RETRO CHIC: Gen Z influencers on growing out body hair in sign of 'adulthood and confidence'
Several Gen Z models and influencers are all about embracing their body hair as it is nothing but natural. Model Sydney Jordan confessed that she had to lose quite a few fashion gigs because of her hair. Ohio-based Jordan, 25 said, "I’m not willing to shave. This is part of my brand." She also explained how her agent said body hair "is not industry standard" but Jordan does not care. In her opinion, she is "trying to normalize this."
As time passes, we witness more and more women ditch their salon appointments and razor. With the onset of the two-year lockdown due to COVID-19, most women sacrificed treatments from their hair dye to manicures and everything in between. TikTok has played a significant role in getting this all-natural approach trending.
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In fact, the hashtag #bodyhairisnatural has over 91 million views in TikTok. Not just over the internet, this pro-body hair movement has been gaining momentum in the real world too. As per a 2021 study, it was revealed that 35% of Americans have no preference when it comes to women's body hair. Of these, 7% clearly stated that they think women should not shave. Additionally, the study also found out that females between the ages of 18 to 35 do not even consider body hair an issue.
Another 52-year old Instagram model Elyanna Sanchez says, "People never cared if I shaved. It just felt normal [to have body hair]." Recalling her 2019 shoot with underwear brand Calvin Klein she says she did not shave that day before the shoot because she "didn’t really think about it.”
Clearly, the brand had no issues with her natural fur. But viewers on social media made sure to express their opinions. "People say, ‘Can you use real models?’ And then everyone bashes them and calls them ugly.” Sanchez told The Post.
A UK-based razor brand Sunny indicates in their tagline, "To shave or not to shave, it’s no biggie is it? Prickly or smooth, it won’t change the world."
Chante Glover, a Brooklyn native started growing out her body hair in 2016. At that time she felt "pretty alone in my friend group.” This change that she now finds 'empowering' was a journey. “I actually got to a place of really loving it. There’s no shame in what we are and embracing what we are. I find [having body hair] to be a sign of confidence and adulthood.”
