Jane Interview
PROJECT WWHA: What’s the first time you remember noticing your own arm or body hair? Was there a particular event that framed your self-awareness for the first time?
JANE: The first time I became aware of my hairy arms was in late primary school. I was sitting in line after lunch break waiting for the teacher, and a girl I didn't know very well suddenly reached over and started stroking my arms. She said "Ohhh so soft and fluffy". She wasn't teasing me or anything but I suddenly looked around at everyone else's bodies and became very aware that my arm hair was longer than everyone else's - even the boys.
PROJECT WWHA: How are some of the different ways it came up in conversation with others after you became aware of your arm hair?
JANE: Honestly, it barely comes up in conversation naturally. Previously, it would only really come up if my friends and I started talking about our body insecurities, and I told them mine was "my broad shoulders, my nose shape and my arm hair". Looking back, it's interesting that my top insecurities were all relating to traditionally "masculine features".
PROJECT WWHA: Were you afraid to bare your arm hair in public? Did you specifically dress to hide it?
JANE: Definitely! There were times when I forgot about it (especially in winter when wearing long sleeves a lot) but in summertime the idea of wearing sleeveless dresses or togs to the beach made me feel a little uncomfortable. I didn't want people to notice.
PROJECT WWHA: Have you ever removed or bleached your arm hair? What was it like after the first time you did so?
JANE: I've done both - I bleached it in high school just before my school formal because I was worried it would make my arms look too masculine in photos. A week before formal I just went and bought a box of hair lightening bleach and slathered it all over my arms. To be honest, it sort of turned the hair orange rather than blonde anyway… oops! And then when I found out that the roots grew back dark very quickly, I experimented with hair removal cream and shaving, although that grew back quickly too.
PROJECT WWHA: If you removed it, what changed for you and made you decide to leave the hair to grow back?
JANE: I hated the feeling of the stubble when the hair grew back, so at one point I was shaving almost every day to keep it smooth. The last time I shaved my arms was the 13th of October 2023, which is the day before I got married to the love of my life. After we got married, I grew it back and asked how he felt about my arm hair now. He said he actually liked the texture of hair because it felt natural! I think knowing he found me just as beautiful with or without body hair was really comforting. To be honest, it's still a process and I do feel insecure about how certain shirts make my arm hair stand out. But I don't think I'll ever remove or bleach it again. I've been going on a journey of creating and embracing my unique style, and that includes my arm hair as a feature!
PROJECT WWHA: How did you find or first come across Project WWHA? What drew you to relate to it? The images, the branding, the messages, or all of the above?
JANE: I was scrolling on Instagram and suddenly saw a picture of a beautiful young woman with long arm hair. I immediately thought... hey, that's just like me! And I knew I wanted to add my story into the mix, because it would have made such a difference to my self esteem if I had been shown these images in high school.
PROJECT WWHA: What tools do young women need to break free of oppressive social beauty constructs?
JANE: Do some research into beauty standards and trends over the years! With body hair in particular, removal has gone in and out of fashion since ancient Egyptian times, and back then both women AND men did it! Knowing how body shape, hairstyles, eyebrow/body hair trends and makeup practices have changed so drastically from year to year reminds women that there really isn't an objective “ideal” that has lasted through generations. Thankfully there does seem to be a recent shift in culture where uniqueness and representation in modelling is being highlighted and celebrated. But there's still a long way to go, and I’ve found looking into the history of beauty standards very fascinating and encouraging - beauty really is in the eye of the beholder!
PROJECT WWHA: What advice do you have for young women who are just noticing their arm or body hair at this point in their lives and are feeling different?
JANE: Honestly, I would say...
A woman's body is a work of art and was designed for much more than to simply be gazed upon... her arms were made for warm embraces, her smile was made for bringing joy, her legs were made for going on adventures, and her body was made for sustaining life. So whatever you choose to do (whether it's shaving, bleaching, or leaving it natural) do what makes you feel the most beautiful, unique and comfortable in your own skin. Just don't do it for anyone else, do it for you. And know that the right friends and the right partner will love you all the same... body hair or not!