The Best Safety Razor for Beginners and How to Make the Switch

Check out the best safety razors for those new to the art form at all price points! As well as some tips and tricks to get started.

Want to know the best safety razor for beginners as you make the switch to sustainable, natural hair removal? I’ve got you covered with options that anyone and everyone will love. 

If you’ve never tried a safety razor before, they’re truly life-changing! This little gadget is targeted primarily towards men, but there’s nothing stopping us females from using it! 

Keep reading to see the benefits of safety razors and which ones are worth buying!

This post contains affiliate links. You can learn more here.

What is a Safety Razor?

A safety razor takes the tradition of old-fashioned shaving and puts it into a portable, hassle-free form. Instead of the three or four blades we usually see on disposable razors, a safety razor only has one. 

It also has a guard around it to protect us from severely cutting ourselves when shaving, hence the name safety razor. 

Another great perk of using a safety razor is you buy the handle, and only replace the blade when it dulls. And the blades are completely recyclable! Hello zero-waste shaving! 

To top it off, the handles aren’t plastic like most razors with a disposable head. They’re usually made of stainless steel, making them very durable and will last you forever.

open safety razor

Safety razors have been marketed toward men in the military in the past, because they’re so durable and last a long time. But now they’re marketed toward everyone, including women! 

Women and girls are wanting to know the best safety razor for beginners because, let’s be honest, most women’s hygiene products are complete garbage. Not to mention unnecessarily expensive.  

That’s why I highly recommend you look at safety razors without a gendered lens, so to speak. Shaving is for everyone!

Is Shaving with a Safety Razor Better?

It most certainly is! For women, the most popular method of shaving are disposable razors. Men’s razors, on the other hand, are often much higher quality, last longer, and are much cheaper. 

Most of us women grew up thinking that disposable razors were the best way to shave other than waxing. I bet the words “natural razors” never even crossed your mind until today! 

But what most women don’t realize is that there are much better options out there! That’s why we’re on a quest for the best safety razor for beginners.

This safety razor review is designed to help you break up with your flimsy, toxic, non-sustainable pink razor and find you something better. There are razors that are much cheaper, sustainable, will last you forever, and can still be pink

But did you know that your disposable razor is toxic? It can contribute to serious health problems later on in life. 

The Safety Razor Benefits No One Talks About

I know what you might be thinking. “It’s just a razor, how could it have any dangerous chemicals?” When I told my husband I was writing this post, he stopped everything he was doing in the kitchen and looked at me like I had a third eye. 

“Natural razors?! How is that even a thing?” Was all he could say. (I still laugh at this memory sometimes!)

The answer lies in that little lubricant strip attached to almost every disposable razor. The purpose of that strip is to help the blades glide over your skin easier while keeping it moisturized. 

However, that little lubricating strip is full of unknown ingredients that I’m sure you wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pole. This little area of women’s beauty is often overlooked, simply because it’s not something we would not consider to be full of chemicals. 

It’s truly enlightening when you realize that the little lubricating strip could be made of hundreds of unknown substances! However small that strip may be, it can still have adverse effects on your skin and possibly pose a risk for organ toxicity

Would you want to put something that’s been proven to disrupt your hormones right next to your lymph nodes when you shave your underarms? Didn’t think so. 

Women with easily inflamed skin should especially look into making the switch to safety razors. The best safety razor for sensitive skin is literally any razor without that moisture strip! 

A few years back, I followed the advice one a green beauty blog that suggested I simply take the strip off. But that was much easier said than done. 

Those little suckers are really stuck there! After a few punctured fingertips, I gave up and decided to come back to it. But I discovered the best safety razor for beginners with sensitive skin and never looked back!

Is a Safety Razor Hard to Use?

Not if you use it correctly! They can definitely be intimidating when you try them for the first time.

I mean, there’s an actual razor blade in there! But once you get the hang of holding it at the right angle and using the right shaving cream, everything should go as smooth as your legs (couldn’t resist haha).

But, since there is an actual razor blade involved, I feel the need to say all the usual disclaimers. Make sure that you keep a safety razor out of reach from children and pets, because they can easily cut if not used properly! 

Otherwise, they’re perfectly fine to use. I have even more tips on how to use a safety razor down below.

How Many Shaves Does a Safety Razor Last?

I would say that they last much longer than most experts say. I’ve seen people claim that a safety razor blade lasts only six shaves! 

But I personally think that’s ridiculous. I can get my razor blades to last me well over a month, maybe even two depending on how often I shave. 

To get a good indicator, I just change out my blade when I notice that I don’t get as good a quality of a shave. And for me, that’s roughly a month. 

But everyone’s different. When I start to notice that my hair grows back faster, or my safety razor misses more hair than usual, that’s when it’s time to switch.

I personally think it’s wasteful to change razor blades once every few shaves. But hey, that’s just my unprofessional opinion. 

If you can make a razor blade last longer than that, go for it! There’s no risk with making your blade last. Except for a not-so-great shave!

Can I Shave Every Day with a Safety Razor?

Of course! You can shave as often as you need to. It’s just like your old razor, but a lot better. 

And because it’s better, I think you won’t need to shave as often. Especially if you use the right shaving cream and get a super close shave.

I personally love to use sugar scrub as shaving cream! I get the closest shave possible, my skin is super moisturized afterwards, and I only need to shave once a week. 

