Safety Razor Soap/Lather Recommendations for Ladies

[FIREdancer]

I need some Mustachian help for what products to use when shaving (legs, underarms, etc) with a safety razor.  I already bought a safety razor, so don't need help there, but I'm having trouble finding info on the best frugal soaps or creams or oils to use.  There are so many options that seem to be more time/money than I want to spend. I'm super simple when it comes to beauty/grooming and the traditional route seems really complicated: exfoliate, pre-shave, bowl and brush with soap/lather, aftershave, etc.  Which is way more time and products than I would usually use when it comes to beauty.  But then I see people on the other end of the spectrum recommending just using something like coconut oil.

I'm sure it depends on personal preference, skin sensitivity, etc, and I might need to test out some things, but to avoid buying too many products, I'm just curious what the women out there are using.

[Loretta]

My best results are with a shaving lotion like Kiss My Face and a regular razor from a subscription company called Defender.  Aerosol shaving gels are what we had in the bathroom growing up but now aerosol makes me sneeze for some reason.  Kiss My Face seems to last a very long time for me.  I can't speak to safety razors. 

[MudPuppy]

My spouse uses a bottle of cheap conditioner with a safety razor.

[ToTheMoon]

A shave soap in a bowl will last quite a long time. Find one that smells great and that will bring a smile to you face when you use it. For quickie shaves, I just use a small dollop of shampoo or conditioner - whatever is available.

If you have been shaving your legs for a while, the skin is already toughened up and does not need as much prep as a face. A couple of minutes in warm water to moisten the hair, followed by soap applied with a shave brush (which will help to lift the hair making it easier to cut) should really be all you need. The beauty of a safety razor is that it only removes one layer of skin with each pass, so people's skin does not generally get as irritated as it does with the 2,3 & 4 bladed things. Shave soaps and lotions are probably more important for those shaving with the Mach5's as they take so much more skin with every pass that they require lotions and potions to calm the skin again.

Just remember to lightly hold on to the razor, and let the weight of the head do the work. If you try to use it like modern razors and you push, it is likely you will get more nicks than necessary. Also, if you order a 100 pack of blades off of Amazon, they work out to about $.10 per blade, so you can replace the blade frequently - also lessening the chances of you feeling the need to push down on the razor. Astra brand blades are the go-to's we used in the barber shop, with the very very sharp Feather brand blades being used only for exceptionally close shaves, or gentlemen who are older with tougher skin on their faces from decades of shaving.

Happy shaving! Did you find a vintage safety razor or did you pick up a newer one?

[FIREdancer]

My spouse uses a bottle of cheap conditioner with a safety razor.

Thanks MadPuppy.  I've seen others say this, too.  Do you literally mean just any old hair conditioner?

[FIREdancer]

Thanks ToTheMoon! This is really helpful.

Happy shaving! Did you find a vintage safety razor or did you pick up a newer one?

I got a new Edwin Jagger off Amazon.

[MudPuppy]

yep, just a big bottle that cost like a dollar

[SunnyDays]

Unless you’re shaving outside of the shower, just use whatever soap you use to wash with, immediately after you’ve washed that area.  Nothing extra required that way.  Otherwise, conditioner.

[maisymouser]

yep, just a big bottle that cost like a dollar

Can confirm, been doing this for years.