Shave Smarter: DIY Shaving Oil

I've had a shaving epiphany, and it's not involving a fancy new razor or some space-age foam. No, this revelation comes in a bottle, smells like a dream, and has left my face feeling smoother than a baby's, well, you know.

A few years back, I dabbled in the dark arts of shaving oil, forsaking my trusty shaving cream for something a bit more… liquid. And let me tell you, it was a game-changer. My skin felt amazing, the shave was incredibly close, and I genuinely wondered why I'd been battling mountains of foam my whole life. Then I remembered the price tag. Twelve quid for a paltry 15ml? My wallet screamed in protest. I mean, I love a good shave, but I'm not made of money.

Fast forward to today. The memory of that glorious, albeit expensive, shave lingered. So, being the resourceful, penny-pinching individual I am, I decided to take matters into my own hands.

DIY Shaving Oil

First, the carrier oil. This is the workhorse, the unsung hero that gets all the good stuff where it needs to be. After a bit of research (and let's be honest, a quick Google), I landed on Sweet Almond Oil. Not only does this stuff apparently penetrate deep into your skin, delivering all sorts of lovely benefits, but it's also a whiz at softening whiskers. Take that, stubborn stubble!

Next up: the fragrance. This is where things got really exciting. I wanted something masculine, sophisticated, and frankly, something that would make me smell less like I'd just rolled out of bed. My chosen concoction? Sandalwood, Bergamot, and Frankincense. If that doesn't sound like a Sultan's secret weapon, I don't know what does! 

So, I ordered the goods: a whopping 1 litre of Sweet Almond Oil and 30ml of each fragrant elixir. They arrived, I mixed 'em all up (with the precision of a mad scientist, naturally), and gave it a good sniff.

Oh. My. Goodness.

It smells absolutely fantastic. Seriously, I'm not just saying that. I'm considering decanting some into a dispenser to wear as a subtle fragrance during the day!

Serene Citrus & Wood Elixir

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Sweet almond oil provides a luxurious foundation for the comforting depth of sandalwood, beautifully complemented by the zesty, cheerful essence of bergamot, and finished with the ancient, calming whisper of frankincense. It's a 10/10 from me. 

And the shave itself? It did not disappoint. My face felt incredibly smooth, no nicks, no irritation. And dare I say it, I've been left with a rather youthful glow.

Now, for the grand reveal, the moment you've all been waiting for: the cost. For all these luxurious ingredients, for just over a litre of this golden elixir, I paid a grand total of £22.

Let that sink in for a moment. Twenty-two quid. For a litre. When "King of Shaves" (bless their hearts) charges £12 for a measly 15ml. Do the maths, people. That's a saving so monumental, it almost feels like I'm robbing them blind.

So, do yourself a massive favour. Stop faffing about with overpriced foams, soaps, and creams. Get yourself some Sweet Almond Oil and a few essential oils, mix 'em up, and prepare for the best shave of your life. You can thank me later – preferably with a subtle nod of appreciation from your freshly glowing, youthful face.

Ditch the Cartridges: Embrace the Blade

For years, I was a slave to the multi-blade razor. Gillette, Wilkinson Sword, supermarket own brands – I tried them all. Remember those early electric shavers? Yeah, the less said about those skin-irritation nightmares, the better. I even dabbled with a humble Bic, which, surprisingly, did the job just fine. But then the razor manufacturers went mad.

More blades! They screamed. Five blades! Seven blades! It was a marketing frenzy, and my wallet has been suffering. Frankly, it all felt like nonsense. Shaving is ridiculously expensive. The sheer volume of choices is overwhelming.

Something had to change. That's when I decided to go old school. I decided to try a safety razor. Now, for those of you who only know shaving through the lens of plastic cartridges, a safety razor is what your grandad probably used. It's a classic tool, a beautifully simple instrument with a handle and a head that holds a single, replaceable blade.

I chose a reasonably priced model called the Yaqi Se Katana. Apparently, the company behind it used to manufacture shaving gear for other brands before deciding to create their own line. Smart move, in my opinion. The Katana uses a single blade – other safety razors use a double-edged blade, but I decided to keep it simple.

The Katana is made from Stainless Steel and is well balanced. The protruding blade is scary looking, but the well-designed head helps to produce a very smooth shave.

I paired the Katana with Derby Premium single edge blades, and let me tell you, the results were a revelation. My shaves are now incredibly smooth, and the cost? Forget about it!

I can get 100 Derby Premium single-edge blades for just over a fiver. That's a fraction of the cost of those fancy multi-blade cartridges, and the shave is far superior. For example, a pack of 4 Gillette Fusion blades will cost you around £13. Its a no brainier!

Seriously, I urge you to give a safety razor a try. You might be surprised.

Think about it: the first safety razor was invented way back in the 1700s! They were even issued to soldiers during World War I, solidifying their reputation as the go-to tool for a clean shave. Then, in the 1970s, the disposable cartridge razor appeared, and the multi-blade madness began.

But here's the truth: you don't need multiple blades. It's a marketing gimmick. Ditch the cartridges, embrace the single blade, and rediscover the joy of a truly great shave.

You might just thank me later.