Show us someone who claims to enjoy shaving and we’ll show you a liar. From skin irritation to snagging hairs and stinging nicks, shaving rarely goes as well as one would hope and as such it’s not something we tend to look forward to. Having said that, a number of us here at Man of Many recently had the opportunity to test out the GilletteLabs Razor with Exfoliating Bar and we were surprised to find it transformed an undeniable chore into something else entirely.
Perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise that after 120 years in the shaving game Gillette has come up with the most comfortable shave we’ve ever enjoyed, but by adding an exfoliating bar to the process before blade meets skin, the brand’s grooming experts have done exactly that. While the bar is obviously designed to remove unwanted dirt and debris, those of us who’ve struggled with ingrown hairs have also found – much to our relief – that it helps to ensure our skin appears uncharacteristically smooth and free of razor bumps.
Coverage & Comfort
Additional features of the razor include an advanced five-blade cartridge, as well as 2D FlexDisc technology that adapts to facial contours, enabling even pressure distribution throughout your shave. In our experience, this has enabled us to better cover those hard-to-reach places around the contours of the face and neck, relieving us of the all-too-familiar embarrassment that comes with finding a rogue tuft of untrimmed hair sometime throughout the morning.
The comfort of this whole process is significantly enhanced by the ergonomic metallic handle with its full rubber backing and grip. This might not sound like much, but the hand-strain that can come with trying to wield a less well-designed piece of shaving equipment is very real and not something to be overlooked. We’re talking hand cramps, particularly for the gentleman blessed with one of the more robust and blade-resistant strains of facial hair.
Sheer Magnetism
An oft-overlooked but genuinely important thing to consider when shaving is what to do with your equipment once you’re looking your beardless best. Gillette’s new razor includes a magnetic stand as part of the package, which allows the blades to properly dry when not in use. Place the stand in a cool, dry spot outside of your damp bathroom – your bedroom dresser springs to mind as an option – and you’ll help to prevent any buildup of bacteria. The razor’s slick metal design will also help in this regard as it won’t look out of place outside of a bathroom context.
To round out this irritation-free shaving experience, Gillette has also introduced a pair of skincare essentials: Quick Rinse Shave Foam and Rapid Foaming Shave Gel. Both of these are designed to protect your skin and will help take the pain out of your morning routine when used in conjunction with the new razor. Just remember to finish up with a lightweight moisturiser in order to strengthen your skin’s moisture barrier and keep it prepped for your next shave.
Arriving hot on the heels of Gillette’s award-winning Heated Razor, the new GilletteLabs Razor with Exfoliating Bar comes with two advanced blade cartridges as well as the aforementioned magnetic stand, resulting in a package that further improves the shaving experience for those of us who struggle to put blade to skin every morning. If that sounds like a group of which you’re a member, Gillette’s new razor is available now from leading retailers.