Women's Media Suddenly Has A Pubic Hair Obsession, And We're Not Here For It

It’s like someone flipped a switch, and now every other article or ad campaign is waxing poetic (pun intended) about what you should—or shouldn’t—do with your lady parts. According to Cosmo, 2025 is "The Year of The Bush." "Pubic hair, a surprisingly controversial topic, is having a moment thanks to a growing TikTok trend that all started with an Etsy review...TikToker @sujindah went viral for a video in which she tells viewers she was “radicalized” by seeing an Etsy review for a bikini that included a photo of the reviewer wearing said bikini over a full bush. And to that we say, “Right on!” Free the bush! Cosmo also wrote that "for most people who grew up in a society where pubic hair was considered shameful and unhygienic, proudly rocking a bush is a radical act." The comments were hilarious. "Sorry, who decided these trends???" wrote one woman. "A bush in a bikini is crazy, issa no for me," wrote another. "If it does not grow roses. I don't want it. Nope for me," concluded another. Then Kiehl’s jumped into the mix with this eyebrow-raising campaign featuring pubic hair as the star of the show—apparently to challenge "censorship" and celebrate what was once an ultra-private topic. Sure, it’s definitely bold , but…is it necessary? The responses were very mixed on the subject, although it appears that Kiehl's deleted many of the comments expressing disgust. Apparently, there aren't actually a lot of women out there dying to see pubic hair in advertisements, and pube-enthusiasts are a very niche audience. Who could've guessed this? Most recently, The Cut chimed in with a piece titled "I Regret Lasering Off All My Pubic Hair." I'm telling you, it's like a memo went out to all the girl boss editors over the weekend because they're all about this right now. Unsurprisingly, though, many of their followers were quick to disagree, with many saying they have no regrets going bare down there. Body Positivity Strikes Again We get it—body positivity is supposedly all about rejecting outdated beauty standards. But can we all just agree there’s a fine line between empowering women and being weird for no good reason? It's fine if some women prefer a bush, but do they really need to flaunt it in a bikini? The other issue is that women’s media has an annoying habit of turning personal grooming choices into personality traits. Waxed? You’re shallow and oppressed! Unwaxed? You’re an earth mother goddess reclaiming your agency. Maybe we can just be human beings who make decisions based on what works for us and not whatever we think is most subversive and edgy. Publicly displaying your pubes isn't a personality. Or if it is, it's probably not a good one. Honey and Sugar, Cleopatra Style And while we can argue about the benefits of the bush, there's also something to be said for the long-standing tradition of a little care down there. Take sugaring , for example—a practice that dates back to Cleopatra herself, renowned for her beauty rituals . This ancient Egyptian technique involves using a natural paste made from sugar, lemon juice, and water to remove unwanted hair. Not only was it effective, but it also had the added bonus of being gentle on the skin, proving that even thousands of years ago, people understood the value of self-care. Unlike hot waxing, which can irritate or burn the skin, sugaring is applied at room temperature and only adheres to hair and dead skin cells. This means less discomfort, fewer ingrown hairs, and skin that feels soft and smooth. Plus, the natural ingredients make it a perfect option for sensitive areas—an elegant solution from a time when beauty was an art form. So whether you’re team “let it grow” or team “sugar and smooth,” the key is to embrace whatever makes you feel confident—and just don't be weird about it, please.