Shaving savings (for the blokes ...mainly!)

d-seven

Us blokes spend a fortune on shaving stuff. It would be interesting to find out how other men here save money on shaving.
I use a shaving stick and brush (it sounds old fashioned i know) but I started this many years ago when I was backpacking in Australia and needed something for shaving that was both cheap and didnt use too much space in my rucksack, so I bought a shave stick and brush.
What surprised me is how long it lasts and how little wastage there is compared to a can of foam, and how cheap they are (my last one cost about 70 something pence for a palmolive stick).
I stopped using them when I came back, but recently started again, and find it gives a good lather and a smooth shave.
I use cheap twin blade razors from tesco, £2.63 for the handle and 20 heads. - each head gives about 3 or 4 shaves.

I also find that the shaving and showering gift packs that are drastically reduced *after* xmas also work out better value than buying the equivelent products separately.

lindadykes

DH has full beard - that saves money lol

WestonDave

Not quite as cheap as either, but I use Nuage Men shaving oil which is sold at present in Asda for about £1. Whilst you only get about 20ml, you only use a very small amount - four or five drops per shave. I then tend to shave whilst in the shower by feel (you don't get any foam so you don't have the usual marker) - this results in a really comfortable close shave with no razor burn - I used to find the soap based foams used to leave my skin very dry afterwards. You can get the more expensive King of Shaves type oil, but the Nuage does the same job - Wilko's appear to have an own brand one, and there was one called Cariad (or something like that). They all seem to be based on various natural oils - lavender, menthol etc, presumably with a carrier oil as used in aromatherapy. I guess all the exotic oils do is add smell, so you could just use a carrier oil and be done with it!

scot88

I'm female and I use palmolive foam for sensitive skin..think it's about 80p.( Womens shaving foam is £2 + ...why ) Seems to me it all does the same job.

d-seven

Good tips, westondave.
I'll have to have a look in Wilkos next time im near there (I dont think theres an Asda near me,, but if I go near one, I'll have a look.
I did try cooking oil to shave once, but its not a very good alternative to commercial shaving oils! I had a few cuts on my face after, so that tip gets filed under 'failed money saving attempts'!:rotfl:

Scot88, womens shaving products do seem very overpriced compared to mens.

brokeinwales

Scot88, womens shaving products do seem very overpriced compared to mens.

And most of it is complete carp too. My sensitive skin gets shredded to pieces any time I try and use razors designed for women, and I never get a decent shave. When I use men's razors I have no such trouble (apparently it's something to do with them expecting men to need a closer shave, and the skin of the face being more sensitive. You always get a better shave with a men's razor). I would never recommend to anyone to waste money on "women's" shaving products - they're actually charging more for a lower quality product. That';s marketing for you...

scot88

With you on the razor issue too brokeinwales.

missm29

come to think of it i also get a better shave when i use otherhalves razors rather than my girlie gillett ones......i'm a sucker and buy it just because its pink or some other girlie colour, i bet the mens shaving gel is cheaper too, why on earth do i buy us separate shaving gels and different razors?

Silaqui

I have the gillette 'girly' handle with blokes razor blades stuck on the end! I only buy a new razor when they are on special offer (often £5 odd for the handle and base with a set of blades) then just top up with mens blades.

Cheap value hair conditioner is good for shaving your legs!

My boyfriend also uses the shaving oil; I originally got it reduced in boots but now he's hooked!

x

brokeinwales

come to think of it i also get a better shave when i use otherhalves razors rather than my girlie gillett ones......i'm a sucker and buy it just because its pink or some other girlie colour, i bet the mens shaving gel is cheaper too, why on earth do i buy us separate shaving gels and different razors?

I don't know. For years I assumed I was doing the best thing for my sensitive skin by sticking to women's razors and thought that it was just my stupid skin that was the problem - but the minute I started using male product - problem gone! This is obviously knowledge that should be spread more widely amongst MSE'ers!

mnlad

I'm looking for recommendations for the best electric razor. I've tried several different makes and models and have always gone back to a blade partially because I have a tough beard but I also have sensitive skin so it seems I cannot win. Probably the best of the lot so far has been a Braun, one of the ones complete with a cleaning station. The problem is that I am constantly having to change foil and cutter heads, far more frequently (at least four times as often!) as Braun says I should expect. For what I have spent on new parts I could afford to go and have someone else shave it for me!

mnlad