I wet shave. I use to be overwhelmed with shaving my legs as I like my full leg shaved from my ankle to my bikini line. Being a rather tall gal, it takes a long time and is often messy. I used to get all my shaving gear out, set up my work space and become frustrated with dull razors, bulky shaving cans, clogged razors and nicks. I often would be in a hurry and my shaving technique was not mastered. About 6 months ago, I began wet shaving with a vintage Gillette safety razor and have never looked back, nor do I plan to. The nice aspects of wet shaving are: a better made shaving tool, more accurate, cost effective, and spa like.
I use a Vintage 60's champagne colored Gillette Starburst Safety razor. It is quite the stunner and works so well. Safety razors are designed to be used with little to no pressure when shaving, as irritation and nicks can occur if pressure is applied. It is important to use slow short strokes when shaving and use the correct angle with shaving. I recommend using a shaving brush. I use a shaving brush when shaving as I find that my lather is fluffier, creamier, and it lifts the hairs to prepare them for cutting and a gives a smooth result. It is important soak the brush in hot water before lathering as it assists in lifting the hair for shaving. I like to turn the hot water of my sink on and let my brush sit under the water at least 30-45 seconds on hot. Warm water primes the shaving brush.
There are some key things to remember when wet shaving:
Take your time. Be Careful, use a light hand, moisturize and prime skin, use the correct pressure and angle the razor correctly. It is also important to take care of your tools, rinse your razor often. Store your tools properly, clean, and dry them in between. Buy quality products. This was one thing that helped me make the change from plastic razors to metal safety razors. I wanted something that would withstand years of cherished, gentle love and use.
As mentioned above, it is important to soften the skin and provide a surface that makes the razor glide without tugging or skipping. I have been using a natural soap puck for months now. I was recently asked to test out a shaving stick from the CHICKSTIX company. It is a 3 oz shaving bar that looks like a deodorant container. It is meant to be used while shaving and is perfect for travel. Its compact and airport friendly size make it a perfect travel soap. There is no aerosol pump to accidentally get bumped, spill out, and ruin your travel bag. There is a tightly fitting cap that snaps on when the product is in use.
Here is how the shaving stick is used:
Moisten skin with warm water. Warm water softens and lifts the hair, preparing the skin and making it easier to shave. Gently glide CHICSTIX across area to be shaved with broad, sweeping strokes. Load your razor, making sure the blade is fresh, and shave. Replace CHICSTIX cap after use.
Most shaving products are 60% or more water. CHICSTIX is a solid bar that is moistened from water the user adds.
CHICSTIX makes for a quicker process and less mess.
I first tried the product as instructed. I wet my skin, then held the stick and smoothed it across my skin. The stick left a light trail of shaving product to assist the razor across my skin and provide protection and moisture. I do realize that this product applies thin like this so you can see what hairs you are shaving. This does work well and I did not have nicks the first few passes when I did it the recommended way (low lather). This worked, however, due to my being spoiled with the luxury and pampering of the wet shaving/safety razor/shaving brush experience, I was not satisfied. I wanted creamy lather and peaks of fluffy shaving cream.
I decided to try swirling and circling the stick on my skin to create a lather.
This helped thicken the product some, but I wanted a whipped cream spa treatment. My legs wanted luxury.
I decided that only my shaving brush would do. I ran my shaving brush under the hot sink water for about 1 minute, then turned off the water, shook my brush gently 2 times and lathered in circles on the existing cream on my skin. SUCCESS! This was what my skin dreamed about! This was what it longed for. I usually use a shaving mug to whip my lather, however, I did just fine creating the lather on my skin with the CHICSTIX, some hot water, and my shaving brush. Look at those beautiful peaks! I was able to get excess off of my brush onto my hand to apply more to my skin.
