But does buying a more expensive razor guarantee a close, smooth shave? To find out, Consumer Reports ShopSmart recruited 18 women to test five razors.
There were two from Schick, as well as two Gillette Venus razors, plus a store-brand razor from CVS. They cost five to 13 dollars, not all that much. But it's important to factor in the cost of the replacement heads.
"The replacement shaving heads for the Gillette Venus Embrace cost three dollars and 25 cents each, at least. The store-brand replacement shaving heads cost only 83 cents each," said ShopSmart Editor-in-Chief Lisa Lee Freeman.
To ensure a clean shave with no nicks, a blade should be changed frequently, so this cost can really add up.
To test, the panelists used each razor twice, replacing the shaving head between uses.
"I like the razor with the heavier handle. I felt I didn't need to apply as much pressure to get a close, smooth shave," said tester Melissa Valentino.
"I like the razors that were lighter in weight, more than the heavier ones," said Elizabeth Duque, another tester.
"No one razor stood out. It turns out it's all about personal preference. So our advice is do your own test at home and start with the cheapest razor first," said Lisa.
ShopSmart says if you find a store-brand razor you like, you can save as much as a hundred dollars in the course of the year. That's one way to make your money go further!
