Hello everyone! My girlfriend that I've spoken about so highly here wanted to write up something for you guys, and any women that might read this, wondering if DE shaving is for them. And now, I turn this over to her for her insights on the matter...
In the past I have tried several different cartridge type disposables. The one I would typically go for was the Schick Intuition. It was quick and easy, and there was no prep time and no mess. I could shave in the shower and be done in just a few minutes. I loved it. If I buy at the warehouse club, I usually get 12 refills for about $29 or so. Not bad, but definitely a lot more than 100 for $10. I can typically use them two or three times before I have to toss them. Sometimes that little strip just comes off, and it feels like Im scraping my skin. Those times I have to toss it sooner.
Ive also tried the Gillette Fusion ProGlide (which I originally stole from my boyfriend). Its a great little razor, and it works really well on my legs. I get a nice smooth shave, at least from the knee down. Its also easy to use in the shower, and I can shave fairly quickly with no nicks. I think I was getting 16 for about $45. (Ill have to double check my numbers when I find a receipt.)
Since I love those other two so much, you might wonder why I am talking about double-edged shaving. Well, my boyfriend talked me into trying it, and it has been an overall pleasant experience. Hes been reading to me from the site, and all of you seem to really enjoy wet shaving and getting other people into it. One member even sent me a beautiful blue Lady Gillette, my very first safety razor, so that my boyfriend could take back his Black Beauty. I also bought a Parker, which I really like. My favorite blades at this point (I think) are the Gillette Black and the Shark Super Chromes. Ive also had great luck with the Astras. I tried a Feather, and I think because Im so new I just couldnt get the hang of it. It was a super smooth shave but with a lot of blood loss.
Another thing I really is like the way the brush and cream exfoliate. I also enjoy trying out the different creams and soaps. Im sensitive to smells, and some of them are simply amazing. (Yes, I could use the brush and cream with a disposable, but wait, theres more.)
I have always (as far as I can remember) had a sort of bumpy rash on the backs of my thighs. I thought it was sensitive skin reacting to heat and whatnot. I work a desk job, and I thought it was just a result of sitting a lot. I wear pants most of the time, so I didnt think much about it. Now that I have begun wet shaving, it turns out all those little red bumps were ingrown hairs and irritated places in my skin. The super smooth shave I was getting was cutting the hair too deep beneath the surface, and as a result I had a minefield of pimples and ingrown hairs on the back of my legs. Once I started wet shaving, the combination of exfoliation and a just right shave have almost eliminated my problem. (I havent been doing this very long.)
Now, I know a lot of people complain about the amount of time it takes to wet shave. I do understand that time is an issue, and wet shaving is much more time consuming than using a disposable. Personally, the results I get are worth the extra time. Something else I have noticed, when my hair does grow back in, its not as thick and dark in appearance. Its even softer to the touch. I dont know if its because I no longer cut below the skin or if it is my imagination. I do know that I can go a day or two longer between shaves now thanks to the difference.
One way my boyfriend and I have solved the issue of time is to shave together. He uses the sink and mirror, and I sit on the side of the tub. It gives us a chance to talk and share our day while pampering ourselves. He even helps me shave those difficult to reach spots on the back of my legs, and I sometimes help with those stubborn places beneath his chin. Its a relaxing way to wind up the day, and it works as bonding time over a shared hobby. (Plus I get to brag about how good I am at mixing the lather.)
I do have a bit of an embarrassing story that shows why the safety razors are superior, and it may even change some minds, especially for those of you on the fence. Recently my kids were sick (like 2 trips to the emergency room sick), and then I was sick, and I didnt shave for a while. Im not saying how long, but it was at least 2 weeks. I had even joked about using the trimmer to mow it down before trying to shave. I know that there is no way those cartridge razors could have handled it. Even one up stroke on what I had going would have clogged them right up (I know from past experience
). I had my Parker loaded with a Shark, and I used my Eton College shave cream, and I had absolutely no problems. I got a pretty nice shave with only a single pass with the grain. I had no clogs at all. At one point there was a small patch of hair clinging to the blade, so I opened it and ran it under the water to clear it. Then it was smooth sailing after that. I do not know a single cartridge on the market that could have handled it.
I understand that some of you have no skin conditions. (Lucky you
) Please continue to enjoy whatever razor it is that makes you happy.
I understand some of you do not have the time nor patience to wet shave. Im short on both of those myself. Please, use whatever works best for you and your schedule.
I understand that some of you do not have to watch every penny. (Once again, lucky you). I, however, enjoy knowing that even with some of the more expensive creams I get, my shaves are still cheaper. (TOBS is my go to. I like St. James and Eton College, and they even smell nice mixed together which we found out when I needed just a little extra for a touch up, and so I stole what my boyfriend had left over). Even if I were to toss my blade after every shave, which I dont, I still come in at around 35 cents a shave. The other razors cost me between 85 cents and nearly 2 dollars a shave depending on the quality of blade and what cream I use.
If you are lucky, like my boyfriends father, you can use the same blade for three months. With just a dab of cream each time, hes coming in at about a dime a shave so far.