I was happy with this method as it was more of what I was accustomed to. This will be a great option for me when I travel. I can take this, my safety razor, and a shaving brush and be all set. I would not need to take my shaving lather mug or my shaving puck. My puck is 8 oz in a round tin and so it is not an easy thing to travel with. For most shavers, a disposeable razor and this CHICSTIX with be the perfect pair. I love using my shaving brush as it creates a more lush experience and I used the same amount of cream I would normally with out the brush, however, it made the cream triple in coverage by lathering it. I think this method will make my stick last longer. This method may not appeal to everyone, and I realize that this product is not intended to be used this way, however, this is what works for me.
The scent I tested out was Baby Powder, which for some might remind them of their deodorant, but for me, is a light and clean scent that I like very much. Other fragrances from this company include: Pomegranate, Sweet Mango, Island Breeze, Unscented, and Lavender. These retail for about $8.99. The Sweet Mango scent sounds wonderful to me.
To connect with this company and product:
ChicStix Facebook
Beauty Care Choices / ChicStix
ChicStix Twitter
Beauty Care Choices Website
Ingredients: Water, Sodium cocoyl isethionate, Stearic acid, Triethanolamine, Glycerin, Dimethicone copolyol, Sodium cocoyl glutamate, Propolyne glycol, Cetyl alcohol, Coconut acid, Glyceryl stearate, C30-40 alkyl,methicone (and) C30-45 olefin, Ppg-7 glyceryl cocoate, Evening primrose oil, Salicylic acid, Allantoin, Peg/smdi copolymer. Palmitoyl myristyl serinate, Vitamin-e linoleate, Sodium polyacrylate, Fragrance.
Here are some skin loving ingredients that are in this shaving product. (Found on their Facebok Page)
ALLANTOIN: moisturizing and softening agent. Helps skin to heal more quickly and to bind moisture more effectively. Soothing to dry skin and used for healing wounds, nicks, and skin irritations.
COCONUT ACID: anti-inflammatory property, wonderful for sensitive skin.
EVENING PRIMROSE OIL: It mainly helps in rejuvenating process of your skin and can help in producing an anti-aging affect for skin. Softens wrinkles and fine lines on your skin. Skin becomes more firm and elasticity improves with extended use. It also helps the body in producing required new skin cells. Reduces the skin blemishes, lessens skin redness, softens rough skin and helps in hydrating dry skin.
SALICYLIC ACID: Topical salicylic acid treats skin conditions by softening and smoothing dry, scaly, or thickened skin.
VITAMIN E LINOLEATE: an ester of linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid. Vitamin E Linoleate combines the anti-oxidant benefits of Vitamin E with the anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties of Linoleate to promote soft, supple skin.
I did not have any irritation with this stick. My skin was soft and smooth after shaving. So far this has lasted me a month with using it 2-3 times per week. I still have lots of product left! I love the packaging/ each shaving stick has a pretty and fashionable cartoon girl on it. This is a nice looking stick. It is comfortable to hold when gliding across skin.
I will save the ChicStix for travel and quick use, as it is a nice convenient item to use. I do prefer using my natural glycerin and oil based hard puck soap as it is free of chemicals. The ChicStix has some great ingredients, smells nice, and is Paraben free, however is not as completely chemical free as I would like. It still is a nice product.
Here are the ingredients in my original shaving puck:
Ingredients: Kokum Butter, Organic Mango Butter, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Avocado Oil, Organic Pumpkin Oil, Organic Castor Oil, Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Organic Neem Oil, Safflower Oil, Glycerine, Purified Water, Sodium & Potassium Hydroxide,Soy bean protein, Chaulmoogra Oil, Aloe Extract, Maca Root, Yellow Dock Root, Essential Oil
I do recommend trying out this CHICSTIX as it works well. I recommend finding a nice shaving brush, you will probably be glad you did. CHICSTIX are available on Beauty Care Choices / ChicStix and on Amazon: Chicstix Baby Powder Scent 3 Oz.
What scent sounds amazing to you? Have you tried using a shaving brush? I'd love to hear from you!
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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
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