Shave or not to shave? I’m as nature intended. Do you go Brazilian, have a landing strip or let it all hang out.

Brilliant TL.

This picture I found on the internet says it all!

Mine has been on and off... In the beginning I would tidy up the bushy sprawl outside my swimsuit or bikini but shaving caused the area to itch. So I tried waxing or epilady (an electric epilator that whips it off (ouch!). It does the job.

In my later years I tried to shave the bush off but ended up with ingrown hairs, a rash and terrible itching. I got fed up and used the epilator on it. Yikes, It hurt! Maybe a salon giving me a wax would be better.

Hubby prefers no hair on himself - he finds it all gets very itchy and uncomfortable.

Everyone to their own, however this is an interesting and funny thread.

And I’m sure all of these garments shocked the older generation of the time - just as the ‘endless selfies in skimpy underwear’ is thrown at the younger generation and frowned on by some.

SirChenjin the bikini had already been invented and we only wore them on the beach. They weren't terribly revealing either. If hot pants or mini skirts revealed anything it was usually rather sensible knickers.

I've always had fine hair so nothing too 'hairy mary' going on anywhere but I've always kept everything trimmed and tidy. My mother was horrified when I plucked my eyebrows never mind shaving armpits, legs and bikini line

I do it because it feels comfy, not because of pressure from anyone else and I've never been brave enough to wax off

I'm another whose hirsute growth has slowly vanished, leaving a few white wisps which are barely noticeable. I too was totally shaved for first birth {shock} but not for second . I had a two piece swimsuit with the bottom like a pair of short shorts so need for anything bar a slight trim to stay decent.

As a beauty therapist of nearly forty years, I have seen it all!! I wax mine and have done for a very very long time but each to their own! Love the mascara post

My daughter’s generation isn’t endlessly taking selfies in skimpy underwear either Chestnut, which was what was implied -it’s not helpful to make sweeping derogatory generalisations about one particular generation imo.

Well mine seems to have pretty much gone missing since I had my hysterectomy. I think it got frightened off apart from a few grey straggly bits . However, my opinion is that it's been promoted by the porn industry and can't help but think it's a bit paedo?

I meant I would say the same about a wild haired MALE Professor.

Regarding Mary Beard’s appearance, it’s nothing to do with her sex. I would say the same about a wild haired professor on TV; most people making a public performance neaten up somewhat and I bet she is getting well paid for it.
One of my friends who is on Tinder (aaargh) doesn’t shave and said one man she met said he was put off by her Brillo pad!!!
The cheek?

I don't think Deedaa accused everyone or anyone of endlessly taking selfies, did she? She just said that her generation didn't do that.

Who/that/which/something else?!

That invented

My daughter is young and doesn’t endlessly taking selfies in skimpy underwear and neither are her friends. It’s not nice to tar young women (and men) with the same brush.

Wasn’t it your generation who invented the bikini, hot pants and the mini skirt?

In the 70s the two worst things about having a baby were the enema and the shaving. I was so glad when I had my second baby to find that they'd stopped the shaving.
Of course one thing that was different when we were young was that we weren't endlessly taking selfies in skimpy underwear so no one knew if we were hairy or not

Hear hear Greeneyedgirl. Women need to stop criticising other women’s appearances and focus on what they’ve achieved and their intellectual capabilities as opposed to their hair.

Weren't some female Olympic cyclists recommended to keep their hair on after they suffered abrasions and infections from the saddles they use? It worked, it seems.

Well said Greeneyedgirl. Mary Beard is so much more than being judged on appearance

I don't share your distaste for Mary Beard's appearance hollysteers.
Why should she conform to the expected norm. She is dynamic and makes her subject come alive, that's why she's been chosen.
I admire her for not getting "beautified" to fit expectations. She has had dreadful trolling for her appearance but thankfully also had lots of support.

I watched the bush programme out of duty really, to try and keep up with today's world. What came across was the overwhelming influence of pornography on young people. Most young men won't accept pubic hair, so the girls have no choice but to remove it. They consider it very brave to actually let it grow and to do that is 'empowering' apparently.

Well. At nearly 73, I've certainly learned a few things today.

I haven’t seen the programme on the bush yet, but don’t expect anything new.
Although I said I let it all hang out, that’s not strictly true as I have ‘at home’ pubes and holiday pubes, when I trim the sides so no sideburns rounds my cossie? I saw an hysterical cabaret on holiday when one of the performers was sunbathing
In a bikini, legs wide open in a deckchair and two black wigs inserted to look like escaping pubic hair (I’m easily amused...)
Mary Beard is mistaken regarding pubic hair. Many paintings show pubic hair, but were kept private (what about Courbet’s amazing “Source of the world” and it’s magnificent black hair?
Can’t remember the exact title) Classical statues also had any extraneous detail removed and the penis shown as small so as not to be distracting. So that balances things out a bit!
Mary Beard needs pruning too, a good haircut and teeth seen to. How many people, men and women, would get a good tv contract and say What the hell regarding their appearance?
Haven’t seen the Beard programme so may modify my views.

Nothing wrong with keeping your pubic hair neatly trimmed with an electric ladies trimmer made for just that purpose. It's just good grooming but a personal preference too. Once you start you just get used to it and feel a bit 'unkempt' if you leave it too long between trimmings. A bit like manicures and pedicures or getting your roots done, one you start it becomes a bit of a necessity. Not being high maintenance, I don't bother getting my nails done at a salon, just do it myself.

I too was shaved prior to the birth of both my children and it was very uncomfortable (and unnecessary it would appear now) and no soap or shaving gel used either. Not much dignity afforded to you giving birth in the 70's I'm afraid.