Help describing a character

[BreakTheBar]

Hey all,

I'm currently working on a one-shot and I'm looking for some help in describing a physical aspect of a character.

She is a blonde college student, but the key physical trait I'm struggling with is her body hair, which I can only really describe by relaying about a girl I knew in my own college days.

She was slightly tanned/sun kissed with bright blonde natural hair, and she had this interesting feature where she had very light blonde hairs, like arm hairs but wispier, along the nape of her neck and her shoulder, and even lighter on her back and stomach. There was even just a hint along the back edges of her jawline. It was very sexy in this primal sort of way and I'm trying to figure out if a) there is a term for this, b) if it is caused by something like a specific genetic marker/descent, and c) if anyone has any ideas on how to describe it in a more direct fashion if they know what I'm talking about.

Before I met her I didn't think the term "hairy" was very hot, and in most cases I still find it a turn off. My research so far hasn't really turned anything up other than a hormonal disruption (pcos) that causes belly hair. I'm thinking it's gotta be some sort of genetic thing.

So, any help with the above, or maybe even if anyone knows/has seen/is like this I'd love some help so that I can get my character description succinct.

Thanks,

~ Break.

 

[Handley_Page]

Hey all,

I'm currently working on a one-shot and I'm looking for some help in describing a physical aspect of a character.

She is a blonde college student, but the key physical trait I'm struggling with is her body hair, which I can only really describe by relaying about a girl I knew in my own college days.

Thanks,

~ Break.

I think the expression is "Hirsute"

 

[ElectricBlue]

You describe her as blonde, so if her hair is naturally very fair, isn't it just normal body hair?

Most girls have a fine down on their skin (unless they shave or depilate every square inch of their body), and dark haired girls, darker body hair. Not sure that it's "unusual", just natural.

Hirsute is usually associated with darker hair, I would have thought.

 

[glynndah]

Hirsute may be the right word, but it certainly isn't sexy.

You want something that doesn't sound so intense.

"Peach fuzz", maybe?

 

[DG Hear]

Hirsute may be the right word, but it certainly isn't sexy.

You want something that doesn't sound so intense.

"Peach fuzz", maybe?

Peach fuzz is cute but I actually liked the way he discribed it. I often write about the fuzzy hair below a womans navel and how sexy it is and feels.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Peach fuzz is my thinking, too.

But stories aren't medical anatomy classes. When I look at a female I notice her grace and gait and other motion thru space, and eye contact, and teeth, and her curves.

 

[glynndah]

Peach fuzz is cute but I actually liked the way he discribed it. I often write about the fuzzy hair below a womans navel and how sexy it is and feels.

The description is fine; it's the word I object to.

 

[Everyday_Man]

I think the expression is "Hirsute"

haha.

 

[NaokoSmith]

I'm drafting a review blogpost about two great stories I read recently celebrating body hair so let me know about your story, won't you. (Post the link here when you finished it so we can all have a read )

This Wikipedia article on Abdominal Hair has some good information, including some cute names for the line of hair on the tummy: "happy line", "happy trail", "tiger line", or "treasure trail".

Tummy fuzz was another word I came across.

The Wikipedia article mentions a light fuzz called vellus hair, easier to see on children and women who have less of the thicker body hair. They say it's a genetic thing. The article also uses the word 'pelage' (from the French) for body hair.

 

[sr71plt]

I think the expression is "Hirsute"

"hirsute" implies heavier coverage than the OP seems to be after. "Downy" or "peach fuzz" would seem to be closer to the intended image.

 

[BreakTheBar]

Thanks for the replies all.

My initial gut feeling when first trying to write the description was to go with 'peach fuzz' and 'downy' as well. I don't think I'll be using hirsute, mainly because of the more negative connotations it can bring up and the fact that I don't need my readers googling it and seeing things that can't be unseen.

In all honesty, the look I'm going for is probably in between 'downy' and 'hirsute,' and the fact that she had such light blonde hair (nearly a natural platinum from what I recall) meant it had a different look than a darker hair would.

I did some more searching and the only celeb I've found who kind of compares are some high quality pictures of Kate Winslet, particularly recent ones from red carpet events.


By the way, fuck google image search. Some stuff was helpful, but a lot of it is just burned into my minds eye now. Medical issues should be bloooooocked.

 

[Black_and_White_Writer]

Hey all,

I'm currently working on a one-shot and I'm looking for some help in describing a physical aspect of a character.

She is a blonde college student, but the key physical trait I'm struggling with is her body hair, which I can only really describe by relaying about a girl I knew in my own college days.

