Almost as bad as razor burn.
Written: Mar 05 '03 (Updated Mar 05 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Can provide a smooth shave. Use by men and women.
Cons: Lotion applies easily. Drying! Contains alcohol.
The Bottom Line: Too hard to use. Not recommended for sensitive skin. Rinses off too easily. Spend your cash on other products that won't literally go down the drain.
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| LauraSunflower's Full Review: Philosophy Razor Sharp |
"Extra close shaving gel for men and women".
The product claims:
"special formula allows for an extra close shave.
contains soothing botanical blends.
contains skin conditioning agents.
water soluble, high viscosity emollient allows for shaving ease.
can be use by both men and women."
That drew me in tight to buying this Philosophy product. I love a close shave on my legs. Who doesn't? Even in the dead of winter in Michigan, you gotta love a good smooth shave. I love a razor that produces results (MACH III). I thought, why not pair this supposed "mens only" razor with a product that screams a good shave. I usually use anything from hair conditioner to Skintimate shaving gels, I thought I'd treat my gams to something different.
I bought the 8 fl. oz. bottle at drugstore.com for $18.00. Not cheap considering you can find a good shaving gel/foam for just a few dollars. That right there is the first negative. Cost. I don't know many people that would pay $18.00 for a shaving product. I'm almost sad to admit it.
razor sharp has a typical and cute Philosophy product description (from the bottle):
"philosophy®: looking razor sharp isn't nearly as important as being razor sharp. we are bombarded with information regarding the importance of working out in order to keep ourselves looking and feeling our best. only when we 'work in' do things actually begin to work out."
Whoah - that's one I had to re-read not only once, but twice, as to what in the heck this has to do with shaving!
The bottle is cleanly designed in the philosophy fashion. A clear bottle with a flip-top black lid. As neat and clean as the packaging is, it's hard to easily dispense the "gel" (as it's advertised, but lacking a gel-like feel). The product slides out too fast and nearly slips through your fingers too fast. The bottle also doesn't squeeze as easily as one would hope while in the slippery shower. The product tends to sputter out of the bottle in a haphazard fashion.
The directions are simple:
"for a smooth, close, shave apply razor sharp to a clean face, neck or legs. because razor sharp provides a very close shave, we do not recommend it for sensitive skin."
That's right sensitive skin, stay away. Far away. This product contains alcohol. My legs to get a bit dry during the winter months and I experienced no irritation. It would be easy to see how sensitive skin could have trouble with this product. Even though the product claims 'skin conditioning agents' I didn't find my legs any softer or more supple.
Ingredients include:
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract (kiwi), Dioctyldodecyl Fluoroheptyl Citrate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Amodimethicone, Tallowtrimonium Chloride, Nonoxynol 10, Isododecane, Citric Acid, Fragrance, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, FD&C Blue No. 1
See the last ingredient? Blue No. 1? Yep! The product is blue. Yes, Blue. This concoction isn't ideal for shaving, it's thin in consistency. No foamy lather at all. So, if you have fair leg hairs, it may be hard to see where the lotion has been applied and where you've already shaved. Luckily, since my leg hair is dark, I am able to see where I've already shaved. (Did I really say, luckily for that?!) Also, if you can move about the shower with ballerina grace this product is for you. The gel slips fast down wet legs, catch it quick before it slips down the drain (along with your patience and money). This does reinforce a claim of the product, 'water soluble', it slips off easily and effortlessly in water. But! Not when you need it to - at the end of a shave.
I didn't experience any weird cuts, stubble or irritation with use of this product. I did find I wasn't crazy about the smell. It has a slightly sweet and strange smell that isn't easily identifiable.
I'd recommend using this product without the water constantly running. If you're treating yourself to a good leg pampering with scrubs, exfoliation while sitting on the edge of your tub and have the time to do so - Go for it! When you have the ability to control application and give yourself some time for a good shave, this product does provide results. My legs were smooth. Yet, I spent more time than I liked shaving my legs. This product works quickly and easily to shave underarms as such a little amount of product is needed.
For use by men and women? That's possible if you can get a guy to use it! I offered the product to my husband to use on his face during his morning shaves. He nixed the idea and judging by the way he looked at the bottle he found it to be too much trouble to bother. He shaves in the shower and seems to like the manageability a foam offers for applying to his face and staying put as he carefully shaves. I don't couldn't see myself using this stuff on my face if I were a man!
Honestly, it's taken me months to use this bottle. I found myself rushing in the shower and finding this product just took too much time to use. I moved a can of Skintimate back in and have reached for it more than my bottle of razor sharp. It's too involved for even me and I like using products.
As fabulous as most philosophy products are, I'd advise that any devotees skip this one. Sharp and smooth shave? Sure. Only if you have the time in your busy schedule. Will the kids, husband, dogs, cats, telemarketer phone calls and everyone else to stay away while you shave? No? You're probably not alone. Then pass this product by. There are better alternatives.
More than once I uttered "I shaved my legs for this?" to myself after realizing just how long it took me to shave.
I'll be back to my ol' foamy standby soon enough. I'll spend that $18.00 on other philosophy products I can really use.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
LauraSunflower
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Member: Laura
Location: Hockeytown
Reviews written: 57
Trusted by: 46 members
About Me:
Busy raisin' kiddos.
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