While I know many women who shave daily and I respect their upkeep…I am not among their numbers. Hi, I’m Afrobella and I’m an irregular shaver. My razors and depilatories tend to get the most use in warm weather, when my sleeveless tops and shorter skirts come out to play. And I’m not alone — summer means big sales for hair removal products, and a plethora of new products on the drugstore and department store shelves. I’ve been reviewing some intriguing hair removal items as of late. Let me share the pros and cons and my latest favorite finds with you!

image source - Madame Noire

I Love Depilatories. Here’s Why

The old days of a truly smelly depilatory product are thankfully in the past. Today’s creamy hair removers tend to have a not altogether pleasant fragrance, but they’re not flat out offensive the way they used to be. They work faster than they used to. And for someone who is super busy and doesn’t shave daily, there’s something so enticing about slathering a product on your legs for 3 minutes and then enjoying easy, quick in-shower hair removal. That’s why I say yes please to a good depilatory and the standard favorites — Nair, Veet, and Sally Hansen — have never let me down. They’re all quick and convenient, and I enjoy the little plastic “razor” that comes with bottles of Veet. Makes the process even quicker, IMO. If you’re brand new to chemical hair removers, follow instructions to the letter and all will be well. These aren’t products to play fast and loose with, so be sure to keep an eye on the time when you use them otherwise you will burn your skin. Speaking from experience here.

The Latest Razors
Think back to the first time you removed your body hair. What did you do? I’m willing to bet cash money that you got a razor — maybe you borrowed your mom’s or dad’s, or had one of those plastic pink disposables — and shaved your legs. Back in my early days of shaving I used my dad’s razor, and back in those days, my dad used a single blade safety razor that needed to have full sized razor blades inserted and screwed into place. I cut my legs with that thing so many times! Back in those days I didn’t know about women’s razors or products to make shaving easier — it was soap or hair conditioner, and dad’s razor (which was then replaced with nary a mention. Sorry, Dad). Of course nowadays shaving is MUCH easier for ladies, and I have to say – I haven’t gotten a nick in years. That’s partially because my skills have improved with practice, and partially because technology has brought us amazing inventions like the Venus Pro-Skin Moisture Rich razor which makes shaving so much easier and safer.

I recently caught up with Venus dermatologist Dr. Ellen Gendler about summer skin issues and shaving, and she enlightened me on some of the issues related to shaving. “You should use a razor with a pivoting head, rather than a razor whose head doesn’t move. It’s better to use a razor that has more than one blade. Three blades are good.” Dr. Gendler loves the moisture bar on the Venus razors, and so do I — it basically ensures a smooth shave.

Of course there are other ways to improve your shaving — there are any number of highly fragranced shaving creams meant to enhance the experience. Recently I shared a tub of Bluebeard’s Revenge with my husband, to see if it delivered as promised in terms of reducing hair growth. Bluebeard’s Revenge is “a paraben free, premium quality shaving cream with added ingredients like Decelerine™ to specifically combat tough stubble.” In three or so months of using it on my legs and armpits, I’ve noticed thinner hair (but not substantially less of it). I’m all about any product that will reduce my need for body hair removal, and if you think this sounds intriguing (and you’re in the UK) click here to buy and try.

Waxing
During my interview with Dr. Gendler, she described at-home waxing as “a prescription for disaster,” and I’m inclined to agree – just knowing myself and speaking based on painful waxing experiences. I’m just not proficient in waxing myself but I know many, many women who LOVE at-home wax strips and I’ve heard great things about many brands. Currently there’s a box of Bliss Poetic Waxing Wax Strips in my bathroom cupboard. I’m too scared to try them. Am I being a big chicken? Tell me in the comments, and at-home waxers, any advice on making it foolproof and painproof would be appreciated!

High Tech Hair Removal
There are several at-home high tech hair removal products on the market, and they can cost a pretty penny to be certain. There’s the classic Remington Epilator which I’ve tried and can’t quite get the hang of, there’s the no no which I try tried (sorry). It wasn’t for me. And now there’s the Tria — an at-home laser treatment, which I am dying to try! I have heard amazing things. I’ll keep y’all posted. If you’ve tried the Tria or any other at-home high tech hair removal device, tell me about the experience!

