
May 25, 2017 @ 11:34:35
No #$&*. I am in the boat at the moment. Yes I agree it was a man
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Ritu
May 25, 2017 @ 16:19:37
Lol!!!
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willowdot21
May 25, 2017 @ 09:51:10
Darn society rules, yes men!! I agree it’s a pain and most men are hairy! Apparently they like hair in on legs and under arm on the continent. 😞💜
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Ritu
May 25, 2017 @ 16:19:10
Should we move Lol?!
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willowdot21
May 25, 2017 @ 16:27:04
It a tempting thought but I love it here!!
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Ritu
May 25, 2017 @ 16:31:40
I know… me too Lol!
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willowdot21
May 25, 2017 @ 16:34:16
Shall we stay 💜💟
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Ritu
May 25, 2017 @ 16:41:07
I think so xx
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willowdot21
May 25, 2017 @ 16:43:21
Yes 🇬🇧
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Southern by Design
May 25, 2017 @ 09:22:42
Haha I feel you
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Ritu
May 25, 2017 @ 16:18:36
Lol… at least I’m kinda smooth now!!
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Erika Kind
May 25, 2017 @ 09:19:00
Yes, that spring revelation… lol! Sis, you gave me that hint with the laser about 2 years ago. I used it regularly as they suggested. Guess what… here or there a hair appears on my legs today. Completely out of hair under my arms and the bikini zone is shaped too. And it is no real pain, to be honest … at least compared to epilating! It was the greatest tip, sis!!
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Ritu
May 25, 2017 @ 16:17:54
Lol!!! It is definitely less for me too but I need to top it up… don’t have the time lol!!!
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Erika Kind
May 25, 2017 @ 16:19:56
It takes its time for a while indeed. But meanwhile, I only have to do a few spots sporadically. I know you need to make a bit more effort. But I am glad it thinned out too!
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Hira
May 25, 2017 @ 08:40:10
Oh God.. Serisously .. Why? And why can’t I just leave it at it . 😦
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Ritu
May 25, 2017 @ 08:44:02
I know!!!!!
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Kunal Thakore
May 25, 2017 @ 07:51:27
As a man who hates the drudgery of shaving, but is slave to the social need, I can commiserate with you 🙂
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Ritu
May 25, 2017 @ 08:08:16
Lol! Cheers!!!
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