Who wouldn’t want that set up? Even without my sugar scrub, I’ve noticed that I can go two to three days without shaving.

Who Makes the Best Safety Razor?

While there’s no “cream of the crop” safety razor, I have a couple great suggestions! Everyone is different with their needs and price points, so there’s something for everyone. 

I will say that one turn-off with safety razors is the price. Some of them range from $50 to $100!

But here are so many options at different price points. Whether you’re looking to splurge or find a bargain, I’ve got you covered.

Affordable Option: Weishi Nostalgic Safety Razor

I found this one with great reviews for a fraction of the usual price! It came with four replacement blades, and has what’s called a “butterfly” opening, where you twist the bottom to open the safety covering when replacing the blades.

It’s pretty basic, which makes it perfect for beginners! I’ve been using this one for about 10 years now and it hasn’t shown any signs of aging.

This safety razor has some major weight to it, but it’s not too heavy at all! I actually like that it has some weight because it gives me a better grip when I’m shaving my legs. Just be careful you don’t drop it on your feet!

Higher-End Option: Well-Kept Safety Razor

I’ve been secretly wanting a pink safety razor forever, and I would certainly get this one if I had a need! I personally haven’t tried this one, but it’s recommended highly on The Detox Market, so I know it has to be good.

Well Kept is an amazing brand of safety razors that gives its customers a stylish alternative to disposable razors. They’re made of solid brass and come in three colors, but the pink one is my favorite. 

They also sell packets of 20 blades in a cute little recyclable package. That amount of blades will last you a very long time!

My First Time Trying a Safety Razor

I’ll admit that I was a bit scared to try this safety razor for the first time. Especially when I read one of the reviews that said it cut them up very badly. 

However, I remembered to take reviews with a grain of salt and bought it anyway. I used it very gingerly the first time around out of fear, and slowly increased my speed as I got the hang of it. 

Now I’ve been using safety razors for years, and I’ve had no issues whatsoever! The blade glides very easily over my legs, and I’ve had zero nicks when shaving my underarms. 

In fact, I get the closest shave I’ve ever had on my underarms! When it’s time for me to shave, I just wash my body like I normally would and get to it. 

When it comes to shaving cream, I love using a sugar scrub right before if I’m feeling fancy! It gets a closer shave, and I don’t have to moisturize afterwards. 

You can check out my post on how to make your own sugar scrub to make your own!

When I put on natural deodorant after a shower, it glides on nice and smooth. I don’t know about you, but deodorant always stung my underarms after I shaved with disposable razors. 

Now I have less nicks, my skin isn’t irritated, and I can rest easy knowing that I’m exposing myself to less hazardous chemicals!

How Do You Shave with a Safety Razor Without Cutting Yourself? 

As long as you practice good shaving habits, using a safety razor without cutting yourself should be a breeze! But here are some of my top tips to avoid getting any gnarly cuts. 

  • Hold the handle at a 30 degree angle. If you’re like me and have no idea what that looks like, hold the razor at 90 degrees to your skin and then lower the handle halfway towards yourself. 

It’s really second nature once you find that sweet spot at 30 degrees, but make sure you keep it there consistently! I’ve had some minor knicks from moving my hand a little too much. 

  • Use a good shaving lubricant. This is a huge game changer! Using a lubricant like sugar scrub or a good natural shaving cream will help the blad to glide smoothly over your skin, which lessens the chances of cutting yourself. 
  • Rinse your razor blade in-between strokes. This is crucial if you’re going over a hairy area! You need to keep that blade working in top shape in order to avoid knicks. If you’re shaving an area that gets regular maintenance, you don’t have to worry about this as much. 
  • Treat hard-to-reach areas with care. For me, this is at the base of the back of my ankles. It’s very easy for the blade to get caught on the folds of skin around the top of the heel. I even have little scars at my heels from shaving this area in a rush. Don’t be like me! 

I’ve found that if I flex my heels, go slow, and hold my razor at the proper angle, I’m totally fine! Just something to keep in mind if you find yourself continuously cutting certain areas. 

Some Extra Updates and Tricks With Using a Safety Razor

I’ve traveled with my safety razor quite a bit, and one thing I learned quickly is that the metal handle will cause your bag to be searched in security. And once they find it, they also will confiscate the blade. 

If you decide to travel with your razor, you’ll have to buy a new set of blades once you arrive, unless you decide to check your baggage instead. What I like to do is a nice shave right before I leave if I’m not going to be gone long so I don’t have to bring it in the first place.

Final Thoughts on the Best Safety Razor for Beginners

The small lubricating strip on most disposable razors is full of toxic ingredients that I know you work hard to avoid. Why not look into some of the alternatives? 

Take the classic shaving techniques of fancy barber shops back to your own home with safety razors. These little contraptions consist of stainless steel with a “safety” covering over the blade to prevent severe cuts. 

I made the switch from disposable to safety razors, and it’s been great! I get a much closer shave, and I’ve had no issues with irritation or knicks. I feel so much better knowing that I’m not putting any harsh or unknown substances near my lymph nodes. 

What other ways of hair removal do you use? Do you use a safety razor and love it? Let me know in the comments!

Articles Related to the Best Safety Razor for Women:

woman shaving

Best Safety Razor for Girls

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I accept the Privacy Policy