mtbat's Full Review: Gillette Venus Disposable Razors 8 Pack
Over the years, I’ve tried just about every way possible to remove unwanted hair from my body. What I’ve discovered is-the Gillette Venus Disposable Razors are the best way to shave my legs. They aren’t cheap, but I’ve learned-thru trial and error-that you “get what you pay for” and cheap means-cheap... it also means so far as shaving is concerned-cuts nicks and pain. Gillette disposable Venus razors don’t nick, they are easy to use and I’ve yet to seriously injure myself. In fact-to date I’ve yet to even nick myself-which is monumental(for me at least).
I started shaving when I was about 13. I’m nearly 40 now-so I’ve been trying to remove the hair from parts of my body for 17 years. As a teen, for about a year-I used Nair. Nair, for those of you who haven’t had the (mis)fortune of using it-is a chemical mixture that removes the hair from your legs(a something that starts with a “d” cream). You spread this very stinky chemically smelling gunk on your legs, wait the allotted length of time and then, wipe off the cream-and the hair. Great right? Yeah well the hair on the backs of my legs still hasn’t grown back right. For years after using Nair regularly for only one year as a teen, the hair on the back of my legs didn’t grow back at all. Now it does-sort of-it’s thin and patchy and not what it was. Good? Bad? More scary than anything.
I’ve tried Nads-a sugaring compound-which does work-and HURTS like almighty heck. You spread the thick paste on your legs(or other body parts-really the best part of using NADS was when my now ex-husband requested I use it on his back hair. Heh...heh...heh...I wrote a review of it in fact...) Then you put linen strips over the paste-then you RIP THE HAIR OUT BY THE ROOTS. Yes it works-but really not worth the effort.
Waxing-okay, waxing is acceptable for eyebrows, it’s acceptable for the bit of hair growing above my upper lip. Little body bits. I’ve got nearly invisible eyebrows anyhow so I don’t do anything to them very often but when I do... I go to a salon, I pay under $15 and they do it for me. Waxing legs is 1-a heck of a lot more expensive and 2-the same concept as NADS-YOU RIP THE HAIR OUT BY THE ROOTS. Uh-nuh. Not worth the effort-or the pain.
Truth be told-I hate shaving my legs. I’m lazy and if I can get away with it, I will go months without shaving my legs-I thank the Gods for my Norwegian ancestry. My hair is blond, and I can get away with it sometimes-certainly longer than I probably should. Especially during winter months when I can wear long pants. But my daughter starts complaining and sometimes even my coworkers make comments-so I have to, eventually shave.
I’ve used almost every razor on the market. Before I started using the Venus by Gillette disposable razors, I always cut myself. ALWAYS. Which is one of the reasons that I HATE shaving. There is nothing like rivulets of blood running down my leg to ruin my day. I’ve yet to cut myself with Venus. The design, and form are unique. Rather than a straight handle the Venus razor handle is curved, the blade top(which contains three blades)moves a bit so you aren’t just pulling a straight razor up your leg. The curving and the handle make it easier to use. The blades have a bit of soft something on either side-cushioning. That helps as well.
The razor is easy to clean-hair doesn’t get stuck in the blades-a major issue with other brands of razors I’ve used. Lets face it-if you only shave once a month or so... there is going to be a LOT of hair. With the Venus it washes right off. I can shave both legs, both armpits with one razor-usually twice before the blades dull enough that I can’t use it anymore. With other razors, I’m lucky if I can shave one leg with one before the razor dulls. And nicks, and cuts...
The design of the Venus also makes it easy for me to shave the tops of my feet and toes. I have hairy feet-fortunately, the hair is light blond nearly invisible-but still. I HAVE HAIRY FEET.... I’d rather shave off the hair, especially during the summer and sandal season-than walk around with hairy feet. I’m not quite as bad as say-a Hobbit, but I’d still rather shave it off. The Venus works perfectly for this as well.
Soap Vs. Shaving Cream/Gel or Foam: With the Venus razors, I get the same smooth shave regardless if I use foam or soap. This is NOT true for any other razor I’ve ever used. I prefer to use a gel or foam, but sometimes-by the time I get around to shaving-the can is empty(oh the joy of having a teenaged girl in the house) so I’m stuck with soap. With a cheap or other brand razor, I end up with enough nicks and cuts to need a blood transfusion. With the Venus-I’m fine. Soap is okay, no nicks or cuts or blood. I typically use Dr. Bonner’s Organic Peppermint Soap-I love this soap, but it doesn’t create a lot of suds. But it still works with the Venus razor to get a good shave.
Gillette offers several varieties of Venus razors-both disposable and “non”-disposable(where you keep the base and replace the razor cartridges.) I don’t like non-disposable razors of any kind-I’m going to lose the base eventually. That’s just a given. The disposables work fine for me. Gillette offers pink, blue, green Venus razors-pretty pastel colors. They typically come with different names, containing things like “spa” or “breeze” or whatever. They are scented differently depending on the color. The color and sent doesn’t matter they all essentially work exactly the same.
Currently I’m using blue ones-The package I purchased at SAMS Club states “smooth skin” with “aloe & vitamin E”. This package contains 8 disposable razors. At SAMS it cost just under $15. According to the Epinions specs... You can buy this same 8 pack at Amazon.com for just over $29. I cannot actually find this package on Amazon, they do offer other packages of Venus Razors, but not this one.
Typically the Venus disposable razors are sold in 3 packs at the store. At Drugstore.com several varieties of 3 packs are offered for just over $7.00 each. The best deal I’ve found was this 8 pack at SAMS. If you do buy them in the store-watch the Sunday Paper for Gillette Venus coupons-and watch the stores for sales. Gillette typically puts out a coupon for this disposable razor it seems like once a month-typically the coupon is for at least $2 off(in the regular grocery stores this razor runs in cost between $6.99 and $8.99) Often you can find them on sale for around $5-$6 in the grocery stores-combine that with the coupon and you get a decent deal. Yes, you can buy cheaper razors, but as I said-you get what you pay for. For the money-the Gillette disposable Venus razor is the best deal, when you take into account the ease of use and the fact it doesn’t cut or nick.
I would recommend the Gillette Venus Disposable Razor to anyone who shaves, and to anyone who hates shaving. I would recommend these strongly if you have someone in the house, like a teenaged girl who’s just started shaving. I would recommend specifically this 8 pack, the value for your money is better than buying them in smaller packages.
Random Beauty Tips: 1-do not EVER use body spray for deodorant right after shaving-OWIE! 2-if you do insist on using cheap razors, keep a soft cloth/washcloth handy-use the cloth to stem the blood when you nick yourself-which you likely will. If you use tissue it makes a nasty icky mess and it hurts when you try to get the tissue off-and usually starts you bleeding again. 3-Witch Hazel is a disinfectant that hurts a lot less than rubbing alcohol-if you do nick yourself try this instead to clean the cuts. Witch Hazel is also good for your skin. Good luck and Good Shaving :)
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