the male gaze

I realize that this idea that women construct their own image and present themselves in anticipation of the male gaze, and as objects of the male gaze, is extremely heterosexist.

Actually, I think that the idea of looking at grooming practices in relationships between two women, in absence of a direct male gaze (although one could argue that cultural ideas of femininity are predicated on the gaze, and therefore growing up WOMAN, not necessarily STRAIGHT woman inculcates certain male imaginations of the female body) is pertinent to understanding a desire to self-groom in excitement/anticipation of sexual partners/adoration VERSUS self-grooming as a straight, female response to unequal power arrangements and objectification.

I would argue that grooming practices like Brazilian waxing, for example, (which can be viewed as female compliance and pleasure derived from self-objectification) can also be present in relationships between two women, whether lesbian or bisexual--therefore this sort of self-regulation isn't necessarily a response to the male gaze, just a part of sexuality in general.

How does the concept of the male gaze function in gay and other queer relationships? I am sure at least one partner's self-objectification can be analogous to a mating call of sorts--ritualistic ways to attract/get in the mood for hanky panky.

I am not denying the prevalence of the male gaze, or undermining its affects on women. But I think this can be tied into a broader concept of excitement over sexuality, and how this affects one's grooming. If this is the case, the question would be how does the male gaze mediate and alter an otherwise present tendency.