BellaSugar

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.)

What We're Sweet On: The Disposable Razor That Won't Leave You a Mess

Jaime Richards — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 04:05:24 PST

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?

Tyra Banks: I Don't Have to Shave My Legs

BellaSugar — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:01:00 PDT

Many women would say that shaving their legs is their least favorite beauty task, but for Tyra Banks, there's no need to bother with the the razors-and-shaving-cream rigmarole in the first place. Tyra explains to Life & Style, "I don't have to shave my legs," adding, "The hair is so faint, you don't even see it." Not all of us are as lucky as Tyra (although what law ever said anyone had to shave their legs, anyway?), who admits there have been times she actually has whipped out the razor. "I used to shave my legs for the Victoria's Secret fashion show . . . and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue shoot," she quips. Look for Life & Style out on newsstands Friday nationwide, and tell us: if you have fine or light-toned hair, do you forgo shaving, too?

So You Didn't Shave . . . Ways to Still Work Out

Heather Dale — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:32:55 PDT

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.

Mark your calendar. Pick a day or two each week to devout precious shower time to shaving your legs. You already have to shower for work, so make it a priority to shave your legs as well. This way, your legs will always be smooth and ready for your gym shorts . . . no hair freak-outs required.

Keep reading for more tips.

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.

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.

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.

Do You Know Your Shaving Stats and Cool Facts?

Jaime Richards — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 06:00:00 PDT

According to a 2010 Schick study, 58 percent of women fеаr bikini аnd leg stubble during the summertime, which likely means that many razors are working overtime these days. But there are plenty more cool facts and statistics about shaving where that came from. Ever wonder what tools caveman used for hair removal, or just how many women choose razors when it comes time to groom their bikini lines? You're about to find out.

Source: Flickr User yuppie922

Take the Quiz

Now You Can Make Fancy Down-There-Hair Art at Home

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:41:37 PDT

Are you always frustrated by the uneven edges after you stencil your pubic hair into a festive shape? Wish there was template that ensured that your efforts come out geometrically perfect? Well then, meet the LadyShape ($15), a European innovation that allows you to get perfect landing strips, triangles, and hearts in the comfort of your own boudoir.

Think of all the money you'll save on expensive spa pubic-hair art! And even the most discerning lover will be pleased by the smooth, straight lines of your newly fabulous nether regions. The template has a handle, antislip rubber undersides to seal the area and keep skin taut, and just requires a rectangular razor to shave around the area. After that, all you need is a little DIY Vajazzling (rhinestones and rubber cement, anyone?), and your ladybits will look very fancy indeed.

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.