We've all done it. It's the painful moment when the razor sweeps across the skin in the most awkward of ways, causing an unbelievable amount of bleeding. While most of us are careful to prevent major cuts from happening, sometimes the nicks can get the best of us. There are far better methods than the classic toilet paper scrap. Check out seven surprising ways to sop bleeding from razor nicks, when you keep reading.
Brand-new men's grooming brand Harry's, from one of the guys behind the cool eyewear company Warby Parker Jeff Raider, is upping the ante. Its just-debuted shave sets ($15-25), which include shaving cream, a razor handle, and three blades, are ace for the sophisticated man in your life, as well as your own shower kit.
Men's razors are one of those beauty products that even women want to get their hands on, and for good reason. Men's razors tend to give a closer shave since their blades are created for the rough hairs on men's faces. With five blades made from Swedish steel and a flexible hinge to align with the contours of the face, the razor is on par with an expensive luxury brand. The shaving cream itself is no different, concocted from marula and eucalyptus oils and free of sulfates and parabens. You can feel good about your purchase, too. For every blade bought, Harry's will donate a blade (or an equivalent dollar value) to an organization that helps people look their best. All of the products individually rank in at $20 or less, and the most expensive set is $25, so you can pick one up for your favorite guy . . . and still have cash left over for yourself.
Are you a leg-waxing enthusiast? Or do you prefer to take matters into your own hands and shave your limbs smooth? Whether you're a fan of waxing, shaving, tweezing, or depilatory creams, the quest to banish fuzz can sometimes be overwhelming. Not exactly sure which hair removal method is best for you? We break down and decode each process for you, along with the pros and cons, when you keep reading.
Most women have accepted razor burn as a part of their life: it happens every now and then, and when it does there isn't much that can be done about it. But razor burn is 100% preventable, according to Jamie Ahn, owner of Acqua Beauty Bar in NYC. "Razor burn is a type of inflammation," she says. "You have to treat it right away." Think there's no way for you to actually nurse those painful bumps in all the wrong places? You'll be singing a different tune when you keep reading.
Considering the relatively high cost of replacing razor blades, you might as well try to prolong the life of them, right? Luckily, there are a few things you can do to keep them sharper longer, and, as a result, your wallet will love you. Plus, by following these few easy steps after each shave, you'll reduce the likelihood of some common disasters (the nicks, the cuts, the ingrowns). Keep reading for tips on how to "save the shave."
Some women love the ritual of shaving. I'm more of the git-r-done viewpoint, preferring to shave as quickly and rarely as possible. The problem is, I usually wind up with nicks or next-day stubble. This is why Schick's new Hydro Silk razor is blowing my mind, at least as much as a razor possibly can. I've been using it for about two months, and no joke, I'm down to shaving once every five days or so. Lest you think I look like an extra in Harry and the Hendersons, my legs remain smooth for days on end. Better still: my usual dry, itchy, post-shave skin is now happily hydrated.
Hydro Silk is Schick's first five-bladed razor for women, and each blade is mounted individually for better movement around curvy parts — which means it's harder to nick your knees and ankles. It tackles irritation and dry skin with a water-activated serum that sits in tiny reservoirs. As you shave, you moisturize. Easy as that. It took seven years to create this razor, and it took only one use for me to start recommending it. Psst: Keep an eye on Hydro Silk's Facebook page, where fans can score free samples from time to time.
(Full disclosure: I was flown to the razor's launch event by Schick.)
There's nothing all that romantic about disposable razors, but if you've ever had a terrible experience (or several) using them, then you'll likely appreciate Schick's Xtreme3 Women's Disposable Razor for sensitive skin ($8). Not only are these razors easy to work with and maneuver, but they'll also leave your skin moisturized — sans the goopy or slimy byproduct often left behind with similar tools in the shaving category. Plus, they give a very close shave without the scary factor; after several uses, no nicks, razor burn, or cuts were to be seen.
And to sweeten the pot, from now until Feb. 29 if you buy two specially marked Schick iTunes razor packs or refills, you can get a $10 iTunes download card. Who ever thought shaving could actually be kind of fun?
Two things that always manage to keep me from going to the gym: hairy legs and hairy armpits. Like most people who say that time (or lack thereof) is the primary reason they can't make it to the gym as often as they'd like, I too, will often use the "time" excuse. It's often used when I take one look at my hairy legs and say — "nope, not enough time to shave, which unfortunately means I won't be able to go to the gym today."
I know, this is a lame excuse on my part, which is why I've come up with ways to make sure my legs are prepped for the gym, and/or my armpits are hair-free for yoga, and b) get my butt to the gym even if I'm not smooth shaven. Without further ado, here are some tips for never having to use the "hair-removal time excuse" again.
Women go through all kinds of hoops when it comes to beauty, especially in the quest for smooth hairless skin. From waxing to sugaring, threading, and beyond, check out the health risks involved when it comes to common hair removal techniques.
Shaving — Probably the most common way to remove hair since it's fast, cheap, and easy to do yourself. With shaving, there is a risk for nicks, ingrown hairs, and the dreaded razor burn. If you forget to change out the blades, dull or rusty metal may cause irritation or infection. Shaving can also cause folliculitis, an infection in the hair follicle usually caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus (staph) or a fungus.
Waxing — A layer of wax is applied to your skin, and a strip of fabric is placed on top. Once the wax is dry, it adheres to the hairs; pulling the strips off of the skin pulls the hairs from the root. Depending on the location of your body, waxing can be extremely painful; it hurts to have your hair pulled from the root, and the wax also adheres to your skin, taking skin cells with it as it's removed. Waxing can cause irritation and inflammation, especially if you have a reaction to the chemicals in the wax, and, if the wax used is too hot, there's also a risk of burning the skin. If your skin is not held taut when pulling the wax strips off, bruising may occur. Some people also suffer from postwax breakouts or scarring if they have sensitive skin. Once the hairs begin to grow back, you may find painful raised bumps (ingrown hairs), especially under your arms or your bikini area since the hairs tend to be coarse and curly. Waxing should be avoided if you are using Retin-A, Accutane, or antibiotics. These medications make the skin thin, which means more than hair will come off during a waxing service. If you are using Renova or alphy hydroxy, check with your aesthetician before scheduling an appointment.
Read on to hear about sugaring, depilatories, threading, and more.
