You probably never thought the way you shave may be the reason your skin is suffering more than usual post-shaving. Perhaps you’ve noticed a razor rash? A couple of nicks here and there or even worse, an outburst of juicy ingrown hairs…Eeek, hate to break it to you but we may need to sharpen up your shave skills - because every inch you raze should feel sensationally silky smooth.
We imagine you learnt to shave in a pretty familiar way to us - before a house party, hovering over the bath with not quite enough water or soap and a rusty-looking razor, stolen from your dad. Oh, and of course someone told you, you should never shave at all. Yup, that sounds about right. So, we’re here to re-teach you how to efficiently shave like a pro.
The best way to shave your legs – a quick guide:
Teaching you how to recreate the safest, softest and smoothest shave yet. Whether you’re a rookie or a skilled master with razor blades, shaving your legs will become a breeze once you follow these pro tips for a stress-free shave.
Step 1: A sharp razor is a HELL YES
Step 2: Exfoliate the day before you shave
Step 3: Shave at the end of your shower
Step 4: Use a smooth shaving cream
Step 5: Shave against the grain
Step 6: Rinse the razor frequently
Step 7: Moisturize Every. Single. Time
Step 1: A sharp razor is a HELL YES
A dull razor blade is destined to become the rusty companion your skin and body hair could do without. It’s a one-stop ticket to nicks, cuts and skin irritations that are not welcome here. We recommend changing blades after 5 -7 uses. With Estrid’s Razor Starter Kit Subscription you’ll get 4 new super-sharp blades delivered to your mailbox as often as you need, so you’ll never have to shave with a rusty razor again.
Step 2: Exfoliate the day before you shave
Ingrown hairs are the hairs that curl backwards and become trapped under your skin. More importantly, they're itchy and sometimes painful. Give your skin a gentle exfoliation in the shower using a sugar scrub, something like our Essential Exfoliant is perfect. Exfoliation is great for sloughing off dead skin cells and brightening too.
Step 3: Shave at the end of your shower
Dry shaving? Just no, please don’t. It will end in an ingrown hair disaster, and nobody needs that. Here’s a pro-PRO tip though, if you shave at the end of your shower your skin will be warmer and softer, plus the pores will be open, meaning you'll get a closer shave.
Step 4: Shave against the grain
All good things take time. And hey, shaving your legs is no exception. Use a sharp razor and shave confidently, but gently - long, upward and steady strokes against the direction of hair growth. Pay extra attention to your body’s curves, nooks and crannies (ankles and knees): slightly bend your knee when following its natural shape. Straighten your leg when it’s time to glide above the knee.
Step 5: Rinse the razor frequently
Give your razor a quick rinse to get rid of the fuzz after each glide to remove hair and shaving cream buildup for a smoother shave.
Step 6: Moisturize Every. Single. Time
Once you’re as smooth as a baby seal, pat your legs dry and lock in that glow and hydration with our Everyday Body Lotion. This last step helps to avoid any potential skin irritation and keeps your legs smooth & soft. Wait until you get into bed, there’s no better feeling.
A One-way Shave to Smoother Skin - Try our ‘Razor Starter Kit’ Subscription and Expert Body Care
Body hair is our muse and fills our cup, we want to give you the best advice when it comes to the silky skin you deserve. We’ve created a seriously smooth Razor Starter Kit Subscription that works with your body and the planet - delivered to your door. We wanted to take the hard work out of your shopping trip, so you never have to think about shaving stuff again.
Alongside our stunning Shave Subscriptions, we’ve created a collection of shave companions. Our three specialist formulations are designed to enhance your smooth shaving rituals.
- Essential Exfoliant, works to gently exfoliate your skin, sloughing away dead skin cells, creating the perfect pre-shave canvas.
- Our Ultimate Shave Gel, acts as the perfect glide and guide hybrid. Proven to never miss a bit again.
- Finished off with our light and quick absorbing Everyday Body Lotion delivering a rush of long-lasting hydration.
Do you shave your legs up or down?
Your body hair grows in magical ways but as hair experts, we believe the most effective way to shave your legs, is shaving gently yet confidently in an upwards motion, against the grain. This will not only give you a close, smoother shave but prevent irritation and ingrown hairs in the long run. Don’t forget to exfoliate the day before, use a fresh, sharp razor blade and always finish with an enriching moisturiser.
Why are my legs still prickly after shaving?
Urgh the prickle sensation can be super irritating, here are a couple of prickle post-shave cures.
Use a sharp razor, we repeat to use a sharp razor:
Replace your razor heads every 5-7 uses to avoid dull blades. If you only follow one step, shave sharp and save yourself from any snitchy itches.
Dry shaving is for nobody:
Shaving without water, shaving gel or any other glide can cause the razor to drag on the skin, leading to a shoddy shave and that horrible prickly feeling.
Speedy shaving can lead to patchy bits:
It's totally possible to miss a patch or two while shaving, which can become noticeably itchy, especially if you're in a hurry or not paying serious attention. For a smooth glide, you’ll need a stunning shaving gel. Try our Ultimate Shave Gel. The protective formula keeps your legs soft, supple and moisturized. It also acts as a trusty glide guide so you’ll never miss a spot again.
