Let’s talk about body hair—a topic many women tiptoe around.
From underarm fuzz to leg stubble, society has conditioned us to treat body hair like a secret shame rather than the natural, purposeful gift it is. But what if, just for this month, we flipped the script? ‘Janu-hairy’ is a growing movement encouraging women to embrace their natural body hair. It offers the perfect moment to reclaim what’s already ours and challenge those tired beauty norms.
The body hair conversation is full of double standards. Men get to live their best hairy lives, whether it’s a full beard, chest hair peeking out of their shirt, or legs that haven’t seen a razor since 2010. Nobody bats an eye. But let a woman have the audacity to skip shaving her legs for a week, and suddenly, it’s a scandal.
Society pushes this narrative that body hair is “unkempt” or “masculine” on women, all while celebrating natural hair growth on men. The hypocrisy is exhausting.
My high school struggles
Growing up, I was so self-conscious about the hair on my arms. As a teenager, I couldn’t help but notice how some of my classmates seemed to have finer, less noticeable hair, while mine was impossible to ignore. I grabbed a razor at home one day, convinced it would make me feel more “normal.”
But nature had other plans. The hair grew back fast—and thicker. It became this never-ending cycle of shaving and insecurity. I started to wonder, why did I feel so much shame about something my body naturally does? Looking back now, I realize how much of that insecurity was rooted in the messages we’re fed about beauty, especially as Black girls.
Body hair isn’t some random quirk. It’s functional, protective and downright amazing when you think about it. Armpit hair reduces friction and helps wick away sweat, while leg and arm hair provides an extra layer of warmth and protection. Eyebrows and eyelashes shield our eyes from dirt and debris, and let’s not forget that body hair is a key part of our sensory system.
Body hair serves real purposes, but somewhere along the line, we were taught that its only purpose is to be removed. This mindset is a money-maker for the beauty industry, which banks on women’s insecurities to sell razors, waxing kits and laser hair removal treatments. But embracing our natural state doesn’t just save time and money (because I’m tired of the upkeep)—it’s also a form of rebellion against these harmful norms.
Breaking free and setting new standards
Thankfully, more women are breaking the mold. Black artists and activists like Esther Calixte-Bea use their platforms to challenge outdated beauty standards and proudly showcase their body hair.
Let’s not forget the trailblazers who came before us. Iconic figures like Frida Kahlo made bold statements about beauty and individuality long before they were trendy.
Hair removal has a long history, dating back to ancient Egypt and India. In the 1920s, companies like Gillette targeted women with razor ads, labeling hairlessness as femininity. Today, Janu-hairy is a playful and powerful way to challenge the status quo, encouraging women to embrace their bodies as they are, razor-free.
How about Harnaam Kaur, an English-born woman, who has publicly revealed her beard due to polycystic ovary syndrome, as her religion prohibits shaving?
This month, I challenge you to skip the razor and see how it feels. This is hibernation season, and the winter season has a lot of people bundled up, so no one will notice technically.
