The Art of Shaving

LizzieMaine · Sep 20, 2006

From what I've read (in a fascinating book called "100,000,000 Guinea Pigs -- Dangers in Everyday Drugs, Food, and Cosmetics", published in 1933), the early depilatory products were much harsher than those available today -- which may explain why women turned to razors in the first place.

There was one product in particular, called "Koremlu", which contained as its active ingredient a deadly poison, thallium acetate. Used as a topical cream, it worked to remove hair on the legs and arms -- but it also had a tendency to cause the complete loss of hair from the head, nausea, violent cramps, and acute neurological damage to the limbs and feet. Small wonder that women considered other alternatives!

jitterbugdoll · Sep 20, 2006

I certainly prefer razors, given the reaction I had to today's gentler depilatory options lol

I've heard that the hair mitts were not very effective either [huh]

Incidentally, I shave with Dr. Bronner's liquid castile soap (a1946 recipe). It doesn't lather, but is very moisturizing and makes shaving a breeze.

Daisy Buchanan · Sep 20, 2006

I don't use any of the depilitory creams either. They also make me break out in a rash. I recently discovered the Schick Quattro razor. This razor is amazing. I haven't gotten a nick yet. I have sensitive legs, and sometimes get in-grown hairs. I haven't gotten one since I started using this razor. So, I highly recommend it. Just my two cents.
Daisy

Daisy Buchanan · Sep 20, 2006

Trickeration, that is the coolest razor!!
I just recently saw razors of that size in a local pharmacy, but they were disposible. I thought they would be good for travel.

LizzieMaine · Sep 20, 2006

Dr. Bronner's Soap is the best -- and a little bit goes a long way. And the bottle makes for great reading if you get bored in the tub!

Sometimes, for old times' sake, I'll use my vintage Lady Sunbeam, c. 1956 --

This is very much like the one I borrowed from my mom when I first started shaving. Has a cord, so don't use it in the tub!!

jitterbugdoll · Sep 20, 2006

Dr. Bronner's Soap is the best -- and a little bit goes a long way. And the bottle makes for great reading if you get bored in the tub!

The peppermint smells wonderful--it's great in the morning when you don't want to wake up

And I agree, the bottle is very entertaining to read lol

Daisy Buchanan · Sep 20, 2006

OOh, I'll have to try that. I like pepperment, it's so refreshing, and just makes you feel extra clean. I use a gel called Bikini Zone that smells like pepperment. With this, a little goes a long way too.

Trickeration, thanks to another lounge member I was shown an auction on ebay for the same exact razor as yours in perfect condition. So, I had to have it, because I thought the one you had was so great. I'll let you know how it is when I get it. One question, mine only has 2 blades with it. I think that's pretty good considering how old it is. It does have the original box, just not all the blades. What kind of blades do you use with it? I can't imagine that they still make the Kewtie blades. Do I just use the regular blades from the pharmacy? Do I need a special size? OK, that's a few more than one question

Trickeration · Sep 20, 2006

jitterbugdoll said:
I've seen a lot of ads for depilatory creams and hair removal mitts in 1930s-50s magazines. I‚Äôve never been able to use said creams though, as the chemicals cause me to break out in an icky, bright red rash

My daughter had the same reaction. She was really disappointed, too, because she hated shaving for swim team and was hoping for an easier alternative. I'll have to look in to your suggestion of Dr. Bonner's soap, as well as Daisy's Schick Quattro ( for when I don't want to spend several hours with the Kewtie!).

Originally posted by Daisy Buchanan
OOh, I'll have to try that. I like pepperment, it's so refreshing, and just makes you feel extra clean. I use a gel called Bikini Zone that smells like pepperment. With this, a little goes a long way too.

Trickeration, thanks to another lounge member I was shown an auction on ebay for the same exact razor as yours in perfect condition. So, I had to have it, because I thought the one you had was so great. I'll let you know how it is when I get it. One question, mine only has 2 blades with it. I think that's pretty good considering how old it is. It does have the original box, just not all the blades. What kind of blades do you use with it? I can't imagine that they still make the Kewtie blades. Do I just use the regular blades from the pharmacy? Do I need a special size? OK, that's a few more than one question

Actually, you and I will be tracking down Kewtie razor blades in auctions as we need them. You'll see when your Kewtie arrives that a regular blade could never fit. But I often see batches of just blades on eBay, which is why I went ahead and bought the razor. Just type in "Kewtie". In fact, if you're interested, a card-full of 5 Kewtie razor blades was just listed as a buy-it-now from the UK. And they really aren't much more than if you bought a modern cartridge refill at the drugstore.

I've tried my Kewtie and it works well. I'm looking forward to using my Kewtie for travel, and of course at the QM. Even though my husband thinks I'm nuts!

Trix

Daisy Buchanan · Sep 20, 2006

Trickeration said:
My daughter had the same reaction. She was really disappointed, too, because she hated shaving for swim team and was hoping for an easier alternative. I'll have to look in to your suggestion of Dr. Bonner's soap, as well as Daisy's Schick Quattro ( for when I don't want to spend several hours with the Kewtie!).

Actually, you and I will be tracking down Kewtie razor blades in auctions as we need them. You'll see when your Kewtie arrives that a regular blade could never fit. But I often see batches of just blades on eBay, which is why I went ahead and bought the razor. Just type in "Kewtie". In fact, if you're interested, a card-full of 5 Kewtie razor blades was just listed as a buy-it-now from the UK. And they really aren't much more than if you bought a modern cartridge refill at the drugstore.

