Making the Switch to Electric Razors? Here Are 9 Ways to Make It Go Smoothly—Literally.
When it comes to shaving, women’s electric razors have somehow eluded the spotlight, their cousins the straight razors somehow the default choice. Personally, electric shaving hadn’t crossed my mind, despite the hours/days/weeks of my life (it adds up, friends!) I’ve spent studiously shaving various body parts and caring for the aftermath. And when I say “aftermath” you know what I’m talking about: the initial smoothness that soon gives way to razor bumps and ingrown hairs, as well as tiny nicks and cuts that make your in-shower body scrub less about “self-care” and more about “pain management.”
So when I had the chance to switch it up and try a rechargeable shaver, the answer was obvious: “Electric? Yes, please.” Could this be a glimmer of hope for a smooth, stress-free shave? Can an electric shaver provide the smoothness that a straight razor can give you, but without many of the hassles?
Cue the thunder: After going electric, I’m never going back to straight razors. That’s right—I’ve switched from straight razors to electric razors, and you can, too.
Turns out, like all good things, successful electric shaving means you’ve got to be willing to hang with it. Electric shaving comes with a learning curve. It may take a week or two to find your groove. But you got this!
How to Start Using an Electric Shaver
Gather around, friends, and learn from my experience. These tips and tricks for electric shaving will help you have a smooth, stress-free result.
Focus on the Awesome
Chances are, you know by heart the challenges of shaving with a straight razor. It’s time to discover how exactly an electric shaver is so much better. Things to bear in mind as you start your journey adjusting to an electric shave:
- Electric razors glide over skin contours easily. The blades and foils are not locked in place—they “float” and over the skin, getting a super close shave and helping to avoid nicks and cuts.
- Razor bumps and razor burn got you down? Electric shavers help prevent them with their high-quality hypoallergenic stainless-steel blades.
- A built-in pop-up trimmer is made especially for gentle and precise shaving of your bikini area. Mark my words: you’ll look back on the past savagery of shaving and waxing and shudder.
- Shave wet or dry—your choice!
- Electric shavers travel and store easily, with a safety cap and adorable little bag.
- Electric shavers are eco-friendly: replace just the blades and foils, not the whole razor. These shavers are recyclable now, too!
Get an (Ergonomic) Grip
Electric shavers are designed to be elegant as well as functional, with just the right feel in your hand. You’ll have to experiment with how to hold your electric shaver so that it’s comfortable and glides over the skin at just the right angle. Important: The shaver should be at a low angle to the skin, not straight up-and-down!
Hold It Down
You’ll need to adjust how you hold your skin, too, in order for your electric razor to give a superbly close shave. For a close, smooth glide, hold the shaver in one hand and gently hold your skin taut with the other as you work.
Go Against the Grain
For best results, shave in upward strokes counter to the direction of the hair’s growth. Electric shavers lift and cut each strand at a close angle for an incredibly smooth result.
Take Your Time
Find your rhythm with shaving, experimenting with the right amount of pressure. You can work quickly, efficiently, and gently, covering one area of your body and moving to the next. You know you’ve hit your stride when you will not need to go over a patch of skin more than once.
Try Wet, Try Dry
Electric shavers work on wet or dry skin, so you can take it into the shower or bath or shave dry anytime. Dry shaving is especially helpful when you’re short on time. Experiment with both wet and dry shaving and see how your skin reacts–you may find a clear favorite. Either way, for best results, make sure your skin is clean and moisturized before you shave—it helps prevent friction.
Use the Pop-up Trimmer for the Bikini Area
The skin in the bikini area can be especially sensitive, so use the built-in pop up trimmer to get it just right.
Keep it Clean
Make sure you rinse the head of your shaver after each use to remove hair and debris. Doing so will keep your blades and foils sharper for longer! And don’t hesitate to replace them when they are no longer cutting as cleanly.
Give It Time, and Don’t Give Up!
Take time to play with your new toy, experimenting with your grip, angle, degree of pressure, and shaving wet or dry. Your skin needs to get used to this new approach, too! Once you find the right combination for your skin, there’s no stopping your smoothness.
