Goodness knows my legs are seeing more daylight these days with the good weather and all, so when I read these tips from Paula Begoun about shaving I thought I would pass them along to you along with my own personal recommendations.
Paula says…
There is no real trick to shaving. We all know how to do it, but not everyone knows how to get the best results and the softest legs. The following tips are the basics of a great, smooth shave:
- It is essential for your legs to be wet for at least two or three minutes before starting. Few things are as irritating or chafing as shaving dry or slightly damp legs.
- Find a razor that works well for your skin. Given the pressure you use while shaving, the texture of your skin, and the density of hair growth, this takes some experimentation. No single type of razor works well for everyone, but the three- and four-bladed razors are gentler by far and produce better results than throwaway or single-use razors.
- Change the blade frequently—dull razors make for poor shaving results. How often to change the blade depends on frequency of use, hair density, and how thick your skin is. As a general guideline, using a fresh blade every third or fourth shave is fine.
- When it comes to shaving creams, for both men and women, those that contain emollients (usually those identified as being good for sensitive, dry skin) work perfectly on the legs! There is absolutely no reason to buy shaving gels or creams in pretty pink containers when in truth they are virtually identical to those in more masculine or unadorned packages.
- Avoid shaving products that contain irritants. Used over newly shaved skin, irritating ingredients can cause red bumps and ingrown hairs. When I find myself without shaving cream in the shower, I use hair conditioner or body wash instead, which is far easier on the legs than bar soap or bar cleanser. Common irritants include menthol, eucalyptus, peppermint, and lime.
- For best results, shave against the growth of hair, go slowly, rinse the blade often, and be careful.
- After you are done, do not use a loofah or washcloth; shaving is enough exfoliation for your legs. Any extra abrasion can cause too much irritation and create problems.
- At night, apply a moisturizer, and during the day, if your legs are going to be exposed to sun, apply a moisturizer with sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater) that contains the UVA-protecting ingredients avobenzone, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, Tinosorb, or Mexoryl SX.
- Do not use an AHA or BHA lotion over newly shaved skin; they can be unnecessarily irritating at this time.
I totally have used body wash or conditioner in place of shaving cream too, haha. I have extremely sensitive skin on my legs. I am especially prone to razor burn. Ouch!
Before I shave I like to scrub with a gentle body scrub. The one I’ve been using lately is Bath & Body Works Scrub in Warm Vanilla Sugar. Apparently the scrub has been reformulated since I got mine though. In between shave days I still love to use 100% Pure’s body scrub, but due to the oils and such in it that make it so great, it’s not a good product for using right before a shave.
The life-changing product I use as a shaving cream is no joke. I never get razor burn anymore when I use it. It’s Kiss My Face Moisture Shave. Moisture Shave comes in 7 scents (including nonscented) but my favorite is peaches & creme. :) Yum. I cannot recommend this product enough. It’s gentle enough for men to use on their faces, too (but definitely get the unscented version for this purpose).
My razor of choice for years now is the Venus Divine. Each blade head has 3 blades and comfort strips that contain soothing ingredients like aloe vera. The head pivots and hugs the curves of my legs for a great shave.
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