What I Hate About Being A Woman

March 28, 2012 in Body, Body Image, Gender

Today’s guest post by Monique Fischle:

I wonder how different society would be if it was normal for women to have legs this hairy

There are many things I love about being a woman; I love the pretty dresses, the shoes; I love the ability to multitask efficiently (sorry men, but you know I’m right) and the happier side of sisterhood. But I absolutely loathe having to shave my legs. I would go as far to call it the bane of my existence. OK, maybe not that far, but I really do not like it.

It’s not that I like having a forest of leg hair, I don’t. I love my legs to look freshly shaven. But the effort it takes to do it? Not a fan. I hate having to take the extra time in the shower to run a razor quickly across my legs being careful to not nick my skin. I hate that no matter how meticulous I think I’ve been I always seem to miss bits, especially the knees. Oh the knees are the worst.

When I really need to make sure I’m super smooth, I go to the effort of doing it in a bath (such a tough life). But this isn’t a relaxing bubble bath with some awesome bath salts from Lush; this is sitting in water with shaving cream and remnants of leg hair, not delightful.

I’ve tried hair removal cream, but it doesn’t have the same finish and I don’t really enjoy standing around for 5-10 minutes with the cream on my legs. I dislike shaving my legs so much that I have seriously considered saving the money to have laser hair removal. I’ve yet to try waxing because I have sensitive skin on my legs (weird, I know) and you have to grow the hair out which in winter is fine, but not so much when I want to rock a bikini.

Along with sharing the same name, we also share a dislike for shaving, though I’d probably bring out the razor for the red carpet!

It is one of the many times in life that I wish I were a boy. Yes, there are some out there who shave their legs (as well as their arms, chest and everywhere else) but men can have hairy legs and that’s cool, but when you’re a woman, not so much.

Take a look at Mo’Nique, the actress. Despite having a truly incredible name, she’s been known for her dislike of grooming. At the 2010 Golden Globe Awards, where she won Best Supporting Actress for her role in Precious, she lifted her dress on the red carpet to reveal unshaved legs. Media sites went off commenting on this and brushing over the fact that she actually won the award for which she was nominated.

From ninemsn:

She was photographed lifting up her skirt and showing off her hairy legs as she made her way to the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

The image has been circulated by gossip websites, with many commentators saying the 42-year-old’s display was inappropriate.

“Why did she raise her dress like that knowing what her legs looked like?” wrote one TMZ.com reader.

“Geez, didn’t the Golden Globes and expensive dress warrant a shave … she got a pedicure but let the legs go?”

From the Daily Mail:

She may have won a Golden Globe to Best Supporting Actress this week, but larger-than-life actress Mo’Nique won’t be winning any awards for her personal grooming.

The actress, who picked up the award for her role as an abusive mother in Precious, was pictured hitching up her dress to show off her less than smooth legs on the red carpet at the star-studded event.

Strangely the 42-year-old had well pedicured, smooth feet complete with newly-applied nail varnish, but had neglected to tend to the hair on her legs.

One of the many reasons I love winter is because I don’t have to worry about shaving as I’m usually covered up with long pants or thick opaque tights.

While this seems like a whole lot of complaining (and let’s face it, it kind of is), I know I’m not alone here and I’m sure there are many ladies out there who feel the same way I do. Or maybe you. Despite the fact that I hate shaving my legs, I still do it.

Are there any personal grooming habits that you just hate having to do? Like washing your hair everyday (hello dry shampoo) or the feeling of annoyance you get when you’ve just gotten comfortable in bed only to realise you’ve forgotten to brush your teeth?

It’s hard work being a lady!

What about you? What do you hate about being your gender? What do you love about it? Do you think it’s fair for women to have to shave their legs?

Photo 1 found here. Photo 2 from the Daily Mail.

Author Info

Monique Fischle has written 98 posts.
22 year old communications assistant with a love of books, movies, music, ASOS and all things celebrity! I blog over at ‘the musings of monique’ and tweet quite frequently @moniquefischle.
Follow on twitter: @moniquefischle

20 Comments »

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Melissa Savage

Urgh! The Daily Fail is an awful rag. So bitchy; I hate that its articles are cross posted so widely.