Anyway, Im sure I have more to say, but my lunch break is ending. Thank you for all of your advice and happy shaving!
In the past I have tried several different cartridge type disposables. The one I would typically go for was the Schick Intuition. It was quick and easy, and there was no prep time and no mess. I could shave in the shower and be done in just a few minutes. I loved it. If I buy at the warehouse club, I usually get 12 refills for about $29 or so. Not bad, but definitely a lot more than 100 for $10. I can typically use them two or three times before I have to toss them. Sometimes that little strip just comes off, and it feels like Im scraping my skin. Those times I have to toss it sooner.
Ive also tried the Gillette Fusion ProGlide (which I originally stole from my boyfriend). Its a great little razor, and it works really well on my legs. I get a nice smooth shave, at least from the knee down. Its also easy to use in the shower, and I can shave fairly quickly with no nicks. I think I was getting 16 for about $45. (Ill have to double check my numbers when I find a receipt.)
Since I love those other two so much, you might wonder why I am talking about double-edged shaving. Well, my boyfriend talked me into trying it, and it has been an overall pleasant experience. Hes been reading to me from the site, and all of you seem to really enjoy wet shaving and getting other people into it. One member even sent me a beautiful blue Lady Gillette, my very first safety razor, so that my boyfriend could take back his Black Beauty. I also bought a Parker, which I really like. My favorite blades at this point (I think) are the Gillette Black and the Shark Super Chromes. Ive also had great luck with the Astras. I tried a Feather, and I think because Im so new I just couldnt get the hang of it. It was a super smooth shave but with a lot of blood loss.
Another thing I really is like the way the brush and cream exfoliate. I also enjoy trying out the different creams and soaps. Im sensitive to smells, and some of them are simply amazing. (Yes, I could use the brush and cream with a disposable, but wait, theres more.)
I have always (as far as I can remember) had a sort of bumpy rash on the backs of my thighs. I thought it was sensitive skin reacting to heat and whatnot. I work a desk job, and I thought it was just a result of sitting a lot. I wear pants most of the time, so I didnt think much about it. Now that I have begun wet shaving, it turns out all those little red bumps were ingrown hairs and irritated places in my skin. The super smooth shave I was getting was cutting the hair too deep beneath the surface, and as a result I had a minefield of pimples and ingrown hairs on the back of my legs. Once I started wet shaving, the combination of exfoliation and a just right shave have almost eliminated my problem. (I havent been doing this very long.)
Now, I know a lot of people complain about the amount of time it takes to wet shave. I do understand that time is an issue, and wet shaving is much more time consuming than using a disposable. Personally, the results I get are worth the extra time. Something else I have noticed, when my hair does grow back in, its not as thick and dark in appearance. Its even softer to the touch. I dont know if its because I no longer cut below the skin or if it is my imagination. I do know that I can go a day or two longer between shaves now thanks to the difference.
One way my boyfriend and I have solved the issue of time is to shave together. He uses the sink and mirror, and I sit on the side of the tub. It gives us a chance to talk and share our day while pampering ourselves. He even helps me shave those difficult to reach spots on the back of my legs, and I sometimes help with those stubborn places beneath his chin. Its a relaxing way to wind up the day, and it works as bonding time over a shared hobby. (Plus I get to brag about how good I am at mixing the lather.)
I do have a bit of an embarrassing story that shows why the safety razors are superior, and it may even change some minds, especially for those of you on the fence. Recently my kids were sick (like 2 trips to the emergency room sick), and then I was sick, and I didnt shave for a while. Im not saying how long, but it was at least 2 weeks. I had even joked about using the trimmer to mow it down before trying to shave. I know that there is no way those cartridge razors could have handled it. Even one up stroke on what I had going would have clogged them right up (I know from past experience
). I had my Parker loaded with a Shark, and I used my Eton College shave cream, and I had absolutely no problems. I got a pretty nice shave with only a single pass with the grain. I had no clogs at all. At one point there was a small patch of hair clinging to the blade, so I opened it and ran it under the water to clear it. Then it was smooth sailing after that. I do not know a single cartridge on the market that could have handled it.I understand that some of you have no skin conditions. (Lucky you
) Please continue to enjoy whatever razor it is that makes you happy.I understand some of you do not have the time nor patience to wet shave. Im short on both of those myself. Please, use whatever works best for you and your schedule.
I understand that some of you do not have to watch every penny. (Once again, lucky you
). I, however, enjoy knowing that even with some of the more expensive creams I get, my shaves are still cheaper. (TOBS is my go to. I like St. James and Eton College, and they even smell nice mixed together which we found out when I needed just a little extra for a touch up, and so I stole what my boyfriend had left over). Even if I were to toss my blade after every shave, which I dont, I still come in at around 35 cents a shave. The other razors cost me between 85 cents and nearly 2 dollars a shave depending on the quality of blade and what cream I use.If you are lucky, like my boyfriends father, you can use the same blade for three months. With just a dab of cream each time, hes coming in at about a dime a shave so far.
Anyway, Im sure I have more to say, but my lunch break is ending. Thank you for all of your advice and happy shaving!
...so today, out of curiosity, I tried it for the first time using his Muhle R89 Grande. 
