Member-only story
I was eleven years old the first time I attempted to shave my legs. I stole one of my mom’s razors in the shower one day and decided to just go for it. I think I was expecting it to hurt, but when I realized that it didn’t, I was sold.
Because, you know, hair-free legs were an absolute necessity in the sixth grade.
At that age, I barely had peach fuzz. The only reason it even occurred to me to shave in the first place was because my female cousin, who was one year older than I was, suggested that I do.
As women (and young girls), we’re expected to shave just about everywhere. Clean, smooth, hair-free skin is the expectation.
Except for our heads, of course. Our hair and eyebrows and eyelashes should be naturally full and beautiful. It’s the hair anywhere else is the enemy.
Hair removal isn’t all that all that easy and convenient, either.
If you shave, your hair may start to grow back within a day. But if you shave every day, you’re more at risk of ingrown hairs, razor burn, razor bumps, and just general irritation.
There’s also waxing, threading, plucking, sugaring, and laser hair removal — none of which sound the least bit appealing to me.
