For many women, bikini-line maintenance is a regular part of their beauty routine. Wax jobs have transitioned from a risqué novelty to a basic grooming procedure. But what do men really think about it? Surveys offer some insights into male preferences, revealing a spectrum of opinions and surprising nuances.
Over the last several years, wax jobs have gone from being a risqué novelty to a basic grooming procedure countless women undergo regularly. In a new survey of 500 women by Schick, 73 percent said bikini-line maintenance is part of their normal beauty routine. Even the Brazilian, which generally entails the removal of all hair front, back and in-between (unless a small "landing strip" is left) has become a standard on spa and salon menus, right up there with mani-pedis.
Waxers across the country report that business is booming. Paulina Youkhanna, owner of the House of Wax Day Spa in Morton Grove, Illinois, had seen six new clients on the day Glamour called. In this economy, she observes, "there may be more wait time between waxes-some women come in every six weeks instead of four-but it makes them feel good without dropping a ton of cash." As Christine, 31, of Minneapolis, says, "I do it because I like that clean, put-together feeling, although the side benefit-a guy's appreciation-doesn't hurt."
Of the 500 men surveyed by Schick, 79 percent said they like neatened-up bikini areas, while 21 percent either don't care or are turned off by it.
A new study commissioned by hair removal company Nad's surveyed 1,000 men and found that their most preferred "look" was not a Brazilian, but rather "'trimmed and tidy' -- a well kept 'lady garden.'" 43 percent of men polled said they preferred women's hair natural with a "Bermuda triangle" (i.e. trimmed hair and waxed sides). 17 percent said they like a "landing strip," 15 percent dig a heart shape, and only 12 percent said they prefer a full-on Brazilian (no hair at all).
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AskMen conducted a three-day survey with the goal of figuring out what guys’ attitudes are towards women’s pubic hair. After more than 5000 people responded, the overwhelming majority being men, the results are in: and once again it proves that the Brazilian is king. In the survey, 41% of respondents said that they prefer women to have no pubic hair whatsoever.
While some men prefer the clean slate of a Brazilian wax, others appreciate different styles. Sue Ismiel, CEO of Nad’s, noted, "Popular designs for women and it seems men are the landing strip, heart shape and triangle patch, indicating some hair is sexier to sport than 'the all-off.'"
It's worth noting that preferences can be highly individual. "It's fun to find out who's waxed and who isn't," says Paul, 37, of Weston, Massachusetts. "Same with seeing who wears a thong, who enjoys what position. It's all part of getting to know everything about a woman."
What's somewhat reassuring: Many men hold themselves to the same standard. Of the 100 men Glamour polled, 30 percent agreed that if women are expected to groom their privates, men should also have to-and half said they already do it, which explains the "manzilians" some salons now offer. Perhaps Diddy, who's admitted to shaving his man parts, best summed it up when he said, "If men require women to go through the pain, we should return the favor."
However, the survey showed that 40% of men have asked their partners to alter their public hair. Most of the people interviewed for the study appear to identify as cisgender and heterosexual."I think men expect a lot more from women, in terms of grooming," respondent Tabitha S. told the magazine. She added that partners have asked her to shave everything - and she complied, even though she didn't like that the subject got broached at all. "I thought, Isn’t there supposed to be some hair there?”
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As it turns out, a lot of men see grooming down there as an intimate little treat-they don't just think you've waxed, they think you've waxed for them. Which is egocentric and cute, all at the same time. "When a woman I'm with takes time to landscape,'" says Joe, 29, of Atlanta, "it shows that she's trying to look sexy in a way that only I'll be able to see. That makes it even sexier." As another guy puts it, "It's the same feeling as when men give women flowers: Awww, gee, you care."
Men who are into Brazilians use words such as naughty and vixenlike to describe their appeal. Keep them talking, though, and they rave about the feel, which makes sense: A lot of women who go bare say it heightens sex for them, too. "When women remove their hair, there's one less layer between you," notes Jonathan, 28, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. "It feels great to slide across smooth, bare skin, and it's easier to access her hot spots. Everybody wins."
Not into waxing or shaving-or doing anything at all? Take heart: A sizable minority of men find hair removal unnecessary, or even unnerving. When you're with someone who's au naturel, explains Ken, 30, of San Francisco, "it makes you feel like you're with a real woman."
In truth, the fact that bikini waxing has become so standard and expected makes some guys prefer when women buck the trend and don't do it. "Women do not need to subject themselves to all that unnecessary pain in order for men to find them attractive!" insists David, 37, of New York City. "A woman who's unashamed of her bush is a woman with self-confidence-which any man out there will tell you is the sexiest quality of all."
A cross-sectional internet-based study recruited men and women from Brazil who were at least 18 years-old to fill out an online self-administered survey, without time limitation, entitled “Preference on Female Genital Depilation” from April 30, 2015 to August 31, 2015.
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The study found that Brazilian women and men prefer female genitalia without any hair, and that this preference was stronger for younger people. This preference may be due to the influence of recent trends in beauty, aesthetics, eroticism, and pornography. Women reported the main motivation for the removal of female pubic hair is hygiene, and men reported the main reason for this preference is beauty.
Most women (64.3%) and men (62.2%) preferred complete depilation of the pubic region; 31.9% of women and 31.4% of men preferred partial depilation; and 2.6% of women and 4.3% of men preferred no depilation. Among women, the main reasons for pubic hair removal were hygiene (n = 13,120; 24.8%), a combination of beauty, hygiene, and sexual relations (n = 12,890; 24.4%), and hygiene and sexual relations (n = 7,800; 14.8%). Among men, the main reasons were beauty (n = 3,728; 21.7%), and a combination of beauty, hygiene, and sexual relations (n = 4,578; 26.7%).
The study indicated that younger men and women were more likely to prefer complete pubic hair removal in women, but older men and women were more likely to prefer partial depilation.
He's got a point: Guys may have their individual tastes, but they're hottest for you when you feel comfortable and self-assured regardless of what you did, or didn't do, at the salon. Besides, for most men, actually seeing a bikini zone at all, in any condition, is a good thing.
There's nothing wrong with taking it all off if that's what you're into. But there certainly is something wrong if you don't feel great after changing your pubic hair or you're doing it for someone else, and not yourself. Doctors agree that there's no real reason to do anything to pubic hair at all, adding that shaving could actually cause irritation.
Beyond being painful (which we can assure you firsthand it is), bikini waxes also carry several health risks, including infections, burns and -- get ready for this one -- STIs.
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