The Quest for the Best Razor for Women

Dear Ayla,

I have been shaving for quite a few years and it seems like every time I turn around, a new razor is hitting the market. The number of blades keep increasing and they get more and more expensive – but are they really any better than a plain old safety razor? What about disposables where I could start with a fresh one every time? Are men's razors better than those for women? And why are razors for women so much more expensive? Are they actually any different?

I just don’t know where to start to figure all this out. I don’t really want to buy one of every razor on the shelf and test them all. I don’t really have the time, patience or the money for that. I’ve been using my Gillette Venus razor for a long while and could never really see any difference when they started bringing out the more advanced blades for it. But maybe I’m just missing the boat by not hopping on the five-blade bandwagon.

Can you please help me find the the best razor for women?!

Thanks so much!
Confused Razor Junkie

Dear Razor Junkie,

Thank you for writing me with your great question. I am sure that many have struggled with similar thoughts, especially in the last few years when it seems that a bigger and better version of the razor is coming out every few days. I have indeed tested quite a few of these razors myself  as I also have a quest to know what the best razor for women is. The razor you use can sometimes determine whether you get razor burn and ingrown hairs, and how often you cut yourself.

I think that the best razors on the market right now are the Gillette Fusion for men and the Gillette Venus Embrace for women. No, I’m not being paid by Gillette to say this (although I’d be happy to sell them some ad space on these pages. lol) I generally prefer to use the Fusion because it’s smaller than the Venus and can be used in tighter spaces (like for intimate shaving). The large, flat head of the Venus makes nooks and crannies harder to get to…but that makes it great for shaving your legs because you’re less likely to cut your ankles.

Unfortunately, both of these razors are wildly expensive. But after using the Fusion for several months, I’m pleased to see that the blades hold up for about a month of daily use. This is far longer than the original Venus blades. I can’t comment on the Venus Embrace blades yet because I haven’t been using them very long but I’m expecting good things. I’m afraid I also can’t shed any light as to why women’s razors end up being more expensive than men’s. That’s a question for the ages…

I hope this helps you on your quest and do let me know if my favorite ends up being yours too. One additional thing that is important for getting a close, smooth shave without irritation is using a quality shaving product between your skin and the razor. I love using the Venereous Shaving Trio because it really helps me get an incredibly close shave without any burn.

Keep on shaving!
Ayla