shaving

Wax or Shave? How to Get the Smoothest Skin

I'll be the first to admit it, even though I'm super type A, I definitely keep up with my hair removal more in the spring and summer than in the colder months.  Honestly, I don't think I've ever met a woman who didn't.  When it comes to exactly how, I've tried most and use different techniques for different areas, but truth is hair removal isn't the only thing to credit for smoothness.  Here's what you need to know about how to get the smoothest skin for sundress season like the girls in the Nine West ad (above). Razor Fans

They say to shave in the direction of hair growth for a clean cut, but we all know to get a closer shave you need to shave in the opposite direction.  Look for a razor with 4-5 blades to ensure it gets each hair as it runs across your body and conditioning strips that ease the glide like the Gillette Venus & Olay Exfoliating Razor.  As you shave not only are you removing hair, but you're also exfoliating your skin, which removes dead skin cells keeping your skin silky to touch.  Adding a moisturizing shave cream doesn't hurt either.  Try Pure Silk Moisturizing Shave Cream.

Waxing Fans

Rip, ouch, ooohh.  Yep, something like that.  Numbing creams are a girls best friend (I've used BareEase) and after the madness of the (most likely) Russian woman ripping you to shreds, you realize it was all worth it.  Since you wax about every 4-6 weeks though, you need to make sure you regularly exfoliate to keep your skin fresh and touchable.  Of course, exfoliate once to twice a week in the shower all over your body, but I'd recommend using a retexturizing lotion like Skinceuticals Body Retexturizing Treatment on your legs daily.  It promotes exfoliatoin and radiance.

 

How To Get Him To Upgrade His Grooming Loot

As anyone who reads this blog knows, we're the type of girls who sometimes purchase products just for their packaging (OK maybe more often than not), spend the extra $5 to get the gift with purchase and really do care how our perfumes look displayed on our bathroom counters.  It matters!  Now think about your man, if he had the same habits as you it could be considered a turn off (does the term metro-sexual even exist anymore?). However, when thinking about grooming compared to primping, if your man has the appropriate tools to manscape, and cared about his loot as much as you did yours, you'll benefit from the results.  Follow? Therefore, the best thing to do is to gift your boyfriend "just because" with manly products that he understands, but wouldn't necessarily buy for himself.

Example: The Art of Shaving 4 Elements to A Perfect Shave Kit, $100

For one, your man's not going to splurge on this for himself when he can use his one drugstore product to rid hair.  Slip this into being part of his birthday gift and tell him you thought he'd love the experience of getting the "barbershop shave" at-home.  Not his birthday?  Sometimes instead of purchasing another new cocktail ring or fall perfume for yourself think about him instead.  This is the first step to getting him to upgrade all of his products and the way he thinks about grooming.  It may be so worth it!

The Art of Shaving Kit comes with pre-shave oil (to soften the hair for a closer shave), shaving cream, after shave balm (super moisturizing) and a shaving brush.  His skin will feel as soft as a baby's bottom and his side of the medicine cabinet will look almost as nice as yours.  I mean, if I were a guy I'd totally want that little brush thing.