By Denise Winterman BBC News Magazine Letting it all hang outWhen Julia Roberts flashed under-arm hair at a film premiere there was uproar. But one woman, at least, wants to overturn prejudices and has taken a New Year's resolution not to shave.
By Denise Winterman BBC News Magazine
Letting it all hang outWhen Julia Roberts flashed under-arm hair at a film premiere there was uproar. But one woman, at least, wants to overturn prejudices and has taken a New Year's resolution not to shave.
Shazia Mirza is a self-confessed "hairy woman". In fact, she is so hairy, she describes herself as "trapped in a man's body". Until recently, though, few others would have known.
Shazia Mirza is a self-confessed "hairy woman". In fact, she is so hairy, she describes herself as "trapped in a man's body". Until recently, though, few others would have known.
Like most women, Shazia has dedicated a significant part of her adult life to hair removal.
Like most women, Shazia has dedicated a significant part of her adult life to hair removal.
"I have done everything to remove my hair. I have waxed, shaved, used my dad's lawnmower. It has taken so much time, so much effort, so many red blotches," says the 32-year-old comedian.
"I have done everything to remove my hair. I have waxed, shaved, used my dad's lawnmower. It has taken so much time, so much effort, so many red blotches," says the 32-year-old comedian.
All that stopped at the start of January, as Shazia took a New Year's resolution to shave no more. The evidence is already starting to show.
All that stopped at the start of January, as Shazia took a New Year's resolution to shave no more. The evidence is already starting to show.
"The hairs are growing quite nicely, and I am now in a position to have my armpits styled and waxed, and my sideburns permed. I am learning to love my hair."
"The hairs are growing quite nicely, and I am now in a position to have my armpits styled and waxed, and my sideburns permed. I am learning to love my hair."
Her stance may be extreme, but in casting aside the razor, even temporarily, she is in good company. Julia Roberts, Drew Barrymore, Elizabeth Jagger, even fashionista Trinny Woodall, have all had a hairy moment - usually involving armpits.
Her stance may be extreme, but in casting aside the razor, even temporarily, she is in good company. Julia Roberts, Drew Barrymore, Elizabeth Jagger, even fashionista Trinny Woodall, have all had a hairy moment - usually involving armpits.
When it comes to the female body, hair is one of the last taboos. When Roberts flashed her hairy armpits at the premiere of Notting Hill in 1999 it caused uproar and made one thing crystal clear - hairiness will not be tolerated.
When it comes to the female body, hair is one of the last taboos. When Roberts flashed her hairy armpits at the premiere of Notting Hill in 1999 it caused uproar and made one thing crystal clear - hairiness will not be tolerated.
Shazia before the shaving started (left) and before giving up (right)Amazed by the fuss, she said: "On a day-to-day basis I don't think about my armpits."
Shazia before the shaving started (left) and before giving up (right)Amazed by the fuss, she said: "On a day-to-day basis I don't think about my armpits."
Not so your average woman. A recent UK study found that 99% of women removed some hair, most commonly from the underarms, legs, pubic area and eyebrows. Shaving and plucking were the most common removal methods.
Not so your average woman. A recent UK study found that 99% of women removed some hair, most commonly from the underarms, legs, pubic area and eyebrows. Shaving and plucking were the most common removal methods.
It is a rapidly growing market. The female population of the UK is now estimated to spend £280m a year removing body hair.
It is a rapidly growing market. The female population of the UK is now estimated to spend £280m a year removing body hair.
Like so many other things, the rise of hair removal can be closely linked with fashion. The first commercial for a female hair removal product was in 1915 when Harpers Bazaar printed an advert which showed a woman in a sleeveless evening gown which exposed her perfectly shaven armpits.
Like so many other things, the rise of hair removal can be closely linked with fashion. The first commercial for a female hair removal product was in 1915 when Harpers Bazaar printed an advert which showed a woman in a sleeveless evening gown which exposed her perfectly shaven armpits.
At the same time, Wilkinson Sword launched a marketing campaign at women and within two years, sales of razor blades had doubled.
At the same time, Wilkinson Sword launched a marketing campaign at women and within two years, sales of razor blades had doubled.
The bikini wax followed the invention of the bikini in the 50s, and the Brazilian wax - where nearly all the pubic hair is removed - arrived in the 80s, along with the thong.
The bikini wax followed the invention of the bikini in the 50s, and the Brazilian wax - where nearly all the pubic hair is removed - arrived in the 80s, along with the thong.
A woman can definitely be sexy in a pair of Jimmy Choos and a pair of hairy legs, she can be sexy in a Wonderbra and hairy armpits Shazia Mirza But women's hair removal is neither a modern, nor a purely Western invention. In ancient Egypt it was common practise as the presence of any body hair at all meant you could only belong to the slave class.
