Make my decisions for me!

[sasha_feather]

I am going to be in a wedding on September 3rd for my lovely friends antarcticlust and jackshoegazer. I'll be wearing a tea-length bridesmaid dress, which means it ends at the knees, and open-toed black sandals. I haven't shaved my legs in YEARS, yes I mean years, and am trying to decide whether to do so.


I think my issues with shaving are not moral: they have to do with feeling like I suck at it, I was never taught how, and that it's a waste of time and I hate being made to feel like I am expected to do it. I am not actually opposed to having smooth legs however.

Poll #7930 Make my decisions for me!

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 29

View Respondents

To shave or not to shave that is the question

View Answers

Shave your legs
5 (17.2%)

Wear skin-tone hose
1 (3.4%)

Wear colored tights
4 (13.8%)

Just go hairy legged
9 (31.0%)

Something else I'll say in comments
5 (17.2%)

I like ticking boxes
5 (17.2%)

Comments

[futuransky]

I picked shave your legs, but only because you said you might like smooth legs and it seems like it would be a nice time to try it! I in no way endorse coercive legshaving.

I've gone years before, but at the moment actually quite like shaving my legs... I buy shaving cream (from Trader Joe's) and new razors and spend ages on it when it's been a long time, and then I moisturize and stroke my legs a lot. commodorified made an instructional post on leg shaving a while back, but I couldn't find it on her journal.

[sasha_feather]

That sounds nice, like making it about self-care and spending time with your body. I'll check TJ's this weekend!

[themeletor]

this! this is what i do! i shave with a straight-edge razor, now, and it takes almost an hour. i get a lovely bath going, with Lush products (bath bomb, bubble bath), put on some music or a downloaded episode/movie on my netbook, and just spend some quality time with my rockin' bod. i advocate the same to everyone, with or without the razor (straightrazor or safety razor or otherwise).

[j00j]

This. The self care thing, and that I like how it feels after is what usually keeps me shaving (there are other things, and my feelings about it are somewhat complicated, but that is tl;dr). I mostly shave on a "when I feel like it" basis-- if I'm tired or if it feels like too much work (armpits are quick. Legs take longer and require more dexterity, I think), I don't do it for awhile.

I dug up commodorified's post as i also remember that it sounded helpful:
http://commodorified.dreamwidth.org/61611.html It's been a long time since I've started from full length hair, but mostly it applies to what I normally do as well (it just takes longer the more fuzz you start with). If you decide to do it I highly recommend going slowly and figuring out what angles make it easier for you. For instance, I normally shave in the shower standing up, and find that stretching my leg out and resting it on the edge of the tub makes it easier to reach my lower legs, and to straighten my knee (knees and ankles are the trickiest bits for me-- the curvy bits make it more likely that I will cut myself if I'm not careful). Your mileage may vary depending on flexibility, balance, etc. in terms of what is comfortable for you.