razors

Brand-new men's grooming brand Harry's, from one of the guys behind the cool eyewear company Warby Parker Jeff Raider, is upping the ante. Its just-debuted shave sets ($15-25), which include shaving cream, a razor handle, and three blades, are ace for the sophisticated man in your life, as well as your own shower kit.

Men's razors are one of those beauty products that even women want to get their hands on, and for good reason. Men's razors tend to give a closer shave since their blades are created for the rough hairs on men's faces. With five blades made from Swedish steel and a flexible hinge to align with the contours of the face, the razor is on par with an expensive luxury brand. The shaving cream itself is no different, concocted from marula and eucalyptus oils and free of sulfates and parabens. You can feel good about your purchase, too. For every blade bought, Harry's will donate a blade (or an equivalent dollar value) to an organization that helps people look their best. All of the products individually rank in at $20 or less, and the most expensive set is $25, so you can pick one up for your favorite guy . . . and still have cash left over for yourself.

Some women love the ritual of shaving. I'm more of the git-r-done viewpoint, preferring to shave as quickly and rarely as possible. The problem is, I usually wind up with nicks or next-day stubble. This is why Schick's new Hydro Silk razor is blowing my mind, at least as much as a razor possibly can. I've been using it for about two months, and no joke, I'm down to shaving once every five days or so. Lest you think I look like an extra in Harry and the Hendersons, my legs remain smooth for days on end. Better still: my usual dry, itchy, post-shave skin is now happily hydrated.

Hydro Silk is Schick's first five-bladed razor for women, and each blade is mounted individually for better movement around curvy parts — which means it's harder to nick your knees and ankles. It tackles irritation and dry skin with a water-activated serum that sits in tiny reservoirs. As you shave, you moisturize. Easy as that. It took seven years to create this razor, and it took only one use for me to start recommending it. Psst: Keep an eye on Hydro Silk's Facebook page, where fans can score free samples from time to time.

(Full disclosure: I was flown to the razor's launch event by Schick.)

There's nothing all that romantic about disposable razors, but if you've ever had a terrible experience (or several) using them, then you'll likely appreciate Schick's Xtreme3 Women's Disposable Razor for sensitive skin ($8). Not only are these razors easy to work with and maneuver, but they'll also leave your skin moisturized — sans the goopy or slimy byproduct often left behind with similar tools in the shaving category. Plus, they give a very close shave without the scary factor; after several uses, no nicks, razor burn, or cuts were to be seen.

And to sweeten the pot, from now until Feb. 29 if you buy two specially marked Schick iTunes razor packs or refills, you can get a $10 iTunes download card. Who ever thought shaving could actually be kind of fun?

Schick Intuition razors are known for their ability to lather, shave, and moisturize in one step. And now, the brand has just released three newly-designed, limited-edition designs within the line, featuring cute, decorative ergonomic handles: Naturals For Sensitive Skin With Aloe and Vitamin E (green); Moisturizing Care Pack Duo (polka-dot pink); and Pomegranate Extract (pink swirl). As a fan of the Intuition — and a fan of having pretty things in my shower — I'm pretty jazzed about the new styles and will be snapping them up ASAP. They're available now through September at drugstores nationwide. See the other two designs when you read more.