[BittenBuggy]

Was their such a thing as a razor in ME? I mean, the elves didn't have to worry about it, but what about the mortal men...especially women. One would assume that they didn't. So why are all the mortal women in fanfiction seemingly as hairless as the elves?

It's all "soft smooth skin" and no doubt that's more desirable, but is it realistic? Besides, who says that Elrond and Legolas can't have hairy leg fetishes?

So basically, if you're writing fanfiction, and there is a mortal woman involved, should you say no hair, or yes hair?

[sindohte]

It is possible or even probable that the higher born mortal women of Middle Earth would have been running around smooth and hairless. However, the average woman would have probably been sprouting some leg and arm hair.

Hair removal would be done more so for reasons of cleaniness than beauty, since excess body hair could hold lice and other little nasties back. You have to take into account the fact that people in general were not bathing everyday. Water may have been scare or hard to get, so if given a choice between using water to drink vs. washing the body, water to drink or cook with would get first priority.

Some information about women and shaving
http://beauty.about.com/cs/shaving/a/shaving_history.htm

Here's a bit of info about the history of razors in general http://homepage.dtn.ntl.com/paul.linnell/electricity/razors.html

[BittenBuggy]

[sindohte]

I would say some type of creme would be used. As for the exact ingredients, I would have no idea.

[sindohte]

Here's a bit more info for you about hair removal methods. I would say that the women of Middle Earth might have heard of the process of body sugaring and use that as a way for hair removal. Likely they would have heard rumors of it being used by the Haradrim women. Here is what the site listed below has to say on the subject http://www.depilatory.com/ages.html--

No doubt Middle Easterners used a hair removal process called body sugaring, involving the application of a natural, sugar-based paste (usually sugar, lemon and other natural ingredients cooked to the consistency of soft taffy) that was either rubbed or pulled off in the opposite direction of hair growth.

If I was writing a fanfic that involved hair removal, this would be the method I would have my female characters use. There is just something off putting reading about a character spreading cat dung or some other noxious substance on their legs and other body parts so they can be all smooth for their sweetie.

[BittenBuggy]

[sindohte]

Whew, you have definitely relieved my mind. While I do like historical accuracy in any story I might read, ignorance - especially of certain private grooming techniques - can be bliss.

[NancyBrooke]

Look back over the forum ... seems to me we've discussed this before.

[miriel361]

Maori women (New Zealand, Polynesia) used a very effective method to get rid of leg hair. The took flax, stripped it using a shell until only the fasers remained. And then they rolled it back and forwards along their legs. The hairs would get trapped between the fibres and be pulled out. Thus two birds were killed with one stone: hair removal and great rope.

[Andreth]

[sindohte]

[Roisin]

I seem to remember talking about this too...but I think it was in a thread on another topic?

Anyway, my own vision of ME includes good teeth for most of the populace, good hygeine, and hair removal that takes place off-stage. Hey, it doesn't have to be EXACTLY like medieval Europe.

[sindohte]

[RadicalElf]

[BittenBuggy]