Let’s be honest here, shaving has never been my thing. Like me there are many others who swear by waxing and the reasons are simple, you need to do it once a month, the hair that grows after is soft, and moreover you just lie still while it gets done. Every time I go to wax I treat myself to a head massage or a pedicure which makes it even more doable.
Now, my work makes me travel to all parts of the world, and yes some of those parts do not come with a salon, spa or even a general store that sells waxing strips, yes im serious! Usually I tell myself – it’s winter who cares, or I’ll be covered, no one will notice. But when I couldn’t come up with another excuse I knew I needed a fix for this.
My co-blogger Satarupa tells me I’ve been living under a rock and my beliefs are as old as time itself. She then asked me some life altering questions. What would you do if you need to meet your boyfriend after one month of trekking? What would you do if your Saturday night plans got rescheduled to Friday ? What would you do on a hot shoot day in Timbuktu? (Yes I go to places like these, I have pictures to prove it.) The lazy day at the salon was not an answer I could have thrown at her then. What’s the latest I ask her and well she tells me…drum roll! It’s still a razor!
Few of my very close friends, Dhara and Jewel have always used a razor or a shaving stick. Yes all their life. This being my first venture into shaving, I called Dhara to ask her how to go about it. Did you know it’s regular soap that dries your skin when you shave? Seeing it was February and mid winter she advised me to use a shaving gel. I had nothing. So I used coconut oil which was actually not a bad substitute at all. Do try and avoid the harsh soaps, it tends to make the skin dry and flaky which could easily turn to rashes and inflammation. Since then I have always carried a razor along with cartridges to all my travels. At least I can wear a dress as and when I please and not have to wait to come back home and do so. Everytime I head out of town for more than a month I have my go to salon right in my bag.
Just a bit of advice, be slow and gentle, do not be in a hurry and make sure you get all them hair(s)! 🙂
–Bidisha.
This post was written in collaboration with Gillette Venus.
Hi Bidisha,
Just a quick comment for this post. I have been using philips satinelle epilator since 10months now. I agree being a travel person its the biggest challenge to keep skin mosturize all the time with hairs free. This kit have an epilator head with speed control and rotating disc which plucks the hair instead of cutting them (like what razors do). 2 metre plug in wire and a cleaning brush. The disc is 100% washable. I have experienced hair free upto 15 days.
You might have tried this, but incase you haven’t just a quick update.
Thank you.
Love,
Shweta L
I most definitely have used an epilator and I pretty much abhore the device. It pains way more than waxing and is surely not something that can be done quickly. I would anyday rather use the razor. But if it’s your thing then most definitely! Happy hair free days to you. 🙂
heyy Bidisha..
The only reason I shy away from razors is the fear of in-growth.. I detest it more than waxing pain.. So considering you have used razors, is in-growth one of the results??
Hey Tuhina! So I actually realise that ingrowth happens due to waxing also. Check out what Satarupa wrote in this post about ingrowth: http://fashionandfrappes.com/shaving-vs-waxing-better-skin/
I actually started shaving because of ingrowth! I really think its helps to rotate and mix and match your methods! Thanks for the comment – please let me know how it works out for you. (And any tips you have!)
Hey Bidi… could u help with bumpits? these make shaving impossible, n waxing doesnt help with ingrowths… so im kinda stuck 🙁
Try using body scrub when you have a bath. And make sure you apply body lotion post your shower. If your skin is dry the hair does not come out easily and in growth occurs. For bumps once you wax or shave make sure you apply ice this soothes the skin and stops rashes and bumps. Try it!