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,"

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.

Source

What We're Sweet On: A Razor Worth Putting on Display

Annie Tomlin — Sat, 19 May 2012 07:00:25 PDT

Most of us usually toss our razors in the dank corners of the shower - and that, by the way, isn't a hot idea, since moisture can decrease the life of your blades. But the Schick Intuition Naturals razor (around $9) practically demands to be put on display. With art-nouveau packaging designed by blogger Kelly Framel of The Glamourai, it's about as chic as hair removal gets. But there's more here than just good looks: the razor's four blades are surrounded by an aloe-infused solid skin conditioner that lathers when wet, eliminating the need for shaving gel. If you're looking for a little eye candy in your grooming tools, then give this one a try. But move fast, as the limited-edition design won't stick around for long.

9 Ways Vodka Can Help You Save Money

Emily Co — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:22:38 PDT

Sorry to burst your bubble, but you're not going to save by drinking vodka! However, the liquor actually has a couple of household uses that will come in handy. Not to mention, you won't be splashing unnecessary money on products and you'll be doing the environment some good because it's less toxic. Invest in a bottle of cheap vodka to stretch your dollar in these ways:

Clean Your Clothes: First, do a spot test on the piece of clothing just to be on the safe side. If the material stays in the same condition, spray vodka on the outfit. It'll keep your clothes fresh in between laundry loads and kill any lingering odors. The liquor is also a good stain remover, so dab some on stubborn stains before throwing your clothes into the washer.
Get Rid of Mold: Spray it on the mold in your bathroom, and after letting it soak in for a good while, wipe it clean. The alcohol will kill the mold.
Air Freshener: Make a one part vodka and three parts water solution and pour it into a spray bottle. Start spraying away to get rid of any odor in the room.
Prevent Flowers From Wilting: Add a few drops of vodka into your flower vase to preserve your lovely bouquet. Vodka lengthens the life of the blooms because it inhibits ethylene production, which is what helps the plant mature, according to the Scientific American.
Repel Insects: Use vodka as an ingredient for a bug repellent. DIYlife.com recommends to mix it with apple cider vinegar and drops of citronella or eucalyptus essential oil. Spray it on yourself or areas you don't want bugs to come crawling, such as your patio furniture.
Polish and Shine: Take a piece of cloth, wet it with vodka, and clean your eyeglasses with it. Alternatively, you can also mix it with some water, then spray the liquid on windows and mirrors to make them shine. So long, Windex!
Glue Remover: Remove the sticky residue left from peeling the label off jars by rubbing the leftover glue with a soft cloth soaked in vodka. You can also use this to dissolve the sticky residue that Band-Aids leave on your skin.
Preserve Razor Blades: After shaving, leave your blades in vodka for a while to disinfect and prevent them from rusting.
Treat Dandruff: Mix one cup vodka with two teaspoons crushed rosemary, then strain the mixture through a coffee cup filter and let it sit for two days before applying it to your head and letting the solution dry.

Remember, getting an inexpensive brand is key - you don't want to shill out big bucks and waste money on something you'll be wiping your windows with!

Source: Flickr User Darwin Bell

Save or Splurge? Replacement Electric Toothbrush Heads

Nancy Einhart — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 00:15:35 PDT

A top-of-the-line electric toothbrush isn't cheap, but the investment in my dental health is worth the price of my Sonicare Elite toothbrush. But similar to razors and razor blades, the costs really add up when replacing the toothbrush heads.

Sonicare's amazing electric toothbrushes range in price, from about $50 to more than $200. Though I have one of the midrange versions, the e-Series replacement heads are not cheap: it costs $30 for two.

I am a big fan of buying generic whenever possible, so when I saw Target selling an alternative replacement head from its Up & Up brand, priced at $45 for five, I thought, why not try it?

Find out if it's worth the savings.

Avoid the 5 Worst Spring Break Beauty Blunders

BellaSugar — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 05:00:06 PDT

The season for weeklong beach vacations, overseas plane rides, and cross-country treks is here. Celebrating Spring break can take a toll on your skin and hair, whether you are laying out in your backyard or partying in Bora Bora. So, beware of these basic beauty mistakes that can ruin your vacation. To get tips to sidestep these classic beach slipups read more.

Surprising Hydration from the New Schick Hydro Silk

Sponsor — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:15:00 PST

Some days, we are just not up for waging the war between our legs and our razor. During these Winter months, it's so tempting to hide dry legs under layers of clothing. But hide no more! The new Schick Hydro Silk razor with moisturizing serum hydrates skin, leaving it silky and smooth. Five curve-sensing blades deliver an incredibly close shave, and the compact oval cartridge is designed exclusively for the curves and contours of a woman's body, including those hard-to-reach places.

So break out of your Winter skin and say hello to Spring!

"Like" Schick Hydro Silk's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/SchickHydroSilk) for exclusive offers and more!

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.

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.