Comments on: Should I shave my armpits for my wedding day?

By: Nicci

Nicci — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:34:55 +0000

I think another thing that does need to factored in is what sort of people your guests are combined with how confident you feel. I only say this, because while my top answer will always be "stay true to yourself", sometimes that's a package deal that comes with judgement from others, which is crappy but is reality. And as much as it's easy for everyone else to say "who cares what other people think" (and that is the ideal, not caring), everyone else is not the potential recipient of glares/frowns/whatever other reaction, which can be overwhelming and not what you want to feel on your day. You may also regret compromising too and don't want to feel that regret.

One approach would be to mention it to a few guests you may be worried about, and say in advance you may not shave and you ask them to respect your choice… I find this has been helping me in preparing myself with my unorthodox wedding with a blend of traditional/conservative guests among total opposites. They've digested it by now and when the wedding happens they're already expecting the nontraditional elements.

By: Teffer

Teffer — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:15:13 +0000

I don't notice that hair carries more odor– in fact, I've found that I smell a lot better since I stopped shaving and switched to a mild, natural deodorant (or none at all- I alternate). Hair does capture scent molecules, but it also carries sweat and dirt away from the body heat, so they don't get all fermented and nasty. But I & my S.O. have no problem with clean body odor, and I know some people do– it's just a preferential thing.

By: Ssafs

Ssafs — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:40:20 +0000

Dont know if anyone mentioned yet, but if you want to denude yourself of hair there's also always nair or a similar product where its pain free and you pretty much wipe the hair away. If you are sensitive to chemicals however it can be difficult.

Whatever you choose to do, if you choose to remove the hair, MAKE SURE THAT YOU TRY IT IN ADVANCE!!! You so totaly do NOT want to shave and end up with razor burn or something the day of your wedding and be scratching at ya pits, or have a rash from nair or from waxing for that matter.

If you opt to go with staying with the hair, then I would suggest a clear gel deoderant vs a solid, that way you dont bring more attention to the hair that is there (unless of course you WANT more attention).

If you are like some of those blessed ones up there in the comments who have very light hair, not much hair, ect, then be warned shaving WILL increase the amount that you have. You may get lucky once or twice but it almost always grows in thicker. Good luck. I also totaly agree with amerwitch, try it in advance and see if you like it.

By: Perceptive

Perceptive — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:46:48 +0000

It is a woman's right to do what she wishes with regard to her appearance on her wedding day. Personally, I love natural unshaven women and I totally support those brave sisters who refuse to bow to the modern convention of shaving their armpits. They should certainly carry on the good work.

By: kendall

kendall — Sun, 08 May 2011 20:39:33 +0000

Actually just spent the weekend with some very earthy/pagan/neohippie feminists, wonderful lovely girls, lots of hair. I am hard to rattle but notice things… I wouldn't be wearing a dress [90% sure, if I did it would be a kilt but not plaid tartan just a plain one but I'm transmasculine] I think a cute little capsleeve would change the whole look, not long sleeves and long gloves or anything, I also think anyone at the wedding would probably know you to be "low maintenance" and I wouldn't want someone at my wedding if they weren't going to respect me or my bride but, I could see both sides of it, I would think it'd be awful to be itchy when there are so many other variables on that big day–but I still think cute little sleeves would fix everything

By: Kayfay

Kayfay — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 20:58:10 +0000

Alternative consideration: If you NEVER shave/wax/pluck, this could be a way to set the day apart. A ritual new beginning. I am NOT promoting shaving as a new pattern, but… You're wearing a new dress, new shoes, probably new underwear… Maybe it's a way to start your wedded life afresh; with new hair!
Various native american tribes cut the hair off of their heads when mourning a passing OR when celebrating a new beginning. Why should body hair be different?

By: Noelley B

Noelley B — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:52:47 +0000

It's pretty embarrassing these days, but I had been a cutter for almost ten years when I met my fiancÃ©. I don't shave because I don't trust myself with razors, and even if I was super careful and conscious about it, I don't really want to drag up that pile of emotional muck right before my wedding. So politics and laziness (the excuses I usually use when the topic of my body hair comes up) aside, I won't be shaving anytime soon.

By: Ariel

Ariel — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:31:49 +0000

"…after a while stops growing in at all."

How I wish this were the case. I've been waxing for 12 years, and have not found this to be true.

By: CMW

CMW — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:27:41 +0000

I totally agree. Waxing really does not hurt, it stings momentarily. Unless you have previously been shaving, then the first time will hurt because the hair is thicker to rip out or if the person waxing you is inexperienced.

By: CMW

CMW — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:16:09 +0000

I wax my armpits myself but it does take practice. the wax must be very warm but not hot and applied lightly. If applied too thick, ripping it off will be painful. If you have never waxed, getting it done by someone else will be the best thing.

Olive oil is the best thing to remove any left over wax and it is good for your skin.