Razors pose a fairly large eco problem. Most are not recyclable. Most are not long life. Most are made of toxic icky junk.

That said, if smooth is your game, you’ve got limited choices.

• There’s the reusable straight edge razor, which can cut you up like no one’s business, but if sharpened can last a long time.
• There’s not shaving.
• And now, for a while, there’s been the recyclable Preserve Razor. It’s available in a triple blade and a double blade. Preserve Razors are cool because the handles are made from 100% recycled plastic. The Preserve Triple Razor package doubles as a reusable travel case and can be returned for recycling. 

Personally, I actually refrained from shaving for years, thus cutting my waste considerably. However, after moving to New Mexico, where heat is king, I couldn’t take any extra anything; body hair included. I started shaving again.

This was before the Preserve days, so I bought an old school Gillette Sensor Excel Razor. I don’t think you can even get these anymore. You can barely find the cartridges, so I’ve one, been in a fix, and two, never liked the fact that this razor is made from non-recycled plastic.

Since it’s getting harder to find my cartridge replacements, and because I’d like a lower footprint, I recently bought a Preserve razor – the triple blade version – to try.  And now, the face off. Which razor is better? The Gillette or the Preserve?

The contestants: One Gillette Sensor Excel in pink (that I’ve had for maybe three years – yes I clean it!) and one Preserve Triple Blade in the lovely sea green (brand new).

Smack down stats:

• I did four leg shaving sessions. Two each with each razor.
• I used a new razor blade in each razor, and shaved twice (four shaves total). I did not change out the blades for the second round.
• On the oddball chance that shave cream might make a difference I used two different types – the awesome vedaDUDE Glide Organic Shave Gel that I reviewed here (and loved) and Kiss My Face Key Lime Moisture Shave.

It’s important to remember: As previously noted I have sharp object issues. I always tend to cut myself. So I’m a hard case for razor reviews.

SMACK DOWN SHAVE TESTS:

The Gillette razor – When I used the Gillette with the vedaDUDE gel I didn’t cut myself once. I got a clean, close, smooth shave. While the Gillette didn’t fare as well with the Kiss My Face shave cream, it still performed ok. Not too many cuts and a decent smooth shave.

The Preserve razor – When I use the Preserve razor with the Kiss My Face cream, I got more cuts than normal. When I used the Preserve with the vedaDUDE gel, it was better, but unlike the Gillette, I walked away with some nicks. The shave overall was smooth, although, not in my opinion, as smooth as the Gillette, and the cuts were annoying.

SMACK DOWN WINNER:

Clearly my old school Gillette. This was much to my dismay I might add. Preserve toothbrushes are the only toothbrushes I’ll use, and I’m a huge Preserve company fan, so this was a major disappointment to me. I wanted the Preserve to win going in, but it just couldn’t cut it.

My thoughts and ideas: First of all, I’m so used to my old Gillette, that I’m thinking the Preserve handle threw me. It’s longer, thinner, and harder to hold on to. Also, Preserve razor handles can be used with Personna, Acti-Flexx, and Gillette Sensor blades so using a Preserve handle with another blade is an option. Overall I like the look and colors of the Preserve better, but I also like not being cut.

My best choice is to go with hanging on to the Preserve handle and using different blades. What I’d really like is one eco-razor that totally works though. I’ll keep looking.

What you think…

All this said, I’m just one girl (with sharp object issues I might add) SO I’m interested in your thoughts. Have you used the Preserve razor? If so, what do you think?

Long story short; sharp object and me have a long and dangerous history. If I use the best of the best razors to shave my legs, I still manage to get cut. Heck, if I use a plastic spoon to shave my legs I’d likely manage to get cut.

I’m always on the lookout for items that minimize my insane sharp object issue, so trying out new shave products is old hat. However, vedaDUDE Glide is not old hat by any means.

Basics: vedaDUDE Glide is an organic shave gel, made by vedaPURE, that may be meant for guys (hence the DUDE), but lacking facial hair (thankfully) I tried this product out on my legs.

Ingredients: Organic Aloe Leaf Juice, Meadowfoam Seed, Organic Bilberry Extract, Organic Sugar Cane Extract, Organic Orange and Lemon Extract, Cranberry Extract

What I think:

Honestly, I think I’m in love with vedaDUDE. Soooooo many perks…

• Glides on perfectly.
• It only takes a small amount of gel to cover the average sized leg (an organic bargain).
• Smells great – very clean, not overpowering, and leaves a slight fresh scent lingering after your shave is done.
• Not sticky like most gels.
• Rinsed off cleanly.
• Left my legs feeling moisturized before I had even put lotion on.
• Best of all – NOT ONE CUT. I don’t know if they put magic fairy shave dust in this stuff or what, but for me, no cuts is pretty much unheard of. I was in shock. A shave gel that doesn’t require bandages is a perk to me.

Cons:

• I like a little more color in my gels usually. Although colors are usually bad because of preservatives and chemicals, they do aid in the not cutting your legs to shreds deal. In this case it wasn’t an issue, but if you like a colored gel, this one isn’t.
• I can’t tell if the container is recyclable, (nothing marked) and I can’t easily find this info on the vedaPURE website. I’m gonna give recycling a whirl anyhow, but some info on this would be helpful.

VedaDUDE Glide score:

+

Six out of five pretty trees! I’ve used other decent shaving products, (razors, gels, creams, etc), some of which I’ll be reviewing soon, but this, hands down, is my favorite shaving product to date. I wasn’t even trying to be careful, yet walked away cut-free. I highly suggest this gel; it’s worth every penny. If shave challenged me can use it, then imagine how nice it will be for someone who is more savvy with sharp objects. Toss in the fact that it smells great and is organic, well, go them!

Check out this and other products at vedaPURE; by the way, I think this gel tossed into a gift basket would make a great holiday gift as well.

SAVE MONEY: Right now, vedaPURE is hosting a holiday gift special – simply enter the code holiday at checkout and get 10% off your entire order.

$20 – vedaDUDE Glide

+ vedaPURE