A woman can definitely be sexy in a pair of Jimmy Choos and a pair of hairy legs, she can be sexy in a Wonderbra and hairy armpits Shazia Mirza But women's hair removal is neither a modern, nor a purely Western invention. In ancient Egypt it was common practice as the presence of any body hair at all meant you could only belong to the slave class.
Historical accounts of women's hair removal have been linked to Greece, the Tobriand Islands, Uganda, South America and Turkey.
Historical accounts of women's hair removal have been linked to Greece, the Tobriand Islands, Uganda, South America and Turkey.
In the 1970s bra burning feminists put their razors aside as a form of political statement, but today women who object on principle still feel pressured into removing body hair.
In the 1970s bra burning feminists put their razors aside as a form of political statement, but today women who object on principle still feel pressured into removing body hair.
People's natural bodies are now seen to be "wrong" and need disciplining into an ideal, like having hair removed, says Dr Paula Black, author of The Beauty Industry: Gender, Culture, Pleasure.
People's natural bodies are now seen to be "wrong" and need disciplining into an ideal, like having hair removed, says Dr Paula Black, author of The Beauty Industry: Gender, Culture, Pleasure.
"To some extent we have always had ideas about what we should do with the body to make it socially acceptable. What's different and quite scary about contemporary western societies is that has become very commoditized. Managing the body has become a huge industry and it has also become more restrictive and vicious."
"To some extent we have always had ideas about what we should do with the body to make it socially acceptable. What's different and quite scary about contemporary western societies is that has become very commoditized. Managing the body has become a huge industry and it has also become more restrictive and vicious."
Dr Black says it is now accepted that if you don't conform to certain standards of appearance you're somehow lacking. Professor Stevi Jackson, Director of the Centre for Women's Studies at York University agrees.
Dr Black says it is now accepted that if you don't conform to certain standards of appearance you're somehow lacking. Professor Stevi Jackson, Director of the Centre for Women's Studies at York University agrees.
Razor testing... but what about just going without
Razor testing... but what about just going without
"Over the years body hair on women has been viewed more and more as a monstrosity and dealing with it has become more and more draconian," she says. "It is about conforming to standard and if you don't you are viewed as unattractive and ungroomed."
"Over the years body hair on women has been viewed more and more as a monstrosity and dealing with it has become more and more draconian," she says. "It is about conforming to standard and if you don't you are viewed as unattractive and ungroomed."
Women with body hair are even perceived by men and women to be more aggressive and immoral, according to a study by US psychologist Dr Susan Basow. Non-hairy women are seen in a generally positive light.
Women with body hair are even perceived by men and women to be more aggressive and immoral, according to a study by US psychologist Dr Susan Basow. Non-hairy women are seen in a generally positive light.
But who are women shaving for? According to researchers, it is not as simple as saying they do it for men.
But who are women shaving for? According to researchers, it is not as simple as saying they do it for men.
"It is not about being seen as beautiful," says Dr Black. "It is about conforming, not standing out."
"It is not about being seen as beautiful," says Dr Black. "It is about conforming, not standing out."
As a stand-up comedian, Shazia Mirza is less worried than most about standing out in a crowd.
As a stand-up comedian, Shazia Mirza is less worried than most about standing out in a crowd.
"I have decided that enough is enough and I have decided to just grow it, grow it like grass and try and live with it," she says. "I decided this needs to change. Every woman has hair. This is a fact. It is a natural thing that all human beings are born with. It's about time hair on women was celebrated not condemned.
"I have decided that enough is enough and I have decided to just grow it, grow it like grass and try and live with it," she says. "I decided this needs to change. Every woman has hair. This is a fact. It is a natural thing that all human beings are born with. It's about time hair on women was celebrated not condemned.
"A woman can definitely be sexy in a pair of Jimmy Choos and a pair of hairy legs, she can be sexy in a Wonderbra and hairy armpits, and she can be very hot in a mini skirt and hairy arms. The public just needs to see that's ok and it's possible."
"A woman can definitely be sexy in a pair of Jimmy Choos and a pair of hairy legs, she can be sexy in a Wonderbra and hairy armpits, and she can be very hot in a mini skirt and hairy arms. The public just needs to see that's ok and it's possible."
If it sounds like a call to arms to other women, Shazia says it is exactly that.
If it sounds like a call to arms to other women, Shazia says it is exactly that.
As part of a TV programme she is making for the BBC, Shazia is planning to stage a fashion show where hairy women will model lingerie. And she is looking for volunteers to take part.
As part of a TV programme she is making for the BBC, Shazia is planning to stage a fashion show where hairy women will model lingerie. And she is looking for volunteers to take part.
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