She was slightly tanned/sun kissed with bright blonde natural hair, and she had this interesting feature where she had very light blonde hairs, like arm hairs but wispier, along the nape of her neck and her shoulder, and even lighter on her back and stomach. There was even just a hint along the back edges of her jawline. It was very sexy in this primal sort of way and I'm trying to figure out if a) there is a term for this, b) if it is caused by something like a specific genetic marker/descent, and c) if anyone has any ideas on how to describe it in a more direct fashion if they know what I'm talking about.

Before I met her I didn't think the term "hairy" was very hot, and in most cases I still find it a turn off. My research so far hasn't really turned anything up other than a hormonal disruption (pcos) that causes belly hair. I'm thinking it's gotta be some sort of genetic thing.

So, any help with the above, or maybe even if anyone knows/has seen/is like this I'd love some help so that I can get my character description succinct.

Thanks,

~ Break.

It depends how you describe it: delicately in a word. We're all rather self conscious of our bodies and along with that old chestnut of describing a character in a story (usually after a nice description) they say "she's a perfect Jennifer Anniston look alike." I think shit. I don't like her or find her attractive it can take the reader out of the story or just turn them off – effectively taking them out of the story.

It's the same with certain descriptions. I'd describe her has having her very fine, pale, fluffy body hair catching the light, or feeling smooth on her silken skin. Something like that can remind the reader than we all have body hair, not everyone removed it.

I must admit I do apart from my nether regions at the moment and much prefer it that way. I do love the ritual of it, like watching my husband shave and get all silky smooth.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

http://assets.blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2010/12/TommyIvo_900.jpg



I use rough comparisons SHE REMINDS ME SNOOKI'S SISTER, IF SNOOKI HAS A SISTER. Comparisons are a staple of popular commercial fiction.

All of us hear the same comparisons for ourselves. As a young adult people always said I looked like a Kennedy. As a kid it was Alfred E. Newman. Now its Noble Willingham, the late Parker character on WALKER: TEXAS RANGER.

But if I compare a character to Tommy Ivo of the 60s no one has a clue. He was on one of the teen sitcoms and a pro drag racer. Plus a Mouseketeer!

 

[elfin_odalisque]

Unless the hair is very relevant to the story, I'd vote for 'downy, pale blonde hair'.

Hirsute tends to be applied to men and gorillas, often considered sexy by some women , but not what you want.

For me, 'Peach fuzz' suggests adolescence and seems inappropriate.

 

[CyranoJ]

A vote for elfin's suggestion. "Peach fuzz" is too closely associated with a specific type of male facial hair.

 

[lovecraft68]

I would go with fuzz or perhaps a golden down although down is not word often used.

Stay away from hirsute that causes visions of being very hairy like bushy armpits need to shave the back hairy

 

[BreakTheBar]

Thanks again for the help folks; I'll probably go with something like in my original post plus the 'light, downy, smooth' additions.

In all honesty, I might be focusing too much on getting my specific vision of the character down rather than leaving some of it up to the reader. The whole thing has nothing to do with the actual story, just my vision of the character.

 

[sr71plt]

The whole thing has nothing to do with the actual story, just my vision of the character.

Then, no, I wouldn't make much of it in the story text.

 

[Katiecat]

Thanks again for the help folks; I'll probably go with something like in my original post plus the 'light, downy, smooth' additions.

In all honesty, I might be focusing too much on getting my specific vision of the character down rather than leaving some of it up to the reader. The whole thing has nothing to do with the actual story, just my vision of the character.

Unless you are posting in the fetish category, and the story focuses on this characteristic, then just mentioning it in passing is probably enough. I vote for the more delicate, feminine descriptions mentioned on here. Maybe you could describe how he notices it -- kissing her neck or shoulder, or what it looks like in the sunlight coming through the window, like a light dusting of pale gold on her skin.

 

[Handley_Page]

Unless the hair is very relevant to the story, I'd vote for 'downy, pale blonde hair'.

Hirsute tends to be applied to men and gorillas, often considered sexy by some women , but not what you want.

For me, 'Peach fuzz' suggests adolescence and seems inappropriate.

I agree.

 

[jomar]

Downy came to my mind as well.

 

[49greg]

http://assets.blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2010/12/TommyIvo_900.jpg



I use rough comparisons SHE REMINDS ME SNOOKI'S SISTER, IF SNOOKI HAS A SISTER. Comparisons are a staple of popular commercial fiction.

All of us hear the same comparisons for ourselves. As a young adult people always said I looked like a Kennedy. As a kid it was Alfred E. Newman. Now its Noble Willingham, the late Parker character on WALKER: TEXAS RANGER.

But if I compare a character to Tommy Ivo of the 60s no one has a clue. He was on one of the teen sitcoms and a pro drag racer. Plus a Mouseketeer!

I was looking at your picture before I got to your words. Mostly because it took up the whole screen on my laptop. I was thinking that he looked familiar, then you said Mouseketeer. I didn't see the show often but still remember the beginning when the called the names and a quick closeup shot.