Worried about your summer grooming? We investigate whether the return of the lady bush is here to stay-and if it’s not for you, how to get rid of it!
When American Apparel adorned mannequins in one of their New York stores with full sets of pubic hair almost a decade ago, eyebrows raised and jaws dropped. But amidst the shock, a serious question was asked: Is the bush back? Post-pandemic, we’ve certainly embraced the bush afresh, and have emerged with new hairstyles and habits of every kind.
IN PRAISE OF PUBES
In her long-released health and lifestyle book, The Body Book, Cameron Diaz pens a section called ‘In Praise Of Pubes’, encouraging us to keep our pubic hair in its natural state. Lady Gaga’s also a fan of hair down there, showing off her trimmed bush on the cover of Candy mag long before the bush was truly accepted as cool.
And it’s not just celebs who are pro-pubes. A study from the UK found just over 50% of women don’t groom their pubic hair at all, and, closer to home, only 28 out of the 101 women photographed for Australian art exhibition and coffee-table book 101 Vagina, were near or completely hairless. Do we in fact love hair and only remove it to appease the patriarchy? Why has this been a decade-long debate?
So, was COVID-19 the death of the vajay-jay wax once and for all? Maybe. But while this penchant for au naturel may seem like a pretty trivial topic on the surface, it opens up a bigger conversation about gender stereotypes and society’s ideas on what it means to be feminine and well groomed!
THE CHOICE IS YOURS
The lack of diversity of images in adult media and beyond, as well as anecdotal evidence that most men still prefer women with a clean-shaven or close-trimmed vagina, makes many of us feel like we don’t actually have a choice when it comes to our personal grooming habits. It’s become a serious case of double standards and an endless loop of debate. We say do what you like and set the trends you want to see in the world. The resurgence of the bush will help those women who choose not to remove their pubic hair feel less like a lone wildling for their decision, particularly as people everywhere embrace more of who they are in a bid for authenticity and true choice. Being exposed to people who are saying, ‘Hang on, I don’t want to pour hot wax on my genitals every six weeks, and that’s my choice’ is great. All people should choose what they want for their bodies.
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
Choice naturally also means you have absolutely every right to not want any of it at all. We get it, it’s simply not for everyone, and there are no rules, only choices. We tend to get lost even in our need to push back against the societies now wanting control, but we really shouldn’t let it stop us from embracing the individual norms we’ve become comfortable with and simply don’t want to change for a variety of reasons. We know you know the drill, we’re just here with a few tips to remind you of the pesky prep you forget to do!
1. SHAVING
TIP: Make sure your razor is clean, rust-free and sharp.
TIP: Before your shave, soak in hot water or hold a clean, warm face cloth against the shave to soften your skin. This tends to make hair removal easier.
2. WAXING
TIP: Use a mirror if you’re having trouble seeing your application area properly, tiny missed strips are annoying and unnecessarily painful to go back for when your skin has already had a shock. Opt for an ice cube and tweezer if you’ve just missed a few stray hairs.
TIP: Make sure the wax is evenly heated and not too hot, or too cold as it will not properly attach and force you to reapply too many times than is good for your skin.
PRODUCTS:
1. All Woman African Black Soap Body Scrub R149
2. Essence Eyebrow Tweezer R57.95
3. Braun SE3-420 Silk-epil Corded Epilator I Ruby R1115, Takealot
4. Wahl Rechargeable Rose Gold 9 Piece Ladies Trimmer Kit R439, Takealot
5. Hey Gorgeous Spicy Rose Body Scrub Bliss R195
6. NUXE Reve de the Body Scrub R395
All products available at selected Foschini stores and foschiniforbeauty.co.za. Prices correct at time of print
3. SUGARING
TIP: The chemical-free simple syrup means that it only adheres itself to dead skin and hair, often cleaning out the pores. Many holistic wellness clinics offer this more traditional and beneficial alternative.
TIP: Sugaring requires only 8-10 days of growth, unlike the 3-4 week wait required with conventional waxing.
4. DEPILATORY CREAM
TIP: Leave depilatory creams on for the shortest amount of time possible.
TIP: Use an alcohol-free moisturiser afterward.
5. EPILATION
TIP: Always exfoliate before epilating and use the epilator while your legs are still warm.
TIP: Remember not to moisturise after epilating!
Glow on!
To bush or not to bush is only one question. With any hair growth or removal, bright, exfoliated skin and great circulation is key especially as summer hits and many of us bring the sundresses and more revealing outfits out.
PRODUCTS:
1. Be Bare Life Bodywash bar -Peppermint / Lime / Tea Tree R54.95
2. All Woman Shower Body Massage Brush R99
3. Be Bare Life Lotion bar -Vanilla & Citrus R64.95
4. Skin Nutrition Brightening Super Prescription Capsules Price in store
Words by Stefanie Titus
Photography: Pexels, Courtesy Images
