Whether you think shaving is relaxing, an art form for you to master, or a miserable time sink, you probably still have to do it, and anything worth doing is worth doing well.
Update 5/14/18: Mega update.
The introduction of the Philips OneBlade, a $35 MSRP, washable, rechargeable, fast, idiot-proof, and “close enough” hybrid electric razor and beard trimmer has changed the shaving game forever. The OneBlade can easily cut through a full beard, trim your stubble down to perfect length, or get you 95% of the way to smooth in record time.
The Pro model adds a charging stand and a comb you can dial in, which will definitely be welcomed by those who trim on the regular.
The Body Kit turns the OneBlade into your full body trimmer, with no accompanying irritation.
If you need to be fully clean shaven every day for work, you should get a real electric razor (also, my condolences). Braun’s Series 7 electric shavers have been around for almost a decade. They easily won your vote for best electric razor back in 2014, and they’ve been my pick since 2010. Not much has changed in this space since Obama’s first term, but in my face time with the newer Series 9, I’ve found it to be a somewhat closer and significantly faster shave.
We’ve seen the flagship 9290cc drop as low as $200, and it includes the option to shave wet and the cleaning dock, so that’s our baseline here. While the 790cc represents a great value when it gets down to the $110 range, it can’t be be used as a wet shaver, so unless you’re certain you don’t care about that option, stick with the 9290cc.
If you’re stuck on real razors, Dorco is still the best deal in blades, and also the most blades, and also they vibrate. Those seven blades make for the best shave I’ve ever had from a cartridge razor, without the moisturizing strip on Gillette blades that immediately wears out and irritates. The “honeycomb guard bar” also makes a real difference.
There’s a luxury, and of course a greater closeness, that can only come from shaving old school. If you combine the regular and long-handle versions, Merkur Razors took 30% of the 2013 Lifehacker razor vote, and were certainly the most popular safety razor.
Feather Blades are a great choice, very popular in our comments section, and the #1 bestseller on Amazon.
The shaving cream scene is stacked with great options. Mavericks is my favorite, and I’ve tested a lot. It combines moisturizer and aftershave with a super slick formula, and ticks every box.
My favorite beard care system (another extremely competitive space), is Maapilim’s.
Using Maapilim’s Face Cleanser (which smells amazing) in concert with my Foreo (use them before you shave!), along with their All Purpose Oil daily, and their Beard Wash and Beard Softener twice a week, has my facial hair soft and orderly, with no dryness or itching. Ingredients include a premium list of the best oils, from Argan to Scotch Pine.
For all that shaving you’re going to be doing in the shower with the above products we recommended, ToiletTree’s fogless mirrors actually work. I’ve had mine for five years.