For even more on hair removal, check out this in depth post from Madame Noire!

What’s your hair removal method of choice? Are you a daily shaver? A when-the-occasion-calls-for-it waxer? What works best for you?

COMMENTS

alicia says:

August 8, 2011, 7:40 pm

I have done it all shaving, waxing and in better economic times laser hair. I tried at one wax once...let's just say leave it to the professional.

GlamLuv says:

August 8, 2011, 8:06 pm

I really enjoyed your post. I too am a blogger and frequent summer shaver. I've tried some of the same products. Thanks for sharing... Check my site out! GlamSmartz.com

Monique says:

August 9, 2011, 8:06 am

I've never used creamed based removers but I definitely want to try. Anything to avoid nicks. I've been nicking myself since I started shaving at 15. LOL

Bethany says:

August 9, 2011, 12:25 pm

I usually stick to shaving (Schick Quattro!) or Veet. Depends on how lazy I am. I tried at-home waxing exactly two times. That didn't work out so well...

Cheekie says:

August 9, 2011, 1:50 pm

I'm also an irregular shaver. I only do it when needed. And that's obviously not all the time. I've tried Veet for the first time this summer and I love it! I'm definitely team Veet. The best way I can describe the smell is a hair salon, which ain't that bad. lol I had no idea they used to smell worse! Wow!

Iris says:

August 9, 2011, 3:18 pm

I do a combination of sugaring and shaving for different parts. I'm a regular summer shaver and do it irregularly during the winter months. Agreed on you with waxing being scary. I've had a few minor incidents. I may try depilatory products again. I've seen the ads, and they look like they've improved from the last time I tried them in my teens.

Tacicia says:

August 9, 2011, 6:13 pm

Personally, I love waxing. The only problem I have with it is the ingrown hairs. After cutting myself with a razor, I swore off shaving completely. Veet is a good brand to use.

warrior11209 says:

August 9, 2011, 7:21 pm

You took me back when you described your dad's razor - my dad had the same razor and I used that with a bar of soap for quite a while for all my haor removel needs. I have tried everthing(depilitories, waxing-ugghh) and I am back to old reliable-razors- Venus Pro is what I am using now!

penni brown says:

August 10, 2011, 3:31 pm

Team Wax over here. brows, pits and nether regions. But for the legs I shave. I have tried at home waxing but my efforts never come out as clean as when the pro does it.

caramelnaps25 says:

August 10, 2011, 10:11 pm

Nods head in agreement at the pink disposable razor! Sadly kids in my stepdaughter's class have picked on her "thin" mustache which caused her to sneak a razor and (gasp) shave her mustache on three (known) occasions. I've threatened her with the fact that a thicker, more visable mustache will appear! UGh preteens! I love the Venus razor, but in a clinch I've used the regular ones. This summer I must have knicked my leg and boy did I end up with blood dripping down my leg! That was NOT the business! The joys of being a woman. In high school I tried out for drill team and we'd received info to shave or use a depilatory before trying out! Sadly I had no clue what a depilatory was. I lived with my grannie and neither did she! There was no internet back then! I don't know why I didnt use a dictionary to look it up. When I finally figured it out, it was much to late:(

Jo Somebody says:

August 12, 2011, 10:12 am

Are there any local salons that do threading near you? That can be an every 4-6 weeks treat for your daughter. It's painful, but clean, quick, usually cheap (here in the UK anyway if I find an Indian salon) and the hairs do not grow back 'thicker' (blunter) as the hair is taken from the root. I highly recommend it, for eyebrows too! I did try it myself and I blasphemed myself directly to hell that day. I'll leave it to the pros!

rae says:

August 12, 2011, 2:24 pm

i love nair creams right now...i will wax at a salon. I know about the tria at home laser treatment...but i thought we had to be a much lighter complexion to use it. thats why i havnt bought it.

Agatha Tefora says:

August 16, 2011, 8:15 am

I've tried shaving and waxing. Of all the things I have tried, I settled for wax strips. Although it gives me some OUCH moments, I am very pleased with the results. One thing I would really want to try is the laser treatment. I'm really curious of how long the result will last.

Skin Care says:

September 9, 2012, 7:04 am

Hey dear i was really upset due to my skin but after reading about these i am feeling well and will apply with the hope of better result. thanks

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