Shave your legs straight.
Shaving your legs with a straight razor is hardcore and feminine. It is also surprisingly easy, affordable and promotes a self-care ritual that encourages you to know and love your body.

I initially tried shaving my legs with a straight razor because of my boyfriend. He became a zealot for straigth razor shaving around the same time that I was increasingly annoyed at the price (and packaging) of ‘dispoable’ razors. Even the Venus and Mach 3 which I’ve used don’t seem to last. (Yes, I’m guilty of leaving them in the shower, but whatever.) I kept getting knicks, cuts and irritated skin on my legs and ankles – partly because I would shave in haste and use razors past their prime, but also because with a safety razor I wasn’t paying attention to what I was doing. So one day, I just decided to give it a try.
The next day I was poking around the web and came across a post where a woman joked that her husband loves his straight razor and “if only it works on my legs!” Why not? Because I’ll tell you, it does. It works wonderfully on ladies’ legs (or at least on mine, and I presume by extension, yours).

The feminine side of straight razors.
It sounds all manly, kind of wild even, for someone to shave with a straight razor. Initially I thought of Crocodile Dundee, or The Man With No Name, or some old-timey barber reading the paper in his chair waiting for a clientel that no longer exists. But it turns out, having done it myself, that shaving with a straight razor is actually very feminine and sensual.

The razor itself is a thing of beauty and can be an expression of your personality. An accessory more intimate than shoes and as classy as fountain pens, your straight razor can be quite delicate and elegant. Several antique razors are stunning, and reminiscent of fans and opera glasses.


They can also be really playful and kitschy. For example, the Americana razors are like novelty glasses, while the nudes invoke the classic pin-up girl. Rather than demeaning to women, I think these have a lot of character. In fact, you kind of feel like that pin up girl when you shave – pert, flirty, like maybe you’ve been airbrushed or painted in pastels. Smooth and saucy all at once.


And there’s always corn.

My own razor (below) was custom made using exotic hardwood – pink ivory – and a vintage blade. It is petite, especially compared to some of the ‘meat cleaver’ style razors, and is simply elegant.

The shaving accessories are also delightfully girly. ClassicShaving.com offers mug shaving soap in 15 fragrances, including Vanilla, Violet, Lilac, Rose, Lavender, and Jasmine. I guess a colonial Victorian gentleman was about as feminine as a modern day woman – moreso even. There are also a range of fragrant oils, toners, creams, and balms which can be used after you shave to calm the skin, clean nicks, and moisturize.

The accessories, beyond products, include a soap dish (mug or bowl) and brush. Even if you decide not to use a straight razor, I strongly recommend using a brush and shaving soap to lather on your legs. With the brush, the soap becomes slick and frothy. It is surprisingly light yet stays in place on your skin. You’ll also want a hand towel (terry cloth, cotton, linen, etc) nearby to wipe your razor, and to wrap your legs in (when the towel is wet with hot water).

Also, for the how- to side of things, the best advice is go slow and trust yourself. The angle of the blade should be roughly 30 degrees; too sharp and you’ll feel it scrape the leg, too shallow and you’ll not get a close shave. Another good suggestion is to hold the skin taut with your free hand. There are plenty of forums and videos online which describe and demonstrate technique for holding and caring for your razor. Enjoy!!