HTT - Waxing Edition

I read this article last week.

I then threw up in my mouth.

If you are too lazy to read it, and 9 out of 10 people are, then I'll sum it up: Moms are taking their young (i.e. 10 and under) kids to be waxed - eyebrows, legs, back, bikini line - all in the name of beauty. Because, you know, young kids with hair (gasp!) are so disgusting.

I'm disturbed by this, just like I am by all beauty trends that that dictate maintenance standards until we are waxed, plucked and primped into copies of each other. And I'm even more disturbed that mothers are behind this latest craze.

Let me make this clear - your child is beautiful just as he/she is. Right now. With a unibrow. With an unnatural amount of back hair. With average peach fuzz on her legs.

Now, I should clarify that there are two types of moms they discussed in the articles - those who bring their children in to avoid/curb teasing and those who do it to improve their child's appearance. I can sympathize with the former, but the latter may be the scum of the earth. (Oops! Just checked and that title still belongs to people who take advantage of the mentally disabled ... but it's a close second.)

In my house, we didn't get to shave until 12. I cheated at 10, but I fell into that early puberty category that necessitated it. But I was probably the only girl in fifth grade with smooth skin. We all wore our unruly hair in ponytails and loose T-shirts and distinct child body odor scent with pride. Whereas today's fifth graders are sporting highlights, fitted designer gear and hairless gams. It's sad.

Kids deserve to be kids, and teenagers deserve to be young, as well. The pressure to be perfectly primped is too much to ask emotionally, physically and financially of people who can't even drive themselves to an appointment.

But what do you think?

Is this just a harmless trend?

Or is it hurting our kids?

Discuss.

HTT - Beauty Edition

I was going to post a certain Hot Topic this fine Tuesday, but Mr. Dub persuaded me not to for a variety of reasons, including his personal embarrassment level. (Hint: a country in South America + what candles are made from.) My sense of propriety is seriously lacking, as you can tell.

So I'll go with a related issue - Beauty. These days there are so many beauty regimens one could prescribe to. Mani/pedis, waxing of all varieties, hair cut and color ... the list goes on and on, and then threading your eyebrows becomes trendy and your list needs a second page.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good pampering. I get my hair highlighted frequently, though less than my stylist recommends and more than Mr. Dub economically encourages. And I do enjoy a good pedicure. (Though I must give a shout-out to the Ped Egg, recommended by my mums.)

Still, I feel like beauty care is a slippery slope that leads to things like excessive plastic surgery - and vanity. Plus, it's such an unfair expectation for young people. I express thanks frequently that I went to high school and college at a time when it was still acceptable to be somewhat natural and individual. Today's teens, however, are expected to be as highlighted and teeth-whitened as possible in order to be date-worthy.

I also feel pressure to fix my various flaws. I won't name them all, but, yes, that is included. But I remind myself that I don't want to be a robot. I don't want to be perfect. And I don't want to spend all my time and money on fixing my outside, when I've got a whole lot of nurturing to do on my inside.

But what do you think?

What is your level of beauty maintenance? (I consider myself "middle" most days and "low" 1-2 times a week.)

Is it wrong to primp and pluck to your heart's content, or that just what girls do best?



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