While replacing yet another razor blade in the shower, do you ever stop and think, "Didn't I just change this thing a few days ago?"
Considering the relatively high cost of replacing razor blades, you might as well try to prolong the life of them. By following a few easy steps after each shave, you'll reduce the likelihood of some common disasters (the nicks, the cuts, the ingrowns), and your wallet will be very happy.
For tips on how to "save the shave," read more.
- Even though it may seem obvious, thoroughly rinse the blade after each use. A razor should be free of hair and shaving cream for optimal sharpness.
- Water is a blade's worst enemy, as it causes corrosion, so dry off the blade when you are finished. You can break out your blow dryer to give your razor a blast of heat, or lightly dry the blade with a tissue or towel — but be careful to not cause unnecessary wear and tear. At the very least, store your razor outside of the shower.
- Vodka martini, straight up! Well, maybe not during your morning shave. You can, however, dip your blade in alcohol, and it will assist in keeping the blade dry and disinfected. Rubbing alcohol is cheaper, but vodka will do if that's all you've got.
- Use baby oil instead of shaving cream in a pinch. The oil acts as a lubricant on the razor, preventing tiny chips in the blade. Plus, it smells pretty great, too.
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Have you seen the commercials for those razor sharpeners? I wonder if those work. Razors are SO expensive...
1I've wondered that too, em1282. I was half tempted to buy one.
2Thanks for the tips! I've always kept my razor in the shower. I'll keep it on the window sill for now on.
3Thanks for the tips. I already do the one that's supposed to be obvious because it's very obvious that the razor isn't as effective if I don't. I never keep the razor in the shower, especially since I want to make sure which one is mine since my razor wouldn't be the only one in the bathroom.
4You can also use conditioner instead of shaving cream.
5I use baby oil since it's something that is readily available in my home. I get nasty ingrowns though.
6Oh my goodness those razor refills are freakin expensive. I only shave when necessary. It's a good thing I live in the SF area, pants weather all the time!
7I also noticed after I exfoliate no matter how well I rinse off some of the gunk from my scrub gets btw. the blades and I can't rinse it off. It's so irritating.
8I definitely agree on the whole keeping-the-razor-dry thing. I had to do that during the school year, and it really helped.
9huh thats interesting
10i really need to make them last longer...
Thanks for this!
11is there a tip missing?
12This is helpful!! Razors are so expensive!
13Ugh you may want to say that to my flatmates, whose razors are *molding* in the shower.
14mine lasts me a month or more. i use gilette. and i use it twice a week for my underarms only
15my tip would be not to wipe it with towel or anything, but shake it from water, as those thin thingies that make your shaver slide wear out. and i noticed that it depends where the razors were made, i bought some in Lithuania and the lubrication strip on gilette lasted my a few weeks, but the ones i bought in London lasted one day.
16I use olive oil to shave my legs sometimes and my razor seems to love it! Makes it last a long time. Can't remember where I read that idea, probably some frugal blog....although olive oil isn't really cheap...
17Olive oil! Baby oil! Brilliant! I have to try this. I have super dry skin and this tip could relieve a little of that too
18Great tips, they are so expensive aren't they?
19which razor do you guys prefer to use? I like venus but am wondering if im missing out by not using intuition, or some of those other razors. HELP!! I'm sick of experimenting to find the one that is right for me. I really need some free samples sent my way.
20I love the intuition ones. For some reason the "bar" part seems to prevent those nasty red bumps I get with just a regular razor and shaving cream. I tried switching back the other month and was horrified at how many bumps I got!
21thanks for the tips... the conditioner and olive oil tips too! i hate buying new razors and i avoid as much as possible in doin so
22to the conditioner tip: DON'T! conditioner dulls the blade and doesn't give your skin and hair the proper protection from the blade. what shaving cream does is create bubbles to give padding and lubrication. if you want to use anything beside cream, but not olive oil, use shampoo. a gentle shampoo made my razors last two months when i used them once a week.
23Thank you for the tips I cant wait to try them out. I think that The Art of Shaving has the best shaving cream. It is a little expensive but it lasts for months. I bought a container of it 3 months ago and i am not even 1/3 into it.
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