I wish I was brave enough to defy convention and stop shaving my legs and armpits like the awesome Amanda Palmer (who proudly wore a sleeveless dress on the same Golden Globes red carpet.
- Monique Fischle
  
  I could potentially stop shaving my legs (in winter only), but I couldn’t stop shaving my armpits!
  - http://tamsinhowse.com/blog Tamsin Howse
    
    Armpits smell, I can understand wanting to keep them hair free. I don’t REALLY understand the convention of hair free legs, though.
http://www.xxxmissvxxx.wordpress.com MissV

I would recommend laser! It’s perfect for those who shave because the darker/thicker the hair the better. It is expensive but so worth it!
Have a look on scoopon and those deal sites but do your research before buying them because some are for beauty salons where they don’t actually have sufficient training and will burn you.

I’ve done my underarms, legs and brazilian. It’s brilliant. I don’t have to shave anything anymore! And because laser is every 8 weeks (and the sessions get further apart the more you have), it may seem expensive but if you put away about $40 a week you’ll be able to pay for a session.
- Monique Fischle
  
  When I’m working full time (and therefore will have the money), I will definitely be looking into laser. I just hate having to shave!
- http://tamsinhowse.com/blog Tamsin Howse
  
  Holy crap, brazillian?! That’s commitment.
  - Dolly Levi
    
    Isn’t it though !
    I was in hysterics when one of my girlfriends told me the technician had to dry shave her ass. I think that is the kind of information i would like prior to the appointment, give you the opportunity to DIY. I’m still laughing about it !!!
    - Valentina B
      
      Oh mine at least told me to shave EVERYTHING before coming in so i was very aware that she could potentially be shaving my butt!
      
      Commitment-wise, wasn’t really. The price of one session was the cost of 2 waxes 8 weeks apart so it made perfect sense. It’s a different pain to waxing and one that i find more tolerable (having said that i do have a very high pain threshold… lucky me!)
      
      Totally worth it!
      - http://tamsinhowse.com/blog Tamsin Howse
        
        I have just gigglesnorted in my office at those comments! Oh my!
      - Monique Fischle
        
        How many sessions do you need to get? I haven’t really looked into laser that much as I can’t afford it right now.
Rose Russo

Laser all the way! I’m not too worried about shaving my legs but the rest I find it easier to maintain with regular laser appointments – it’s effective and saves so much time!
- Monique Fischle
  
  I will definitely be getting laser when I have more money to my name!
Ingrid N

I don’t mind shaving my legs but it’s not something I look forward to either. I get away with doing it once a week and in the grand scheme of things it’s totally worth it:)
- Monique Fischle
  
  I’m so glad it’s starting to get cold because it means I can get away with not shaving for longer! I love having shaved legs, I just hate having to do it.
http://tamsinhowse.com/blog Tamsin Howse

I am very lucky. I’m a natural blonde (hello hair dye!) so my leg hair is blonde. This means I can usually get away with not shaving them if I forget. Honestly, though, I don’t wear skirts or dresses enough to really worry about that. I usually get through the whole of winter without shaving them and during summer I’d say I shave them once every 2 weeks. If I forget, nobody notices…

Underarm hair, however, is more of a hygiene thing to me. The hairs can trap smells, so I keep those hair free!!
- Monique Fischle
  
  My leg hair is relatively light, but when the sun hits it, you can always tell. Especially the knees. Underarm hair is non-negotiable, I do it every time I’m in the shower!
MrsGinger

I just can’t believe that picture (of Mo’Nique) is a picture of a woman’s legs!

I really don’t mind shaving my legs. I use hair conditioner (instead of shaving cream) and it makes the process super quick and easy, and I rarely if ever get ingrown hairs.
- Monique Fischle
  
  I used hair conditioner too these days, leaves a nicer feel afterwards as well.
Claire

Hahaha. Love this. I am the same as you Monique – love the result but loathe the process.

I have the added issue of a really small hot water tank at my place….to the extent that I need to turn the water off while I put conditioner in my hair (which is great fun in winter!)…so you can imagine the joy when hair washing day and leg shaving day coincide. Standing there naked and wet in the cold, and stooping over to shave my legs. So not fun. But nothing beats the feeling of freshly shaved legs on the bed sheets when you get into bed!

Oh and you are so right about the knees!
- Monique Fischle
  
  Oh if I had the hot water issue, it would motivate me even less. You poor thing. But I do love the feeling of freshly shaved legs. My knees are always bad. Every time I think I’ve finally done it, finally gotten rid of everything, but then when I’m moisturising my legs, there’s still always some hair there. It’s like magic hair that doesn’t want to leave. Silly knees.

KiKi & Tea