Shaved legs

[Virginia Mescher]

Re: Shaved legs

Hello,
I actually heard a presentation on this very subject in a material culture class in grad school...
According to one of my fellow history grad's research, the majority of women (esp. the middling and lower classes) most likely did not shave their legs until advances in safety razors during the 20th cent. From the 1920's through the 50s razor companies began to target females in their marketing.
What was interesting about the research was that there is some evidence that waxing was used by those that could afford it. She only made a brief mention of this, but anyone who is interested might do further research.
-Clay

In earlier posts in this thread, the discussion of superfluous hair removal in the mid-19th century.

Superfluous hair was the hair on the hands, faces and necks of women but leg and underarm hair was never mentioned. Waxing was discussed in earlier posts in the thread.

Dipilatories are discussed in my book Painted, Powdered and Perfumed with period references to superfluous hair and hair removal.

[Dale Beasley]

Re: Shaved legs

{Post Deleted}

[bizzilizzit]

Re: Shaved legs

Poor ole Abe...So what about ladies with facial hair, i.e. on their upper lip and where gentlemen have sideburn/whiskers?

GODEY'S LADY'S BOOK
January 1865 page 104

HAIR UPROOTED IN FIVE MINUTES, BY THE USE OF UPHAM'S DEPILATORY POWDER. - This powder has been found highly beneficial and of great use to ladies who have been afflicted with superfluous hair, principally when its growth has been confined to the upper lip and side of the face, giving a masculine turn to the whole features. It will be found to be a great addition to the toilet, as the use of any sharp instrument is entirely avoided, and the hair is removed in five minutes after the application, without injury to the skin.
Mailed to any address for $1.25. S. C. Upham, No. 25 South Eighth Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

[MrsArmstrong]

Re: Shaved legs

Thanks Elizabeth,
books.google has more on depilatory powders . This one is interesting...

Graham’s Magazine 1856
Page 156
We have only a single depilatory, and even that one our author seems to give with reluctance, for he rather sneers at the taste of those ladies who regard as detrimental to beauty such “physical indications of good health with vital stamina,” as hairs upon the arms and back of the neck, and mustaches upon the upper lip.

The article goes on to list the ingredients:

“ Best lime slacked… orpiment in powder…mix the depilatory powder, with enough water to render it of a creamy consistency…its caustic action upon the skin renders it necessary to be removed: a similar process of shaving is then to be gone through…with an ivory or bone paper-knife…wash…and apply a little cold cream”

Susan Armstorng