I've tried my Kewtie and it works well. I'm looking forward to using my Kewtie for travel, and of course at the QM. Even though my husband thinks I'm nuts! Trix

Thanks for the info. I think this will be a great razor to travel with. I'll definitely do a search on ebay for the blades.
Thanks again for the helpful information. It's just the kewtest little razor

magneto · Sep 21, 2006

Daisy Buchanan said:
...
One question, mine only has 2 blades with it. I think that's pretty good considering how old it is. It does have the original box, just not all the blades. What kind of blades do you use with it? I can't imagine that they still make the Kewtie blades. Do I just use the regular blades from the pharmacy?

The blades pictured look like they can be substituted with, yes, regular safety razor blades from a drugstore (also have a 40s safety razor myself and no trouble using contemporary blades).
HTH,
Ellie

katiemakeup · Oct 4, 2006

Where can you get Dr. Bonner's?

I will have to try the Quatro, Daisy.

I don't think I'd like to set my legs on fire for the sake of being well groomed!! lol

Lady Day · Aug 14, 2007

Hi ladies.

The men have a shaving thread, I thought we should too

Now that I wear stockings at least 4 days a week, I find myself paranoid if I skip a day without taking a razor to my legs. I dont want my stubble to be an incriminating factor in a run that might occur.

I thought this would be a good place to share tools, techniques, favorite brands, and all. And old ads you all have to share? How often do you ladies shave? Is it old hat by now?

Im a cheapo, and I dont trust myself with a real razor, so I use disposables with cocoa butter based soap.

I do, however, find that if I use a cocoa butter lotion real heavy on my legs after a shave, I avoid scale legs

Thanks ladies,

LD

gluegungeisha · Aug 14, 2007

I've been using a regular Venus razor for a few years now. I don't change the blade as often as they say to (who HAS that kind of money?!), but I don't notice a big difference.

I loved how Skintimate shave gel works, but I recently stopped using their products because they're tested on animals and a part of a pretty non-ethical company. I'm having a rough time finding a good replacement, though...most of the natural cream shaves have left me with nicks and stubble. Alba just came out with a foam for the same price as their cream, but I'm not too impressed as of yet. The Trader Joe's cream shave was okay, but nothing special.

I actually had really good results on my legs when I ran out of shaving cream and used Jason rosewater shower gel! Maybe I'm onto something...

I'm considering waiting two weeks in the fall (wearing pants!) and then sugaring my legs. Seems convenient, not having to bother with shaving for a few weeks...

~*Red*~ · Aug 14, 2007

Ever since the Intuition Razor came out, I have been a huge fan!!! My only complaint would be that the replacements are expensive. I just dig the soap/cream/lather stuff around the razor. I've tried the Venus Breeze and I don't like their lather bit thing...it's kinda gross and gets...like...slimy. (yeck!)

When my intuition starts to wear down, I just use hair conditioner and that works wonderfully!

I've tried sugaring, waxing, Nad-ing, electric razors, and men's razors...I love my Intuition!!

I usually shave when I'm going out somwhere nice and dressing up. (I don't dress vintage everyday), or if I'm going to the beach. Or I just wait until the prickle or itch bugs me enough.

Miss Retro · Aug 14, 2007

I use intuition to! it's so easy to use in the shower without messing around with a shaving get and razor.

LizzieMaine · Aug 14, 2007

An every-other-day shaver here. For shaving in the shower I've got a Sensor Excel, which is really easy to manipulate because of the wide flat handle -- I don't think I've cut myself more than twice in the fifteen-odd years I've used it. If they ever discontinue the blades, I'll scream.

I've also got a vintage Lady Sunbeam electric that I'll use if I'm in a hurry --

Not the closest shave in the world, but certainly one of the most stylish.

Fleur De Guerre · Aug 14, 2007

I use a Phillips Satinelle epilator (everywhere) and I do it once a week. I do notice a few hairs by the end of the week, but they are so sparse and fine now that you can't tell if you aren't looking closely. I'd never be a regular razor user again, but I do take a razor on holiday because I prefer to be completely smooth legs/underarms/you know where if I'm in a swimsuit / tank / leg exposing clothes.

Babydoll · Aug 14, 2007

I'm a Quattro gal, and I love it. I also use whatever shower gel I'm using for washing the rest of me for shaving. I have had no problems.

KittyT · Aug 14, 2007

I use cheap disposable razors a couple of times and then toss them. I don't shave that often, as my leg hair is kindof sparse and very light, except on the bottom half of my lower leg - most of the time, I only shave up to just past my knee.

I prefer shaving oils to creams and I already have tons of oil at home from using OCM so it works out rather well. I started with the American Crew shave oil, which smells a bit too manly for my taste. My man likes the shaving oil too, so now I just make a big batch of homemade shaving oil for both of us. It does tend to gunk up your razor but gives a much closer, smoother shave than anything else I've tried.

I posted more info about shaving oil and the recipe I use in the gents shaving thread: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showpost.php?p=362507&postcount=30

ssubialdea · Aug 14, 2007

I use the Quattro too. I think its great. I had the Venus for a while but I think I lost it when I went out of town or something. I shave every other day, I could probably go longer but I'd rather not.
I tried the skintimate stuff too, I loved the scents but hated how it clogged the razor. Now I just stick to a nice moisturizing soap and lotion afterwards.

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