BellaSugar

How-To: Extend the Life of a Razor

BellaSugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:00:55 PDT

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,"

This Razor Lets You Shave Less. What's Not to Love?

Annie Tomlin — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:05:00 PST

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.)

How to Prevent Ingrown Hairs

Annie Tomlin — Mon, 09 May 2011 03:10:44 PDT

Spring means it's time to break out warm-weather wear like dresses and sleeveless tops. This also means that you may be shaving more frequently, which increases the chances of developing the dreaded ingrown hair. These little bumps can form wherever you shave, and they can be either harmlessly annoying or surprisingly painful. They develop when the blunt edge of an individual hair grows into the skin, curling up and causing inflammation. Keep reading to find out how to prevent ingrown hairs.

Zinka Sunscreen Makes a Comeback, Has Been Here For Years

Annie Tomlin — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 06:10:40 PDT

Back in the late '80s, any grommet worth her weight on a surfboard knew about Zinka. Surfers used to apply the bold, bright zinc oxide sunscreen on the bridge of their noses, frequently creating neon-tinged designs on their skin with the stuff. It wasn't long before surf and skate wannabes took the trend far past the California coast, and for a while, high demand made a tube of Zinka hard to track down. But as the Me decade gave way to the grunge years, the appetite for lime-green sunscreen subsided. I'd always assumed Zinka faded away with mirrored Oakley Razor Blades, but the SoCal company is still around. These days, it offers clear sunscreen along with 10 classic colors that are so Burning Man. If this brand makes a big comeback, don't be surprised if Zubaz is next.

A Cute Guy Tests the Gillette Fusion Power Razor

BellaSugar — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 03:05:00 PST

Hot guy in question: John Coyle Steinbrunner
Age: 34
What he does: Painter (see more here) and founder of The Salon Series
What he tested: The Gillette Fusion Power Razor ($13)

Want to see what he thought? Then just keep reading.

7 Things You Should Totally Steal From a Dude

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:20:00 PDT

When it comes to beauty and personal care products, most of the time it seems like women get all the good stuff. Anecdotal evidence is rife with tales of male friends, little brothers, and boyfriends sneaking our fancy eye creams and quietly delighting in our high-quality shampoos. But men's grooming has some pretty great stuff, too, and there's no reason you shouldn't be making off like a bandit (or just, you know, borrowing stuff). See a list of products you should unashamedly steal from the men in your life when you keep reading.

More Dos and Don'ts of Shaving

Jaime Richards — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:10:12 PDT

Now that you have the dos and don'ts of summertime shaving down pat, do you think you have a handle on shaving cream? It's believed that the basic form of shaving cream was used in Sumer well around 5,000 years ago, and there are plenty of reasons we're still using it today - particularly during these warmer months. So to find out a few of the dos and don'ts of this truly old-school cosmetic, just keep reading.

Threading, Sugaring, and Waxing: Health Risks of Hair Removal

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 02:01:00 PDT

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.

3 Dos (and 1 Don't) of Summertime Shaving

Jaime Richards — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 05:00:00 PDT

While a recent survey found that 58 percent of women fеаr bikini аnd leg stubble during the warm-weather months, hopefully very few of these women find fear in the actual process of shaving itself. Sure, multiple blades contained within a razor can look daunting, but when all is said and done, shaving produces instant results. And besides, shaving can also assist in "polishing" your skin, leaving behind a healthy glow.

So don't be afraid of the blade, but do:

Keep the skin relaxed during a shave: But in areas that are more difficult to reach or where hair grows from various angles, don't be afraid to pull the skin more taut to make it easier to move the razor around.
Make shaving the last thing you do: Hair that's been softened and plumped throughout the length of a warm shower is hair that's easier to shave. So the next time you step in the shower, wait until the very end to bust out that razor.
Use a razor with a pivoting head and multiple blades: For a smoother, closer shave, choose a razor that moves with the body. And as for those multiple blades, the reason they work so well is that they reduce friction on the skin. They also help lift hairs up, allowing the hair to be cut much nearer to the shaft. Try: Schick Quattro For Women ($12).

But don't:

Shave and then immediately head to the ocean: Jumping into the salty ocean water (or even chlorine in a pool) can irritate the skin. Instead, try shaving the night before swimming to avoid the ouch factor.