Wetshaving for a lady.

[Brad31]

My girlfriend is interested in DE shaving now. What razor would you recommend. I know lady gillette, but there has to be others. Im afraid to buy used. Im looking at the Merkur long handle. The long handle open comb is cheaper than regular long handle. Any reason not to go with the open comb here???

This may be a dumb question. But for the ladies that DE shave, do you use a brush and lather and make multiple passes. Just seems that you have more area to shave and that can be really time consuming.

Whats a good cheap razor brush combo to go with. Im thinking Merkur long handle open comb and tweezerman brush.

What are some good soaps and creams for women. She has sensitive skin so nothing with tons of fragrance, and again not looking to break the bank here.

Thanks!

 

[SavantStrike]

I don't know that open comb is necessary, though I haven't tried to shave my legs..

I would say the long handle (23c) would be a good choice for new as it's one of the longest handled DE's in existence anyway.

 

[Emmett]

I am going to go the other direction and suggest a regular (short) handle. My gf shaves with cartridges (though I admit I don't know what kind), and her razor handle is very short and stubby. She says it's more manuverable, behind her knees and in other places, if you get my drift.

For a brush, bigger is probably better. More area to shave, just makes more sense to have a brush that can hold more lather and cover more skin with each stroke.

Creams and soaps? I think Mama Bear makes an unscented puck, and TOBS Avocado has good reviews from sensitive-skinned folks.

Edit: it's a Gilette Sensor

 

[danek]

Im afraid to buy used.

Why on Earth would you be afraid to buy used? A great deal of people on this site shave daily with a 40+ year old razor. Lady Gillettes, Blue Tip SSs and Techs (to name a few) are great razors for women and you can't buy them new. New production Merkurs are awfully aggressive - I'd hate to scare her off because she keeps nicking her knees, ankles, etc.

 

[nikkuchan]

First of all, there is no reason to be afraid of buying a used razor. They merely house the blades, and thus the razor itself poses no real sanitary risk. They’re easy to clean (and the seller may be kind enough to clean it for you beforehand).

If you’re looking for something cheap, new, and effective, try the Feather Popular. The handle is a nice length, and the design of the razor keeps only the edge of the blade exposed (unlike some of the other razors that expose quite a bit), so with the right blade it’s very non-aggressive.

 

[uberlegit]

Do what I did -- or am in the process of doing.

Get a good brushless cream (search the forums for "brushless" and you will find a few threads). If you have a collection of razors, lend your mildest. In my case I'm going to give my girlfriend a ball-ended Tech, Israeli Reds and a brushless that I haven't decided on yet (probably Cremo so I can use it too.)

 

[Conscientious Dennis]

I have two sisters that would be most interested in testimonials from our female members who have some experience with different razors, blades, soaping methods and conditioners.

 

[Stubblefield]

I'd get her a short handle and start her with a brushless cream. Given the amount of real estate most women have to shave, a brushless cream would be the place to start. She can get a 40mm knot brush and gallon mixing bowl to lather in later.

 

[cactusbrush]

I have two daughters who use Schick injector razors; they swear they are better than anything they have used and they rarely get a nick.

 

[J Howard]

My fiance uses a pink ladies' Gillette that I bought her used from someone on the forum and she likes the long handle for her legs. For her underarms she still uses cartridges due to the difficulty of maintaining the correct angle. At the very least get her some good cream, something like Kiss My Face (see review section) in peach brushless as my girl uses this even with the cartridge and likes it over canned foam or gel. She has used several blades and is currently using Derby's but she said that different blades didn't make much difference with the mild razor.

 

[m-g willy]

My wife likes a NEW Gillette open comb better than her Adjustable or Lady Gillette long handle.
My daughters like their SS's
Wife uses a boar brush but I'm going to buy her a badger brush before she steals mine.
Daughters just use bath soap for shaving their legs.