Former singing sensation and recent Traitors star Charlotte Church has sparked a conversation about beauty standards after revealing she has completely abandoned deodorant and shaving. The 39-year-old from Cardiff, who admitted on the Walking The Dog podcast that she "generally stinks," explained her decision was fueled by concerns over chemicals in conventional products.
The revelation came as a surprise to host Emily Dean, who had complimented Church on how "lovely" she smelled. Church responded with candor: "Do I? That's surprising - I never smell nice. I don't wear deodorant or anything, so I generally stink." She also shared that she stopped shaving around 18 months ago, encouraging women to "do whatever feels good" with their body hair.
For Church, the move is a deliberate rejection of societal norms, noting she enjoys the "contradiction" of pairing "beautiful dresses, with my really hairy legs and heels and nails. It's so confusing for people."
This personal choice reflects a wider trend, according to beauty journalist Anita Bhagwandas. She notes a wave of "micro-movements" where consumers are simplifying their routines, often driven by a growing awareness of ingredients, particularly aluminum in antiperspirants. Bhagwandas suggests the pandemic solidified this shift, as people went without salons and began seeing body hair less as a "social obligation" and more as a "personal" decision, embracing its natural biological function. She observes that younger generations face less stigma, joining celebrities like Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus in celebrating their natural state.
While Church and others express concern, the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) assures the public that all UK cosmetics, including deodorants and antiperspirants, adhere to "strict" safety regulations. Extensive scientific reviews, most recently in May 2024, have confirmed the safety of aluminum in antiperspirants, noting no link to breast cancer. The CTPA emphasizes that all ingredients are rigorously tested before products undergo professional safety assessments and market checks.
Ultimately, whether driven by health concerns or a desire for self-expression, Charlotte Church's stance highlights a growing desire to challenge expectations and embrace a more natural and authentic version of beauty.
